A Grand Voyage to South America

Embark Spirit of Adventure.

Depart 1700.

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Nearly half of Gran Canaria has been declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The island is fringed with beautiful coves and sandy beaches to the south and wild mountains to the north. The subtropical capital of Las Palmas is set beside two broad bays and features cafe-lined squares and courtyards overflowing with exotic fruits, flowers and palms. The oldest sights can be seen in a trio of historic neighbourhoods: San Antonio, Triana and Vegueta. Discover over 500 years of history in the landmark Santa Ana Cathedral which encompasses Gothic, Renaissance and neoclassical styles.

Included excursion

Explore further with a choice of an included excursion.

Optional excursions

Join a scenic hike to Bandama Crater, one of the youngest volcanoes on the Canarian archipelago.

Arrive 0730. Depart 1930.

The Cape Verde archipelago is set off the African coast. The main island in this volcanic chain, Santiago was used as a stopping-off place by two great navigators: Vasco da Gama in 1497 and Christopher Columbus in 1498. Praia, the current capital, is set on a plateau above the port.

Included excursion

Explore Praia on a walking tour.

Optional excursions

Explore the remote corners of Santiago Island on a 4x4 adventure, or observe native wildlife on a birdwatching excursion.

Arrive 0800. Depart 1900.

Salvador is set at the tip of a peninsula beside the Bay of All Saints and runs along a ridge that splits the city in two. As Brazil’s first capital, which was founded by the Portuguese in 1549, the UNESCO-listed old town of Pelourinho is a colourful blend of European, African and Amerindian cultures. It is celebrated for the stucco-decorated manors, colonial palaces and Baroque churches, including the Cathedral Basilica of Salvador.

Included excursion

See the key sights of Salvador on an included excursion.

Optional excursion

Take a guided walk through Pelourinho, Salvador’s historic centre, where cobbled streets wind past open-air bars and lively squares.

Arrive 0600. Depart 2200.

The Art Deco statue of Christ the Redeemer statue atop Corcovado welcomes visitors to Rio de Janeiro, a city set between the Tijuca Mountains and Guanabara Bay. This lively city is famous for its world-renowned Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, exuberant annual carnival and iconic Sugar Loaf Mountain.

Included excursion

Experience Rio de Janeiro’s sights and sounds on an included sightseeing excursion.

Optional excursion

Catch the aerial tramway to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain for stupendous views across the city and coast.

Arrive 0800 on Jan 28.
Depart 1700 on Jan 29.

Cruise up the Rio de la Plata into the heart of Buenos Aires, Argentina’s vibrant capital. Known as the ‘Paris of South America’, the city prospered during the 19th century which is reflected in its wealth of Art Deco, Art Nouveau and neoclassical architecture. The main square, Plaza de Mayo, has been a central gathering place since then and is overlooked by the pink presidential Casa Rosada Palace. In contrast, the bohemian La Boca district is packed full of brightly-painted shanty houses that were established by working-class immigrants.

Included excursion

An included sightseeing tour will point out the highlights.

Optional excursion

Enjoy an evening performance of tango in Buenos Aires, the birthplace of this expressive dance.

Arrive 0800. Depart 1900.

Founded by the Spanish in the 18th century, the modern capital of Montevideo hides a charming old town. The neoclassical Metropolitan Cathedral in Plaza Matriz, vibrant indoor market and Solis Theatre are key colonial sights reached through the Gateway to the Citadel arch, all that remains of the original walls. The city’s downtown is also a treasure trove of Art Deco buildings.

Included excursion

Discover Montevideo’s European influences on an included excursion.

Optional excursion

Discover Uruguay’s Canelones wine region, home to over 60% of the country’s wine production.

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

The Argentine city of Puerto Madryn is set on the northern coast of Patagonia, in an area renowned for its wildlife and Welsh heritage. In 1865 around 150 Welsh emigrants travelled 8,000 miles to arrive in Argentina aboard the tea-clipper boat to establish a new homeland. Puerto Madryn also offers a gateway to the UNESCO-listed Península Valdés.

Included excursion

See some of the highlights of Puerto Madryn.

Optional excursions

Visit the Punta Tombo Penguin Rookery, or explore the region’s Welsh heritage.

