Begin your adventure in this vibrant hilltop city. Your expedition ship awaits you in Valparaiso, the "Jewel of the Pacific". Built on steep hillsides overlooking the ocean, this UNESCO World Heritage-listed city is well worth your time. Filled with attractions, the city is an exhilarating maze of winding alleyways, colorful houses, and mercados packed with local produce. Why not take it all in on a funicular ride up to cerros Alegre and Concepcion? If you'd like to explore more of Valparaiso, you can join one of the optional Pre-Programs. After picking up your expedition jacket and meeting your Expedition Team, find your cabin and explore the ship before enjoying the first of many delicious meals onboard as we set sail. ... Read More
Monday - Apr 7, 2025
Day 2
Coquimbo, Chile
Explore the "City of Churches" and La Serena Beach. Docking at the port of Coquimbo, we'll head to Chile's second-oldest city, La Serena. La Serena is blessed with beautiful sandy beaches all along Avenida del Mar and beyond. Bursting with Neo-colonial architecture, there are around 30 carefully restored stone churches to discover, and you can visit the Archaeological Museum to marvel at the pre-Columbian artifacts. Take a stroll through the city's manicured public gardens, like the Japanese-inspired Jardin del Corazon, or shop for handicrafts at La Recova market. Down the discreet lane of Patio Colonial near Balmaceda you'll find relaxed cafes and eateries. Before boarding the ship, leave some time to explore Coquimbo. ... Read More
Tuesday - Apr 8, 2025
Day 3
At Sea
Relax and get ready for adventure. Enjoy the serenity of this day at sea. Relax and admire the scenery from the Observation Deck or inside in the Explorer Lounge & Bar. Throughout your journey, your Expedition Team will share their extensive knowledge of the region with you. Join them in the Science Center for lectures on topics like pre-Columbian history, the geology of the surrounding mountains and islands, and local folklore. Out on deck, they can help you spot seabirds and identify their species. ... Read More
Wednesday - Apr 9, 2025
Day 4
Iquique, Chile
Discover the history of UNESCO World Heritage-listed saltpeter mining towns. Our cruise continues to bustling Iquique, a flat city of promenades lined with palm trees. We'll visit the abandoned, UNESCO-listed saltpeter mining towns of Santa Laura or Humberstone in the arid Atacama Desert. Back in Iquique, explore this smart ocean-side city on foot, or just pull up a chair in a cafe and watch the people. While you're there, enjoy a delicious coffee or a traditional mango sour and chumbeque, a beloved regional sweet. Pay a visit to La Esmeralda, a four-masted corvette from the 19th century with historical significance. ... Read More
Thursday - Apr 10, 2025
Day 5
Arica, Chile
Get to know Arica's history and try some local food. Arica experiences a year-round desert climate and is classed as one of the driest cities in the world. No wonder the city is popular with sunbathers and surfers. On the lively streets Calle 21 de Mayo and Calle Bolognesi, you can try local treats and visit the El Agro market. Take a 15-minute hike up the remarkable El Morro cliff for glorious views, or visit San Marcos Cathedral, which was designed by Gustave Eiffel. You can see mummies and learn about Chinchorro culture at the archeological museum, or stretch your legs on a trek along Playa Corazones or while exploring the caves of Anzota. ... Read More
Friday - Apr 11, 2025
Day 6
At Sea
Go with the flow... the Humboldt Current. As we head further north towards Peru, we'll sail through an area of the ocean dominated by the Humboldt Current. The cold-water flow creates conditions that sustain an incredible abundance of marine life, including vast shoals of anchovies, mackerel, and sardines. Your Expedition Team will tell you more about the Humboldt Current's importance to the marine ecosystem. You'll have plenty of time for leisure as we spend the day at sea. You could relax in the hot tub while taking in the stunning views and stimulating breezes out on deck, or why not re-energize in the gym. ... Read More
Saturday - Apr 12, 2025
Day 7
Paracas Bay, Peru
Discover extraordinary wildlife and ancient mysteries. Among Peru's most notable attractions are the Nazca Lines and the Ballestas Islands, and both are accessible from Paracas. Known as El Chaco, the town has an array of restaurants along the main shorefront where you can enjoy traditional jalea - fried seafood with salsa criolla and yuca root. Just offshore are the wildlife-rich Ballestas Islands. On a boat tour there you can look out for Humboldt penguins, turtles, pelicans, sea lions, Inca terns, and humpback whales. Otherwise, explore the Paracas National Reserve, with its otherworldly yellow sand dunes and red beaches, or fly over the mysterious Nazca Lines etched into the Peruvian coastal desert - an experience that's on many people's bucket list. ... Read More
Sunday - Apr 13, 2025
Day 8
Callao, Peru
Explore Peru's historic capital. Lima's historic center is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's a jewel of Spanish-era architecture, from colonial churches and monasteries to elegant mansions. Going further back in time, you can learn more about the city's pre-Hispanic heritage at the ruins of the Huaca Pucllana pyramid. Known as the food capital of South America, Lima has everything from gourmet restaurants to unmissable street food. Consider trying Peru's national dish, ceviche, which is fish marinated in lime juice, onion, and chili peppers. ... Read More
