West Coast of South America

Natural beauty and cultural wonders define this journey that traces the coastlines of Chile, Peru, and Ecuador. Sail aboard Le Diamant along the Humboldt Current with the Andes on one side and the rich Pacific on the other. Visit national parks, pre-Colombian archaeological sites, and World Heritage Sites. Our expert naturalists will accompany you on Zodiac cruises to remote rocky islets where you'll witness prolific seabird nesting sites.

Itinerary:

WEDNESDAY, 27 FEBRUARY 2008 - USA / SANTIAGO, CHILE
Depart on your independent flight to Santiago.

THURSDAY, 28 FEBRUARY - SANTIAGO
Upon arrival in Santiago, transfer to our hotel. The morning is at leisure with lunch at the hotel. This afternoon depart on a sightseeing
tour of Chile’s cosmopolitan capital city founded in 1541 by Spanish conquistadors.Palaces, museums, and a blend of old and modern architecture define the skyline, and we enjoy breathtaking views of the city from San Cristóbal Hill. We return to the hotel for a welcome briefing, dinner, and overnight.

FRIDAY, 29 FEBRUARY - SANTIAGO / VALPARAISO / EMBARK LE DIAMANT
We depart Santiago in the morning for a scenic drive toward the coast. We cross the Coastal Mountains and enter the enchanting Casablanca Valley, known for its lush beauty and home to some of Chile’s finest vineyards. We stop for a winery exploration, lunch, and tastings. Continuing to Chile’s major port, Valparaiso, the scenery is grand, with hills surrounding this amphitheater-like harbor. Valparaiso, a World Heritage Site, is an outstanding example of late 19th-century architecture adapted perfectly to its steep hillsides—an inspiration to artists for decades. Unusual ascensores (funicular railways) take city-
dwellers up the hills, passing narrow streets, elegant plazas, monuments, and neighbor-hoods punctuated by church spires. We explore the city before embarking Le Diamant in the late afternoon.

SATURDAY, 01 MARCH - COQUIMBO / LA SERENA
After lunch on board we go ashore at the port of Coquimbo. A short drive takes us to La Serena—a city of carnations and bell towers—established in 1544, for a beautiful hilltop view of the city and surrounding coastline. We visit La Recova market and the archaeological museum. Returning to
Coquimbo, we stop at the local market to peruse a variety of handicrafts, including woven baskets, pottery, sweaters, and jewelry.

SUNDAY, 02 MARCH - ISLOTES PAJAROS
In the morning we board Zodiacs to explore the Islotes Pajaros, home to a number of sea-birds including red-legged cormorants and boobies. The islands are also the site of a major sea lion rookery.

MONDAY, 03 MARCH - ISLA PAN DE AZÚCAR
This rugged island, a protected reserve, is home to the largest breeding colony of Humboldt penguins in Chile. From our Zodiacs, we watch the birds diving, swimming, and feeding. We may also spot marine otters, South American sea lions, pelicans, and Peruvian boobies.

TUESDAY, 04 MARCH - ANTOFAGASTA
This morning we visit Antofagasta with its colorful fish market, universities, and numerous parks and gardens. Situated near former salt mines, the city’s Quechua-derived name means “town of the great saltpeter beds.” We return to the ship for lunch and set sail for Arica.

WEDNESDAY, 05 MARCH - AT SEA / ARICA
We spend the morning at sea scanning the horizon for birds, whales, and dolphins. In the afternoon, we dock in the colorful Indian town of Arica for a tour of the San Miguel Archaeological Museum, where we view mummies from 6,000 – 2,000 B.C. and textiles and tools from the Tiahuanaco periods. We also stop at the Poblado de Artisans,
a fascinating artifacts marketplace.

THURSDAY, 06 MARCH - ARICA / LAUCA NATIONAL PARK
Today we journey inland for a full day exploration of Lauca National Park, a Global Biosphere Reserve. Situated high in the Andes, more than 14,000 feet above sea level on the altiplano (plateau), Lauca is one of South America’s most spectacular parks. We witness a great variety of landscapes from lowland Arica to the towering, snowcapped Guallatiri Volcano and ice-blue Lake Chungará. Lauca has an abundance of wildlife including vicuñas, guanacos, viscachas, and Andean flamingos. We investigate a highland Indian village, its gleaming whitewashed walls and thatched roofs canopied by deep blue skies and backed by the spectacular Parinacota Volcano.

FRIDAY, 07 MARCH - AT SEA
Join ornithologist Peter Harrison on deck as Le Diamant cruises along the coast of southern Peru—a third of the world’s 321 seabird species can be spotted off these shores. This remarkable display is due in part to the Humboldt Current. The cold waters, rich in dissolved nutrients, support one of the richest oceanic environments in the world. The abundant sea life, in turn, attracts a multitude of birds including albatross, shearwaters, petrels, cormorants, and gulls. We may also spot pods of dolphins or humpback whales, which migrate north in March and April to their tropical breeding waters.

