South Pacific Cruise - from Callao - Lima - 120663

Callao is a suburb of Lima, the capital of Peru. Callao is the main transportation hub of South America, with one of the largest ports in this Southern Hemisphere. Lima is also the largest city in the country, in western Peru on the Pacific coast. Lima's old town, with its streets laid out like a chessboard, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991. The city is a mixture of Colonial-style buildings and modern architecture. The "Plaza de Armas" is the real highlight. This is where the cathedral, the presidential palace and many important churches, such as the Iglesia San Francisco, the Iglesia la Merced and the Iglesia Santo Domingo. At the corner of the Plaza is an equestrian monument honouring the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro, who founded Lima in January 1535, in order to focus the reign over the conquered kingdom of the Incas here. The San Francisco monastery with its catacombs, which is close to the Plazuela San Francisco, is also worth seeing. A trip to the Plaza de Mayo, throbbing with hundreds of traders and the shopping street Calle Union are also well worth a visit. Other sights include: the Museo de la Nacion, the "Museo de Oro" and the Miraflores and Barranco districts.

Iquique is the capital of the region of Tarapaca in Northern Chile and was ceded to Chile by Peru in 1883 during the Salpeter War. Today, Iquique is an ordinary coastal and bathing resort.

This 171 km² large island in the Eastern Pacific Ocean has belonged to Chile since 1888. Three extinct volcanoes with crater lakes, sparsely vegetated elevated planes and the craggy-cliffed coastline dominate the island's surface. Surrounded by several thousand kilometres of seawater in almost every direction, it is one of the most remote islands in the world - and one of the most mysterious. Tourists travel to Easter Island solely to see the Moai, the mythological figures hewn in tufa stone, weighing between 80 and 100 tonnes and standing up to 20 metres high, whose secrets have still not been completely uncovered, despite the efforts of countless researchers. Today, Easter Island is home to more than 2,000 people. The airport was completed in 1967 in order to encourage tourists. The only town on the island is Hanga Roa.

This 171 km² large island in the Eastern Pacific Ocean has belonged to Chile since 1888. Three extinct volcanoes with crater lakes, sparsely vegetated elevated planes and the craggy-cliffed coastline dominate the island's surface. Surrounded by several thousand kilometres of seawater in almost every direction, it is one of the most remote islands in the world - and one of the most mysterious. Tourists travel to Easter Island solely to see the Moai, the mythological figures hewn in tufa stone, weighing between 80 and 100 tonnes and standing up to 20 metres high, whose secrets have still not been completely uncovered, despite the efforts of countless researchers. Today, Easter Island is home to more than 2,000 people. The airport was completed in 1967 in order to encourage tourists. The only town on the island is Hanga Roa.

Nuku Hiva is part of the northern island group of the Marquesas Islands. The island's particular charm undoubtedly lies in the beautiful bays found all around the craggy coastline. Taiohae is the adminstrative seat and the seat of the archbishop and also boasts many attractions, such as the Nôtre Dame des Marquises cathedral, with unsusual sculptures carved from exotic woods, or the wooden sculpture dedicated to the author Herman Melville. Just a few kilometres from Taiohae, in the valley of the same name, is the archaeological site of Tohua Koueva. It was the main headquarters of chief Pakoko, who lead a successful rebellion against the French in 1845. A visit to the site is worth it just to see the bougainvillea and hibiscus plants that bloom in an array of colours and the ancient Banyan trees.

Hiva Oa is one of the Marquesas Islands of French Polynesia. The six inhabited islands of the Marquesas are some of the most far removed from all continents. Sights include: the French artist Paul Gauguin died on May 8th 1903 in the town of Atuona on Hiva Oa. He lies buried in the Calvaire cemetry. Jacques Brel, the Belgian chanson singer, who died in 1978, lies a mere 10 metres further. Brel also spent the last years of his life on Hiva Oa.

Papeete is the capital of Tahiti. The island is a mixture of beautiful coves, white sandy beaches, tropical plants and French vanity.

Papeete is the capital of Tahiti. The island is a mixture of beautiful coves, white sandy beaches, tropical plants and French vanity.