E-mail a friendShip: Clelia II
Itinerary: South American Ancient Civilizations, Easter Island, and the Fjords of Chile
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Wander Quitos historic streets during your South America expedition voyage
cabins & deck plans | additional itineraries | cancellation policy | Testimonials
| Day 1 : | Arrive Panama City, Panama |
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| Day 2 : | Panama City / Colon / Embark |
| Day 3 : | Transit of the Panama Canal |
| Day 4 : | At Sea |
| Day 5 : | Buenaventura, Cali, Colombia |
| Day 6 : | At Sea |
| Day 7 : | Manta, Ecuador |
| Day 8 : | At Sea |
| Day 9 : | Chan Chan, Peru |
| Day 10 : | Sechín, Peru |
| Day 11 : | Lima, Peru |
| Day 12 : | Paracas and Islas Ballestas |
| Day 13 : | Nazca Lines |
| Days 14-18 : | At Sea |
| Day 19 : | Sala-y-Gomez, Chile |
| Itinerary continues - click for full itinerary | |
| Day 41 : | Ushuaia, Argentina / Disembark |
| Click for full itinerary |
| Days | Dates | Deck + Cabin Type | |||||||
| Category E | Category D | Category C | Category B | Category A | Category AA | Category VS | Category PHS | ||
| 41 | Oct 13, 2009 | $25,995 | $28,995 | $31,995 | $34,995 | $37,995 | $39,995 | $42,995 | $43,995 |
| Oct 13, 2009 - No Single Supplement and FREE airfare from Miami! | |||||||||
| Destinations : Argentina, Central America, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, South America Activities : Ancient Ruins, Cultural Activities, Modern History, Nature Viewing, Photography |
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NOTHING SATISFIES OUR DESIRE FOR ADVENTURE AND DISCOVERY LIKE AN EPIC SEA VOYAGE.
For seekers of uncommon sightings, bewitching islands, and dramatically scenic wilderness, very few destinations match the allure of South America’s Pacific coastline and Easter Island, where glorious ancient cities, brightly festooned fauna, mysterious monuments, and amazingly impressive scenery await to be discovered.
In October 2009, we invite you to participate on a grand, once-in-a-lifetime voyage from the Panama Canal to Patagonia, the southern tip of South America, that also includes fabled Easter Island. Note that this unprecedented 40-day journey is also available in one of two shorter segments. Aboard the 100-guest Clelia II, a ship that is uniquely fit for long voyages, given its spacious all-suite accommodations and attractive facilities, we will transit the historic Panama Canal and then sail along the coast of Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Here we will explore colonial cities, including Quito, renowned for its architecture and its impressive setting in the Andes, as well as the cities and monuments of civilizations that flourished in this part of the continent before the arrival of the Europeans in the 16th century.
Our last visit in Peru is at the mysterious Nazca Lines. From here, Clelia II will cross the blue Pacific to Easter Island, staying in port for four days, giving us ample opportunity to leisurely and comprehensively explore this fabled isle and its renowned monumental sculptures. Who were the people who created the sculptures and how and from where did they arrive at the island? Did they sail from the coast of Peru or from the west? These are some of the questions our expert study leaders will probe.
From Easter Island, Clelia II will then set sail for the seldom-visited Juan Fernández Archipelago and continue to the Patagonian coast of Chile. From Puerto Montt to Ushuaia, the ship will navigate one of the most spectacular seaways in the world. Here, the coast is dominated by the breathtaking, ice-capped Andes Mountains, which drop straight to the sea. Lining the coast is a maze of islands creating an “inside passage” of fjords and twisting scenic channels stretching for over a thousand miles.
Considering the incredible variety of sights, experiences, and study themes offered by our itinerary, South America’s Ancient Civilizations, Easter Island, and the Fjords of Chile promises to deliver an unforgettable travel adventure, whether you participate in the entire voyage or one of the two segments.
Day 1 : Arrive Panama City, Panama
Fly from the U.S. to Panama City, Panama’s cosmopolitan capital. Founded in 1519 by the Spanish as their first city on the Pacific coast of the Americas, Panama City is strategically sited near the Pacific side of the Panama Canal. On arrival, transfer to the Hotel InterContinental Miramar.
