MS Caledonian Sky - Noble Caledonia

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From the Mountains to the Desert A Pacific coastal odyssey of Ecuador, Peru & Chile 16th to 29th November 2012 Our coastal cruise along the Pacific shores of South America will be dominated by the ever present Andes as we make our way from Ecuador to Peru and finally to northern Chile. This is one of the world’s great expedition cruises. Few regions in the world offer the diversity and ecosystems of those found in this intriguing part of South America. From the towering snow-capped Andes to barren coastal desert, the landscapes are unparalleled. Our voyage takes us along the nutrient-rich Humboldt Current that is a haven for an amazing concentration of seabirds, marine mammals and wildlife. To highlight the wildlife, we will be visiting the Islas Ballestas Paracas National Reserve, the Humboldt Penguin Nature Reserve and many other remote coastal sites and islands which would be inaccessible without the use of our Zodiac crafts. This trip is as equally rich in geological, archaeological and cultural interest as well. The pyramids of the Moche culture of Northern Peru and the ruins of Chan Chan, the imperial capital of the Chimu and the intriguing Nazca Lines in southern Peru are just some of the amazing sights to be seen. After the cruise why not stay on in Chile for a visit to the Atacama Desert where you will be rewarded with a truly unforgettable experience. Lauca National Park, Chile The Itinerary Day 1 - London to Guayaquil, Ecuador. Fly by scheduled indirect flight. Arrive this evening and transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay. Day 2 - Guayaquil. After a guided city tour and lunch we embark the MS Caledonian Sky and sail. Day 3 - Isla Lobos de Tierra, Peru. Relax on board this morning as we sail the northern shores of Peru. This afternoon, weather permitting, our Zodiacs will land us on the tiny island of Lobos de Tierra. Today, the island is a wildlife sanctuary and home to an estimated 100,000 breeding pairs of blue-footed boobies. Its history is less happy. Centuries of thousands of seabirds built up huge deposits of guano. In the mid 1800’s this was a valuable commodity because of its nitrates. Hundreds of unfortunate Chinese labourers were imported to the island to collect the guano and lived and PA C I F I C O CEAN Guayaquil Isla Lobos de Tierra ECUADOR Trujillo Salaverry Callao Isla Ballestas PERU Lima died in appalling conditions. In 1879 the disputed ownership of this and similar islands resulted in a ‘Guano War’ between Chile, Bolivia and Peru which subsequently redrew the map of Pacific South America. Day 4 - Salaverry. After a relaxing morning at sea we reach Salaverry. We will drive a few miles inland to the intriguing desert city of Trujillo. This oasis city was founded by Pizarro in 1536 and still exudes Spanish colonial charm. Visit the Casa Urquiaga, a mansion containing pre-Columbian ceramics and the Plaza de Armas with its imposing 17th century cathedral. Moor overnight in Salaverry. Day 5 - Salaverry. Visit Hauca de la Luna to see the Huaca del Sol pyramids from the Moche culture, a remarkable pre-Inca civilisation. Continue on to the ruins of Chan Chan, the imperial capital of the Chimu. We will spend an afternoon exploring the ruins of the largest adobe city in the world, marvelling at their skillful irrigation and engineering projects. Day 6 - Callao for Lima. In the early afternoon we arrive in Callao, the port for Peru’s capital of Lima. BRAZIL San Juan Arequipa Arica Iquique Antofagasta CHILE Santiago BOLIVIA ARGENTINA 40 www.noble-caledonia.co.uk
This afternoon join the city tour that explores colonial and modern Lima. There will be visits to the Government Palace, Cathedral, Archaeological Museum and Plaza de Armas, followed by a drive through the residential areas of San Isidro and Miraflores, with time to shop in local stores afterwards. Day 7 - Isla Ballestas & Chincha Islands. Influenced by the cold Humboldt Current, Isla Ballestas marine preserve area serves as a breeding refuge for birds, resting areas for mammals and spawning grounds for many marine organisms. We take the Zodiacs to explore these unparalleled, fascinating islands where we should see a variety of seabirds, such as the very localised Peruvian booby, and mammals such as the Southern sea lion and Southern fur seal. Day 8 - Puerto San Juan for the Nazca Lines. On today’s optional tour we will board small charter flights for a bird’s eye view of the famed Nazca Lines. These enormous geoglyphs etched in the desert floor date back to 2000 BC and can only be appreciated from the air. Day 9 - Arequipa. Here in the far south of Peru we call into the port of Matarani. Drive to the ‘White City’, as Arequipa is known. Our tour includes bustling Plaza de Armas