Peru, Amazon & the Chilean Fjords Expedition - Cruise & Land Journey: 26 days Lima to Buenos Aires

Welcome to Lima, the vibrant capital of Peru. This cosmopolitan city is home to an incredible food scene, some of the world’s finest restaurants, compelling museums and contemporary galleries.

Check in for a two-night stay at your stylish, contemporary hotel set beside the beach.

Embark on a captivating exploration of Lima, a city that seamlessly blends history and modernity. From the meticulously restored colonial architecture to the hidden gems tucked away in its bustling streets, your expert local guide will reveal the city's rich tapestry of culture and heritage. Beyond Baroque balconies lie secret treasures from the age-old library to the patchwork of bones that line the ossuary of the city’s grand Franciscan monastery.

Enjoy a city tour with a welcome lunch, exploring the charms of colonial and modern Lima. Admire cathedrals and convents, visit San Isidro financial district and tour the famed Larco Museum.

This morning, set off for an adventure in the heart of the rainforest. Fly to Iquitos, a sleepy port city on the banks of the Amazon River, and step into a world of luxury aboard Zafiro. This boutique ship will be your floating sanctuary for the next four nights. Settle into your spacious suite, with its floor to ceiling windows looking out over the calm river, and prepare to immerse yourself in the natural wonders of the Amazon.

Embark on a series of intimate excursions that will take you deep into the heart of the Amazon rainforest. You will explore remote tributaries of the Amazon River, trek along jungle trails teeming with life, visit Indigenous communities living as they have for centuries, and spot exotic wildlife hiding amongst the lush greenery. Whether cruising along the waterways or venturing into the lush wilderness with expert naturalist guides, every moment promises new remarkable experiences.

Continue your exploration of the Amazon, discovering its hidden treasures and untamed beauty. Glide silently along narrow tributaries, guided by experts sharing fascinating river tales. Explore pristine habitats, from mangrove swamps to bamboo stands, uncovering nature's delicate balance. Each day offers new discoveries and moments of wonder in this extraordinary wilderness.

Awaken to the rainforest's symphony. Be immersed in the rainforest's natural rhythms, tracking wildlife or simply basking in serenity. Activities vary each day so you could be kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding along the glassy river, fishing for gigantic Amazon catfish, listening to the calls of more than 1,500 species of bird and scanning the water for the elusive pink dolphin. As night falls, retreat to your floating sanctuary, lulled by the river's gentle embrace. Reflect on the day's profound beauty as the sun dips below the horizon.

Bid farewell to the Amazon as you fly to Cuzco, the gateway to the Sacred Valley. Travel through breathtaking landscapes to your luxurious sanctuary set beside the Urubamba River amidst the majestic Andes. Your relaxing stay in the Sacred Valley allows you to experience the history, unique lifestyle, culture and majestic scenery of this heartland of the former Inca empire.

Join your expert local guide for a walking tour of Ollantaytambo, the site where Manco Inca defeated the Spanish conquistadors. Indulge in an authentic Andean feast at Hacienda Huayoccari, where tradition comes to life through vibrant weaving demonstrations and stories of local customs and life. The afternoon invites you to wander the charming village of Urubamba at your leisure.

Tonight, delight in an unforgettable culinary experience at a Tapas Dinner with local performance.

Today, tailor your day to your tastes and pace. Explore the ruins of Pisac, built by the Incas in the 15th century, and its vibrant markets. Peruvians from surrounding villages come to purchase their fruit, vegetables and meat, and you can find authentic crafts and clothing. Or marvel at the engineering features and mysteries of Moray, and the mesmerising Incan salt pans, where thousands of pools are dug into the mountainside.

Indulge in a culinary extravaganza featuring five tantalising meats, each prepared in a unique style using ingredients sourced from Tambo's own organic garden.

This morning, embark on one of the world's most spectacular train rides, a Vistadome rail journey that climbs through breathtaking landscapes to the legendary Machu Picchu. The most famous archaeological site in South America, this mountaintop citadel was built by the Incas in the 15th century but remained lost to history until it was rediscovered in the early 1900s. Explore the enigmatic ruins with expert guides, delving into the mysteries of this ancient site.