Day 2 : Panama City / Colon / Embark
Explore some of Panama’s attractions during a choice of excursions. One tour will visit sites around Panama City, including Casco Viejo, Panama City’s historic quarter, where narrow cobbled streets are lined with historic buildings; the Metropolitano National Park, a protected wilderness just a short drive away from the city’s center; the Reina Torres de Araúz Anthropological Museum, with its displays of pre-Columbian artifacts; and the Miraflores Locks Visitor Center. Alternatively, explore the Soberania National Park, a pristine rain forest along the eastern side of the canal that is home to a rich wildlife, including 500 species of birds, howler and capuchin monkeys, toucans, and others; or visit the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, a biological reserve located on Barro Colorado Island in Gatun Lake. All excursions will end in Colón, on Panama’s Caribbean coast, where we will embark on Clelia II. Overnight aboard docked in Colón.
Day 3 : Transit of the Panama Canal
In the morning, Clelia II transits the historic Panama Canal, one of the world’s most important waterways, passing from Gatun Lake on the Atlantic side to Panama Bay on the Pacific. The scenery and mechanics of the transit are utterly absorbing, with the ship being raised and lowered a total of 85 feet. Bird-watchers and naturalists will find the changes in flora and fauna especially fascinating as Clelia II travels from the humid forest of the Atlantic to the dry forest of the Pacific.
Day 4 : At Sea
Cruise in the Gulf of Panama.
Day 5 : Buenaventura, Cali, Colombia
Founded in 1540 at the head of a beautiful bay, Buenaventura is Colombia’s main Pacific port. Travel inland to Cali, one of the country’s most vibrant and prosperous cities. Visit Cali’s colonial section (the city was founded in 1536), including the church and monastery of San Francisco; La Merced, Cali’s oldest church, and its adjoining museums housing colonial art and archaeological objects; and the Calima Museum, with its exhibits of pre-Columbian gold and pottery. Alternatively, explore the coast north of Buenaventura, an unspoiled area of jungle and pristine beaches. Near the mouth of the San Juan River is the small fishing village of Juanchaco, where we may spot humpback whales and dolphins.
Day 6 : At Sea
Cruise along the coast of Ecuador.
Day 7 : Manta, Ecuador
Disembark in Ecuador’s port city of Manta for an air excursion to Quito (about 30 minutes flight), Ecuador’s capital, famed for its location at the foot of a volcano high in the Andes and for its magnificent colonial architecture, which has earned Quito status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the city’s charming cobbled streets that lead to picturesque plazas and historic buildings. Return to the ship early in the evening.
Day 8 : At Sea
Relax aboard as Clelia II cruises along the coast of Peru.
Day 9 : Chan Chan, Peru
From Salaverry, an excursion leads to Chan Chan, the capital of the pre-Columbian Chimu culture, which occupied the Peruvian coast around Rujillo from A.D.1000 to 1470. The largest adobe city in the world, Chan Chan was divided into nine ciudadellas (or little cities). Enclosed within the city’s walls are the remains of temples, palaces, houses, and workshops, many still decorated with designs of fish, birds, and various geometric patterns that have been molded into the mud walls. We will also have time to explore the colonial center of Trujillo, a city founded by the Spanish in 1534.
OPTIONAL TWO-NIGHT EXCURSION TO CUZCO AND MACHU PICCHU
For those interested, there will be an opportunity to optionally take a two-night excursion to Cuzco, the center of the Inca Empire, and Machu Picchu, the Inca site dramatically situated on top of towering mountains. Fly from Trujillo to Cuzco the morning of October 21st and rejoin the ship in Callao on October 23rd.
Day 10 : Sechín, Peru
From the fishing port of Chimbote drive south along the coastal road to Sechín, one of the most important ancient sites in coastal Peru. A temple-palace of the Chavín-Sechín culture (c. 1500 – 300 B.C.), the square temple is completely covered with a mural of carved stone monoliths depicting a battle. The nearby Max Uhle Museum displays artifacts excavated at the site.
