Transit through the storied Panama Canal and discover some of the most unique wildlife in Ecuador. Sample succulent seafood tapas and barter for Panamanian hats along Manta's sunny waterfront. Sample some Bolon de Verde--Ecuador's delicious national dish made from crispy mashed plantains stuffed with melted cheese, bacon, and pork meat--perfectly paired with local beers. Go fishing for blue marlin or visit a wildlife refuge to see over 200 species of birds and howler monkeys. Ecuador’s largest city, Guayaquil is bustling river promenade filled with museums and shops, or trek outside the city for a mangrove ecological reserve or cocoa farm during an overnight. Step back in time with Machala’s Puyango petrified forest, holding the largest array of fossil trees and also seek out locally grown coffee and chocolate. Overnight in Lima to dine at a restaurant in the culinary capitol of South America sipping pisco sours late in the evening, to meander along the Malecon, a path that follows the coastal cliffside, and to marvel the Huaca Pucllana, a pre-Incan pyramid.

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.