Ecuador, Peru and Chile - Inca Highlights and Galápagos Islands (MS Roald Amundsen)

Quito - Galápagos Islands - Lima - Valparaíso

Exciting adventures await! Sail with us on our next generation explorer ship, MS Roald Amundsen, and experience the perfect meldof ancient culture, natural wonder and tranquil tropical days at sea. Starting in Quito, we proceed to the Galápagos Islands, thenPeru, and end our journey in Valparaíso, Chile.

Visit the historic centres of Quito and Lima, both UNESCO World Heritage sites

Experience the wondrous Galápagos Islands, home to Darwin’s theory of evolution

Discover fascinating archaeological sites like the Nazca Lines

Explore natural and cultural wonders, a national park and ancient cities

The itinerary

This is an expedition where the elements rule, and the weather and wind conditions will determine our final schedule. Safety is paramount and the captain will decide the sailing itinerary during the voyage. Therefore, this itinerary is just an indication of what you can experience, and why every expedition with us is unique.

Travel period

13 October 2019Duration

14 days

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Departure 13 October 2019

Departs fromQuito, Ecuador

UNESCO Site and Ancient History

Location: Quito, Ecuador

Once you have made your way to Quito, take in the well-preserved heritage of the city, declared a UNESCO World HeritageSite in 1978. The city is beautifully situated in an Andean valley at an elevation of 2,850 meters (9,350 �), making it the second-highest capital city in the world.

Enjoy an overnight at a centrally-located hotel in Quito.

Explore Fascinating Quito

Location: Quito

A�er breakfast, we drive north to the Equator and visit the Inti Ñan Museum.

A�erwards, we ascend the Teleférico – one of Quito’s most popular attractions, o�ering spectacular and easily accessibleviews of the city. The ride lasts only 10 minutes but takes you to an altitude of 4,050 m (13,300 �). At the top, the lookout o�ersthe visitor incredible views of Quito, the surrounding valleys and snow-covered volcanoes (along with co�ee, snacks, andoxygen for the short of breath). Bring a sweater or light jacket - it can get chilly up there!

Return to the city to enjoy lunch in Quito´s charming Colonial Quarter.

The a�ernoon's sightseeing is a good example why Ecuador's capital earned the honour as UNESCO´s first World Heritagesite. Dinner will be served at the hotel before your overnight stay.

Glorious Galápagos

DAY 1

DAY 2

DAY 3

Location: Quito to Galápagos Islands (Baltra Island/Santa Cruz Island)

A�er breakfast, we depart the hotel and drive to Quito Airport for our flight to the Galápagos Islands (via Guayaquil). 

Upon arrival at Baltra´s airport, we will meet the local representative and board a bus for the short transfer to Itabaca Channel, which separates Baltra Island from Santa Cruz Island. Here, we board a small ferry that crosses the azure waters of the channel to Santa Cruz, a journey that takes about five minutes.

On the other side, we travel through a rural agricultural area surrounded by wild landscapes and many di�erent species of flora and fauna. We may well spot the finches that are famous for being the basis of Darwin's theory of evolution. See the famous Galápagos land tortoises in their natural environment and learn how private ranches help protect these special creatures and their habitat. Tortoises of all di�erent ages and sizes gather here: small young tortoises with shining carapaces, and older individuals with weathered and worn shells. Lunch will be served in the highlands.

The well-known Lava Tunnels are another amazing experience. Formed by lava flows from the volcanoes, they range from the highlands down to the sea. Join an amazing half-hour hike through one of the tunnels to where it gets too small to pass. A naturalist guide will share in detail the story of the origin of these fascinating tunnels.

A�erwards, we continue to our hotel in the town of Puerto Ayora. Once settled, we walk to the nearby Charles Darwin Research Station, which hosts educational museums on both the history and development of the Galápagos Islands, and protection of their natural heritage. Native giant land tortoises can also be observed. Many di�erent tortoise species exist in the Galápagos and the station is the only place where most of the species reside at one site.

The a�ernoon is at your leisure to explore small yet picturesque Puerto Ayora and its many shops with local arts and cra�s. We later enjoy dinner at the hotel´s cosy restaurant.

Galápagos Island Hopping

Location: Galápagos Islands

Breakfast at hotel. We have two full days to tour one of the nearby, uninhabited islands by boat.

Please note that only one of the four islands listed below will be visited per day:

Bartolomé Island, famous for Pinnacle Rock and Galápagos penguins; or South Plaza Island, home to a colony of landiguanas; or Santa Fe Island, known for having the islands´ most sea beautiful coves; or North Seymour Island, considered amicrocosm of the entire archipelago.

The visits are regulated by the Galápagos National Park and we are notified of permission 30 days prior to the visit. Regardlessof the islands we visit, lunch is served on board the vessel during the tour.