As night falls, retreat to your charming hotel in Machu Picchu.

Continue your journey by train to the charming city of Cuzco, the imperial capital of the Incas. The oldest continually occupied city on the continent, it sits at a soaring 3,399 metres above sea level, making it one of the highest settlements in the world.

You'll be welcomed to the luxurious Palacio del Inka, a Luxury Collection Hotel. Set inside a 500 year old mansion, you’ll spend two nights ensconced in the heart of this storied city, surrounded by opulence and history.

Unravel the secrets of Cuzco as you wander through its cobblestone streets and past awe-inspiring architecture. On your walking tour, you will uncover the history of this World Heritage-listed site where ancient Incan ruins sit alongside colonial whitewashed houses and grand Baroque palaces. Your final stop will be the imposing ruins of Sacsayhuamán fortress, where the carved stone blocks form the shape of a puma’s head.

Scenic Enrich
Immerse yourself in the local community as you visit a school supported by Scenic, forging connections that transcend borders.

Bid farewell to your Tour Director and fellow travellers. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Santiago where you will enjoy an overnight stay.

Travel to the World Heritage-listed city of Valparaiso. This vibrant coastal enclave is known for its cultural scene – rich in theatre, music, performance and street art – and its brightly painted buildings that dot the steep hillsides.

Your Discovery Yacht will be waiting for you in the harbour. Be warmly greeted by the Captain and crew, then join your fellow guests at the Sky Bar and toast to the start of an unforgettable voyage.

Enjoy a sleep-in lulled by the rhythm of the ocean. Wake up in your own time, and perhaps request your butler to deliver breakfast to your spacious suite or meet fellow guests in the alfresco Yacht Club.

Today, join an introductory presentation about your polar expedition by the Discovery Team in the state-of-the-art theatre. Feel the excitement building as they explain how your Zodiac and other Discovery Excursions will work in the coming days. The theatre is where you can watch talks, lectures, movies and documentaries during the day. At night, enjoy world-class productions from musical theatre and cabaret to pop music, dance and fun interactive game shows.

Arrive in Niebla, which is home to the 17th century Niebla Fortress. Nearby Valdivia is known as one of Chile's most beautiful cities located along the waterfront of a winding delta. Valdivia is a vibrant and tenacious university town that has endured various challenges such as attacks, floods, fires, and the catastrophic earthquake of 1960—the strongest ever recorded—which nearly submerged the city.

Spend the afternoon at leisure in your luxurious suite or head for the spacious and elegant Scenic Bar Lounge to enjoy your beverage of choice, whether it be aged whiskey—there are over 130 varieties—or a glass of wine. Then choose from up to 10 world-class dining experiences for dinner.

A busy town in the Chilean Lake District, Puerto Montt sits near the end of the Pan-American Highway – this epic stretch of road begins in Alaska and continues to Ushuaia in Argentina. Puerto Montt is the gateway to the Andean Alps and Patagonian fjords, so your stop here will be full of anticipation; around the corner lie gorges, far-flung islands, snow-capped volcanoes, and windswept shores.

During downtime on the ship, you may wish to visit the gym for an invigorating workout or the studio for a Pilates class, some guided stretching or aerial yoga.

Visit Castro, located on the island of Chiloé. This is a place of exquisite natural beauty, flanked by a fjord on the east and home to Chiloé National Park, where an abundance of wildlife species thrives on the west coast. Catch a glimpse of the local penguin colony, comprising Magellanic and Humboldt penguins which migrate to the region. Stroll through the city streets and sample local delicacies, such as the Chiloé potato, and view the city’s many World Heritage-listed churches, known for their ecclesiastical wooden architecture.

