23-DAY WORLD CRUISE: SOUTH PACIFIC EXPLORER

Lima, although a sprawling desert city, is the capital and largest city of Peru. The Historic centre of Lima is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its large number of historical buildings dating from the Spanish colonial era. In particular, visit the Plaza Mayor with the 16th century Cathedral and the Presidential Palace. Read more about Lima (Callao), Peru

Pisco lies on the Pacific coast of Peru, 200 km south of the capital Lima. The small city is a gateway to the ruins of Machu Picchu, 500 km due east high in the Andes. Pisco is served by the port of San Martin which is 35 km out of town on the Paracas Peninsula. Read more about Pisco (San Martin), Peru

Iquique is a city in northern Chile, capital of Tarapacá Region, on the Pacific coast. It is located on a rocky peninsula in the rainless Atacama Desert with its unbelievable landscape that has a lagoon in the middle of the driest desert in the world, and overlooks the Pacific Ocean. You can find beautiful topography in the Isluga Volcano National Park, with high mountains and attractions like native flora, geysers, lagoons and rivers. Read more about Iquique, Chile

Most cruise ships make a scenic pass of the island, and as few as 30% tender successfully to shore, there being no harbour and the weather is problematic. (Serious sight-seers arrive by air from Chile mainland.) One of the most isolated islands in the world, this triangle of volcanic rock in the South Pacific is 2,300 km off the west coast of Chile. It is intriguing, its history is as unclear as it is mysterious. Read more about Easter Island, Chile

Most cruise ships make a scenic pass of the island, and as few as 30% tender successfully to shore, there being no harbour and the weather is problematic. (Serious sight-seers arrive by air from Chile mainland.) One of the most isolated islands in the world, this triangle of volcanic rock in the South Pacific is 2,300 km off the west coast of Chile. It is intriguing, its history is as unclear as it is mysterious. Read more about Easter Island, Chile

Nuku Hiva is the largest of the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia, an overseas territory of France. The Marquises lie 1400 km NE of Tahiti. The island is about 25 km across, with a high inland plateau and the highest peak Tekao at 1224 m. Read more about Nuku Hiva, French Polynesia

Hiva Oa is the largest island of the southern Marquesas group, 1400 km NE of Tahiti. Its population is around 2200. Hiva Oa means “long ridgepole,” likely so named because of its long central ridge. Read more about Hiva Oa, French Polynesia

Fakarava is a coral atoll in the west of the Tuamotu group in French Polynesia. It lies 420 km ENE from Tahiti. The rectangular form of the atoll is 20 km by 55 km, with the larger of two passes from the deep lagoon to the sea at the northern end. Read more about Fakarava, French Polynesia

Rangiroa, also known as The Endless Lagoon, is a coral atoll in the Tuamotu Archipelago of French Polynesia. It lies 325 km to the NE of Tahiti. The lagoon is 80 km long and rather narrower, with two main sea passages to the ocean at the northern end. Read more about Rangiroa, French Polynesia

The city of Papeete (Tahitian Pape'ete; pop. 27,000) is the capital of Tahiti, the largest of the French Polynesian Islands. With its pleasant warm tropical climate, city-lovers will enjoy Papeete's chic shops, specialist stores and boutiques, together with the lively mix of French, Polynesian, and Chinese cultures. Read more about Papeete, French Polynesia

The city of Papeete (Tahitian Pape'ete; pop. 27,000) is the capital of Tahiti, the largest of the French Polynesian Islands. With its pleasant warm tropical climate, city-lovers will enjoy Papeete's chic shops, specialist stores and boutiques, together with the lively mix of French, Polynesian, and Chinese cultures. Read more about Papeete, French Polynesia