Your cruise
Azamara Journey · 8-night South America cruise, San Antonio to Callao (Lima)
Mar 10 – Mar 18 · 8 nights ·
Day 1 San Antonio (board) · Day 2 Coquimbo (La Serena) · Day 3 at sea · Day 4 Iquique · Day 5 Arica · Day 6 at sea · Day 7 Pisco (Puerto San Martin) · Day 8–9 Callao (Lima) (step off)
What you do Journey into the mystical Elqui Valley — birthplace of pisco — for a private tour of artisan distilleries, sun-drenched vineyards, and an evening under one of Earth's clearest skies. A once-in-a-lifetime sensory immersion in Chile's most storied valley.
What to expect Your driver-guide collects you at Coquimbo port and winds east into the Elqui Valley, where dramatic granite peaks frame rows of Muscat vines. You tour the Pisco Capel or equivalent artisan distillery — fermentation tanks, copper pot stills, aging cellars — with a guided tasting flight. A vineyard lunch featuring local empanadas and valley wine follows before an optional late-afternoon visit to a certified dark-sky observatory (Mamalluca or Pangue) where a professional astronomer guides you through the southern constellations.
Good to know Full day — confirm all-aboard time before booking; the valley is ~1.5 hrs each way. Pre-book the observatory segment as capacity is capped. Wear layers — valley evenings drop sharply even in summer.
book direct with Tangol Tours La Serena → · the full guide →
What you do Coquimbo sits in the Atacama's southern halo — one of the world's top two stargazing regions. At Mamalluca or Pangue Observatory, a certified astronomer turns a professional telescope on nebulae, star clusters, and planets invisible to northern-hemisphere eyes.
What to expect A 4WD transfer ascends the dark hillside above La Serena to the observatory, arriving at dusk. Your astronomer begins with the naked-eye orientation — the Magellanic Clouds, the Southern Cross — before moving to twin computerised telescopes. You observe Jupiter's moons, the Eta Carinae nebula, and globular clusters in real time, with astrophotography guidance available on request. Hot herbal tea and local sweets are served under the open dome.
Good to know Sessions typically begin after sunset — verify your ship's all-aboard time is late enough. Book at least 2 weeks in advance; private sessions sell out. Wear warm layers and bring a red-light torch.
book direct with Sanctuary Pangue Observatory → · the full guide →
What you do A fully private, door-to-door immersion in two cities that span 400 years of colonial, Diaguita, and republican history — including the Archaeological Museum, neoclassical stone churches, and a long, reef-fringed seafront promenade. The gold standard for first-time visitors.
What to expect Your bilingual private guide meets you at the pier and escorts you through Coquimbo's historic quarter, pointing out the eclectic Cruz del Tercer Milenio monument towering above the bay. In La Serena you step inside several of its famous colonial stone churches, visit the Museo Arqueológico — home to the finest Diaguita ceramics collection in Chile — and stroll the Plaza de Armas fountain gardens. Lunch at a curated seafront restaurant follows, with pisco sours and ceviche, before a coastal drive along Avenida del Mar back to port.
Good to know 6–7 hours; comfortably fits within a standard port day. Hotel/port pickup included — confirm exact pier meeting point when booking. Available daily.
book direct with Project Expedition (local operator: private guide from Coquimbo port) → · the full guide →
What you do Board a zodiac-style vessel to Isla Damas inside the Humboldt Penguin National Reserve — a UNESCO-candidate marine sanctuary where penguins, sea otters, dolphins, and (seasonally) blue whales share crystalline waters. One of South America's great wildlife spectacles.
What to expect Transfer north along the Pan-American Highway to Punta de Choros, where a licensed zodiac departs for the reserve. En route you scan for Chilean dolphins riding the bow wave and bottle-nosed dolphins; the boat pauses at sea-lion colonies on offshore islets. On Isla Damas you walk a short guided trail past nesting Humboldt penguins — so accustomed to visitors you can photograph them at arm's length — and observe Peruvian pelicans and red-legged cormorants overhead. The return journey hugs the coastline for seascape photography.
Good to know This is a long full day (8–10 hours round-trip from Coquimbo); confirm your ship's all-aboard allows it. Permits are strictly limited — book weeks in advance. Bring sunscreen, windproof jacket, and binoculars.
What you do Trade the crowds for two of Chile's most pristine hidden coves — Totoralillo and Guanaqueros — where turquoise Pacific waters lap near-empty white-sand beaches backed by dramatic desert bluffs. A quintessential Chilean Riviera experience.
What to expect Your private driver heads south of La Serena along the coastal highway, descending to Totoralillo — a nearly enclosed turquoise bay ringed by volcanic rock, beloved by snorkellers. You continue to Guanaqueros, a charming fishing village with one of the flattest, widest beaches in Chile, ideal for a long walk or simply watching pelicans drift overhead. Optional fresh-catch lunch at a family-run cevichería in Tongoy is the culinary highlight before a relaxed return to Coquimbo port.
Good to know Approximately 5–6 hours; fits a half-day port call comfortably. Bring reef shoes for Totoralillo's rocky entry, high-SPF sunscreen, and a hat — UV intensity at this latitude is extreme. Confirm the guide speaks English at the time of booking.
book direct with ToursByLocals La Serena Private Guides → · the full guide →
What you do Dive deep into La Serena's living culture with a private walking exploration of the colonial La Recova artisan market and the city's celebrated ring of neoclassical stone churches — each one a different architectural gem built from the same local granite.
