VALPARAISO TO PAPEETE EXPEDITION (SILVER CLOUD)
Indulge your childhood fantasies of shipwrecks and sailors. Visit three UNESCO sites on this seminal voyage to Pacific paradises. Beginning your odyssey in Valparaiso, whose historic quarter is the first UNESCO site, get ready to explore the UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve of Juan Fernandez Islands, before Easter Island, yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site hoves into view. Complete your voyage with the tiny, Arcadian islands of French Polynesia.
ITINERARY
Day 1 Valparaiso Valparaíso's dramatic topography—45 cerros, or hills, overlooking the ocean—requires the use of winding pathways and wooden ascensores (funiculars) to get up many of the grades. The slopes are covered by candy-color houses—there are almost no apartments in the city—most of which have exteriors of corrugated metal peeled from shipping containers decades ago. Valparaíso has served as Santiago's port for centuries. Before the Panama Canal opened, Valparaíso was the busiest port in South America. Harsh realities—changing trade routes, industrial decline—have diminished its importance, but it remains Chile's principal port. Most shops, banks, restaurants, bars, and other businesses cluster along the handful of streets called El Plan (the flat area) that are closest to the shoreline. Porteños (which means "the residents of the port") live in the surrounding hills in an undulating array of colorful abodes. At the top of any of the dozens of stairways, the paseos (promenades) have spectacular views; many are named after prominent Yugoslavian, Basque, and German immigrants. Neighborhoods are named for the hills they cover. With the jumble of power lines overhead and the hundreds of buses that slow down—but never completely stop—to pick up agile riders, it's hard to forget you're in a city. Still, walking is the best way to experience Valparaíso.
Day 2 Day At Sea
0800 945 3327 (within New Zealand) | +64 (0) 3 365 1355 | 1800 107 715 (within Australia) [email protected] | wildearth-travel.com Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind and catch up with Days 5 - 8 At Sea what you’ve been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale watching, catching up on your reading or simply topping up Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind and catch up with your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent what you’ve been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting exploring shore side. the spa, whale watching, catching up on your reading or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent Day 3 Robinson Crusoe Island exploring shore side. Robinson Crusoe Island is located 600 kilometres off the coast of Chile. The Days 9 - 10 Easter Island island is a rugged volcanic speck where 70 percent of its plant species are endemic, and is the largest of the Juan Fernandez Islands, a small archipelago Discovered (by the Western world) on Easter Sunday, 1722, Easter Island is that since 1935 is a Chilean National Park which in 1977 was declared a one of the most isolated places on the face of the Earth, some 2,300 miles UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. This island has witnessed and played an from the Chilean mainland. Although more Polynesian than South American in important role in Chilean and world history. In 1704 the Scottish sailor character, the 64-square mile island was annexed by Chile in 1888, and is Alexander Selkirk was marooned on the island and stayed for more than 4 now famous as the world’s largest ‘open air museum’ on account of the Moai, years, eventually inspiring Daniel Defoe’s novel Robinson Crusoe –hence the or human-like stone statues, that can be found on the island. The island’s name of the island. 1750 the village of San Juan Bautista was founded at national park has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Moai Cumberland Bay and by 1779 there were already 7 small fortresses bristling remain very much a mystery, which archaeologists are still trying to unlock. with guns. The island’s isolation offered Spain a splendid place for setting up The ancient language of the Rapa Nui is one of the keys to understanding this a penal colony, to which high-ranking Chilean patriots were deported in the culture. One of the other mysteries are the texts written on the so called ‘rongo early 19th century. In 1915, during the First World War, three British ships and rongo tablets’. The island owes its origin to three volcanoes: Poike and Rano a German one, the Dresden, engaged in a sea battle which ended with the Kau had erupted first and were later connected with Maunga Terevaka‘s scuttling of the German cruiser. Today there are currently around one eruption. It is not known when or how the island was first populated, but the thousand people living in the archipelago, most of them in the village of San most credible theory suggests that the Rapa Nui people came from other Juan Bautista engaged in fishing for the “spiny lobster”, a delicacy exported to Pacific islands. Scientists debate as to when this occurred, the earliest claim the mainland. sees this happening in the 4th century AD. In addition to the cultural and archaeological interest, there are two beautiful beaches, transparent waters, Day 4 Alexander Selkirk Island and a few coral reefs as might be expected of a Pacific Island. Alejandro Selkirk Island is part of the Juan Fernandez