Day 11 : Lima, Peru
Arrive in Callao to spend the day exploring Lima, the sprawling capital of Peru, founded by Francisco Pizarro in 1535, subsequently becoming the major city of Spanish South America. Visit the city’s historical center, including the Plaza de Armas, a UNESCO World Heritage site, fronted by several colonial buildings; and the superb National Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology, with its artifacts representing all of Peru’s major ancient cultures. Also visit the Gold Museum, the great private collection of Miguel Mujica Gallo, which houses pre-Columbian gold, silver, and bronze objects and other artifacts. Alternatively, explore two important ancient sites near Lima, Pachacámac: the largest Peruvian coastal city and ceremonial center before the arrival of the Spaniards, and the reconstructed pre-Inca villa of Puruchuco.
Day 12 : Paracas and Islas Ballestas
Call at the port of San Martin, our gateway to the Paracas peninsula, a national reserve created to protect one of South America’s most important marine ecosystems. The area is home to large numbers of marine birds and mammals. Paracas was also a necropolis of the Nazca culture, where over 400 mummies were excavated, each wrapped in fine textiles, for which the Nazca culture was renowned. Explore the peninsula, including the Julio Tello Museum, which houses many of the textiles and other objects excavated at the necropolis, and also take an excursion to the nearby Ballestas Islands, which are home to thousands of seabirds and other wildlife.
Day 13 : Nazca Lines
After calling in San Nicolas, travel to Nazca, named for the ancient Nazca culture that inhabited the region from around A.D.200 to 800. Here we board small aircraft for an air excursion over the celebrated Nazca Lines, immense designs drawn in the desert by the Nazca or another early culture. While no one knows their true meaning, they are believed by some to be a type of astronomical calendar used for agricultural purposes. Among the shapes visible from the air are a gigantic lizard, a monkey, and a condor with outstretched wings, as well as simpler geometric figures.
Days 14-18 : At Sea
Relax aboard, attend lectures, and enjoy Clelia II’s facilities as the ship cruises the Pacific en route to Easter Island.
Day 19 : Sala-y-Gomez, Chile
Situated near Easter Island, the uninhabited islet of Sala-y-Gomez abounds in bird life. Take a Zodiac excursion in search of masked boobies, red-tailed tropicbirds, brown and blue-grey noddies, and the great frigate birds.
Days 20-24 : Easter Island
Few of the world’s archaeological treasures are so shrouded in mystery as the moai, the massive and brooding carved figures of Easter Island. Archaeologists and historians continue to debate how humans first arrived on this island, a tiny speck some 1,200 miles from the nearest inhabited island. What motivated the inhabitants to carve and set up hundreds of moai? Our five days on Easter Island (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), will allow us to explore this unique island and all its important sites thoroughly and leisurely and also to meet its hospitable people and learn about their culture and traditions. Among the visits we will make are to the Rano Raraku, the hard basalt quarry where the moai were carved and where some 200 sculptures in various states of completion are still scattered about; Anakena Beach, said to be the landing site of Hoto Matua, the legendary first settler of Easter Island; and the site of the Orongo Ceremonial Village, famous for its petroglyphs of the ancient birdmen and for its spectacular sweeping views. Also learn about the enigmatic civilization of Easter Island at the excellent local museum.
Days 25-28 : At Sea
Cruise in the South Pacific towards the Juan Fernández Archipelago.
Day 29 : Isla Alejandro Selkirk, Juan Fernández Archipelago
Reach Chile’s remote Juan Fernández Archipelago, which consists principally of two main islands, Alejandro Selkirk and Robinson Crusoe, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. Land at Isla Alejandro Selkirk, known formerly as Mas Afuera (“farther out”), the smaller and more isolated of the two islands. Board Clelia II’s Zodiac boats to visit the island’s small fishing village, observe colonies of fur seals, see an incredible array of flora, and enjoy swimming at a pristine beach.