What to expect Meeting at the port, your guide walks you into La Recova's two-storey neomoorish market hall, introducing you to artisan vendors of lapis lazuli (mined just hours north), hand-woven textiles, and the region's famed papaya jam. You then set a leisurely pace through the historic centre, entering up to five of La Serena's 29 colonial churches — the Cathedral, La Merced, San Francisco — for architecture, sacred art, and the stories of the priests who shaped the city. The tour ends with a pisco sour tasting at a celebrated bar on the Plaza de Armas.
Good to know 3–4 hours; ideal for a shorter port call or as a morning warm-up before an afternoon beach excursion. Wear comfortable walking shoes — the historic centre is flat but cobbled. Lapis lazuli makes a magnificent and authentically Chilean gift — your guide will steer you to genuine artisans.
book direct with ToursByLocals La Serena Private Guides → · the full guide →
What you do A fully private, chauffeur-driven day into Chile's sophisticated capital — from the grand Plaza de Armas and La Moneda Palace to the bohemian Lastarria district and a pisco sour at a celebrated local restaurant. Pure bucket-list immersion in one day.
What to expect Your private guide meets you at the San Antonio cruise terminal and whisks you north in a premium vehicle. You'll walk the historic centre, admire the neoclassical architecture of La Moneda, browse the storied Mercado Central seafood hall, and explore the hillside neighbourhood of Bellavista with its vivid murals and Pablo Neruda associations. The day wraps with a drop-off at Santiago airport or back at the port — perfectly timed to your schedule.
Good to know San Antonio to Santiago is roughly 100 km (90 min drive). Confirm your all-aboard time before booking and communicate it to your guide — most private operators build in buffer. Pre-book well in advance; private guides in Santiago fill up fast on port days.
book direct with Tours by Locals – Santiago Private Guides → · the full guide →
What you do Ride the century-old ascensores (funicular lifts) to Valparaíso's painted cerros, walk alleyways dripping in world-class murals, and lunch on freshly caught locos (Chilean abalone) above the Pacific. A UNESCO-listed port city unlike anywhere on earth.
What to expect You board a historic funicular from the Barrio Puerto waterfront and ascend to the candy-coloured streets of Cerro Alegre. Your guide interprets the layers of street art — from politically charged murals to intimate tiles — and the city's maritime heritage as a 19th-century trade giant. A leisurely seafood lunch at a clifftop restaurant overlooks the Pacific before you descend to explore the bohemian galleries and antique bookshops of Cerro Concepción. The port of San Antonio is just 30 minutes south, making timing effortless.
Good to know Valparaíso is 30 minutes from San Antonio port — easily reached by private transfer or taxi (approx. USD 20 each way). Wear comfortable shoes; the cerros involve cobblestones and stairs. Book the private option to guarantee your preferred departure time from the port.
book direct with Amigo Walking Tours – Valparaíso Private → · the full guide →
What you do Chile's coolest (literally) wine valley sits between San Antonio and Santiago, producing world-class Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. A private guided wine safari through boutique estates with barrel-hall tours, vertical tastings, and a vineyard lunch is the ultimate indulgence.
What to expect A private transfer collects you from San Antonio and winds through coastal hills into the morning-fog-shrouded Casablanca Valley. At Emiliana's certified biodynamic estate you walk the vines with a sommelier-guide, learning how Atlantic breezes shape the terroir. The barrel hall tasting progresses through estate Sauvignon Blancs, Chardonnays, and a structured Pinot Noir reserve. Lunch is served in the vineyard restaurant with seasonal Chilean produce paired to the wines you've just tasted — an experience that anchors the entire port day in luxury.
Good to know Casablanca Valley is approx. 60 km from San Antonio (50-min drive). Combine with a Valparaíso morning or a Santiago drop-off for a seamless full day. Pre-book the private tasting experience directly with the estate — walk-ins are not guaranteed. Confirm your all-aboard time and allow 90 min return to port.
book direct with Viña Emiliana – Casablanca Estate → · the full guide →
What you do Chile's 'Garden City' glitters just 40 minutes from port — belle époque mansions, manicured clifftop parks, the world-famous Flower Clock, and a haunting Easter Island Moai statue. A sophisticated coastal escape that rewards the curious traveller.
What to expect Your private vehicle departs San Antonio along the coastal Ruta 68, arriving in Viña del Mar's resort centre in under 40 minutes. You'll photograph the iconic Reloj de Flores (Flower Clock) beside the Estero de Marga Marga, stroll the palm-lined Casino Terrace, and visit the Fonck Museum to stand face-to-face with a genuine rapa nui Moai — one of very few outside Easter Island. The guide then drives the spectacular clifftop Avenida Perú above crashing Pacific surf before dropping you back at the port with time to spare.
Good to know Viña del Mar and neighbouring Valparaíso can be combined into a single full-day private itinerary — ask your guide to extend the tour. The Fonck Museum (CLP 2,500 entry) is worth every peso for Easter Island artefact lovers. Half-day tours comfortably clear most all-aboard times.
book direct with SeeSight Tours – San Antonio & Viña del Mar Private → · the full guide →
What you do Nobel laureate Pablo Neruda's Santiago home — a surrealist labyrinth of secret passageways, ship-themed rooms, and priceless art — is one of Latin America's most intimate cultural experiences. A private guided visit here is pure literary magic.