Arrive 0900 on Feb 4.
Depart 1700 on Feb 5.

The capital of the Falkland Islands offers a taste of familiarity with its Victorian buildings, Anglican cathedral and lighthouse. Christ Church is the world’s most southerly cathedral, with the arch in front said to be the most photographed sight in the islands: it is made from the jawbones of two blue whales. The Historic Dockyard Museum has extensive displays on the 1982 conflict with Argentina, as well as exhibits about the islands’ history, flora and fauna.

Included excursion

See Magellanic penguins on an included excursion to Gypsy Cove.

Optional excursion

Travel by 4x4 vehicle to the beach at Volunteer Point, home to the largest breeding group of king penguins in the islands where a cacophony of calls from the king, gentoo and Magellanic colonies greet visitors on arrival.

⚓ Land by launch or tender.

Cruise past Cape Horn, the southernmost point of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago of southern Chile.

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Cruise to the remote city of Punta Arenas, an interesting mix of tin roofs and European influences set in southernmost Chile. Named ‘Sandy Point’ by an English sailor, it is a bustling port thanks to its strategic location on a busy maritime route and acts as a springboard for expeditions into the Patagonian wilderness. Explorer Ferdinand Magellan is remembered in a memorial that stands in Plaza Muñoz Gamero and a replica of one of his vessels is displayed as the Museo Nao Victoria.

Included excursion

Discover the highlights of Punta Arenas on an included excursion.

Optional excursion

Visit Magdalena Island, an uninhabited island in the heart of the strait, home to the largest colony of Magellanic penguins in South America.

Today, Spirit of Adventure will cruise past the Amalia Glacier, a tidewater glacier on the edge of the Sarmiento Channel, one of the main channels in Patagonia.

Cruise past the Brüggen Glacier, known by Spanish explorers as the PIO X Glacier. Located in Chile’s southern Ice Field, it is the largest glacier in South America and it continues to advance.

Arrive 0800. Depart 1800.

Founded by German settlers in 1853, Puerto Montt is a door to the Chilean Lake District. Explore the city with its wooden neoclassical style cathedral, visit the handicraft and fish markets at Angelmo or maybe learn about Puerto Montt’s rich German heritage at the German Colonial Museum.

Included excursion

Admire the scenery of lakes and snow-capped volcanoes on an included visit to the nearby towns of Puerto Varas and Frutillar.

Optional excursion

Take a scenic tour through Chile’s Lake District and discover Lake Llanquihue, South America’s third-largest natural lake.

Arrive 0800. Depart 2200.

Set on Chile’s Pacific coast, photogenic Valparaiso is characterised by its colourful hillside homes, reached by funiculars, earning it a place on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. This merchant city flourished during the 19th century, attracting migrants from near and far who have left a lasting imprint, most noticeably in the wooded neoclassical cathedral.

Included excursion

Discover its different districts on an included excursion.

Optional excursion

Join a full-day optional excursion to Santiago.

Arrive 0800 on Feb 21.
Depart 1800 on Feb 22.

The seaside resort of Callao is also the port for Lima, Peru’s capital and largest city. Surrounded by deserts and backed by the Andes, it was originally declared uninhabitable. Now it is a thriving metropolis of skyscrapers, colonial gems and ancient ruins. Its UNESCO-listed historic centre, known as the ‘City of Kings’, encompasses the 17th-century church that miraculously survived Lima’s earthquakes in 1746 and 1940.

Included excursion

Discover the highlights of Lima’s past and present on an included tour or exploration on foot.

Optional excursion

Visit the Larco Herrera Museum, founded in 1926 and housed in a vice-royal colonial mansion of the 18th century, to discover 3,000 years of Peru’s pre-Columbian history. Alternatively, visit the Sacred Citadel of Pachacamac and one of Peru’s national treasures, the Peruvian Paso Horse.

Arrive 0800. Depart 2000.

From the port city of Salaverry, travel inland to visit Trujillo. This historic city, birthplace of Peru’s national Marinera dance, is also known for its colonial architecture, rich culture and pre-Incan archaeological sites. Founded in 1534 by Spanish conquistador Diego de Almagro, Trujillo was the first Peruvian city to declare independence from Spanish rule.

