Situated on a strip of desert between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes Mountains is Peru’s capital city of Lima. The city is served by the seaport of Callao, where you will be boarding your boutique cruise ship. The bustling metropolis of Lima has much to offer, but not least of all its internationally renowned culinary scene. There are many award-winning eateries to explore and local dishes to sample. A local favourite is ceviche, fresh fish marinated in tangy lime juice and other seasonings. You’ll find the dish on offer just about everywhere in the city, from up-market restaurants to local fishing dock cevicherías. Culture is also in plentiful supply, with the UNESCO World Heritage historic centre packed with colonial-era architecture like Plaza Mayor and San Francisco Monastery. You can also visit the clay ruins of ceremonial pyramids Huaca Pucllana and Huaca Huallamarca, reminders of the long-lost Inca civilisation.

Located few miles off the Peruvian coast, Isla Guanape is a breeding ground for huge populations of seabirds and sea lions. Consisting of four separate islands, the area was formerly exploited for guano (for fertiliser). The islands are now protected, and the harvesting of guano is strictly regulated. We will be searching for wildlife, including pelicans, boobies, Humboldt penguins and Southern sea lions, along the coastline of the islands on our zodiac expedition boats.

The port of Salaverry is the gateway to the very best of pre-Incan Peru. Just a short distance away you’ll find Peru’s northern capital, Trujillo. Here you can wander through the Plaza de Armes, one of the most iconic city squares in the country. The vibrant red and blue buildings date back to the 16th century. Surrounding the city you’ll find an array of archaeological ruins, some of which are the best preserved in the country. The Moche civilisation flourished in Peru from 1-750AD, leaving several incredible relics in its wake. Two of the most archaeologically important sites in the area are the well-preserved mud pyramids of HUACA del Sol and HUACA de la Luna (Temples of the Sun and Moon). The ancient city of Chan Chan is also a spectacular sight. Built by the Chimú empire around 1300AD, the largest pre-Columbian city in the Americas was once home to an estimated 60,000 people.

Continue north to the island of Lobos de Tierra, a thriving wildlife hub situated just off Peru’s northern coast. The lunar-like landscape and rocky shorelines support huge populations of seabirds. The bird’s thick layers of nitrate-rich guano once attracted an abundance of guano harvesters. The harvesting has since ceased, and the birds of Lobos de Tierra are for the most part undisturbed. Here we will explore the Lobos de Tierra coastline from our zodiac boats, looking out for sea lions, Peruvian pelicans and blue-footed boobies. There are also a few building relics scattered around from the guano-mining days.

You will arrive in Ecuador today via the charming port city of Machala. Feast on local seafood at one of the many harbour restaurants, wander around the quaint plazas and get to know the friendly locals. The city is surrounded by banana plantations, the region’s most famous export. Today we will be leaving the city behind as we explore the Buenaventura Reserve located within pristine cloud forest. The region is home to over 130 species of hummingbird alongside many other bird species. You will also have the option to visit a local banana plantation where you can learn how this crop is grown, harvested and packed for export.

Also known as the Silver Island, the uninhabited Isla de la Plata allegedly derives its moniker from the centuries-old, buried treasure of Sir Francis Drake. Although no treasure has ever been found, what the island lacks in buried silver it makes up for in biodiversity. Rivalling the Galapagos Islands in its wildlife offerings, the island is home to the same dry, tropical environment. The variety of fauna is also similar, with over 32 species of bird living here. As we explore the island and surrounding waters, we’ll be looking out for more blue-footed boobies, nested waved albatrosses, pelicans, gannets and frigate birds.

Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers.

The area is one of the worlds' wettest regions, with around 10,000 millimetres of rainfall per year. Utria National Park’s forested area has rich and diverse fauna and flora with seven different mangrove species along its shore. You will have the option to explore the national park on a rainforest or mangrove walk. The national park also overlaps the territory of the Emberà indigenous people. There are also fishing villages of Afro-Colombian people along the coastline whom you may come across as you explore the area. Both groups are strong conservationists and many of the local ecotourism services are provided by these communities.

Today we will be making our way to an authentic Emberá settlement in the Darien Jungle. We will travel using local boats alongside our zodiacs as we make our way through the mangroves and waterways. On the journey keep a lookout for birds like heron, egret, osprey and harpy eagles. The indigenous Emberà have lived in this region for centuries. This is a unique opportunity to visit a tribe that rarely receives outside visitors. After a briefing on local customs and courtesies, you’ll meet the tribe and be able to explore the village. You’ll learn about the tribe’s strong connection to the surrounding jungle and how they rely on the natural environment for clothing, food and medicine.

Located west of Panama City, at the Pacific terminus of the Panama Canal, Fuetre Amador is a manmade causeway, constructed with material excavated from the canal. Before boarding your boutique cruise ship, be sure to stop in at the Miraflores Locks’ visitor’s centre. Here you will learn about the impressive engineering that went into building this legendary waterway. Watch the mighty barges make their way through the canal from the panoramic observation deck. A short taxi ride away, Panama City is a modern and vibrant place that has evolved around its Spanish colonial centre, the Casco Veijo. Here you can wander through a conquistador-era UNESCO World Heritage Site, sip coffee in the street cafés or enjoy some shopping in the malls.