What to expect Tucked into a Bellavista alleyway at the foot of Cerro San Cristóbal, La Chascona is a maze of irregularly shaped rooms built for Neruda's muse and third wife, Matilde Urrutia. Your private guide narrates the poet's genius and contradictions as you pass through the library-bar, the bedroom suspended above a dining room, and the secret wine cellar. The surrounding Bellavista neighbourhood rewards post-visit wandering — artisan shops, empanada bakeries, and the best craft-cocktail bars in Santiago are steps away.
Good to know La Chascona is in Santiago's Bellavista district, approx. 100 km from San Antonio (90-min drive). Pair with a Plaza de Armas and Mercado Central visit for a rich full-day Santiago itinerary. Book timed entry online in advance — morning slots sell out on busy port days. A private vehicle ensures you make all-aboard with ease.
book direct with Fundación Pablo Neruda – La Chascona Official → · the full guide →
What you do Ride through ancient Chilean valleys in the coastal Andes foothills on a curated hacienda experience — cantering past vineyards, river gorges, and Andean condor territory before a traditional asado under eucalyptus trees. The most visceral connection to Chilean land imaginable.
What to expect A private transfer from San Antonio delivers you to a hacienda in the coastal Andean foothills, where well-schooled criollos horses and a huaso guide await. You ride through native Chilean scrub and riverine valleys, pausing on ridgelines for panoramic Pacific views before descending into a sheltered valley for a wood-fired asado of chorizo, ribs, and empanadas. The afternoon concludes with a slow return ride and pisco sour by the hacienda fire — an experience that belongs on every serious traveller's list.
Good to know Best suited to riders with at least basic experience; inform your guide of your level when booking. Full-day options allow combination with a coastal or wine-valley stop. Transfer from San Antonio to the hacienda is typically 30–50 minutes. Confirm all-aboard time with your guide before departure — private operators are diligent about timing.
book direct with Tours by Locals – Andes & Coastal Range Private Rides → · the full guide →
What you do Journey into the mystical Elqui Valley — birthplace of pisco — for a private tour of artisan distilleries, sun-drenched vineyards, and an evening under one of Earth's clearest skies. A once-in-a-lifetime sensory immersion in Chile's most storied valley.
What to expect Your driver-guide collects you at Coquimbo port and winds east into the Elqui Valley, where dramatic granite peaks frame rows of Muscat vines. You tour the Pisco Capel or equivalent artisan distillery — fermentation tanks, copper pot stills, aging cellars — with a guided tasting flight. A vineyard lunch featuring local empanadas and valley wine follows before an optional late-afternoon visit to a certified dark-sky observatory (Mamalluca or Pangue) where a professional astronomer guides you through the southern constellations.
Good to know Full day — confirm all-aboard time before booking; the valley is ~1.5 hrs each way. Pre-book the observatory segment as capacity is capped. Wear layers — valley evenings drop sharply even in summer.
book direct with Tangol Tours La Serena → · the full guide →
What you do Coquimbo sits in the Atacama's southern halo — one of the world's top two stargazing regions. At Mamalluca or Pangue Observatory, a certified astronomer turns a professional telescope on nebulae, star clusters, and planets invisible to northern-hemisphere eyes.
What to expect A 4WD transfer ascends the dark hillside above La Serena to the observatory, arriving at dusk. Your astronomer begins with the naked-eye orientation — the Magellanic Clouds, the Southern Cross — before moving to twin computerised telescopes. You observe Jupiter's moons, the Eta Carinae nebula, and globular clusters in real time, with astrophotography guidance available on request. Hot herbal tea and local sweets are served under the open dome.
Good to know Sessions typically begin after sunset — verify your ship's all-aboard time is late enough. Book at least 2 weeks in advance; private sessions sell out. Wear warm layers and bring a red-light torch.
book direct with Sanctuary Pangue Observatory → · the full guide →
What you do A fully private, door-to-door immersion in two cities that span 400 years of colonial, Diaguita, and republican history — including the Archaeological Museum, neoclassical stone churches, and a long, reef-fringed seafront promenade. The gold standard for first-time visitors.
What to expect Your bilingual private guide meets you at the pier and escorts you through Coquimbo's historic quarter, pointing out the eclectic Cruz del Tercer Milenio monument towering above the bay. In La Serena you step inside several of its famous colonial stone churches, visit the Museo Arqueológico — home to the finest Diaguita ceramics collection in Chile — and stroll the Plaza de Armas fountain gardens. Lunch at a curated seafront restaurant follows, with pisco sours and ceviche, before a coastal drive along Avenida del Mar back to port.
Good to know 6–7 hours; comfortably fits within a standard port day. Hotel/port pickup included — confirm exact pier meeting point when booking. Available daily.
book direct with Project Expedition (local operator: private guide from Coquimbo port) → · the full guide →
What you do Board a zodiac-style vessel to Isla Damas inside the Humboldt Penguin National Reserve — a UNESCO-candidate marine sanctuary where penguins, sea otters, dolphins, and (seasonally) blue whales share crystalline waters. One of South America's great wildlife spectacles.
