Your day starts with a flight to Juliaca. Once there, we will take you on a guided tour of the Sillustani tombs, a pre-Inca burial place overlooking Lake Umayo.

The tombs (also called chullas) are tower-like structures built by the ancient Colla people, some as tall as 39 feet and big enough to hold entire families. Enjoy a picnic lunch by the shores of the lake in this peaceful and mysterious place.

After exploring this archeological marvel, continue to your hotel in Puno, on the banks of Lake Titicaca. This will be your home for the next two nights.

The sheer beauty of Lake Titicaca will amaze you. Visit the rural community of Llachón, which has spectacular views over the lake. Enjoy a guided kayaking tour on the peaceful, deep blue waters. You will also join a guided walk before joining a local family for a traditional lunch.

Then we will take a boat tour to reach the Uro people on their floating islands, which shimmer golden in the sun. These otherworldly aquatic villages are woven from the reeds that grow in the lake.

At the end of the day, relax and reflect at your hotel in Puno.

Enjoy an unforgettable journey across the northern Andean Plateau, or the Altiplano, as it’s known in Spanish.

The Altiplano is one of the world’s largest and highest plateaus, sitting over 12,000 ft above sea level. The vast plain extends into Bolivia, northern Peru, and southern Chile. During this full day of adventure, you’ll pass through breathtaking scenery and be awed by the imposing Andes.

Look out for the famous Pucara bulls perched on rooftops, enjoy lunch by the ancient rock formations of Tinajani, watch for wild llamas and alpacas on La Raya Pass, and marvel at the 15th-century Raqch’i archeological complex.

Your journey ends with a comfortable overnight stay in Cusco.

Start your day with a transfer to Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley. Then we board the deluxe Hiram Bingham train to Machu Picchu, enjoying brunch while the breathtaking Andean scenery rolls past.

Estimated to have been built around 1450, Machu Picchu was abandoned during the Spanish conquest. It was hidden by jungle for centuries, rediscovered only in 1911. The Incas left no written records, so mystery surrounds this magnificent stronghold. Enjoy the trails around the ruins, admire the precise Inca stonework, and meet some of the friendly resident llamas.

After the day’s adventures are done, we head back to Cusco for another relaxing overnight stay.

Before catching your flight to Lima, you’ll enjoy a guided tour of Cusco, the so-called ‘Imperial City’ and archeological capital of South America.

You can admire some of the finest examples of Inca architecture, as well as the Santo Domingo church, built over the Inca temple of Koricancha, and the Sacsayhuamán fortress, a 15th-century ceremonial compound featuring panoramic views of the city. Other tour highlights include a visit to the Sulca Textiles Museum and a stop at the main square to admire the stunning cathedral that dates back to the Spanish colonial era.

Then, you’ll transfer to the airport and fly to Lima to meet your ship and begin your expedition cruise.

Salaverry is the gateway port to Peru’s third-largest city, along with some fascinating archeological 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 Chimú city of Chan Chan date back to at least 900. On the other side of Trujillo, the mysterious Moche pyramids of the Sun and the Moon are from even further back in history.

Back on the ship, there will be a traditional Peruvian dance performance for you to enjoy.

Your Pacific coast cruise continues as we head toward Ecuador. Soak up the scenery on deck, read a book by a window, and enjoy the onboard facilities.

The Expedition Team will continue their lectures in the Science Center, sharing insights on topics such as Indigenous communities and cultures, local geology, and pre-Columbian history.

Back on deck, they’ll help you identify the seabirds that like to follow our ship. Our onboard photographer will also be on hand with tips on snapping great pictures of birds in flight – along with other expedition highlights.

We have a fruitful day ahead exploring Puerto Bolívar, a port in the city of Machala that exports coffee, cocoa, shrimp, and masses of bananas. Puerto Bolívar is dubbed the ‘Banana Capital of the World,’ as it ships more of Ecuador’s ‘green gold’ than anywhere else in the country.

Machala itself has all the charm you’d expect from a small coastal city, including friendly locals, quaint plazas, and striking monuments. Try fresh seafood at the harbor restaurants and take in views of the mangrove swamps of Isla Jambeli. Then stroll through the local markets, plazas, and the Casa de la Cultura museum.