The Nazca Lines to Chilean Patagonia

This voyage offers a cornucopia of natural and cultural history. Explore extraordinary national parks, like Isla Pan de Azucar in Chile, for close encounters with rare Humboldt penguins, or Lauca, with its awesome displays of condors and other raptors circling the volcanic hills. Take an enchanting cloud forest walk at Fray Jorge World Biosphere Reserve, where the flora is entirely dependent on the condensation of coastal fog. Or, delight in the tranquillity of the Patagonian wilderness at Pumalin, where American Douglas Tompkins has created the largest private park in the world to protect this unique landscape. The cooling Humboldt current makes Paracas in Peru one of the largest marine reserves in the world, and the sanctuary at Mejia is noted for the passage of myriad migratory birds.

The mysterious Nazca Lines are best appreciated from the air and we make a thrilling flightseeing excursion. Along our route, several museums, large and small, display exceptional collections of pre-Columbian artefacts: pottery, textiles and gold. The Juan Fernandez archipelago, some 400 miles off the coast of Chile, was home to castaway Alexander Selkirk, the model for Robinson Crusoe, and the contrasting Chiloe Archipelago was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site for its unique ensemble of mission churches. Our voyage ends in Puerto Montt, an intriguing colonial settlement with dramatic thermal springs.

Itinerary:

DAY 1 — Miami/Lima, Peru
Arrive Lima, the capital of Peru, founded by Spanish conquistador Pizarro as the City of the Kings. Check in to the deluxe Swissotel Lima. (or similar).

DAY 2 — Lima/Callao/Embark Ship
Today we explore Lima’s golden past. Visit the colonial market, the Indian market and the Larco Herrera Museum, with its extensive collection of pre-Columbian art and exquisite Gold and Silver Gallery. Embark National Geographic Explorer in Callao and meet your shipboard staff. You’ll be traveling with National Geographic Photographer Pablo Corral Vega. (B,L,D)

DAY 3 — Isla Ballestas & Paracas Reserve
The dramatic Ballestas Islands provide shelter for hundreds of sea lions and tens of thousands of sea birds, including Inca terns, Peruvian boobies and Guanay cormorants. Zodiacs take us around scenic arches and pink granite caves. Opt to stroll along the cliffs of the Paracas Peninsula Reserve, or drive inland to one of the way stations of the ancient Inca Trail and a chance to see the countryside. (B.L.D)

DAY 4 — Puerto San Juan: Nazca Lines
Ponder the mystery of the Nazca lines by small aircraft. From the air we spot the enormous animal, tree and geometric shapes cut into the stony desert by a long-departed civilization. (B,L,D)

DAY 5 — Puerto Mollendo: Mejia Lagoon
The little-known Lagunas de Mejia Nature Reserve is a series of lakes separated from the coast by a sandbar, perfect for birdwatching. (B,L,D)

DAY 6 — Arica, Chile: Azapa Valley & Lauca National Park
Venture into the Andes to Lauca National Park, a sweeping expanse of mountains and wildlife set on a plateau surrounded by volcanoes. Or opt to explore the Azapa Valley known for its remarkable geoglyphs and Archaeological Museum. See excellent pre-Columbian ceramics, basketry, weavings and the famous 10,000-year-old mummies from the Chinchorro culture. (B,L,D)

DAY 7 — At Sea (B,L,D)

DAY 8 — Isla Pan de Azucar
Isla Pan de Azucar National Park offers a protected slice of Chile´s coastal desert habitat with an incredible number of native cacti, sea lions and about 3,000 Humboldt penguins. We explore via Zodiac. (B,L,D)

DAY 9 — Coquimbo: Fray Jorge National Park & Serena
Its peculiar misty forest and valuable wildlife are the reasons why Fray Jorge is declared a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. Choose to hike among fragrant cinnamon trees. Or travel through the foothills of the Andes to Serena, with its neo-colonial Spanish architecture. (B,L,D)

DAY 10 — At Sea (B,L,D)

DAY 11-12 — Juan Fernandez Islands
The islands are famed for having been home to sailor Alexander Selkirk, who inspired the novel Robinson Crusoe. The archipelago is also referred to as a temperate counterpart to the Galapagos, with over 60% of the native plants endemic to the islands, as our staff will point out on guided walks. (B,L,D)

DAY 13 — At Sea (B.L,D)

DAY 14 — Chiloe Archipelago
Today we explore the culture and landscapes of the Chiloe Archipelago. Surrounded by water, the Chilotes and their lifestyle are tied to the sea and we visit some of the small communities to experience the Chiloe culture and to photograph the attractive palafitos, houses built on stilts along the water’s edge. Or, opt to take a guided nature walk. (B,L,D)

DAY 15 — Chaiten: Pumalin National Park
Pumalin’s 750,000 acres in Chilean Patagonia are protected as one of the last areas where the unique Alerce forest remains. These huge trees are similar in dimension to the redwoods and sequoias of the western U.S. Walk the park trails to see them up close, and spend the afternoon cruising in the marine-rich waters of Gulfo Corcovado. (B,L,D)

DAY 16 — Puerto Montt/Disembark/Fly to Santiago
Disembark in Puerto Montt followed by a visit to the Puyehue Thermal Springs, set in the impressive lakes region. After lunch, fly to Santiago and connect with our overnight flight to Miami. (B,L)

DAY 17 — Arrive Miami/Home

What's Included:

All accommodations aboard ships or in hotels per itinerary or similar, all meals and nonalcoholic beverages aboard ship, meals on land as indicated, air transportation where indicated as included, shore excursions, sightseeing and entrance fees, special access permits, transfers to and from group flights, use of snorkeling equipment and wet suits, use of kayaks (where available), tips (except to Egyptologists and ship’s crew), taxes and service charges, services of a ship physician on most voyages, and services of our expedition staff.

What's Not Included:

Air transportation (except where shown as included), extensions, passport, visa, immigration fees, scuba diving (where available), meals not indicated, baggage/accident/travel protection plan, items of a personal nature, such as alcoholic beverages, e-mail, laundry. Gratuities to Egyptologists and ship’s crew at your discretion.

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