What to expect Transfer north along the Pan-American Highway to Punta de Choros, where a licensed zodiac departs for the reserve. En route you scan for Chilean dolphins riding the bow wave and bottle-nosed dolphins; the boat pauses at sea-lion colonies on offshore islets. On Isla Damas you walk a short guided trail past nesting Humboldt penguins — so accustomed to visitors you can photograph them at arm's length — and observe Peruvian pelicans and red-legged cormorants overhead. The return journey hugs the coastline for seascape photography.
Good to know This is a long full day (8–10 hours round-trip from Coquimbo); confirm your ship's all-aboard allows it. Permits are strictly limited — book weeks in advance. Bring sunscreen, windproof jacket, and binoculars.
What you do Trade the crowds for two of Chile's most pristine hidden coves — Totoralillo and Guanaqueros — where turquoise Pacific waters lap near-empty white-sand beaches backed by dramatic desert bluffs. A quintessential Chilean Riviera experience.
What to expect Your private driver heads south of La Serena along the coastal highway, descending to Totoralillo — a nearly enclosed turquoise bay ringed by volcanic rock, beloved by snorkellers. You continue to Guanaqueros, a charming fishing village with one of the flattest, widest beaches in Chile, ideal for a long walk or simply watching pelicans drift overhead. Optional fresh-catch lunch at a family-run cevichería in Tongoy is the culinary highlight before a relaxed return to Coquimbo port.
Good to know Approximately 5–6 hours; fits a half-day port call comfortably. Bring reef shoes for Totoralillo's rocky entry, high-SPF sunscreen, and a hat — UV intensity at this latitude is extreme. Confirm the guide speaks English at the time of booking.
book direct with ToursByLocals La Serena Private Guides → · the full guide →
What you do Dive deep into La Serena's living culture with a private walking exploration of the colonial La Recova artisan market and the city's celebrated ring of neoclassical stone churches — each one a different architectural gem built from the same local granite.
What to expect Meeting at the port, your guide walks you into La Recova's two-storey neomoorish market hall, introducing you to artisan vendors of lapis lazuli (mined just hours north), hand-woven textiles, and the region's famed papaya jam. You then set a leisurely pace through the historic centre, entering up to five of La Serena's 29 colonial churches — the Cathedral, La Merced, San Francisco — for architecture, sacred art, and the stories of the priests who shaped the city. The tour ends with a pisco sour tasting at a celebrated bar on the Plaza de Armas.
Good to know 3–4 hours; ideal for a shorter port call or as a morning warm-up before an afternoon beach excursion. Wear comfortable walking shoes — the historic centre is flat but cobbled. Lapis lazuli makes a magnificent and authentically Chilean gift — your guide will steer you to genuine artisans.
book direct with ToursByLocals La Serena Private Guides → · the full guide →
What you do Walk the haunted streets of the world's best-preserved saltpeter boom town — a UNESCO World Heritage Site frozen in the 1930s. Private guiding unlocks the human stories behind the nitrate era that once fertilised the world.
What to expect Your private guide meets you at the port and transfers you 45 km inland into the Atacama. At Humberstone you wander the intact company town: the grand theatre, the market square, the workers' housing and the iconic swimming pool. A short walk connects you to Santa Laura's skeletal industrial plant, where original crushing machinery still stands. The return journey includes a stop for panoramic desert photography.
Good to know Allow 4–5 hours return from port; confirm all-aboard time before booking. Pre-book at least 48 hours ahead to secure a private English-speaking guide. UNESCO entry is included in most packaged rates — confirm when booking.
What you do Ascend from Pacific coast to 4,000 m altiplano in a single day — flamingo lagoons, a living Aymara village, and the smouldering cone of Volcán Isluga await. One of South America's most dramatic vertical journeys.
What to expect Departing early from port in a luxury 4WD, you climb through successive desert ecosystems — coastal fog, cactus scrub, puna grassland — before reaching the volcanic plateau. At Laguna Arabilla, three species of flamingo feed in rose-pink shallows. The intact village of Isluga, with its colonial church and llama herds, offers a rare window into living Aymara culture. Lunch is a picnic among the geysers before a dramatic descent back to the coast.
Good to know This is a long day — up to 14 hours — so only suited to ships with a late all-aboard. Altitude acclimatisation snacks and water are essential; a good operator provides these. Warm layers required even in summer; temperatures drop sharply above 3,500 m.
What you do Hurtle down the world's largest urban sand dune on a board, with the Pacific glittering below — an adrenaline set-piece that is utterly unique to Iquique. A bucket-list pairing of desert and ocean in one frame.
What to expect Your guide transports you to the base of Cerro Dragón, a colossal dune that rises directly above the city grid. After a briefing and equipment fitting, you hike to a chosen ridgeline with panoramic ocean views. Multiple descents are included, each more confident than the last. The guide photographs and films your runs, and transfers you back to port with time to spare.
Good to know The activity takes 2–3 hours from port; easily combined with a city tour. Wear sunscreen and bring sunglasses — the desert sun and reflected sand are intense. Closed-toe shoes and a change of clothes recommended (sand gets everywhere).
What you do Launch from the clifftop above the city and soar on world-class thermals above the Atacama coast — one of the planet's premier paragliding corridors — with the ocean, dunes and terracotta rooftops laid out beneath you.