SATURDAY, 08 MARCH - PARACAS, PERU / ICA / NAZCA LINES
After anchoring in Paracas Bay, we take Zodiacs ashore and transfer to motorcoaches for our ride across the pampas to Ica. Here, we board small planes for our optional flights over the Nazca Lines, a World Heritage Site. These enormous geoglyphs, animal-motif remnants of a pre-Incan civilization that flourished between 500 B.C. and A.D. 500, are etched into the desert surface and can only be fully appreciated from the air. Our flight takes us over these mysterious and enigmatic figures as well as over sand dunes, mountaintops, and fertile valleys. On the ground, we tour the Ica Museum, viewing mummies and fascinating devices used by early astronomers.

SUNDAY, 09 MARCH - HORMIGAS DE AFUERA
These tiny islands are known for their copious wildlife, particularly the Peruvian booby. Equally stunning are the vast numbers of southern sea lions that crowd the beaches and swim in the surrounding seas. In March, the male bulls will be protecting their harems and pups, usually born in January.

MONDAY, 10 MARCH - SALAVERRY / TRUJILLO / CHAN CHÁN OR CHICLAYO
After breakfast we depart for Trujillo. Set serenely against the brown and black Andean foothills, Trujillo is the third largest city in Peru. Today we choose between full-day excursions to two ancient Peruvian empires, both equally enchanting.

The Chimú Empire (1000-1470) comes to life in the nearby town of Chan Chán, a World Heritage Site. We explore the ruins of this former imperial headquarters—the largest adobe settlement in the world—with the remains of palaces, temples, dwellings, and burial mounds, many sculpted with ornate decorative figures. We visit the Huaca del Dragón, a restored temple with elegant friezes of mythical figures and rainbow motifs. The nearby Sun and Moon temples are South America’s largest pre-Columbian pyramids, representative of the Moche culture in the 5th century. Or, choose a drive northward through rich agricultural lands and fishing villages to Chiclayo, a town founded in the 1560s by Spanish priests — today a pleasant mix of Creole, Spanish, and Indian architecture,
with narrow cobblestone lanes. We visit the nearby Sipán archaeological site from the Moche Empire (100 B.C. – A.D. 600) to view the twin pyramid complex of tombs of the Lords of Sipán, containing some of the most outstanding examples of pre-Columbian art ever discovered. The adjacent museum showcases magnificent examples of Moche culture including gold and ceramic treasures.

TUESDAY, 11 MARCH - LOBOS DE AFUERA / LOBOS DE TIERRA
Le Diamant anchors off Lobos de Afuera in the morning. The two principal islands of this group are rocky and steep, rising about 200 feet above the ocean waves. While barren of vegetation, the islands abound with marine mammals and seabirds. As we near the shore in Zodiacs, watch for sea lions, hundreds strong, along the beaches. Overhead, thousands of Peruvian pelicans sometimes cloud the sky, while beautifully plumaged Inca terns gather in small flocks along the rocky cliffs.

After lunch we take Zodiacs ashore to view hundreds of blue-footed boobies and countless Peruvian pelicans on Lobos de Tierra.

WEDNESDAY, 12 MARCH - AT SEA
Take advantage of our day at sea to visit the ship’s open bridge. On deck, watch for dusky dolphins and migrating whales. Our lecture series continues as we cruise north along the Ecuadorian coast, crossing
the Equator at night.

THURSDAY, 13 MARCH - ESMERALDAS, ECUADOR / DISEMBARK LE DIAMANT / QUITO
We disembark this morning in Esmeraldas and transfer to the airport for our flight to Quito. Situated at 9,350 feet—the second highest capital city in the world after La Paz, Bolivia—Quito nestles in a valley surrounded by magnificent snow-capped volcanoes. Once a major Inca headquarters, the city was razed by its Inca leader when threatened by conquistadors.

The Spaniards built their new city of 1534 over the rubble, and today many classic colonial buildings grace the streets. The historic
city center is a designated World Heritage Site. After lunch we visit the main plaza, fronted on one side by the beautiful Iglesia de San Francisco; the oldest monastery, dedicated to Saint Augustine; the presidential palace; and main cathedral. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.

FRIDAY, 14 MARCH - QUITO / USA
Transfer to the airport this morning for your independent flight homeward.

What's Included:

• Accommodations in hotels and on board Le Diamant as outlined in the itinerary
• All onboard meals
• All group meals on land
• Group transfers
• Services of the expedition staff, including lectures,
  briefings, slide/film shows
• All group activities and excursions
• Landing and port fees
• All gratuities
• Wine with meals on board Le Diamant
• Pre-voyage and post-voyage extensions include all of the above.

What's Not Included:

• All air transportation
• Excess baggage charges
• Airport arrival and departure taxes
• Transfers for independent arrivals and departures
• Passport and/or visa fees
• Travel insurance
• Items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar charges, alcoholic beverages, e-mail/fax/telephone charges
• Optional excursions.

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All rates are per person, double occupancy. Port charges, Government taxes and fees are additional. Limited availability and based on minimum fares for select departure dates. Other dates may be higher. These rates are for new, individual bookings only. Not responsible for last minute changes of price or itinerary by cruise line, or any errors or omissions in the content of this site. Some restrictions and cancellation penalties may apply.