Travel Advice
Duration
8 Nights
Journey Type
Cruise only (Please call for flight options)
Ports
5 Ports
7 October
Setting sail from Colón
Situated at the Atlantic entrance to the Panama Canal, Colón takes its name from Christopher Columbus, known in Spanish as Cristóbal Colón, although it's hard to imagine the famous explorer would find much reason to linger here nowadays. Once a thriving port, the city is now in a state of seemingly terminal decline, its colonial architecture crumbling and the modern city beset by social problems. It's not somewhere you will want to hang around for long, and serves merely as a gateway to the Canal, which will carry you to much nicer places.
Our tip
The wildlife in the region is amazing, particularly the birds, so if you have the slightest interest then extend your stay in Panama.
8-9 October
At sea
10 October
Ecuador: Manta
The Ecuadorian port of Manta is known as the “tuna capital of the world”, and you’ll see plenty of fishing boats as you arrive. The beach is a popular destination for local tourists, but you may find that the nearby town of Montecristi, home of the Panama hat, makes for a more interesting excursion.
11 October
Ecuador: Puerto Lopez
12 October
At sea
13 October
Peru: Trujillo (Salaverry)
Salaverry is the nearest port to Trujillo, northern Peru’s most important city. Located amongst the verdant Andean foothills, Trujillo is home to a host of beautiful colonial buildings, and is also known for the spectacular nearby ruins of Chan Chan, the largest pre-Columbian city in South America.
14 October
Arriving in Lima (Callao)
Peru's underrated capital enjoys a fine setting on the Pacific coast, and the handsome colonial-era buildings surrounding the Plaza de Armas give clues to Lima's distinguished history. For three centuries this was the capital of the Spanish Americas, when the city grew rich on the back of plundered Inca gold. Modern Lima can be a little hectic, the roads often clogged with traffic, but the historic centre has an undeniable charm to it, and in recent years a clutch of innovative restaurants have helped to put Peruvian cuisine on the map.
Don't miss
The pre-Columbian citadel of Pachacamac is a must see, just a few miles from the city and a key Inca site.
Your home from home
Hurtigruten's pioneering hybrid vessels, MS Roald Amundsen and MS Fridtjof Nansen, offer a more sustainable way to explore the polar regions.
What we love
Hurtigruten's groundbreaking hybrid technology reduces fuel consumption and carbon emissions by 20%, a bold step towards a more sustainable future for the expedition cruising industry. These ships are designed specifically for exploring the polar regions, and the inviting suites and public areas represent a significant evolution of the Hurtigruten onboard experience.
| Capacity | 528 Guests (500 in Antarctica) |
|---|---|
| Style | These pioneering hybrid ships offer a contemporary and relaxed ambience, acting as a comfortable 'base camp' at sea. |
| Inclusions |
|
Tailor-make your trip
Ways to make it better
Stay a little longer in Panama
It’s not in Colón, but if you want to extend your stay we propose Isla Palenque, off the Pacific coast of Panama – tricky to get to, but not to be missed.
Explore the Panamian jungle
Take a canopy tour and swing between great trees, seeing the wildlife as you go. Watch out – it’s not for the faint-hearted!
Where to stay in Lima
We like the Country Club Lima Hotel for a bit of colonial style.
See more of Peru
Travel south from Lima to Nazca to see the extraordinary Nazca Lines – well worth the journey, and stay on at the beach if you have time to spare.
