South America
Inca History, Colonial Highlights & the Panama CanalOverview
Our journey begins with a transit through the famous Panama Canal, bringing our ship from the Caribbean Sea across to the Pacific Ocean. From there, we head south, visting stunning cities full of charming architecture in Panama, Ecuador, Peru, and Chile. Along the way, we’ll encounter beautiful beaches, archaeological mysteries, and UNESCO sites.
- See different cities along South America's Pacific Coast, each with their own character
- Learn the distinct culture of four countries: Panama, Ecuador, Peru, and Chile
- Explore UNESCO World Heritage Sites famous for archaeology or colonial architecture
- Experience a transit of the Panama Canal aboard your expedition ship
This gateway to the Panama Canal will be our embarking point to the ship, and stay in for overnight at the port
Experience the thrill and intricacy of canal transit before exiting into the Pacific Ocean at Balboa
Our Expedition Team begins its lecture series and prepares you for the exciting days ahead
See the fine workmanship of real Panama hats at Montecristi, or enjoy the beaches and vitality of Manta city
Explore Ecuador's Banana Planting customs, Hummingbirds and Petrified Forest
Scan for wildlife on deck, or learn more from the Expedition team as you enjoy another beautiful day at sea
Join optional excursion to the ruins of Chan-Chan, the ancient capital of Chimu Kingdom and a UNESCO cultural heritage site.
We dock in Callao, near historic Lima, the capital of Peru, with its historic Plaza de Armas, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Gateway to the quiet colonial town of Pisco, home to the famous and mysterious Nazca lines and geoglyphs
Get great tips on expedition photography and scan for wildlife from out on deck
Explore the city, walk up El Morro for a panoramic view, stroll the beaches and visit fascinating archaeological sites
Stroll the beachfront to watch surfers, enjoy Georgian architecture, Or join excursion to Atacama Desert and Humberstone.
Relax and enjoy the lectures from our experienced Expedition team, and take part in the “Equator Baptism”!
One of the oldest cities in Chile, La Serena over flows with gardens and churches. Wander the beaches, vernadas, plazas
Our voyage ends in colourful and poetic Valparaíso with option to extend stay with visit to Easter Islands
With multiple dates available, we offer you this sailing on two ships possessing different styles and offering something truly unique. No matter which ship you choose, each is an ideal starting point for excursions, and perfectly designed to provide a great place to relax with panoramic areas to view the beautiful scenery around you. Get in touch with our expedition consultant to learn more about their features and which ship suits your exploration style
Go on hikings, walking tours, outings to local performances, and onshore events.Both on and off the ship, lectures are held on a wide variety of specialist topics that cover: biology, geography and geology history and art culture and local traditions. We will also have a welcome event, daily gatherings to recap the day and prepare for the day to come
An international hand-picked team of highly educated experts that safeguard both explorers and the pristine environment. They serve as your invaluable hosts throughout your expedition cruise leading your way to offshore activities and keeping you informed onboard on daily activities and events
We invite our guests to participate in science activities, developing a greater understanding of the region in which they travel, becoming true ambassadors, and returning home to champion the protection of our planet's most fragile ecosystems. Learn from a scientist during collaborative lectures, hands on experiences with microscopes. Join our citizen science boats to collect samples on behalf of research institutes
For curious and active youth aged 6-12 years of age, we offer free-of-charge Young Explorers’ Programme to makes it easier to meet other children on board, bond over common activities and form lasting friendships. Via this program, the children will learn about other cultures, the importance of nature in our daily lives, and the impact humans have on our delicate and beautiful planet. To reserve, please contact our booking office
Day wise Itinerary
Day 1
Located at the entrance to the Panama Canal, Colón’s Canal Expansion Observation Center has viewing platforms over the Atlantic locks and Gatún Lake. Embark MS Fram and spend the night aboard in port.
Day 2
The marvel of the famous Panama Canal crossing.
Early in the morning, we depart Colón and enter the Panama Canal, a marvel of modern engineering. We experience the canal transit and the ingenuity of the lock's system firsthand as MS Fram is lifted over 26 metres above sea level, bringing us from the Atlantic side over to the Pacific Ocean.
Day 3
Spend time relaxing in the serenity of the sea. Join lectures as our experienced lecturers share their extensive knowledge and meet our Expedition Team on deck to spot marine wildlife and sea birds. As we cross the Equator, it’s our tradition to hold a ceremony seeking King Neptune’s blessing. He may even make an appearance.
Day 4
As we cross the Equator, it’s our tradition to hold a ceremony seeking King Neptune’s blessing. He may even make an appearance before we reach our first call in Ecuador. Manta is a bustling port with high-rise buildings and lovely beaches. You can visit the city museum which showcases artefacts from local pre-Colombian culture, a collection of Ecuadorian art, and weird and wonderful fishing paraphernalia. We recommend an excursion to nearby Montecristi where traditional Panamanian straw hats are hand woven.
Day 5
Known as the banana capital of the world, this area is surrounded by banana plantations - approximately 80% of Ecuador’s bananas are shipped through Puerto Bolivar. Join an optional excursion to an organic plantation and learn about their unique process of growing their banana plants – by playing classical music for them. Further ashore you can explore the Buenaventura Reserve where you have the chance to observe hummingbirds, hawks and parakeets, or walk amongst fossilized trees, flowers, and plants in the Petrified Forest of Puyango on one of our optional excursions.
Day 6
Our Expedition Team will continue the lecture programme to share their knowledge and experience, as well as summarise the voyage so far and let you know about plans for the exciting days to come. Our onboard Expedition Photographer will be available to help you with the basics of expedition photography.