Later, we have dinner at the hotel and overnight.

DAY 4-5

DAY 6

Ancient Galápagos to Colonial Lima

Location: Baltra Island / Lima

Breakfast at hotel. We then transfer to Baltra airport for the flight to mainland Ecuador. En route to the airport, we stop at“The Twins” or “Los Gemelos” - two impressive volcanic depressions in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island.

A box lunch is served on the flight from Baltra Island to Lima (via Guayaquil). At Lima airport, we meet our local representativewho transfers you to your hotel in the city.

Dinner and overnight.

Lima – UNESCO World Heritage

Location: Lima/Callao, Peru

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. A�er check out, we transfer to the ship taking in a “Half-day Lima Highlights Tour”, including avisit to the city´s historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The tour´s highlights include Casa Aliaga, a nearly 500-yearold mansion built for one of Pizarro’s lieutenants, and Santo Domingo Convent, the best-preserved colonial building in all ofLima.

The tour finishes at the quayside in Callao, where MS Roald Amundsen stands ready to continue the expedition at sea.

Home of the Nazca Lines

Location: Pisco, Peru

Early in the morning, we arrive at Puerto General San Martin. This is the gateway to the quiet colonial town of Pisco and itsfertile coastal valley with the mysterious Nazca lines and geoglyphs. The lines were scratched on the surface of the groundbetween 500 B.C. and 500 A.D and are among archaeology's greatest enigmas because of their quantity, nature, size andcontinuity.

The geoglyphs are several kilometres long and illustrate living creatures, stylised plants and imaginary beings, as well asgeometric figures. Optimal viewing requires a birds-eye perspective and a scenic flight is one of several optional excursions

DAY 7

DAY 8

available on this day. Other options includes boat tours to the Ballestas Islands to see endangered Humboldt penguins, sea lions, and huge flocks of marine birds, visiting a scenic nature reserve, or exploring the archaeological site of Tambo Colorado.

Sailing South Along the Chilean Coast

Location: At sea

As we sail south, the Expedition team starts their interesting lecture programme. The team members are experienced,modern-day explorers, each with their own relevant area of expertise. They entertain and inform you by sharing their deepknowledge and interesting stories, and welcome you to participate in talks and workshops.

There may be the chance to look behind the scenes and partake in our guest Expedition Sta� Programme. We also have an onboard an expedition photographer who can show you the basics of expedition photography. MS Roald Amundsen is a trulyremarkable expedition vessel. Take advantage of the ship´s facilities or simply find the perfect vantage point to take in theendless blue horizon. 

Adventure and Archaeology

Location: Arica, Chile

Arica is blessed with a warm, sunny climate all year round. We spend a full day here. History, archaeology and adventureawait us on shore. Explore the city, walk up to the cli� top, “El Morro”, and get a panoramic view, see the beaches or visit thearchaeological sites with some of the world's oldest known mummies in Azapa Valley.

You can also join the Expedition team and visit the nearby Lauca National Park. This amazing sanctuary is home tobreathtaking scenery, including snow-capped volcanoes, sparkling lakes and isolated hot springs. It also shelters prettyhighland villages and a huge variety of wildlife. Numerous sites and paths found in this region are associated with the ChileanInca trail.

Treat Yourself

DAY 9

DAY 10

DAY 11-12

Location: At sea

Another day at sea is yours to enjoy. Take advantage of the on board facilities and treat yourself to some genuine relaxation.There will be plenty of time to get to know the other explorers on board. We invite you to spend time outdoors on deck to fullyenjoy the experience of being at sea. There will also be a gathering with the Expedition team to summarise the voyage so far,and present the plan for the following days.

Pisco, Sunsets and Telescopes

Location: Coquimbo and La Serena

La Serena, a seaside town and capital of the Coquimbo region in Elqui province, is one of the oldest cities in Chile. The townoverflows with colourful gardens and beautiful churches. In the archaeological museum, you can learn about the ancientDiaguita culture that dwelled in the region before the Incan conquest. We suggest you also visit La Recova, a popular marketwhere you can buy handicra�s and typical products from the region.

La Serena also has a long golden shoreline, perfect for enjoying the sunset. Visit the beautiful rural Elqui Valley to samplePisco, the national drink of Chile, and see where it’s made. Thanks to exceptionally clear skies, northern Chile is home to thelargest concentration of astronomical observatories in the world. In the region around La Serena, you see the telescopes ofmany international institutions housed in white, futuristic domes looming over the valleys from their hilltop locations. 

Poetic Valparaíso

Location: Valparaíso, Chile

Our expedition ends in the colourful and poetic city of Valparaíso. We recommend a visit to the UNESCO-listed HistoricQuarter of Valparaíso before you depart on your trip home.

DAY 13

DAY 14

Arrival 26 October 2019

LocationValparaíso, Chile