What to expect Transfer to the launch point on the escarpment above the city, where your CIVL-certified pilot harnesses you in and briefs you in minutes. The thermal lifts you effortlessly skyward; on a clear day you can see the curvature of the Atacama coast stretching north into Peru. Flights typically last 15–25 minutes of pure soaring before a smooth beach landing. HD video of the full flight is included.
Good to know Flights are weather-dependent — operators reschedule rather than cancel in poor conditions. Activity takes approximately 2 hours from port. Maximum weight limits apply (typically 100 kg); confirm at booking. Morning flights offer the calmest air; afternoons have stronger thermals for more dynamic rides.
What you do Explore Iquique's gilded nitrate-era heritage — Georgian clock towers, pastel Georgiana mansions on Paseo Baquedano, and the legendary ironclad Corbeta Esmeralda — with a scholar-guide who brings the city's golden age vividly alive.
What to expect Begin on the photogenic timber-paved Paseo Baquedano, lined with restored Georgian mansions that once housed nitrate barons. Your guide leads you through Astoreca Palace, the Municipal Theatre (modelled on La Scala), and the Mineralogical Museum before boarding the Corbeta Esmeralda — Chile's most revered warship, now a floating museum in the harbour. The tour concludes at Playa Cavancha with time for a pisco sour at a seafront café.
Good to know Tour runs approximately 3.5 hours from port, well within typical all-aboard windows. The Esmeralda buoy navigation version adds a zodiac approach to the anchored ship for a unique perspective. Book a morning departure for the best light on the Georgian façades of Baquedano.
What you do Journey deep into the Atacama to Pica — a lush, improbable oasis of lime groves, hot springs and colonial plazas hidden in one of Earth's driest landscapes. A sensory contrast that travellers call the most surprising moment of the entire voyage.
What to expect The road inland cuts through a monochrome mineral landscape before Pica appears without warning — an emerald splash of mango trees and bougainvillea. Your guide walks you through the colonial church, the artisan market, and into the hidden thermal spring grotto of La Cocha for a soak. Lunch features cured meats, Pica limes, and the region's legendary chirimoya fruit. The return passes Humberstone for a late-afternoon visit when golden light floods the ghost town.
Good to know Full-day excursion of 8–10 hours; verify all-aboard before booking. The Pica thermal pool is warm year-round — pack a swimsuit. Private 4WD is strongly recommended over shared transport for the unpaved approach roads. Combine with Humberstone for the ultimate Atacama day.
What you do Ascend to 4,500 m above sea level to witness the mirror-like Chungará Lake framed by twin Parinacota volcanoes in one of South America's most otherworldly altiplano landscapes. Viscachas, vicuñas and flamingos share this UNESCO-recognised biosphere — a true bucket-list Andean panorama.
What to expect Depart Arica and climb dramatically through the pre-cordillera, passing geoglyphs and colonial tambo ruins before reaching Lauca National Park at 4,000 m. Visit the whitewashed Parinacota village church, spot herds of vicuña on the pampas, and arrive at Chungará Lake for breathtaking views of the Parinacota and Pomerape volcanoes reflected in its glassy waters. A hearty included lunch fuels the return descent, with stops at key viewpoints along the Pan-American highland route.
Good to know Full day runs approximately 10–12 hours; ensure you are back well before all-aboard. Altitude can affect even fit travellers — acclimatise with coca tea, stay hydrated, and avoid alcohol the evening before. Warm layers are essential as temperatures drop sharply above 4,000 m even in summer.
What you do Encounter the world's oldest artificially mummified human remains — 7,000 years old, predating Egypt's mummies by 2,000 years — at the UNESCO-listed San Miguel de Azapa Museum in a lush desert valley just outside Arica. An unmissable window into one of humanity's most extraordinary funerary traditions.
What to expect Your expert private guide meets you at the port and whisks you into the sun-soaked Azapa Valley, stopping first at roadside geoglyphs etched into hillsides thousands of years ago. The San Miguel de Azapa Museum holds the world's premier Chinchorro mummy collection, displayed with scholarly rigour and extraordinary preservation. Stroll through the museum's gardens and the valley's ancient agricultural terraces before returning through Arica's vibrant market streets for a taste of local life.
Good to know Museum entry is included in most private tour rates; confirm when booking. The valley is a 20-minute drive from port — easily manageable before all-aboard. Pre-book a private guide well in advance for peak cruise season (November–March) as expert English-speaking archaeologist-guides are limited.
book direct with Top Private Tours Arica → · the full guide →
What you do Scale the iconic 139-metre clifftop fortress of El Morro — the dramatic centrepiece of Arica's skyline — for sweeping Pacific and Andean panoramas, then explore the remarkable iron cathedral designed by Gustave Eiffel himself. A half-day that encapsulates 10,000 years of layered history in a single compelling narrative.
What to expect Begin with a scenic ascent to the summit of El Morro, where Arica's defining 1880 battle unfolded; the on-site museum houses weaponry, uniforms and vivid dioramas of the War of the Pacific. Descend to the city's historic core to admire the prefabricated iron Cathedral of San Marcos, shipped from Paris and assembled without a single brick. Stroll the bougainvillea-draped Plaza Colón, browse the artisan market for Aymara textiles, and savour an ocean view from the clifftop promenade before returning to port.
Good to know Tour duration is approximately 4 hours — ideal for a port call. The Morro summit road is accessible by taxi or guided vehicle; walking the steep path takes 20–30 minutes. Pre-book your private guide through Nomades to secure an English-speaking expert.