Monday - Apr 14, 2025
Day 9
Salavery, Peru
Be awed by Trujillo's ancient kingdoms. Salaverry is the gateway port to Peru's third-largest city and some fascinating archaeological sites. Colorful Trujillo boasts a Baroque cathedral, colonial churches and Neoclassical mansions, as well as one of the longest mosaic murals in the world. Nearby, the vast ancient ruins of the Chimu city of Chan Chan date back to at least 900 CE. On the other side of Trujillo, the mysterious Moche pyramids of the Sun and the Moon predate even that. ... Read More
Tuesday - Apr 15, 2025
Day 10
At Sea
Enjoy some relaxation, research - or a bit of both. Your Pacific coast cruise continues towards Ecuador. As we sail, you might want to soak up the scenery from the hot tubs or sauna. By this stage of your journey, you'll have made friends with your fellow explorers, finding that you have interests and a passion for nature in common. You can spend time chatting with them in the Explorer Lounge & Bar, perhaps recalling the best bits of your expedition cruise so far. Of course, the Expedition Team will continue to deliver insightful lectures in the Science Centre, and you can delve into the books in the onboard library if you want to learn more about a particular subject. ... Read More
Wednesday - Apr 16, 2025
Day 11
Puerto Lopez, Ecuador
Go wild in Machalilla. Machalilla National Park is a truly special place. With its beautiful dry forests and protected wetlands, this stretch of coastline is home to more than 270 bird and 81 mammal species. If conditions allow, we'll anchor off the long sandy beach at the fishing village of Puerto Lopez, using our small expedition boats to land. The park is also something of an outdoor museum of pre-Columbian history thanks to the ancient Machalilla culture that used to thrive here. We'll visit the Agua Blanca archaeological site, taking in spectacular scenery along the way. ... Read More
Discover the birthplace of Panama hats: Ecuador. Manta is a lively port city with a long history of fishing that has brought the city prosperity. You'll find wild shrimp, black clams, and red snapper at many local restaurants. Manta is most famous for its tuna, which we recommend trying in the encebollado broth. Head to lively Playa Murcielago for the shops and eateries of Malecon Escenico, or learn about pre-Columbian civilization at the Museo Municipal Etnografico Cancebi. Montecristi is also nearby. The town is known for its handicrafts, and you can buy a stylish genuine Panama hat here, expertly handwoven using the leaves of the jipijapa tree. ... Read More
Friday - Apr 18, 2025
Day 13
At Sea
Enjoy two final days at sea en route to Panama. As our expedition cruise continues towards Panama, you'll spend two relaxing days sea. As we cross the Equator, you can seek Neptune's blessing in a short ceremony. Don't be shy, it's an old seafaring tradition! Head out on deck and look out for wildlife - whales can often be seen in these waters. Or join the Expedition Team in the Science Centre and find out about the Citizen Science projects they're running. If you'd simply like to relax and enjoy the journey, try out a hot tub, or settle into the comfort of the Explorer Lounge & Bar and watch the world pass by. Later, a spot of stargazing from the deck is a lovely way to wind up your day. ... Read More
Saturday - Apr 19, 2025
Day 14
At Sea
Sunday - Apr 20, 2025
Day 15
Panama City, Panama
Your adventure ends in Panama's bustling capital. Your South American expedition cruise concludes in Panama City. A buzzing metropolis with a skyline dominated by skyscrapers, this city's roots run deep with a UNESCO World Heritage-listed old town and historic district. If you have time before your onward journey, why not explore this vibrant city. ... Read More
Cruise and Land Value Offers that combine with this sailing.
Pricing Terms and Conditions
Unless otherwise indicated above, all cruise rates are per person, double occupancy, cruise-only without airfare, do not include government taxes and fees and quoted in in U.S. dollars. Ponant Cruises rates are based on foreign currencies that are converted to USD based on today's exchange rates. Rates are subject to availability, can vary by ship and sailing date, and for new bookings only. Fares are capacity controlled, and subject to change without notice. Port charges are included. Prices do not include additional service charges; Travel Insurance; and applicable government taxes & fees unless otherwise specified in the offer. Surcharges and fees implemented by a travel supplier, even after the reservation is made, will be the sole responsibility of each traveler and is due and payable in full prior to departure. Certain promotions which may include amenities like shipboard credits, pre-paid gratuities, drink packages or other packages may be available by category, room type or fare code and may not be combinable with other promotions. For any questions, please consult one of our cruise specialists for applicability and verification. All prices, inclusions & promotions listed on the web-site are current at the time they we published and are subject to change without advance notice. Arrivia, Inc., its subsidiaries, and partners are not responsible for last minute changes to price or itinerary by cruise lines, or for any errors or omissions in the content of this website.