Compare Atacama by Travel for All vs Central Pacific Discovery: A Voyage from Chile to Costa Rica by Road Scholar

Day 1: Arrival Santiago, Chile.

Day 2: Santiago/ San Pedro de Atacama.

Day 3: San Pedro de Atacama

Day 4: San Pedro de Atacama

Day 5: San Pedro de Atacama and Santiago

Day 1 In Transit to Program In Flight

Day 2 Early Check-in, Orientation, Downtown Santiago Santiago

See your program’s travel details regarding transfers. City walking on mostly flat/paved surfaces; some standing.

Early check-in and settle into rooms. 12:00 p.m. Orientation at the hotel. The Group Leader will greet everyone with a warm welcome and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule and any changes, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer any questions you may have. Meals on our program feature local cuisine. In many cases, they will be plated and served set meals; in others, we will have buffets with multiple options. Beverages include coffee, tea, water; other beverages are usually available for purchase. Unless otherwise specified, transportation during your program will be provided by air conditioned bus. Free time is reserved for your personal independent exploration. Please note that program activities, schedules, and personnel may need to change due to local circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

We'll ride and walk through downtown Santiago to view local architecture, shops, and neighborhoods. A local expert will reveal important historical and cultural details throughout our explorations. The capital of Chile is a city where residents have traditionally looked to Europe as a model for architecture and culture.This influence can readily be seen in its stately palaces, plazas, parks and churches. Santiago is the country's colonial center, surrounded by 31 comunas or communities with their own municipal administration.

At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead. Embarkation tomorrow!

At the hotel restaurant plus coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.

At a local restaurant located nearby the hotel. We will have plated menu options paired with a glass of Chilean wine while we get to know our fellow Road Scholars. A choice of domestic wine or mixed drink plus water; other beverages available for purchase.

Day 3 Embarkation At Sea

We'll board the bus and begin our journey to Valparaiso via the Casablanca Valley. After 1.5 hours ride we will arrive to Valparaiso.This shore side city is the country’s most important seaport and the alleged cultural capital of Chile.

Next, we'll continue our exploration of Valparaiso. Our field trip will include an exploratory walk of Valparaiso and a funicular ride for views of the harbor and city. Built upon dozens of steep hillsides overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Valparaíso boasts a labyrinth of streets and cobblestone alleyways, embodying a rich architectural and cultural legacy. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city is also host to the National Congress of Chile. At the conclusion of our activities, we'll head to the docks, where the ship is ready for embarkation to become our home for the next many days. After the mandatory security review and drill, we sail out from the colorful and artistic city known as Valpo, heading north towards Coquimbo.

At leisure. You might like to check out the library that offers a wide range of multilingual books ranging from fiction to travel literature. You can curl up with a book, watch a DVD, and broaden your understanding of the region's history, flora, fauna, climate, scientific contributions, and more.

At the hotel, enjoy a buffet breakfast with a couple of hot and cold dishes, plus assorted fruit, cereals, breads and pastries; juice, coffee, tea, water included.

At a local family home, where we will try a local dish and have a toast with a local drink, called "terremoto" (earthquake), made by the owner of the house.

Aboard the ship.

Day 4 Cultural City Of Coquimbo At Sea

At leisure.

Coquimbo is located in a valley, about 10 kilometers south of the town La Serena, and the two cities combine to create the area Grande La Serena with around 400.000 inhabitants. According to legends Sir Francis Drake has hidden a treasure outside Coquimbo (still unfound!). It is also said that the famous architect Gustave Eiffel left a more visible treasure in the local church, the iron and zink based Iglesia Guyacan. The coast is riddled with stories of Drake and Eiffel and we will “meet” them again as we call upon Arica. Our expedition team leads a short walk around the charming little town of Coquimbo, known for a mix of modern and colonial architecture. The walk normally includes a visit at either Plaza de Armas or Plaza Prat and the promenade at Avenida Costanera. We also set up a shuttle bus service that runs during our visit. The shuttle goes to the neighbouring town of La Serena where the town centre is worth a visit. It is known as Chile’s second oldest town, founded in 1544. The town has 3 different architectural periods in clear view, with traditional Spanish styles mixing in with the neo-classical era and most clearly the new colonial period. The local market (La Recova) is a good place to find local handicrafts and jewelry with lapis lazuli.

At leisure. Gym facilities and a sauna are available.

Aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

Day 5 Cruising Along the Humboldt Current At Sea

We cruise slowly as we pass the islands known for their penguin nature reserve. If the weather allows it, we will embark our Zodiacs and pass by closer to the islands. We are not allowed to make any landings, but hopefully we can see some of the wildlife that the area is known for. We observe the animals from a safe distance and make sure not to bother them.

After our visit we continue our journey along the Chilean coast.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

Day 6 At Sea, Enjoying the Comforts of Ocean Victory At Sea

At leisure.

Listen to a lecture from our experienced expedition staff, and go out on deck to catch glimpses of migrating birds and hopefully some whales. Even though the whale season is normally considered to run December-March they are also often seen in April. The whales along the Humboldt Current is mostly blue whales, fin whales and humpbacks, all feeding on the krill-filled waters we are moving through.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

Day 7 Iquique, Chile At Sea

At leisure.

Iquique, which loosely translates to “quiet place to relax” in the native tongue of Aymará, is a modern city, where travelers in the northern Chile often stop by. Apart from its beautiful location, it is known for wonderful beaches and the old central Plaza Arturo which marks the city centre. At the centre you can find the clocktower Torre de Reloj and the old Teatro Municipal. Iquique also has an important share of Chiles trade, as it has one of South Americas largest duty-free commercial zones (the Zona Franca Iquique also known as Zofri). The local fishing port also adds to the tally by being the world’s largest export harbor for fishmeal (used mostly for animal feed). Our coaches are waiting for us at the pier, driving us through the indescribable beauty of the Atacama desert. Initially we enjoy the panoramic view of Iquique, its beaches and the ridged Cerro Dragon (dragon hill). Our destination is the nitrate ghost town of Santa Laura, that operated from 1872 to 1960. The processing plant and smokestacks are still visible along with the administration building and the warehouse. Along with the town we are visiting next, Humberstone, these two form a National monument that also since 2005 is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Only a short drive away we find Humberstone that was founded in 1862. The town is well worth a visit, if nothing else for its theater built of Oregon pine.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

Day 8 Arica City Tour and the World's Oldest Mummies At Sea

At leisure.

Chile's most northern city, is only 12 kilometers from Peru’s border in the area Norte Grande. The milder climate and easier access to water has always made Arica into an important area, witnessed by the first settlements that are as old as 6,000 BC. The local tribes grew corn (maize), zucchini and cotton, made ceramic pottery and was later a part of the Tihuanaco culture in Bolivia and subsequently the Inca empire. The Arica of today is a lively place, with golden sandy beaches, duty-free shopping and a vibrant nightlife. Culturally many use Arica as a base to explore the ruins found inland. Within the town you can find Sir Francis Drakes grave and the cathedral de San Marcos, that was designed and constructed in steel and zink by Gustav Eiffel. As we climb aboard the awaiting buses, we drive towards the Azapa valley. On our way, we can hopefully catch a glimpse of several of the geoglyphs that adorn the sides of the hills. The geoglyphs were created centuries ago. We stop at the San Miguel de Azapa Archaeological Museum, where are to see one the most amazing things on this planet, the Chinchorro mummies. They are the oldest on earth, dating 6.000-8.000 BC. They are classified as the oldest examples of artificial mummified human remains, considerably older than their Egyptian counterparts. After our visit we return to Arica where we take a city tour, visiting some of the highlights.

At lesiure.

Aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

Day 9 At Sea, Crossing from Chilean Waters to Peruvian Waters At Sea

Another day to enjoy some of the services onboard as we cruise along the last part of the journey following the cold Humboldt Current, soon we will break free of it as our course takes us even more north along the coast of Peru towards the Equatorial counter.

Our expedition staff onboard schedule lectures and activities.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

Day 10 Paracas and the Famous Ballestas Islands At Sea

At leisure.

Our first port of call in Peru is Paracas, known as the entrance to Pisco. The small village has ample beaches, hotels and shorefront restaurants. Apart from the lovely sandy beaches, the area is famous for the islands of Ballestas, located not far from the coast. This morning we will tour the islands that are jokingly known as “the poor man's Galapagos islands” for their likeness in both geology and wildlife. The excursion offers excellent chances of seeing wildlife such as: sea lions, cormorants, boobies, pelicans, penguins and more than 200 species of birds (both migratory and native species). The area also has dolphins which will show up if we are in luck. The islands are very important breeding grounds for hundreds of thousands of birds, that are all feeding off the huge quantities of anchovies that live along the Peruvian coast.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

Day 11 The Port Town of Callao and the Capital City of Lima At Sea

At leisure.