What you do A rare multi-landscape odyssey through the Chilean altiplano, taking in a colonial highland village, a vast flamingo-studded salt flat, and the highest navigable lake in the world — all in a single extraordinary journey above the clouds. For those who want the definitive Andean experience from Arica.
What to expect Wind through the pre-Cordillera to Putre, a centuries-old Aymara village at 3,500 m lined with adobe houses and wildflower gardens. Continue to the Salar de Surire — a blinding white salt flat where three species of flamingo feed in mineral-rich lagoons against a backdrop of snow-capped volcanoes. The day culminates at Chungará Lake, whose glassy surface mirrors the perfect cones of Parinacota and Pomerape. All meals, naturalist guide, and 4WD transport are included.
Good to know For the single-day version, allow 10–12 hours total; confirm all-aboard time with your ship before booking. The 3D/2N format requires disembarking and rejoining the ship at a later port — verify with your cruise line. Altitude medication (acetazolamide) is worth discussing with your physician before travel above 3,500 m.
What you do Paddle through dramatic volcanic sea caves carved into Arica's rugged Pacific coastline, where ancient rock art meets turquoise swells and Humboldt penguins nest on sea-spray ledges. One of Chile's most visually arresting and least-visited coastal experiences — utterly unlike anything else at this port.
What to expect Launch from a sheltered cove south of Arica and paddle along basalt cliffs sculpted by millions of years of wave action into arches, tunnels and chambers. Glide through the Cuevas de Anzota sea caves, listening to waves echo around ancient walls etched with petroglyphs. Sea lions bask on rocky outcrops and cormorants dive around your kayak as your guide points out endemic coastal flora. The return paddle offers sweeping views of El Morro's silhouette against the Atacama sky.
Good to know All equipment and safety briefing are included; no prior kayaking experience necessary. Wear quick-dry clothing and apply high-SPF sunscreen — the Atacama sun is intense even near the water. Tour duration is 2.5–3 hours, making it easily combinable with a morning city visit before all-aboard.
book direct with TourHQ Arica Local Guides → · the full guide →
What you do Decode millennia of Andean civilisation across a single epic landscape: pre-Inca hilltop fortresses, colossal hillside geoglyphs visible only from above, and a UNESCO-listed mummy collection — all narrated by a specialist who brings the ancient Chinchorro and Tiwanaku worlds vividly to life.
What to expect Your archaeologist guide drives you through the Atacama-edge landscape to the Pukará of Copaquilla, a pre-Inca defensive settlement perched on a volcanic ridge with commanding valley views. Descend to scan the Azapa Valley hillsides where giant geoglyphs of llama caravans and human figures were created by ancient Andean traders as navigational markers. Visit the Tambo of Zapahuira, a well-preserved Inca way-station, before culminating at the San Miguel de Azapa Museum to examine the Chinchorro mummies up close with expert commentary. Return to Arica through the sunbaked Atacama foothills as the afternoon light turns the desert gold.
Good to know Tour runs 5–6 hours; confirm timing against your all-aboard. Museum entry fees are typically included in the private tour rate — verify at booking. Bring a hat, sunglasses, and comfortable walking shoes for uneven archaeological terrain. Pre-booking at least 48 hours in advance is strongly recommended.
book direct with Top Private Tours Arica → · the full guide →
What you do Glide through the Pacific on a private speedboat to the 'Peruvian Galápagos' — the Ballestas Islands — where sea lions, Humboldt penguins, and tens of thousands of seabirds crowd dramatic rock arches. A bucket-list encounter with Peru's wildest coast.
What to expect Your bilingual naturalist guide meets you dockside at San Martín Port and escorts you aboard a private vessel. En route, you pass the enormous Candelabro geoglyph etched into a cliffside hillside — mysterious, Nazca-adjacent, and rarely lingered over on group tours. At the islands, you circle sea-lion rookeries, penguin colonies, and sky-filling flocks of Peruvian boobies and cormorants. The 2-hour on-water experience is unhurried, with the guide contextualising the extraordinary biodiversity of the Humboldt Current ecosystem.
Good to know Tour departs at 08:30 from San Martín Port — no shuttle needed. The full excursion runs 3–4 hours, well within a typical all-aboard window. Pre-book directly; private departures fill quickly on port days. Bring a light layer — the Pacific breeze is cool even in summer.
What you do Board a small private aircraft over the UNESCO-listed Nazca Desert and trace the colossal geoglyphs — the Hummingbird, the Spider, the Astronaut — etched into the earth 2,000 years ago. One of the planet's great unexplained wonders, seen from the only vantage point that reveals them.
What to expect Transfer from San Martín Port to the small aerodrome (approx. 45 min), where your private Cessna awaits. The pilot and bilingual guide narrate as you bank low over the Nazca Pampa, identifying each figure — the 293-metre Pelican, the precise 46-metre Spider, the enigmatic Astronaut. The round-trip from port runs 4.5–5 hours, so timing is critical. The moment the lines appear beneath the wings is genuinely jaw-dropping — nothing in travel prepares you for the scale.
Good to know This is a tight but doable excursion on a port day — confirm your ship's all-aboard time before booking and alert the operator. Flights depend on weather; book a morning slot for the clearest conditions. Those sensitive to motion should take precautions — light aircraft over desert thermals can be bumpy.
