Explore the mysteries of the Inca at Machu Picchu, sparkling colonial cities in Ecuador and Peru, and the incredible engineering achievement of the Panama Canal on this magnificent Cruise Tour. Travel high into the Andes where tropical forest and emerald terraces cover the peaks and the lost city of Machu Picchu seems to emerge organically from the granite hillsides. The stone walls are so precisely carved and fitted they have stood for 600 years through earthquakes and floods without an ounce of mortar. Then travel even deeper into Inca culture as you learn how they grew crops on these impossible slopes, dine on indigenous flavors, and visit a local food market where you may still hear people speaking Quechua, the language of the ancients. In Ecuador you’ll find a small country that’s one of the most biodiverse on the planet, with the world’s greatest concentration of bird life. You’ll find birds everywhere – flitting through the banana plantations of Machala, paddling in the river along Guayaquil’s Malecón 2000 boardwalk, roosting on the grand Baroque buildings in Manta. Ecuador is also the gateway to the Galapagos Islands, a UNESCO World Heritage Site teeming with uncommon wildlife, where up to 20% of the species are island-specific – a world wonder you can explore in-depth on our optional multi-day Galapagos Overland Tour. To cap off this incredible journey, make a daylight transit of the Panama Canal with jungle on both sides and another ocean straight ahead.
 

Welcome to Lima, the capital of Peru, a city filled with colonial riches, Incan history, and gastronomic delights. Your representative will greet you at the airport and transfer you to the Pullman Lima Miraflores, a 5-star boutique hotel located just steps from the spectacular Pacific Ocean.

(Includes transfer from the airport and overnight at Pullman Lima Miraflores.)

This morning, transfer to the airport and board your flight to Cusco, where you’ll meet your guide for the drive to the Sacred Valley. The drive alone is stupendous, with views of the Andean mountains, the valley surrounding the Urubamba River, rural villages, and roaming llamas and alpacas. But this valley also once formed the epicenter of the Inca Empire. The rich and fertile agricultural land allowed the Incas to grow essential crops like corn, potatoes, olluco, quinoa and coca leaf, considered a sacred plant. Visits to a local farm and an agricultural museum give you insights into the Inca’s sophisticated farming techniques and crop genetics, such as the development of Giant White Corn, an ancient crop that grows only here in this valley. Enjoy a four-course lunch at the hacienda and watch the museum’s demonstrations of chicha brewing (a non-alcoholic beer) and traditional textile techniques. Afterwards, proceed to the 5-star Tambo del Inka Resort & Spa, your accommodations for the night, and dine at the on-site Hawa Restaurant, which features organic ingredients and local products from Peru.

(Includes transfers, lunch, dinner, flight from Lima to Cusco, and overnight at Tambo del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, in Sacred Valley.)

Board the aptly named Vistadome train bound for Machu Picchu this morning, its panoramic windows and skylights immersing you in the Andean landscape. Machu Picchu was lost to the world until it was rediscovered by adventurer Hiram Bingham more than a century ago. The 15th-century Inca citadel is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and also one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Perched nearly 8,000 feet above sea level in the Andes Mountains, the city (likely a royal retreat) was never discovered by the Spanish and is marvelously well preserved. Explore the wondrous city with your guide, appreciating the awe-inspiring views and learning about the amazing culture, architecture, and feats of engineering the Incas were known for. After a delicious lunch at a local restaurant nearby, take the Vistadome train and private transfer back to your hotel. This evening, dine once again at the Hawa Restaurant with a newfound appreciation for their cuisine infused with indigenous flavors.

(Includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, transfer, roundtrip Vistadome train to Machu Picchu, Machu Picchu site admission, private transfers to/from the train station, and overnight at Tambo del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, in Sacred Valley.)
 

Get unique insights into local culture and flavors this morning as we tour the Urubamba market, an authentic food market where locals buy their daily goods, from colorful fruits and vegetables to Andean herbs, grains, meat, flowers, and household goods. After, we’ll visit a local ceramic workshop where the artist revives ancient Peruvian techniques and designs, then make our way to the gardens of the Palacio Manco Capac boutique hotel in Cusco, a picturesque 17th-century colonial home, where we’ll enjoy a picnic lunch. Our exploration continues in the afternoon with a stroll through the historic center of Cusco, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Colonial sights like the Plaza de Armas (Main Square) and the magnificent Cusco Cathedral are built over what used to be Inca landmarks – respectively Warrior’s Square, and an Inca temple later rebuilt as an Inca palace. Tonight, you overnight at Palacio del Inka, a Luxury Collection Hotel. This boutique property in Cusco was formerly a 500-year-old mansion, and its design and décor embrace Peruvian culture with features such as stone archways, Hispanic art, and ornate gilded antiques. Dine at Inti Raymi, the on-site restaurant, serving traditional Peruvian cuisine made from local Andean ingredients.

(Includes lunch, dinner, overnight at Palacio del Inka, a Luxury Collection Hotel, in Cusco.)
 