archipelago. The island Days 11 - 13 At Sea itself was renamed in 1966 after the marooned sailor who served as the template for Daniel Defoe’s novel Robinson Crusoe, although Alejandro Selkirk Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind and catch up with was a castaway on the island Mas a Tierra, today named Robinson Crusoe what you’ve been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting Island. Alejandro Selkirk is located 165 kilometres west of the other islands in the spa, whale watching, catching up on your reading or simply topping up the archipelago. Throughout much of its history, the island has been your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent uninhabited, although there is a former penal settlement on the middle of the exploring shore side. east coast, which operated from 1909 to 1930. During the summer months, Selkirk welcomes a small community of lobster fishermen and their families Day 14 Adamstown (Pitcairn Island) who come from Robinson Crusoe. As part of the Chilean National Park, it also With a total of around 50 residents on the island, Adamstown is the capital of holds the UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve title. The island is home to a the Pitcairn Islands and the only populated settlement, as all of the other number of rare and endangered plant and animal species. One of those iconic Pitcairn Islands are uninhabited (although Henderson was populated by species—the Masafuera Rayadito—is found only on Selkirk; its global Polynesians in the 11th through 15th centuries). Halfway between Peru and population numbers in the low hundreds and it is of particular interest to New Zealand, Pitcairn was the perfect hiding spot for the famed HMS Bounty researchers and those looking to prevent species extinctions. mutineers and their Tahitian wives. Not only had the island been misplaced on early maps of the region, but it can also be very difficult to come ashore as
0800 945 3327 (within New Zealand) | +64 (0) 3 365 1355 | 1800 107 715 (within Australia) [email protected] | wildearth-travel.com large breakers tend to build up just in front of the small harbour of Bounty km (75 mi) southeast of Rangiroa. It's renowned for the drift diving in its two Bay. On shore visit the local museum that houses the HMS Bounty Bible, the passes—Garuae (also spelled Ngarue) in the north near the main town of historic Adamstown Church, view Fletcher Christian’s cave, or keep an eye out Rotoava (and the airport) and Tamakohua Pass, 48 km (30 mi) across the for the Pitcairn Reed Warbler. lagoon in the south. The tiny village of Tetamanu, situated by the southern pass, was once the capital of the Tuamotus and houses the first church built Days 15 - 16 At Sea in the archipelago in 1874. In 2006 the entire atoll was deemed an UNESCO biosphere reserve; to preserve the lagoon no overwater bungalows have been built in it. Fakarava was "discovered" by Russian explorer Fabian Gottlieb Von Day 17 Atuona - Hiva Oa (Marquesas Island) Bellingshausen in 1820; some 20 years later missionaries arrived, in the The largest of the southern islands, Hiva Oa, the master pillar or finial post of guise of fanatical Catholic priest Honore Laval, and began building churches. the ‘Great House’ - which represents the Marquesan archipelago in the local mythology - has always been the rival of Nuku Hiva. The island is shaped like Day 21 Rangiroa Island a seahorse and has a mountain range running southwest to northeast whose Rangiroa, or "Endless Sky" in Tahitian, is French Polynesia's largest atoll. A main peaks, Mt. Temetiu and Mt. Feani form a real wall around Atuona. long, narrow grouping of 415 small motu strung together in a misshapen Atuona, a peaceful little port at the head of the Taaoa Bay, also known as circle, it harbors a lagoon so large the entire island of Tahiti could fit in it. It's Traitors Bay, has emerged from obscurity due to having had the privilege of also impossible to see from one side of the lagoon to the other. Rangiroa's being the last resting place of Paul Gauguin and of the singer Jacques Brel. tourism industry has been built around the lagoon and the two passes The tombs of these famous personalities are on the side of the Calvary (Avatoru and Tiputa) that connect it to the ocean. Divers descend on Rangi, as cemetery looking out across the bay and are places of great pilgrimage. In the it's nicknamed, to "shoot the pass." The atoll's main town, Avatoru, and the village, the Gauguin Museum displays items related to the painter's stay there village of Tiputa lie in the northern section of the atoll. at the beginning of the century and has copies of his works. Day 22 Moorea Island Day 18 Fatu Hiva (Marquesas Islands) Moorea is called the "sister island" of Tahiti and its proximity—just 19 km (12 Fatu Hiva is the southernmost and most remote island in the Marquesas mi) away across the Sea of Moon—has assured a steady stream of both Group. First seen by Europeans in 1595 when Mendaña went to colonize the international and local visitors. Many Tahitians have holiday homes on Moorea Solomon Islands, the island again gained some fame through the visit of Thor and hop over in their boats or take the 30-minute ferry. The draw is South Heyerdahl in the mid-1930s. Steep cliffs, sharp mountain peaks and many Seas island charm and a relatively slow-paced life. Moorea is an eighth of the narrow valleys form an impressive obstacle when exploring