Marvels of Latin America Cruise Tour
Explore the mysteries of the Inca at Machu Picchu, sparkling colonial cities in Ecuador and Peru, and the incredible engineering achievement of the Panama Canal on this magnificent Cruise Tour. Travel high into the Andes where tropical forest and emerald terraces cover the peaks and the lost city of Machu Picchu seems to emerge organically from the granite hillsides. The stone walls are so precisely carved and fitted they have stood for 600 years through earthquakes and floods without an ounce of mortar. Then travel even deeper into Inca culture as you learn how they grew crops on these impossible slopes, dine on indigenous flavors, and visit a local food market where you may still hear people speaking Quechua, the language of the ancients. In Ecuador you'll find a small country that's one of the most biodiverse on the planet, with the world's greatest concentration of bird life. You'll find birds everywhere - flitting through the banana plantations of Machala, paddling in the river along Guayaquil's Malecón 2000 boardwalk, roosting on the grand Baroque buildings in Manta. Ecuador is also the gateway to the Galapagos Islands, a UNESCO World Heritage Site teeming with uncommon wildlife, where up to 20% of the species are island-specific - a world wonder you can explore in-depth on our optional multi-day Galapagos Overland Tour. To cap off this incredible journey, make a daylight transit of the Panama Canal with jungle on both sides and another ocean straight ahead.
Leaving from:
Lima
Cruise ship:
Star Pride
Departure date:
29th January 2026
Leaving from:
Lima •
Lima •
Trujillo •
Machala •
and 5 more stops
From
£6837
*pp for a Suite Cabin
Price shown provided by:
Windstar Cruises
Windstar Cruises
Windstar Cruises operates a fleet of small luxury cruise ships. The cruise line has six yachts - three of which are masted sailing ships - and offers laid-back luxury with a tinge of historic seafaring adventure.
Wind Star and Wind Spirit each carry 148 guests, whereas Wind Surf carries 342. 'Power yachts' Star Pride, Star Breeze and Star Legend all carry 312 passengers. It's a unique experience, by all means!
312
Passengers
204
Crew
1990
Launched
2021
Last refit
12995t
Tonnage
159m
Length
19m
Width
15kts
Speed
6
Decks
USD
Currency
Cruise Itinerary
Days 1 - 2
Lima, Peru
Day 3
Trujillo, Peru
Day 5
Machala, Ecuador
Days 6 - 7
Guayaquil, Ecuador
Day 8
Manta, Ecuador
Day 11
At Sea
Day 12
Colón, Panama
Days 1 - 2
Lima, Peru
Day 3
Trujillo, Peru
Day 5
Machala, Ecuador
Several National Sanctuaries and Ecological Reserves found near Machala boast sun-drenched beaches and mangrove forests. Pelicans, frigatebirds, and egrets nest nearby as Blue-footed Boobies dive for fish further out to sea. Whales and dolphins can occasionally be seen in the vicinity. Machala, with a population of approximately 250,000 inhabitants, is moreover known for traditional Latin American foods from shrimp ceviche to fried bananas. In fact, bananas feature heavily in the culture as the city is also known as the “Capital of the Banana.” During the third week of September the ‘World Fair of the Banana’ is held here and producers and buyers from Perú, Costa Rica, Colombia, Venezuela, México, Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia, Argentina, Guatemala, Panamá, República Dominicana, El Salvado, Honduras and Ecuador attend the event.
Days 6 - 7
Guayaquil, Ecuador
The second major jumping off point for the Galapagos Islands after Quito, this is a little city with a big heart. A sea port first and foremost, the city’s personality has been founded on that, and all the better it is for it too. Almost Caribbean in feeling, the clement climate coupled with the intermingling rhythms floating from the windows and abundance of fresh seafood make this a very tropical destination. Once not even considered by the travel books as a potential destination in its own right, the city has undergone something of a resurgence in the past few years. Proud Guayaquileños will not hestitate to point out the Malecón or the exciting new riverfront promenade, once a no-go area after dark, now happily (and hippily) lined with museums, restaurants, shops, and ongoing entertainment. The new airport and urban transportation network are also lauded to the happy tourists who find themselves here. As the largest and most populous city in Ecuador as well as being the commercial centre, it would only be natural that the city would have some kind of modern architecture, but it is the colourful favelas, or to use their real name guasmos, that cling to the side of the hillside like limpets that really catch your eye. A blend of old and new, the first inhabitants can be traced back to 1948 when the government cleared the area for affordable housing, these shanty towns are witness to the social and political particularities that Guayaquil has faced in the past.
Day 8
Manta, Ecuador
Day 11
At Sea
Day 12
Colón, Panama
The provincial capital of Colón, beside the canal's Atlantic entrance, is named for the Spanish-language surname of Christopher Columbus, though the Americans called it Aspinwall in the 19th century.. The city was founded in 1850 by Americans working on the Panama railroad and named Aspinwall for one of the railway engineers. Following completion in 1855, Colon gained in importance, which was furthered by the plans for an isthmian canal. During the time of the French canal attempt, a fire in 1885 burned the city nearly to the ground and left thousands of people homeless. Colon was rebuilt in the architectural style then popular in France. Buildings from that era plus the ones constructed by Americans between 1904 and 1914 are still in use today, although the majority is on the verge of collapse. In addition to its importance as a port, Colon boasts the world’s second largest duty-free zone, known as Zona Libre, which is contained in a huge fortress like, walled-off area with giant international stores. However, most of the merchandise is sold in bulk to commercial businesses throughout the country.
Ship Details
Windstar Cruises
Star Pride
Star Pride is large enough to pamper and entertain you, yet small enough to tuck into delightful tiny harbours and hidden coves that others can’t reach.
Cabins
Suite
1-4
1374 sqft
Price provided by:
From
£6,837
All Prices