Day 7
Discover the ruins of the Chimu Kingdom.
Next is the port of Salaverry, the starting point for two optional excursions. Visit the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site of Chan Chan (`Sun Sun´) to see the mud-brick ruins of the ancient Chimú kingdom. Or tour the Mochican temples of the Sun and Moon, the former being the largest adobe pyramid in Peru.
Day 8
We dock in Callao and travel a short distance to Lima, Peru’s vibrant capital. From Plaza Mayor, stroll around the UNESCO-listed Historic Center, admiring the architecture of colonial cathedrals and Baroque buildings. Whether walking the spacious parks or enjoying top cuisine, you’ll understand why the city was once known as ‘The City of Kings’.
Day 9
Desert meets fertile valleys in Peru.
From Paracas, we explore the nearby uninhabited Ballestas Islands. The shores here have a range of wildlife, including sea lions, turtles, dolphins, pelicans, Peruvian boobies and Humboldt penguins. Paracas is also the near to Pisco valley, the site of mysterious Nazca lines and geoglyphs, which you can see on an optional excursion.
Day 10
As we sail further south, enjoy our lecture programme, the fresh salt air, and all the amenities the ship has to offer.
Day 11
Arica enjoys a constant desert climate and is one of the driest cities in the world. Walk along beaches, visit San Marcos Cathedral, or hike El Morro cliff for views over the port city. The local San Miguel de Azapa Archaeological Museum contains artefacts from the Chinchorro culture and some of the world's oldest mummies.
Day 12
Welcome to a slice of paradise by the Pacific, complete with palm trees and promenades. As one of Chile’s top seaside cities, Iquique is a hive of activity all year around. Shoppers stream to the duty-free Zofri Mall while maritime enthusiasts will be enthralled by a tour of La Esmeralda corvette that hails from the War of the Pacific. Our main plan here is a visit to the nearby abandoned saltpeter mining town of Humberstone in the Atacama Desert, a UNESCO site and history you can literally walk through.
Back in Iquique, head along the boardwalk of La Costenera next to the sands of Playa Cavancha and admire the scenery of the city skyline on one side and parasailors and surfers on the other. Baquedano Street showcases 19th century Georgian architecture and leads to Astoreca Palace and a photogenic clock tower at the centre of town. You’ll also find many a chic café where you can indulge in local coffee culture or sip on a traditional creamy mango sour. A Chinatown has sprung up around the mercado, marrying Peruvian and Chinese flavours to invent unique chifa cuisine. Aside from a variety of seafood dishes, you’ll definitely want to try chumbeque, a dessert that blends fried thin dough with fruity caramels.
Day 13
Enjoy the serenity of this day at sea, relaxing and admiring the scenery from the observation deck or over in the lounge.
Throughout your journey, the Expedition Team will be running lectures in the Science Center to share their extensive knowledge of the region with you. Topics could include periods of pre-Columbian history, the geology of the surrounding mountains and islands, folklore of local communities, and so on. But not all lectures are confined to indoors. If the ship attracts seabirds who come to fly alongside us, the Expedition Team might also help you spot and identify these feathered followers out on deck.
Day 14
Perched on ocean terraces, La Serena is blessed with beautiful sandy beaches all along Avenida del Mar and beyond. You’ll find that Chile’s second-oldest city has a distinct and purposeful neo-colonial look and feel to it. Modern buildings sit interspersed with classic architecture, such as the 30 or so carefully restored stone churches, some of which are 350 years old. If the churches, while charming, start to look the same to you, a helpful hint is to distinguish them by their different styles of belfries.
Aside from wandering the beaches, promenades and plazas, you can also stroll through manicured public gardens like the Japanese-inspired Jardín del Corazón or shop for arts and crafts at Recova Market. The archaeological museum houses pre-colonial artefacts while the hidden lane of Patio Colonial near Balmaceda is the place to go for chilled-out cafés and eateries.
Day 15
Our expedition ends in the seaport of Valparaíso. Built on steep hillsides overlooking the ocean, the UNESCO-protected city is a maze of monuments, churches, historical funicular lifts, cobblestone alleys and charming plazas. Arrange to stay longer to explore more or join a Post-Programme to Easter Island, famous for its mysterious statues of giant heads.
Whats Included
- Hurtigruten Expedition Cruise in cabin grade of your choice
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner including beverages in restaurant Aune and Fredheim
- A la carte restaurant Lindstrom included for suite guests
- Complimentary tea and coffee
- Complimentary reusable water bottle to use at water refill stations on board
- A rich programme of included activities on all voyages designed to immerse you in the destinations you visit, including onshore exploration with the Expedition Team
- English and German-speaking Expedition Team who organise and accompany activities on board and ashore
- Range of included excursions
- Complimentary wind- and water-resistant jacket
- Loan of spikes and trekking poles, and equipment needed for optional and included activities
- Complimentary Wi-fi
Not Included
- International flights
- Visa
- Optional shore excursions with our local partners or Expedition Team
- Travel insurance
- Luggage handling
Special Note
- Price based on two people travelling together sharing a twin cabin
- Single cabin pricing available on request
- This is an expedition where the elements rule, and the weather, wind and water conditions will determine our schedule. Safety is paramount and the captain will decide the final sailing itinerary during the voyage. Hence, this itinerary is just an indication of what you can experience and why every expedition with us is unique.
With just 20% deposit and pay the remaining balance only 90 Days before departure date.
For those approaching us within 90 days of departure date, can reserve their space with full payment
You can cancel your booking anytime with us, based on the below conditions :
90 or more days : Retention of 20% deposit
60-89 days : 30%
28-59 days : 60%
14-27 days : 90%
Less than 14 days : 100%