11-night Peru & Central America: Lima, Panama City & Puerto Limon

Callao is the port of Lima, located six miles from the city center. Among Callao’s attractions is the Real Felipe, a colonial-style fortress built in the 18th century to defend Lima from English and Dutch buccaneers. Today, a visit to Lima may serve as a unique Peruvian experience that offers a glimpse into the Andean world, Spanish tradition and the country’s modern aspects.

Destination Guide

Excursions

Interactive Culinary Experience (5 hours) — Optional Private Excursions

Learn how to prepare Peruvian dishes in a simple and fun way!
 
First you will enjoy a visit to a local market, where you will see first-hand the immense diversity of the country. Here you will meet your expert Chef.  The chef will show you our amazing variety of vegetables and fruits: many kinds of potatoes, corn of different colors, herbs, lucuma, cherimoya, mangos, etc. Your senses will experience many colors and smells for the first time
 
After this interesting visit, transfer to the cooking class venue. Besides teaching you how to cook Peruvian dishes, your Chef will tell you all about Peruvian gastronomy, its influences of other countries and how we have now one of the most important kitchens of the world. After the class, you will enjoy the dishes you prepared. 
 
Finally, as the Peruvians say, with the belly full and the heart happy, you will return to the ship. 
 
ACTIVITY LEVEL Moderate level of activity (easy walking for short distances)

DURATION: 5 Hours (Suggested) Departure Time(s) 10:00 am.

Note : A&K has to be informed in advance in case a guest has a special diet requirement or allergy

 

Lima - City of the Kings (4 hours) — Optional Private Excursions

WHAT YOU'LL VISIT
Depart the pier to Lima's main square where the Spanish conqueror, Francisco Pizarro, founded the "City of Kings" in 1535. The Government Palace, Lima City Hall, Archbishop's Palace, and the Lima Cathedral surround the square.
Visit Santo Domingo Convent, the oldest church and convent in Lima. The foundation of the city of Santo Domingo was conceived by a friar named Tomas de San Martin, who later served as the Preceptor Prior to the Dominican Order. As in all convents located between the jirones of Lima and Camana, Santo Domingo is sort of a city within a city and is comprised of a succession of cloisters and yards surrounded by service areas and communal rooms. Both Saint Rose and Saint Martin de Porres are buried in Lima, as is the Spanish Saint San Juan Masias. Construction of the Santo Domingo Convent began in 1540, but it was later modernized into its present neo-classical style in the 18th century. In 1730, the greater, or general, hall was built - a work of art that later became a part of the city's more unified ornamental groups.
The visit Casa Aliaga, the oldest house in the Americas, which has been continuously occupied by 18 generations of the Aliaga family; tour the impressive colonial residence, containing valuable Peruvian art and artifacts.
 
After you leave colonial Lima, you will drive through the residential districts of San Isidro and Miraflores. Both are suburbs where the rich and intelligentsia live. There are many large mansions, colonial buildings and fine hotels. Finally, you'll stop at El Parque del Amor for a great ocean view before finishing your tour. After this stop reboard the motor-coach to return to the pier.

WHAT YOU'LL SEE ALONG THE WAY
To truly feel the spirit of the city, your tour begins with the Colonial sites of Lima, passing by the Plaza San Martin, the Plaza Mayor with its Cathedral, and the Government Palace. From the historic center, we travel to the Lima of today, including a drive-by of the residential districts of San Isidro and Miraflores.

ACTIVITY LEVEL 
Moderate level of activity (easy walking for short distances)

DURATION: 5 Hours
(Suggested) Departure Time(s) 09:00 and/or 14:00
Note: The Cathedral and Santo Domingo are open daily; except on Sunday mornings only. Flash photography is not permitted in the Cathedral or the Monastery.

Includes:

• Pick up/drop off at the Port of Callao. 
• Touring in a private vehicle with air-conditioning. All vehicles are fitted with cellular phones.
• Qualified, registered English-speaking tour guide.
• Entrance fees.
• Bottled Mineral Water and Tissues and hand wipes provided to all guests.

• Tips to drivers and guides.
• Any services not mentioned above.

Barranco : Art and Culture (7.5 hours) — Optional Private Excursions

Transfer from the port to the bohemian district of Barranco. Your first stop will be the Osma Museum. The Pedro de Osma Museum exhibits Peruvian artistic pieces from the fifth to the eighteenth century. The artworks from Ancient Peru correspond to the geographic area of the south Andes and belong to the Mr. José Ignacio Lambarri collection. Tiahuanaco and Inca cultures were developed on this territory. The works from the vice regal period consist of paintings, sculptures, furniture and silver works that belonged to the Pedro de Osma Gildemeister collection (1901-1967). Paintings from the eighteenth-century Cuzco school are among the highlighted pieces of the vice regal art collection. This valuable artistic heritage is currently exhibited in the Pedro de Osma house, built in 1906 by his father, the politician and notary Pedro de Osma y Pardo.
 
Then visit Dedalo, a shop and gallery of handcrafted goods and contemporary pieces. You could find some exclusive pieces and handcrafts, accessories, jewelry, furniture, and other whimsical items. Then walk to the wonderful Hotel B to enjoy an afternoon tea. Originally built in the style of the Belle Époque, the mansion served as a seaside retreat during the presidency of Augusto Leguia in the 1920’s.
Then return to the port.

ACTIVITY LEVEL Moderate level of activity (easy walking for short distances)

DURATION: 7 Hours 30 minutes (Suggested). This excursion is available depending on the time of arrival.

Note : Flash photography is not permitted in the Osma Museum. 

