Natural Wonders Of The Atacama And Paracas Desert

ITINERARY

DAY 1
VALPARAISO
One of Chile’s oldest cities, Valparaíso is known for its steep hillsides overlooking the ocean as well as its historical but perfectly functional funicular. The UNESCO-listed city is a maze of monuments, wonderful architecture, churches, cobblestone alleys, colourful houses and bustling plazas. Spend some time following in the footsteps of Chile’s most famous poet, Pablo Neruda, by visiting his former home. Or perhaps enjoy a wine tasting on a trip to the Casablanca Wine Valley. There are also plenty of wonderful cafes, restaurants, art galleries, museums and shopping opportunities. This city is truly unique and fascinating in equal measure, and definitely worth taking some time getting to know a little better.

DAY 2
COQUIMBO
Situated on the rocky hills of Península Coquimbo, the pretty harbour town of Coquimbo was once the centre of Chile’s thriving gold and copper industry. Coquimbo is twinned with nearby La Serena, which was founded in 1944 and is home to many well-preserved Spanish colonial buildings. Here you can also make the most of the clearest night sky in South America at the Mamalluca Observatory or pay a visit to the Archaeological Museum. Further inland, the fertile plains and orchards of the Elqui Valley provide plentiful fresh papaya and fine wine grapes. This region also produces Chile’s famous Pisco drink. Enjoy a taste at one of the many local vineyards and perhaps join in the debate as to whether the drink is Chilean or Peruvian, a matter yet to be unanimously agreed upon!

Shore Excursion

DAY 3
DAY AT SEA
Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers.

DAY 4
ANTOFAGASTA
Steeped in culture and located on the pristine South Pacific coast, Chile’s second-largest city has a turbulent and interesting history. Antofagasta was once part of Bolivia’s coastline until the late 1800s when the War of Pacific reshaped the borders of Chile, Peru and Bolivia. In 1883, a victorious Chile took possession of the horseshoe-shaped bay along which stretches the long, narrow city of Antofagasta. As a result, Bolivia lost its coastline and became a landlocked country. Once prosperous as a mining town, Antofagsta now draws visitors thanks to its coastal location and natural beauty. Venture inland through the arid Atacama Desert and you’ll discover moonscape salt flats, lagoons and vast deserts. Travel back along the coast to see the impressive Monumento Natural La Portada, a stone archway perched in the sea below the cliffs.

Shore Excursion

DAY 5
IQUIQUE
A former saltpeter mining town, these days Iquique is more likely to attract paragliders than prospectors. With its excellent surf, long sandy beaches and favourable weather, Iquique is regarded as one of Chile’s premier beach resorts. Whilst here we will be visiting the nearby abandoned town of Humberstone in the Atacama Desert. The town was once home to a thriving community of miners from the Santiago Humberstone Saltpeter Works. The abandoned settlement and surrounding relics of industry are now protected as UNESCO World Heritage sites and offer a fascinating insight into the region’s past. Back in town, enjoy the laid-back beach life on the sands of Playa Cavancha. Or head further into town and experience the hive of activity and impressive 19th-century Georgian architecture. There are plenty of on-street chic cafés, bars and restaurants to observe the sights and sounds of the city from. Iquique is also a duty-free city; a perfect spot for some shopping.

Shore Excursion

DAY 6
ARICA
Chile’s northernmost city, Arica is one of the driest cities in the world. It does after all neighbour the world’s driest desert, the Atacama. With year-round sunshine and wonderful beaches, the city is a popular destination for travellers. And it’s not just the sun and sea that are the main attraction. Arica is home to a fascinating archaeological museum that claims to house the world’s oldest mummies. A visit to San Marcos Cathedral is also recommended. The cathedral was designed by Gustave Eiffel of Parisian tower fame and features a door from his workshop in Paris. From Arica we will see some of the tallest sand dunes in the world as we travel through the Atacama Desert on our way to Chungara Lake. The view of the Pomerape and Parinacota volcanoes across the lake is one of the most iconic sites in Chile. The surrounding land and mountains are home to a plethora of wildlife including alpacas, pumas and llamas. You may also be able to spot some local birdlife including the Chilean flamingo, puna partridge and condor.