Day 30 : Isla Robinson Crusoe
Arrive at Isla Robinson Crusoe, named after Daniel Defoe’s popular novel, The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, which was in turn based on the real-life castaway Alexander Selkirk. A Scottish sailor, Selkirk lived on the island for almost five years in complete isolation (1704 – 1709). Take a nature hike to Selkirk’s lookout point, which fittingly features stunning panoramic views. Along the way, see the island’s abundant flora—over 60% of the plant life here is endemic. Afterwards, take a short boat ride to a replica of Selkirk’s cave dwelling.
Day 31 : Talcahuano / Lota / Talcahuano
Crossing over to the mainland of Chile, Clelia II will dock at the port of Talcahuano, sited near the mouth of the Bio Bio River, one of Chile’s longest rivers. Travel to the former coal-mining town of Lota to visit Parque Lota, a lovely formal garden commissioned in 1862 by local coal magnate, Matias Cousino. Designed by an English landscape architect, the garden is a refreshing retreat of fountains, neoclassical statues, beautiful ponds, and winding footpaths.
Day 32 : At Sea
Cruise along the coast of central Chile.
Day 33 : Puerto Montt / Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park / Puerto Montt, Chile's Lake District
Built along the shores of the spacious Bay of Ancud, Puerto Montt was founded by Germans in the mid-1850s. Drive through lush pastoral scenery and dense forest to the Vicente Pérez National Park, which incorporates the emerald-green Todos Los Santos Lake, a land of magnificent vistas ringed with high-rising volcanoes and snow-capped mountains.
Day 34 : Castro / Chiloé National Park / Castro, Chiloé Island
Just south of Puerto Montt is beautiful Chiloé Island, with its small fishing villages, characteristic old wooden churches, friendly population, and placid landscape, a place that has changed little through the centuries. Call at Castro, the island’s main town, founded in 1567 on a promontory at the head of a deep fjord. Tour this charming town, including the striking Cathedral, the Regional Museum, with artifacts of the aboriginal tribes that inhabited the island, and the covered market, known for its hand-knitted woolen items. Also, travel to the nearby town of Conchi, with its well-preserved 18th-century buildings. Alternatively, explore the Chiloé National Park, a dense and pristine wilderness of rain forest on the island’s west coast facing the Pacific.
Day 35 : Puerto Chacabuco
Navigating across the protected Corcovado Gulf, Clelia II calls at Puerto Chacabuco, a spectacular wilderness of deeply cleft fjords, hanging glaciers, and snow-covered Andean peaks. Cascading waterfalls tumble over steep canyon walls and hundreds of species of birds, including the endangered Andean condor, flock to play and feed in the mist-shrouded islands. From here, visit the Coihaique National Reserve wilderness trails and enjoy stunning views of the surrounding area and city below.
Day 36 : Chile's Inside Passage
The seaway between Puerto Montt and Ushuaia, a passage of about 1,300 miles, is one of the most spectacular in the world. As Clelia II navigates this intricate maze of narrow channels and islands en route to Puerto Natales, enjoy the spectacle of steep mountains coming down to the sea, pristine fjords, wild forests, and isolated fishing villages.
Day 37 : Puerto Natales, Chilean Patagonia
Clelia II will continue cruising the labyrinthine channels in the morning. Later in the day, the ship will navigate the narrow Kirke Channel, its opening barely wider than the ship’s width, to arrive in Puerto Natales, spectacularly set at the head of the Última Esperanza Sound. In the evening, enjoy a folkloric performance. Overnight aboard in Puerto Natales.
Day 38 : Puerto Natales / Torres del Paine National Park / Puerto Natales
Disembark in the morning for a full-day excursion to Torres del Paine National Park, one of the most awesome landscapes in the Americas. Dominated by the sharp soaring peaks of the Paine Massif, the park is a natural wonderland of strangely twisted peaks, cascading waterfalls, pristine lakes, and dramatic pillars of stone rising upward from the flat Patagonian plain. Return to the ship late in the afternoon.
Day 39 : Patagonian Fjords
Sailing from Puerto Natales in the morning, Clelia II will continue its course through the spectacular Patagonian waterways, navigating the narrows of the Archipelago Reina Adelaida and other channels.