We arrive today to the seaside city of Callao, with its historic port. Not only was it the historical main port for all trade coming in from Peru, Bolivia and Argentina, before being shipped to Panama and then Spain, it is also the famed starting point for the Kon-Tiki expedition. Callao is still Peru’s greatest and most important port (and also home to a naval base). The city also boasts of the fort Real Felipe, the Callao cathedral and some wonderful plaza’s, so it’s worth taking an afternoon stroll through the city before we set sail north. We then have around 1 hour bus drive to the city center of Lima, and on the way we will get an idea of this enormous city with more than 10 million inhabitants. Lima is also the second largest desert city in the world, only surpassed by Cairo. As we arrive the Colonial center, we leave the bus and continue by foot and visit the Main Square (Plaza de Armas), where Lima was founded by Conquistador Francisco Pizarro. We also have a chance to enjoy the colonial architecture. Some of the older buildings have disappeared, but fortunately, in recent years, there is a renewed focus on the colonial center where many buildings have been renovated. We then walk the short distance to the San Francisco church and monastery, where we will visit the bizarre catacombs where Catholics were buried until the end of the Spanish era.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

Day 12 Trujillo and Chan Chan. At Sea

At sea.

We are set to arrive in the port city of Salaverry after lunch and from here we will embark on an adventure in both the past and the present. We begin with the past, as we visit the Chimu cultures old capital Chan Chan, renowned for being the largest city in both North- and South America in the pre-colombian era. It is still the largest city built with clay (using the mudbricks or Adobe). The city covers 28 square kilometers and was built around 1300 AD. It is believed that around 60.000 people inhabited the area. The people had amassed great reserves of gold, silver and other valuables, which the Inca’s had never been interested in. Once the Spaniards came along, they plundered the treasures of Chan Chan. The city consists of nine different parts, each built by a ruler and we will visit a few of these “king cities”. We will enjoy the ceremonial yards, wall decorations and the cistern that provided water to the inner city. Our next visit will be in the more modern Trujillo, who albeit being founded all the way back in 1535 by the infamous conquistador Pizzaro. The colonial heart of the city is well preserved with lively colours and wrought iron balconies. Tourism has yet to make a big impact on this part of Peru, allowing us to get a more genuine sense of life. There is a buzz in the city that gives us a good impression of modern Peru. Trujillo is the third largest city in the country, with around 925,000 inhabitants.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

Day 13 At Sea, Along the Coast of Ecuador At Sea

During the night we have made our way north and will enter the Ecuadorian waters during the day and continue along the coast towards our next destination. Today there is time to relax, read a book, listen to some of the scheduled lectures and enjoy the company of our co-passengers. As always the ship’s chefs will conjure great meals for us and do their utmost to spoil our taste buds.

The temperature gets hotter as we encroach on the tropical climates of Ecuador, Panama and Costa Rica.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

Day 14 Coastal City of Manta, Ecuador and Isla De La Plata At Sea

Although Manta, Ecuador is not a typical tourist destination, this city has a lot to offer when it comes to seascapes, history, and culture. Manta is the second largest port city in Ecuador and its economy largely relies on the fishing and tourism industry.

Today we offer an exciting excursion by boat to the nearby island Isla de la Plata. We will transfer by coach to the small port town of Puerto Lopez where we board a smaller boat that can land at the islands. The excursion offers excellent chances of seeing the teeming wildlife which is reminiscent of Galapagos such as: frigate birds, albatrosses, boobies, pelicans, manta rays, sea lions, dolphins, green turtles and more than 30 species of birds (both migratory and native species). The trip takes around 1.5 hours each way.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

Boxed lunch.

Aboard the ship.

Day 15 Manta with Panama Hats and Jungle Wildlife At Sea

Today we have more time in lovely Manta, but also more time to get to know the area and crafts. We set off directly from the dock in Manta and go to Montecristi, a place known for the quality of handicrafts made with wicker, wood, and ancestral fibers like piquigua and toquilla palm. It is with the latter that the famous Panama Hats are made, and Montecristi is recognized worldwide for its very high quality. These hats are hand-woven by following a process that can take from 4 to 6 months, depending on the fineness and complexity of the materials and weave. A visit that will change our views of the famous hat for sure!