Included excursion

Enjoy a guided tour of Trujillo.

Optional excursion

Explore the Chan Chan archaeological site.

Arrive 0800. Depart 2000.

Set at the entrance to the Panama Bay, Flamenco Island is linked to Panama City by the Amador Causeway. Known for its beaches, scenic pier, and waterfront bars and restaurants it offers a peaceful contrast to the hustle and bustle of the capital, Panama City.

Included excursion

Explore Panama City on an included tour or discover Casco Viejo on foot.

Optional excursion

Visit the ruins of the former city of Panama Viejo.

One of the world’s greatest feats of engineering, this 50-mile-long waterway which opened in 1914 connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Enjoy the surrounding scenery as you spend the whole day cruising this scenic stretch through a series of locks and across the Gatun Lake.

Arrive 0800. Depart 2100.

Colón marks the Caribbean end of the Panama Canal. It was born in 1850 out of a desire to reach California quickly during the Gold Rush. On the shoreline stands the ruined 16th-century Fort San Lorenzo which pre-dates the city, while Zona Libra offers duty-free shopping. In nearby Portobello, you can watch the colourful yachts in the bay, or hunt for treasures in the local markets.

Included excursion

Visit the Agua Clara Locks on an included excursion.

Optional excursion

Visit Gatun Lake, a large man-made fresh water lake, home to an abundance of wildlife.

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Founded in 1533 by the Spanish, Cartagena sits in a sheltered bay. Its historic core has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It encompasses an extensive network of fortifications unlike any other in the New World. The old town is encircled by miles of old stone walls and is a tightly packed maze of alleyways lined with Andalusian-style palaces, churches and mansions. Of special note is the immense fortress of Castillo San Félipe de Barajas, the largest of its kind.

Included excursion

Gain an overview of the city on an included excursion.

Optional excursion

Visit San Felipe de Barajas Fortress and enjoy a canoe cruise through the mangrove tunnels.

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

With brightly coloured buildings that mirror those in Amsterdam, Oranjestad’s Dutch heritage is clear to see. The capital Oranjestad combines European-style architecture with the sights you would expect to find on a Caribbean island, pristine beaches, swaying palms and crystal-clear waters.

Included excursion

Discover the island highlights on a scenic drive.

Optional excursion

Step on board a 4x4 vehicle for a thrilling exploration of Aruba, on and off the road.

Arrive 0800. Depart 1900.

Dubbed the 'Isle of Spice' thanks to the abundance of nutmeg and cinnamon found here, Grenada is the southernmost island of the Antilles archipelago.

Included excursion

Explore the island on a scenic drive.

Optional excursions

Join a snorkelling adventure to see Molinere Bay Underwater Sculpture Park, a unique art installation on the sea bed.

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Scarborough is a lively town dominated by the 18th-century hilltop Fort King George, which houses the Tobago Museum. In the lower Scarborough area, Scarborough Market features stalls selling clothing and fresh produce. While the nearby Botanical Gardens are home to indigenous plants and trees.

Included excursion

See more of the island on a scenic drive.

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Barbados offers a blend of West African and British culture, having remained a British colony until 1966. The island’s lively capital Bridgetown features 17th-century buildings and a historic Garrison, which is included on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Included excursion

See more of Barbados on an included excursion.

Optional excursions

Relax on the beach at Carlisle Bay, while enjoying a rum punch.

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Scattered in the North Atlantic Ocean, the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores is made up of nine islands, and Ponta Delgada is the capital of the largest of these, São Miguel. Aptly known as ‘Green Island’, São Miguel is characterised by its volcanic landscapes – to the east lies geothermal Furnas Lake with its bubbling fumeroles and hot springs, while in the northwest the green and blue crater lakes of Sete Cidades are situated.

Included excursion

An included excursion is a great way to see more of the scenery.

Optional excursions

Take in views of Fire Lake, which is set in a volcanic crater before visiting a pineapple plantation to sample the locally produced pineapple liqueur, or explore the island on a 4X4 adventure.

Arrive 0700.

Disembark Spirit of Adventure after breakfast.