Rise early for your morning flight to Lima, the City of Kings. The historic center of Lima is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and there’s lots to see, as you’ll discover on our city tour. Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of Lima’s bustling streets as we visit the city’s main avenues, boulevards, and squares. Explore the Plaza de Armas (Main Square) of Colonial Lima on foot. This is the spot where Francisco Pizarro founded Lima. The square is bordered by the Government Palace, Town Hall, Archbishop's Palace, Casa Riva-Aguero, and the Lima Cathedral – picturesque examples of Lima’s opulent colonial architecture. At the center of the plaza, you’ll find an elegant bronze fountain from the 17th century, the oldest surviving element of the square. Enjoy a delicious lunch at Café del Museo Larco, on the lower floor of the Museo Larco, a privately owned museum of pre-Columbian art. From here, transfer to the port in Callao and embark on your ship for the exciting cruise portion of your Cruise Tour.

(Includes breakfast, lunch, transfers, flight from Cusco to Lima, city tour of Lima, transfer to yacht.)
 

Lima has worked at becoming more than the gateway to Machu Picchu, but also a tourist destination in its own right. Declared the unofficial gastronomical capital of South America, it is the only city to have two restaurants ranking in the top 10 of the World’s Best Restaurants. Find the Historic Center, declared a UNESCO site, the Basilica and Convent of San Francisco, the Lima Metropolitan Cathedral, the Palacio de Torre Tagle, and the National University of San Marco, the oldest continuously functioning university in the New World.

Lima has worked at becoming more than the gateway to Machu Picchu, but also a tourist destination in its own right. Declared the unofficial gastronomical capital of South America, it is the only city to have two restaurants ranking in the top 10 of the World’s Best Restaurants. Find the Historic Center, declared a UNESCO site, the Basilica and Convent of San Francisco, the Lima Metropolitan Cathedral, the Palacio de Torre Tagle, and the National University of San Marco, the oldest continuously functioning university in the New World.

Salaverry is located near the city of Trujillo, founded by the conquistador Diego de Almagro in 1534. Trujillo is known for Peru’s traditional dance, the marinera.  It retains much of its colonial charm and the colonial center is home to the majestic bright yellow Trujillo Cathedral and the blue Casa Urquiaga contrasting with the vivid green and brown terrain of the Andean foothills. Another site to see is the Iturregui Palace boasting Italian marble statues. West of Trujillo is the pre-Colombian Chimu archaeological site of Chan Chan, a vast adobe complex.
 

Located in the fertile lowlands near the Gulf of Guayaquil, Machala is said to be the banana capital of the world as well as coffee and cacao. More locals escape here than tourists, and Machala has a diverse culinary scene. The downtown area is very walkable with wide sidewalks and generous amounts of flowers and greenery. The impressive Machala Cathedral is located in the popular Parque Juan Montalvo. Not far away is the Petrified Forest Puyango with the largest array of fossil trees in the world, some measuring over 6 feet in diameter and nearly 50 feet long.

The modern city of Guayaquil is known as a gateway to Pacific beaches and the Galapagos Islands. Sprawling along the Guayas River is the exciting new Simon Bolivar promenade lined with museums, restaurants and shops. See the Las Penas neighborhood full of colorful houses, Santa Ana Hill where the stairs are lined with cafes and art galleries that lead up to the Santa Ana Chapel, a lighthouse with 444 stairs. Parque Seminario is where to find over 100 iguanas roaming the park.
 

The modern city of Guayaquil is known as a gateway to Pacific beaches and the Galapagos Islands. Sprawling along the Guayas River is the exciting new Simon Bolivar promenade lined with museums, restaurants and shops. See the Las Penas neighborhood full of colorful houses, Santa Ana Hill where the stairs are lined with cafes and art galleries that lead up to the Santa Ana Chapel, a lighthouse with 444 stairs. Parque Seminario is where to find over 100 iguanas roaming the park.
 

Manta is a modern urban hub, with beautiful beaches, high rises, and amazing fish. In fact their giant tuna statue welcomes visitors, as a reminder of the delicious tuna and other seafood dishes found here. It is a foodies delight for tasting not only amazing tuna ceviche, but also squid, lobster and South American-style tapas. Check out the impressive collection of ceramics from the Manteno-Huancavilca culture at the Archaeological Museum of the Central Bank of Manta. The well-known picturesque Montechristi is only about 20 minutes away.

At nearly 48 miles long, on your transit through the Panama Canal you will enter three sets of locks that raise and lower the vessel 85 feet between the calm Pacific Ocean and the shimmering waters of the Atlantic. Your voyage features a daylight hours transit with numerous observation vantage points for outside viewing and comfortable indoor air-conditioned lounges. Expert onboard commentary enhances your journey as you watch the day to day workings of this bucket list experience.

Explore the inner workings of the Panama Canal, head into the jungle to meet with Embera Indians, or take an aerial tram ride through the rainforest canopy.