Following our visit in Montecristi, we will head to Pacoche, a private reserve of 10 hectares that is part of the Pacoche Wildlife Refuge, just 20 minutes away from the city of Manta. It is a unique and special place surrounded by the jungle, home to many endemic bird species and mammals such as the howler monkeys. The reserve has two trails that will allow you to get into the jungle and feel part of the nature of the place. Pacoche is famous for the presence of families of howler monkeys that wander freely through the forest. Additionally, there are capuchin monkeys and over 250 species of birds, of which 50 are endemic to the place.

At leisure.

Aboard the ship.

On your own.

Aboard the ship.

Day 16 At Sea, Crossing Gulf of Panama At Sea

This day allows us to relax and let some of our recent explorations sink in. Our onboard team will offer lectures and activities. The route takes us over the Gulf of Panama during the end of the dry season that runs from January to April. From May the area experiences downfall and undergoes its wet season until December.

We continue towards Coiba Island off the Pacific coast of Panama.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

Day 17 Natural Wonder of Coiba National Park and Granito De Oro At Sea

At leisure.

It’s time for a tropical visit in Panama, as we lay anchor near Coiba island. We sail to land by Zodiacs and visit the Coiba National Park. The Park was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2005, because of the multitude of endemic mammals, plants and birds found here. The Park area encompasses 38 islands of the coast of Panama. We go for a walk along the beach and enjoy the natural beauty of the area.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

Day 18 Golfito Bay and Visit of Research Station and Rainforest At Sea

At leisure.

Golfito of today is a sleepy fishing village, whereas in the 1960’s a booming banana export told a very different story. In 1985 the banana adventure on the west coast grinded to a halt, as declining foreign markets, rising export taxes and banana disease forced the closing of the local United Fruit Company. Costa Rica still exports a lot of the yellow skinned fruits, but now mostly from the east coast. Now Golfito Bay is known for its beaches and sport fishing, giving the village some tourism income. The opening of a duty-free shopping center has also generated some domestic visitors. As we arrive in Golfito, we are picked up and go directly towards the La Gamba research and teaching field station. The field station plays a significant role in research into tropical rainforests and rainforest conservation awareness. Many students from all over the world come to spend some time here to do field research. We have the chance to hear about the research stations work as well as having a short tour of the premises. After the visit we are ready for our own stint into the local nature. The National park has a great diversity of plants, animals and species of insects. It is considered one of the best places in Costa Rica for bird watching, since it is one of the main meeting point for birds from North and South America. The National park is also home to some endemic species of both flora and fauna.

At leisure.

Aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

Aboard ship.

Day 19 Arrival in Puntarenas, Disembark and Transfer to San Jose San Jose

The captain has led the ship northwards along the Humboldt Current and the Latin American coasts of Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Panama and Costa Rica. Today we’ll arrive in Puntarenas, one of the larger cruise ports on Costa Rica’s western coast, and we’ll say farewell to the ship and its crew before disembarking. We'll meet our local expert and board our bus that will take us to San Jose. En route we’ll stop for a crocodile safari boat ride on the Tarcoles River. As we navigate up the river, our local expert will provide background information on the resident crocodiles. The Tárcoles River Basin is one of the most important in the Pacific coastal region, virtually draining the entire western side of the Central Valley. Tárcoles hosts an amazing diversity of wildlife along its banks and in the extensive mangrove ecosystem. Perhaps the most famous of all the river’s inhabitants are its enormous crocodiles. These crocodiles have been studied by numerous local and foreign specialists and featured in TV series and specials.

After enjoying our typical Costa Rican lunch, we’ll say farewell to Central Pacific and begin our transfer to San José. Upon arrival we’ll check in at the hotel with time to freshen up and relax a bit before dinner.

At leisure. Enjoy our last evening together in Costa Rica, then prepare for check out and departure in the morning.

On board the ship.

At a local restaurant en route.

Farewell Dinner at the hotel to celebrate the end of our journey.

Day 20 Program Concludes In Flight

See your program’s travel details regarding transfers.

This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Please join our Facebook page and share photos of your program. Visit us at www.facebook.com/rsadventures. Best wishes for all your journeys!

At the hotel (dependent on flight schedules).