this volcanic size of Tahiti but packs all the classic island features into its triangular shape. island. The two villages of Omoa and Hana Vave have combined some 650 Cutting into the northern side of the island are the dramatic Opunohu Bay and inhabitants and are both located on the more protected western side of the Cook's Bay, the latter backed by the shark-toothed Mt. Mouaroa and home to island. They are connected by a 17 kilometer long road that climbs up to the many resorts and restaurants. Between the two bays majestic Mt. Rotui rises central plateau. Omoa has a protected little harbor for local boats, but Hana 2,020 feet (616 meters) and steep, jagged mountain ridges run across the Vave has the Bay of Virgins, one of the most photographed bays in the island. From the Belvedere lookout there are awesome views of these bays Marquesas Islands, if not French Polynesia. Islanders are known for their tapa and mountains, including the tallest peak—the thumb-shaped Mt. Tohiea (bark cloth) paintings and wood carvings –which are highly sought after in reaching 3,960 feet (1,207 meters) into the clouds. Moorea is ringed by a Tahiti. coral reef enclosing a beautiful and quite narrow lagoon. Unlike other islands in the Society group, Moorea has only a couple of motu (islets) and they are Day 19 At Sea located off the northwest corner. The island's rugged peaks and deep bays are said to be the inspiration for James A. Michener's mythical isle of Bali Hai, Day 20 Fakarava Tuamotu Archipelago although historians dispute this claim. It's also believed to be the "birthplace" of the legendary overwater bungalow: a trio of Californian guys who came to Fakarava is oblong shaped and has an almost continuous string of reef and Moorea in the 1950s and became known as the Bali Hai boys reportedly motu stretching for 40 km (25 mi) on its eastern edge. It's the second largest dreamt up this unique style of hotel room. Today there are seven resorts and of the Tuamotu atolls, located 450 km (280 mi) northeast of Tahiti, and 120 about 24 smaller hotels and pensions, acres of pineapple plantations, and
0800 945 3327 (within New Zealand) | +64 (0) 3 365 1355 | 1800 107 715 (within Australia) [email protected] | wildearth-travel.com one of only two golf courses in French Polynesia. Moorea is an easy island to explore by car. The one coastal road is just 61 km (37 mi) long, and the best part of a day is needed to travel the road and stop off at the villages, bays, little churches, and cafés along the way and to travel into the interior to the Belvedere lookout and the marae (ancient temples). The lagoon and bays can be discovered on organized excursions that may include a picnic lunch on one of the motu at the island's northwest corner. There are also small motorboats for hire for a half or full day, with no license required. You won't find too many tracks of endless white sands on Moorea; however, the top resorts have lovely man-made beaches and the lagoon-side pensions and lodges always have at least a little patch of sand.
Day 23 Papeete (Tahiti) Papeete is the center of the tropical paradise of French Polynesia, where islands fringed with gorgeous beaches and turquoise ocean await to soothe the soul. This spirited city is the capital of French Polynesia, and serves as a superb base for onward exploration of Tahiti – an island of breathtaking landscapes and oceanic vistas. A wonderful lagoon of crisp, clear water begs to be snorkelled, stunning black beaches and blowholes pay tribute to the island's volcanic heritage, and lush green mountains beckon you inland on adventures, as you explore extraordinary Tahiti. Visit to relax and settle into the intoxicating rhythm of life in this Polynesian paradise.
Please Note: Itineraries are subject to change.
0800 945 3327 (within New Zealand) | +64 (0) 3 365 1355 | 1800 107 715 (within Australia) [email protected] | wildearth-travel.com YOUR SHIP: SILVER CLOUD
YOUR SHIP: Silver Cloud
VESSEL TYPE: Luxury Expedition
LENGTH: 157 m
PASSENGER CAPACITY: 200/260
BUILT/REFURBISHED: 1994 Refurbished & Rebranded
After extensive refurbishment, _Silver Cloud_ will be the most Corner spacious and comfortable ice class vessel in expedition DECK 07 - La Terrazza, The Spa at Silversea, Beauty Salon, The cruising. Her large suites, her destination itineraries and her Library unparalleled service make her truly special. Her five dining DECK 06 - Lecture Theatre, The Fitness Centre, Reception/Guest options will tantalise your taste buds and as 80% of her suites Relations, Expedition Desk include a veranda, watching a breaching whale or a few DECK 05 - The Bar, Boutique, Casino cavorting penguins has never been so personal. Broad DECK 04 - Main Restaurant, Le Champagne, Launderette sweeping decks with multiple open spaces and a swimming pool complete what is surely the most distinctive expedition ship sailing today. A limited number of guests, particularly with just 200 in polar waters, mean that _Silver Cloud_ has the highest space to guest and crew to guest ratios in expedition cruising. With her 18 zodiacs, possibilities are almost limitless with ship-wide simultaneous explorations. Finally, a team of 19 passionate and dedicated experts are always at hand to ensure your voyage is enhanced every step of the way. DECK 09 - Observation Lounge, Jogging Track DECK 08 - Pool, Pool Bar, Hot Rocks, The Panorama Lounge, The Connoisseur's
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