What you do Traverse one of the world's most dramatic coastal deserts by private 4×4 — red-sand dunes plunging into turquoise Pacific coves, fossil-studded cliffs, and panoramic viewpoints inside Peru's only marine national reserve. Raw, cinematic, and almost entirely crowd-free.
What to expect Your driver-guide collects you at the port and enters the reserve through the official checkpoint. The route winds past the ancient Candelabro viewpoint, along the windswept coast to the geological marvel of La Catedral (before its 2007 collapse, now dramatically reduced — still stunning), and to Lagunillas Cove, where sea lions haul out on the rocks below. The guide explains the reserve's extraordinary geology — a desert shaped by the cold Humboldt Current — and its importance as a UNESCO World Heritage site buffer zone. The palette of terracotta, white salt flats, and cobalt ocean is unlike anywhere else on earth.
Good to know The reserve entrance fee (approx. PEN 11 / USD 3) is paid on entry — bring small local currency or USD cash. The half-day itinerary (4–5 hours) is comfortable for most port schedules. Dust can be significant — a light scarf is useful. Roads inside are gravel and 4×4 is genuine.
What you do Speed through the world's highest sand dunes in a custom dune buggy, then surf the slopes of a giant dune above Huacachina — a fairy-tale oasis of emerald water ringed by 100-metre sand mountains. Peru's most exhilarating full-day adventure.
What to expect The 1.5-hour drive to Ica passes vineyard country — Peru's pisco-producing heartland — and your guide narrates the landscape. At Huacachina, your private buggy tears up the mega-dunes at sunset angles, crests the ridgelines, and parks at the top so you can board down on sandboards (instruction provided). Back at the oasis, time to stroll the palm-fringed waterfront before transfer to a local bodega for a private pisco tasting — the spirit was born in this valley. Return to port by mid-evening.
Good to know This is a full-day excursion (8–10 hours) — only viable when the ship has a late all-aboard (7 pm or later). Confirm your port schedule before booking. Sunscreen and sunglasses are essential; the dune UV is intense. Closed shoes required for sandboarding.
What you do Explore one of the Inca Empire's best-preserved adobe palace complexes — Tambo Colorado — with a private archaeologist guide. Rarely visited by cruise passengers, this vivid red-and-white ceremonial citadel was a key administrative hub on the Royal Inca Road.
What to expect An hour's drive from the port through the Pisco Valley's vine-covered quebradas brings you to the foothills of the Andes, where the terracotta-and-cream palace complex emerges dramatically from the desert. Your archaeologist guides you through the trapezoidal gateways, the military barracks, the royal halls, and the Inca sun-ritual platforms — all retaining vivid original pigment, astonishing after 500 years. The valley setting, with Andean condors occasionally wheeling above, is quietly spectacular. This is archaeology without crowds, rope barriers, or gift shops.
Good to know Site entrance fee is approx. PEN 15 (USD 4) — payable on arrival in cash. Round trip from port is approximately 4–5 hours, fitting most half-day port windows. The drive follows the Pisco River valley — photogenic in its own right. Wear sturdy walking shoes; surfaces are uneven ancient adobe.
What you do Trace the origins of Peru's national spirit through private visits to an artisan pisco distillery and a historic Ica Valley winery — tasting copper-pot pisco in the valley where it was born, paired with local antipasti and chicha morada. The most flavour-packed half-day on the coast.
What to expect Your guide collects you at the port and drives through the valley's pisco-grape vineyards — Quebranta, Italia, and Torontel varieties — explaining the denominación de origen that makes Peruvian pisco legally unique in the world. At the distillery, the maestro demonstrates the full artisan production process and leads a structured tasting of three single-varietal piscos. A short drive to the neighbouring winery includes a cellar tour and pairing of the region's white wines with local olives, fresh cheese, and sweet potato. You'll return to the port with a bottle of the estate's reserve pisco — a genuinely luxurious souvenir.
Good to know Half-day format (3.5–4.5 hours) suits most port schedules. Confirm the distillery visit is included when booking — not all operators offer full production access. Non-drinkers are well accommodated with chicha morada (purple corn drink) and grape juice pairings. The valley roads are paved and comfortable.
What you do Boat out to the wild Palomino Islands just off Callao and slip into the Pacific alongside a colony of 8,000 sea lions. This intimate, small-group marine encounter is one of the most extraordinary wildlife moments in all of South America.
What to expect A swift motorboat whisks you from Callao harbor out to four rugged Pacific islands, alive with barking sea lions. After briefing, you don a wetsuit and slide into crystal-cold water as curious sea lions spiral around you — bumping, twirling and staring you down. On the crossing you'll also spot Humboldt penguins and seabirds on the guano-white rocks. The entire outing lasts roughly four hours, returning you to port in good time.
Good to know Departs from the Callao fishing dock, less than 10 minutes from the cruise terminal — no transfer needed. Pre-book directly as space on small vessels fills weeks in advance. All-aboard times are typically respected with a 4-hour total run time. Bring a dry bag for your valuables and a warm layer for the boat ride back.
What you do Journey four hours south of Lima into a landscape of flamingo-fringed bays, prehistoric Nazca-era history and a turquoise desert oasis ringed by towering sand dunes. One of Peru's most visually astonishing day trips, bookable from the port.