DAY 7
MATARANI
The port of Matarani is your first stop in Peru and is also a gateway to Arequipa, Peru’s White City. A type of local white volcanic stone, sillar, is the primary building material used in much of the architecture here, hence the moniker. Volcanic activity still dominates the landscape, with a trio of volcanoes, including the still-active El Misti, overlooking the city. In 1995 American anthropologist Johan Reinhard came across a bundle wrapped in cloth in the nearby mountains whilst researching Inca ceremonial sites in the area. The cloth contained the mummified remains of a girl who would come to be known as Juanita, one of Peru’s most famous mummies. You can visit Juaniti in her display case at the Museo Santuarios, not far from the Plaza de Armas. You may also wish to stop in at the Santa Catalina Convent, one of the oldest structures in Arequipa. Guarded by imposing high walls, this interesting building is often described as a city within a city. Explore the fascinating and colourful alleys of the convent whilst learning about its long and interesting history.

Shore Excursion

DAY 8
DAY AT SEA
Today as you sail, you’ll bask in the endless comforts of your ship. From the deck, marvel at the dramatic sea views. Relax with a nurturing facial treatment or massage in the spa or delve into the ship’s learning resources. Or, simply take refuge in your cabin and enjoy the opportunity to rest.

DAY 9
GENERAL SAN MARTIN
General San Martin is a district in the Buenos Aires Province of Argentina, named after the national hero José de San Martín. It is a place where you can enjoy this region's culture, history, and nature. General San Martin has a variety of attractions, such as the Plaza San Martín, where you can see a monument to the liberator and a replica of his house; the Museo Histórico Regional Brigadier General Juan Manuel de Rosas, where you can learn about the life and legacy of another influential figure; and the Parque Yrigoyen, where you can relax and admire the greenery.

Shore Excursion

DAY 10
CALLAO (LIMA)
Situated on a strip of desert between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes Mountains is Peru’s capital city of Lima. The city is served by the seaport of Callao, where you will be boarding your boutique cruise ship. The bustling metropolis of Lima has much to offer, but not least of all its internationally renowned culinary scene. There are many award-winning eateries to explore and local dishes to sample. A local favourite is ceviche, fresh fish marinated in tangy lime juice and other seasonings. You’ll find the dish on offer just about everywhere in the city, from up-market restaurants to local fishing dock cevicherías. Culture is also in plentiful supply, with the UNESCO World Heritage historic centre packed with colonial-era architecture like Plaza Mayor and San Francisco Monastery. You can also visit the clay ruins of ceremonial pyramids Huaca Pucllana and Huaca Huallamarca, reminders of the long-lost Inca civilisation.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

• Group return transfers from the airport to the cruise port (via our included accommodation where applicable)
• One night pre-cruise accommodation with breakfast in a 4/5-star hotel or onboard
• All meals onboard
• Onboard accommodation in a stateroom selected category
• 24-hour room service
• Coffee, tea, soft drinks and selected alcoholic beverages available 24-hours per day
• Lecture programmes by our experienced expedition team and guest speakers
• One selected shore excursion/expedition activities per port of call (Kayak not included, bookable for a fee on board)
• Branded Swan Hellenic expedition parka and use of rubber boots in Polar Regions
• Standard WiFi
• Onboard gratuities & port taxes

DAY 2
Shore Excursion

Journey to Elqui Valley
Duration: 05 h 30 m
Optional
Enjoy stunning panoramic vistas of the curving coastline
Drive to the Elqui Valley, whose geography is quite unique in all the world
Stop in picturesque Vicuña village, were literary Nobel Prize winner Gabriela Mistral was born