Pachacamac and the Paso Horses (8 hours) — Optional Private Excursions

An awesome journey into the past, today's tour starts with a visit to the archaeological ruins of Pachacamac. This fascinating site takes its name from the Quechua words 'pacha' and 'camac' meaning 'Lord of the World'. It was predominantly a religious place throughout Peru's history and contains a great number of adobe structures that remain today. The most significant of these are the Old Temple, the Temple of the Sun, and the Temple of the Moon. From Ancient Peru we then enjoy an experience from the Peru of today, by lunching at one of the nearby haciendas. For lunch the owners of the hacienda join us. They will present an exhibition of their Paso, or Stepping horses, unique to Peru, before returning to Lima.

LUNCH
Pachamanca lunch is served at the Hacienda. Pachamanca is a sort of meat along with potatoes, set potatoes, corn, and fava beans cooked under the ground. The pachamanca is the epitome of the Andean banquet par excellence. Andean cultures tend to mix their worship of nature with social events. Salads are offered as appetizers and typical desserts.

ACTIVITY LEVEL
Tours require more substantial level of activity (walking for moderate distances and stair/incline climbing)

DURATION: 8 Hours

Note: This tour is available depending on the time of arrival and departure of the ship.

Lima - Magic Fountains (4 hours) — Optional Private Excursions
WHAT YOU'LL VISIT
From the port of Callao you head to Lima for a short panoramic drive at night before you reach the Parque de la Reserva. The Parque was originally opened in 1929 to commemorate all the civilian reservists who fought in defence of Lima during the War of the Pacific. It is now one of Lima’s most visited attractions because in 2007 the Magic Water Circuit was inaugurated. The Circuit has the largest fountain complex in the world, displaying 13 distinct fountains which are illuminated at night, with changing colour schemes. A colourful light show, synchronised with Peruvian music makes the fountains sparkle and shine as the water flows in unique patterns and shapes.
 
ACTIVITY LEVEL
 
Easy level of activity (easy walking for short distances)

DURATION: 4 hours
(Suggested) Departure Time(s) 09:00 and/or 14:00

The sights of Panama City are many, but much of it can be seen on foot. The Plaza de Francia is dedicated to the 22,000 workers who perished while building the Panama Canal. The ruins of the Church of Santo Domingo features an arch that has stood unsupported for hundreds of years. The golden altar of the Church of San Jose is the only original piece of architecture completely in tact after the Pirate Henry Morgan destroyed the city. There are many museums to explore in Panama City including: the newly restored Museum of Religious Art; the Museum of the History of Panama; the Atnthropology Museum; and the Museum of Natural Science. At Panama Viejo, view all the remains of the city’s original site.

Destination Guide

Linking the Atlantic to the Pacific, the Panama Canal provides one of cruising's most unforgettable experiences. Over 10 years were needed to complete the canal's 51 miles in 1914 - so avoiding the lengthy and often dangerous voyage around Cape Horn. 'The Big Ditch' lifts vessels by a fascinating feat of mechanics aided by on-shore 'mule' locomotives through three great locks, traversing man-made lakes, channels blasted through rock, and the dense jungle. Two other special highlights of the canal are Gatun Lake and the Gaillard cut. Gatun Lake is one of the world's largest man-made lakes covering 163 square miles. Gaillard Cut is an 8 mile channel built through solid rock which was the most difficult excavation in the canal construction.

Destination Guide

Puerto Límon, on a palm-fringed shore backed by mountains, is the country's most important port. It was built on the site of an ancient Indian village, Cariari, where Columbus landed on his fourth and last voyage. Though he felt this was potentially a very rich land and named it Costa Rica, it never quite lived up to his expectations. However the spot where he anchored has proved to be the best port of the Caribbean coast. It was from here that the first shipments of bananas headed to North America in the late 19th century.

Destination Guide

San Andres is located to the northeast of Colombia's Caribbean coast and has beautiful beaches characterized by white sand, red corals, and transparent water with seven different shades of blue, and for this reason it is known as the "Sea of Seven Colors." Its vegetation consists mainly of coconut trees. The San Andres Island and Providence Archipelago were discovered in 1510 by Spanish navigators while traveling from Jamaica to Miskitos. It was settled by the English and Dutch and later ceded to the Spanish government, giving rise to its Spanish heritage, however today, most of the island's inhabitants speak "Bende" or Caribbean English.

The island of Cozumel lies just twelve miles off the Yucatan Coast, a 45 minute ferry ride from the famed Riviera Maya. Dive into the crystal blue waters of Cozumel and discover why Jacques Cousteau called it the "best diving area in the world." Palancar Reef, the second largest in the world, provides an incredible diversity of species, stunning sites and visibility of at least 150 feet. Whether you're a first time snorkeler or an experienced diver, the intricate coral reefs and teems of painted fish will amaze you!

Destination Guide

A great climate which makes it a great vacation spot all year round, exciting attractions, professional sports teams, art, history, museums, and all of the nature parks and education you could ask for. Miami has many local activities & attractions, including Coconut Grove, Miami Beach, and South Beach. Amusement parks, deep-sea fishing, boat rides, sightseeing, fine dining, professional football, dolphin watching, marine museums. A visitor can spend hours, days, or weeks entertaining themselves and family without having to travel more than a few minutes in any direction. Nighttime entertainment includes: music and dance clubs with music ranging from smooth sounding jazz to lively disco, comedy clubs, concerts, theater, opera, symphony and movies. Virtually no one comes to Miami without taking a stroll along the Beach.

Destination Guide