After days of exploration, spend time relaxing in your spacious suite. Delve into an insightful conversation with one of our Polar Discovery Team members – comprised of up to 20 members, this team of geologists, historians, ornithologists, marine biologists, and glaciologists is at the heart of your Expedition Voyage. Alternatively, simply watch as the world slips by as you rug up and relax in a cabana on Deck 10 or in the privacy of your suite’s verandah.

Cruise through the Inner Fjords and the English Narrows, which is home to remote Puerto Eden. This is the only settlement inside the Chilean Inside Passage, a region with a mountainous terrain and a thriving Magellanic sub-polar forest. You will be able to learn about the ancient Mapuche culture, navigate the town’s intricate wooden boardwalks and see its native wildlife.

You will also see Pio XI Glacier, which is nestled within the Berndardo O’Higgins National Park and spans the size of Santiago. Also known as Bruggen Glacier, this exceptional wonder is the sole glacier on Earth that is expanding daily.

Today you’ll cruise the historic Strait of Magellan, which links the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Named after Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan in 1520, this was the primary passage for seafaring transport before the Panama Canal. You’ll follow the journeys of early explorers such as Ferdinand Magellan and Sir Francis Drake.

Learn about the rich maritime history of these legendary waterways from your expert Polar Discovery Team. Join them on the Observation Deck for scenic viewing and wildlife spotting or relax with a speciality tea or coffee in the Scenic Lounge.

Punta Arenas is located at the southern extreme of Chile and serves as the gateway into Antarctica as well as Torres del Paine National Park. Overlooking the Strait of Magellan, the city flourished during the California Gold Rush – its prime position served as a haven for ships. The city will captivate you with its clean air, sophisticated European architecture and is renowned for kayaking. Nearby Magdalena Island is the breeding ground of Magellanic penguin colonies.

When back on board, you may wish to book a treatment# at the tranquil Senses Spa. Perhaps indulge with an ESPA facial# or an alternative therapy including Ayuverdic massage#, Tibetan bowl sound healing or Japanese shiatsu.

Navigate the labyrinth of the Chilean Fjords – its long narrow inlets and steep cliffs, channels and islands all carved by glaciers. From the Observation Deck with its commanding view of the bow, marvel at the towering peaks, cascading waterfalls, and dense forests of this pristine wilderness. When not covered in ice, the shore is a unique mix of temperate and Sub-Antarctic flora, from deciduous beech trees to edible calafate berries.

Stay alert for delightful sightings of elephant seals, dolphins, and majestic whales gracefully accompanying your voyage – use your complimentary binoculars to find these as they blend into the landscape.

While cruising this magnificent region, you will witness Seno Garibaldi, one of a handful of advancing glaciers in the world. You will also cruise to Seno Pia Glacier, where you’ll explore its ice crevasses and rivers. This area is a World Heritage-listed Biosphere Reserve, and its rich waters are home to seals, sea lions and seabirds, including the impressive Andean condor.

Watch the spectacular scenery slip by as you relax in a cabana on Deck 10 this afternoon. Alternatively, ask your butler to bring afternoon tea to your suite and relax on your private verandah.

Cruise through the iconic waters of Cape Horn, where the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans meet at the southernmost point of South America. The collision of these two oceans can sometimes cause rocky waves but it’s also a great place to spot sea lions, penguins and whales.

You will also cruise through the scenic Beagle Channel, named so for the ship that carried Charles Darwin on his five-year discovery journey. Admire the dramatic views of the Andean mountains from the comfort of your ultra-luxury Discovery Yacht.

Tonight could be the night you enjoy Sushi @ Koko’s with your new friends. Stay up late in the bar or retire to the library for a moment of blissful solitude before bed.

Your voyage ends this morning as you farewell the crew and fellow guests. Disembark after breakfast to fly to Buenos Aires, taking away memories of a truly unforgettable experience.

Please book your flight to depart out of Buenos Aires after 09:30 PM.

#Spa treatments at additional cost. +All drinks on board, including those stocked in your mini bar, are included, except for a very small number of rare, fine and vintage wines, Champagnes and spirits.

The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Scenic cannot guarantee the voyage will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information.