Day 40 : Beagle Channel and its Glaciers
Spend the day cruising the beautiful northwest arm of the Beagle Channel, the waterway named for Charles Darwin’s ship, the H.M.S. Beagle, which explored these waters in 1832. Here, amidst a landscape of countless islands and snow-covered peaks, a series of glaciers tumble into the sea. Weather permitting, at Romanche Glacier, a Zodiac boat expedition leads along the forested shore to a spectacular waterfall that plunges from a hanging glacier over a sheer rock face. Also explore Alemania Glacier and Yendegaia Bay, where South American sea lions gather along the shore and an abundant array of birds can be seen.
Day 41 : Ushuaia, Argentina / Disembark
Dock in the morning at Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost city, beautifully situated on the Beagle Channel in Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego. Disembark for the flight to Buenos Aires to connect with return flights to the U.S.
PROGRAM INCLUSIONS
• 39-night cruise aboard the all-suite, 100-guest Clelia II
• 1-night stay in Panama City at the Hotel InterContinental Miramar, with breakfast
• Welcome and farewell cocktail receptions aboard ship
• All meals aboard ship, including house wine, beer, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
• Open bar aboard ship throughout cruise
• Complete program of tours and excursions, as described (including air excursion to Quito)
• Educational program of lectures by accompanying guest lecturers and onboard naturalists
• Professional tour staff
• Baggage handling and transfers abroad on the designated program departure and arrival dates
• Complete pre-departure materials
• Port and embarkation taxes
• Gratuities to porters, guides, and drivers
Ship Description: Clelia II
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Clelia II
To be launched in early 2009, after extensive refurbishment, redecoration and other improvements, the all-suite Clelia II will offer the finest in small-ship cruise travel. This private yacht-like cruise ship accommodates only 100 guests in 50 suites, each of which affords ocean views, measures 215 square feet or more and is appointed with a sitting area or separate living room, twin or queen-size beds, spacious closets, air conditioning.
Clelia II complies with the latest international and U.S. Coast Guard safety regulations and is outfitted with the most current navigational and communications technology as well as with retractable fin stabilizers for smooth sailing, an ice-strengthened hull and a fleet of Zodiacs. Clelia II is staffed by 60 European officers and crew. Taken together with her limited guest capacity, excellence of design, craftsmanship and material, Clelia II's spaciousness and intimate ambiance combine to make her ideal for distinctive cultural and expedition voyages.
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Category E Deluxe suites on Ariadne and Leto decks with windows and sitting area. 215 sq. feet. Suites 342-345, 428, 429, 433. |
Category DDeluxe suites on Ariadne Deck with windows, sitting area, mini-bar, VCR/DVD/CD player, color TV, marble appointed bathroom with spacious shower . 215 sq. feet. 334-335. |
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Category C Deluxe suites on Athena deck with three portholes, sitting area, mini-bar, VCR/DVD/CD player, color TV, marble appointed bathroom with spacious shower. 275 sq. feet. Suites 246-252. |
Category B Deluxe suites on Ariadne deck with window, sitting area, mini-bar, VCR/DVD/CD player, color TV, marble appointed bathroom with spacious shower. 225 square feet. Suites 336-341. |
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Category A Deluxe suites on Leto deck with window, sitting area, mini-bar, VCR/DVD/CD player, color TV, marble appointed bathroom with spacious shower. 235 square feet. Suites 420-427, 430-431. |
Category AA Deluxe suites on Leto deck with forward and side windows, sitting area, mini-bar, VCR/DVD/CD player, color TV, marble appointed bathroom with spacious shower. 285 square feet. Suites 505-506. |
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Category VS Deluxe Veranda suites on Cleo deck with private balcony, sitting area, mini-bar, VCR/DVD/CD player, color TV, marble appointed bathroom with spacious shower. 245 sq. feet. Suites 507-518. |
Category PHSDeluxe Penthouse suites on Phoebe deck with private balcony , sitting area, mini-bar, VCR/DVD/CD player, color TV, marble appointed bathroom with spacious shower. 260 sq. feet. Suites 601-604. |