dominated by the stunning neo-Renaissance Cathedral, set amidst Colonial buildings. Later, visit Santa Catalina Convent, a beautiful walled citadel, which for four centuries housed a closed order of nuns. We will also take in the colonial district of Yanahuara, a short distance from the heart of the city. It is a charming area of narrow cobblestone streets and old, white, volcanic stone houses. From here, there are magnificent views of the three volcanoes which overlook the city: Misti, Chachani and Pichu Pichu. Day 10 - Arica, Chile. Today there will be an excursion to explore the Chilean coast and the town of Arica where we will visit the small cathedral of San Marcos, built of iron by Eiffel. Later drive into the countryside to see the pre-Columbian petoglyphs. There will also be the opportunity for an alternative long but rewarding day in the amazing Lauca National Park which straddles the Chilean/Bolivian border. Here we go in search of flamingos, vicuna, viscachas and if we are very fortunate one of the world’s rarest birds, the diademed sandpiper-plover. Day 11 - Iquique. Fishing and nitrates has been the source of Iquique’s wealth, there are many 19th century landmarks including the ‘neoclassical’ theatre and the Georgian style Palacio Astoreca, a 1904 mansion of great opulence, built by a nitrate tycoon. Prices per person Based on double occupancy. Tour Code: SCCSK161112 Occupancy Double Sole Deck/Suite Category Castle Std Forward £5295 £6295 Chan Chan, Peru Lima Trujillo, Peru Castle Standard £5595 £6795 Day 12 - Antofagasta. Disembark this morning and fly to Santiago. After an afternoon excursion of the nation’s capital check into your hotel for an overnight stay. Day 13 - Santiago to London. Return to London by scheduled flight via Madrid. Day 14 - London Heathrow. Arrive today. Optional Post Cruise Extension Here is a marvellous opportunity to enjoy an optional post cruise extension to the Atacama Desert in Chile. Experience Atacama’s natural environment and the sites of pre-Colombian, colonial and contemporary cultures. Full details shown on page 71. Caledonian Superior £5895 £7495 BOOK BEFORE 31 MAy 2012 AND SAVE £500 PER PERSON OFF THE PRiCES SHOwN BElOw Promenade Premium £6295 - Bridge Deluxe Balcony £7195 - This cruise offers an extraordinary mix of history and wildlife in what many regard as the three most interesting countries in South America. Promenade Premium Balcony £7695 - Promenade Owner’s Corner £8295 - Price Includes: Economy class scheduled air travel, 10 nights on Caledonian Sky on full board basis with house wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner onboard, expedition team, shore excursions, gratuities to crew and whilst on excursions, transfers, port taxes, airport taxes, overnight hotel accommodation in Guyaquil and Santiago on a bed and breakfast basis, Guayquil tour, Santiago tour. Not Included: Travel insurance, visas, optional excursions. NB. Ports subject to change. All special offers are subject to availability. +44 (0)20 7752 0000 41 From the Mountains to the Desert
Page 1 and 2: MS Caledonian Sky Exploring the Wor
Page 3 and 4: Contents 04-09 Vessel Information 1
Page 5 and 6: Your Suite Panorama Deck edonian Sk
Page 8: Gratuities Unlike many other cruise
Page 11 and 12: Expedition Team Many of the voyages
Page 13 and 14: Pamela Le Noury Circumnavigation of
Page 15 and 16: the spectacular gardens at Mount Co
Page 17 and 18: Day 5 - Seydisfjordur. Today, we re
Page 19 and 20: Lofoten Islands Beluga Whales, Whit
Page 21 and 22: has served as a monastery, prison a
Page 23 and 24: Day 7 - Mykines. Spend the morning
Page 25 and 26: Cruising on the Zodiac Lake Myvatn
Page 27 and 28: Prins Christian Sund Ilulissat afte
Page 29 and 30: Cruising in the Zodiac small but th
Page 31 and 32: transfer to the MS Caledonian Sky a
Page 33 and 34: Church in New England
Page 35 and 36: Martha’s Vineyard Bellamy Mansion
Page 37 and 38: Mayan site of Tulum is perched 40 f
Page 39: surrounding islands dotted along th
Page 43 and 44: Chilean fjords in Tierra del Fuego
Page 45 and 46: We will experience a Pitcairn welco
Page 47 and 48: Bouma Waterfall, Taveuni, Fiji Expl
Page 49 and 50: Deco, the style of the 20th Century
Page 51 and 52: Milford Sounds
Page 53 and 54: use our Zodiacs around Half Moon Ba
Page 55 and 56: Day 8 - Dunedin. Morning cruising.
Page 57 and 58: The Twelve Apostles
Page 59 and 60: coastline for stellar sea lions and
Page 62 and 63: Fire & Ice in the Far Arctic Cruise
Page 64 and 65: Great Land of Alaska A voyage from
Page 66 and 67: Natural Wonders of Alaska An expedi
Page 68 and 69: Extensions Before embarking or afte
Page 70 and 71: Costa Rica - Monteverde Cloud Fores
Page 72: 2 Chester Close, Belgravia, London,

MS Caledonian Sky - Noble Caledonia

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