Coquimbo and La Serena
Duration: 03 h 00 m
Included
Enjoy a relaxed panoramic driving tour of the towns
Visit Coquimbo main square, and see the iconic lighthouse in La Serena
Enjoy the Stunning view from la Serena viewpoint

Petroglyphs and Vineyards in the Limari Valley
Duration: 05 h 30 m
Optional
Enjoy a panoramic drive along the Chilean coast and inland through an arid pre-Andean landscape
Walk in the fields and cellars of the vineyard
Taste a distinctive range of Reserve and Special Reserve wines

DAY 4
Shore Excursion

Antofagasta & Surroundings
Duration: 03 h 00 m
Included
Enjoy a Panoramic drive
Take a short walking tour around the Plaza Col, the main square surrounded by monuments
Pass the Clock Tower, the Bandstand, the Old Customs House and the former Railway Station

Baquedano & Chacabuco
Duration: 05 h 00 m
Optional
Enjoy the driving through the desert towards the small town of Baquedano
Visit Chacabuco, the remnants of a large residential town built in 1922 for workers of the nearby nitrate plant
Discover the history of Chacabuco as the the town between 1973 and 1975 was used by the Pinochet government as a concentration camp


DAY 5
Shore Excursion

Iquique Highlights
Duration: 03 h 00 m
Included
Enjoy a panoramic drive through Iquique, passing by the major attractions of this pretty town
Admire the turn-of-the century Baquedano Avenue
Visit Astoreca Palace, one of the most impressive mansions on the row

Iquique & Humberstone: The Nitrate Ghost Town
Duration: 05 h 00 m
Optional
Enjoy the drive through the coastal mountain range to the nitrate town of Humberstone
Listen to the history of Humberston, founded in 1862 at the junction of the Pan-American Highway and the road to Iquique that today is a real ghost town
Take a a panoramic drive through Iquique and see the Municipal Theater

Humberstone & Pintados Geoglyphs
Duration: 06 h 00 m
Optional
Learn the fascinating story of nitrate, a polyatomic ion that lies at the heart of the area's legacy of boom and bust
Visit the nitrate town of Humberstone, founded in 1872 and today known as the Ghost town
Be fashnated by the Tamarugal Forest, a natural forest reserve of tamarugo trees comes as a surprise in this vast desert


DAY 7
Shore Excursion

Mollendo & Cooking demonstration
Duration: 05 h 35 m
Optional
Visit Mollendo, famous for its beautiful hidden beaches with fantastic views
Enjoy a visit to the town and some free time
Have a unique Ceviche cooking demonstration

A Day in Arequipa
Duration: 10 h 30 m
Included
Discover the city of Arequipa, a UNESCO World Heritage site
Admire the amazing landscape from Carmen Alto and Yanahuara viewpoints
Visit the Santa Catalina Convent a ‘small town’ built in the 19th Century

Mejia Lagoons
Duration: 04 h 00 m
Optional
Visit to the Mejia Lagoons National Sanctuary
Try t spot some of the 210 bird species living in the park


DAY 9
Shore Excursion

Ballestas Island by Speed Boat
Duration: 03 h 35 m
Optional
Enjoy the impressive panoramic view of The Paracas Bay and Peninsula
Stop in front of Ballestas Islands to take pictures and listen to the history of this magic place

Tambo Colorado
Duration: 04 h 10 m
Included
Be amazed by the landscapes during the drive
Visit the incredible archaeological site
Walk through the rooms and courtyards, narrow corridors and platforms full of colors and unique architectural details

Overflight Nazca lines
Duration: 04 h 00 m
Optional
Marvel at the famous Nazca Lines
Enjoy the flight over the different figures as the dog, the monkey and the spider
Take incredible pictures

Vineyard Bodega 1615
Duration: 03 h 20 m
Optional
Have an experiential tour in the grape vineyards
Visit its facilities where 200,000 Liters of Pisco are made
Enjoy a demostration of how to prepare a Pisco Sour and Chilcano