What to expect Depart Callao early and drive south through Peru's coastal desert to Paracas, where wind-sculpted red cliffs plunge into an azure bay thick with flamingos and pelicans. Board a speedboat to the Ballestas Islands ('the poor man's Galápagos') to witness sea lions, Peruvian boobies and penguins on volcanic arches. After lunch in Paracas, continue inland to Huacachina — a true desert oasis — where you board a dune buggy for the breathtaking ride up towering dunes before sandboarding back down at sunset.
Good to know This is a 17–18 hour excursion; confirm your ship's all-aboard time carefully — best suited to ships with a late-night or overnight Callao call. Departs 06:00–07:00 from the port. Bring sunscreen, a windbreaker and sea-sickness tablets for the Ballestas boat. Pre-booking essential; spaces extremely limited on private departures.
What you do Step inside a Miraflores culinary studio and master Peru's three most iconic dishes under the tutelage of a professional Lima chef. Peruvian cuisine is ranked among the world's best — this is the most direct way to own a piece of it.
What to expect The class opens at a local market where your chef narrates the kaleidoscopic world of Peruvian chillies, purple corn and exotic fruits — then you head to a beautifully equipped kitchen in Miraflores. You'll cure fresh corvina for leche de tigre ceviche, layer causa limeña with avocado and ají amarillo, and shake the city's most celebrated cocktail. The meal you've cooked becomes your lunch, served with Peruvian wine. A recipe booklet and a new passport-stamp skill go home with you.
Good to know Miraflores is approximately 30 minutes from Callao by taxi or Uber (approx. USD 8–12 each way). Classes typically run 3–3.5 hours, leaving comfortable time before all-aboard. Vegetarian adaptations available on request. Book at least two weeks ahead as this is Lima's most reviewed culinary experience.
book direct with Peruvian Cooking Classes Lima (La Floresta Culinary Studio) → · the full guide →
What you do Explore the grandest Spanish colonial fortress in South America, then step into Monumental Callao — a once-derelict neighbourhood reborn as Peru's most extraordinary open-air street-art district. History and living culture, minutes from the pier.
What to expect Begin at the Real Felipe Fortress, whose star-shaped walls once guarded Lima's silver trade against pirate fleets and independence armies. Your historian guide walks you through cannon-lined bastions, the eerie 'room of bones' and sweeping views of the Pacific. From there, enter Monumental Callao's labyrinthine patios splashed with floor-to-ceiling murals by international and Peruvian artists — boutique shops, artisan coffee and a rooftop lookout complete the picture. The tour finishes a short walk from the cruise terminal.
Good to know Real Felipe is open Tuesday–Sunday; confirm your port day falls on an open day. The fortress entry fee (approx. PEN 15 / USD 4) is typically separate. Monumental Callao is walkable from the fortress. Total duration 3–4 hours. Flat, paved surfaces throughout; suitable for all mobility levels.
What you do Glide through Lima's most beautiful clifftop neighbourhoods and into the world's finest private collection of pre-Columbian gold, textiles and erotic pottery. A half-day that distils 5,000 years of Andean civilisation into one elegant arc.
What to expect Your private guide collects you from the terminal and drives south to Miraflores, stopping at the clifftop Larcomar complex for Pacific views before descending to bohemian Barranco — its painted bridges, colonial mansions and vibrant café scene feel like a Peruvian Montmartre. The centrepiece is the Larco Museum, a converted 18th-century vice-regal mansion housing the world's most important collection of pre-Columbian gold and ceramics, including the famous 'erotic gallery'. Lunch is optionally taken at the museum's garden restaurant.
Good to know Museo Larco is open daily 09:00–22:00; book timed entry at larcomuseum.org (USD 25 adult). Combined private guide + transport via ToursByLocals from approx. USD 83 pp. Miraflores is 30 min from port. Allow 5–6 hours total. The Larco garden restaurant is one of Lima's most acclaimed — reserve ahead for lunch.
book direct with Museo Larco (official entry) + ToursByLocals private guide → · the full guide →
What you do Pedal Lima's dramatic Pacific Rim coastline on a curated small-group cycling tour, weaving from the clifftop promenades of Miraflores past a genuine pre-Inca adobe pyramid to the art-gallery lanes of Barranco. The city's most exhilarating half-day.
What to expect High-quality hybrid bikes are fitted to you in Miraflores before you roll onto the Malecón — Lima's Corniche — with the Pacific glittering hundreds of feet below the cliffs. The route threads past Parque del Amor's mosaic lover sculpture, descends to Barranco's coloured bridges and street-art alleyways, and detours through the grounds of Huaca Pucllana, an archaeological pyramid from 400 AD still being excavated. Guides share neighbourhood stories, stop for freshly squeezed lucuma juice and pace everything to ensure you never feel rushed.
Good to know Departs Miraflores (30 min taxi from port, approx. USD 8–12). Tour runs 3–3.5 hours; comfortable timing before most all-aboard calls. Helmets, locks and safety briefing included. The route is largely flat to gently rolling along the cliff edge — suitable for confident recreational cyclists. Wear comfortable clothing and bring a light layer for the coastal breeze.
We don't hold nightly rates for Coquimbo (La Serena), Chile yet, so the stay and the car are links rather than numbers. The flight is priced live.
Before you sail · near San Antonio
Fly in at least a day early — every seasoned cruiser does, so a delay never costs you the ship. This is what is worth that day within reach of the port.
