Panama and Costa Rica
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PANAMA and COSTAINCLUDING THE PANAMA RICA CANAL aboard Callisto • January 7–17, 2017 ENJOY SOME OF THE LOVELIEST ISLANDS and national parks in Central America on a 7-day voyage aboard the newly refurbished Callisto to Panama and Costa Rica. Accompanied by an expert in industrial environmental management, sail along the Pacific coast of Panama and Costa Rica, marveling at rainforests teeming with exotic wildlife and bird species, sugary beaches fringed by sparkling azure water, and dense forests that cascade down impressive mountainsides to the shore. A special highlight is a round-trip transit of the Panama Canal between Panama City and Gatun Lake, much of it in daylight for optimal viewing of this key conduit for international maritime trade. Opportunities abound to seek out the numerous species of birds, mammals, and marine life that make these tropical environments their home. Swim and snorkel in one of the largest coral reefs on the Pacific Coast of the Americas. Hike through lush rainforests alive with the vivid sounds and colors of a richly diverse wildlife. Also meet Panama’s indigenous Embera people, present for countless generations and committed to maintaining many of their ancestral customs. HIGHLIGHTS An optional post-tour extension to Costa Rica’s Monteverde Transit the Panama Canal by daylight between Cloud Forest Reserve is also available. Panama City and Gatun Lake, with an opportunity to observe the recently constructed new flights of locks, built to increase the canal’s carrying capacity. Visit the Embera Indians, traditionally a riverine people for whom rivers and boats still play a central role in the activities of daily life as well as in their cosmology. Swim and snorkel in the waters around UNESCO World Heritage site Coiba Island, which is surrounded by one of the largest coral reefs on the Pacific coast of the Americas. Discover the traditional Spanish architecture of Panama City’s colonial old city, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the cutting-edge, brightly colored, Frank Gehry-designed Biomuseum. Travel deep into the Darien rainforest, a vast tropical wilderness full of exotic plants, rare wildlife, and indigenous people and part of the Darien Gap, the only break in the Pan-American Highway. Panama and Costa Rica • January 7–17, 2017 • 888.328.2089 [email protected] ITINERARY Saturday, January 7 studied tropical forests in the world. This Coiba Island in Coiba National Park. The HOME / evening, return through the canal to Panama island’s reef structure shelters a diversity PANAMA CITY, PANAMA City. and volume of marine life that makes it Depart the U.S. on a flight to Panama City, CALLISTO (B,L,D) among the top diving destinations in the the capital of Panama. On arrival, transfer Tuesday, January 10 world. Spend the afternoon swimming and to the hotel. This evening enjoy a welcome snorkeling from pristine white sand beaches. PANAMA CITY CALLISTO (B,L,D) reception and dinner. Discover Panama City’s historic and cultural BRISTOL HOTEL (R,D) highlights, including the new Biomuseum, Friday, January 13 Sunday, January 8 designed by Frank Gehry and dedicated COIBA ISLAND to exhibitions on Panama’s biodiversity; Linked by the underwater Cordillera PANAMA CANAL / Panama Viejo (“Old Panama”), the mountain chain to the Cocos and Galapagos GATUN LAKE architectural vestiges of the first Spanish city Islands, Coiba Island is surrounded by one Built between 1881 and 1914, the Panama founded on the Pacific coast of the Americas; of the largest coral reefs on the Pacific coast Canal cuts through the Isthmus of Panama and the San Felipe District, the colonial of the Americas. Its waters teem with marine to connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. heart of the city and a UNESCO World life, including whale and tiger sharks, sperm After a welcome lecture and orientation, Heritage site. whales, sea turtles, angel rays, and giant embark the Callisto and begin transiting the CALLISTO (B,L,D) schools of fish. Coiba is also a refuge for a Panama Canal through the Miraflores Locks number of threatened terrestrial species, and the Pedro Miguel Locks, which lift ships Wednesday, January 11 such as the crested eagle, and several from the Pacific up to the level of Gatun DARIEN RAINFOREST sub-species of agouti, possum, and howler Lake. During this transit, observe the Third Anchor near La Palma and travel by monkey. Established as a national park in Set of Locks project, which began in 2007 motorized cayuca (traditional canoe) 1992, Coiba Island is a UNESCO World and is scheduled for completion in 2016. into the Darien Rainforest to meet the Heritage site. Explore this amazing marine CALLISTO (B,L,D) indigenous Embera people and learn of world, then enjoy a hearty barbecue on the Monday, January 9 their ancestral customs, which date back to beach. pre-Columbian times. The rainforest is on CALLISTO (B,L,D) GATUN LAKE / the Panamanian side of the Darien Gap, a PANAMA CANAL large swath of undeveloped swampland and Saturday, January 14 Join biologists for a guided walk among forest between Panama and Colombia that GOLFO DULCE / OSA the protected forests of Barro Colorado interrupts the Pan-American Highway. Island in Gatun Lake. The island was formed PENINSULA, COSTA RICA CALLISTO (B,L,D) Dock in the small port of Gol to for a visit to when the Chagres River was dammed to the Orchid House, a private botanical garden create Gatun Lake in 1913, causing the rising Thursday, January 12 with beautiful landscaping, amazing flowers, waters to cover most of an existing tropical GRANITO DE ORO and unique fruits. This afternoon explore the forest. Established as a nature reserve in Cruise to Granito de Oro (“Little Grain Osa Peninsula, bounded by the Pacific Ocean 1923, Barro Colorado is one of the most- of Gold”), a small island off the coast of to the west and the Golfo Dulce to the east, Panama and Costa Rica • January 7–17, 2017 • 888.328.2089 [email protected] ITINERARY (CONT.) and home to at least half of all of the species living in Costa Rica. CALLISTO (B,L,D) Sunday, January 15 COSTA CARIBBEAN SEA MANUEL ANTONIO RICA NATIONAL PARK San Often rated as one of the most beautiful Jose national parks in the world, Manuel Antonio Panama National Park packs a variety of impressive Canal landscapes into approximately 4,000 acres, Manuel Panama including white sand beaches, lush foliage, City imposing mountains, and dense forests that Antonio NP Golfito reach to the shoreline. Soar high above the jungle floor on a canopy tour or explore the PANAMA park’s fragile rainforest ecosystem on the well-maintained trails below. Osa Peninsula La CALLISTO (B,L,D) Palma Monday, January 16 Coiba Island CURU WILDLIFE RESERVE / PACIFIC OCEAN TORTUGA ISLAND Walk with park rangers through this private reserve, dedicated to sustainable agriculture, forest management, and protection of wildlife, including white-faced, howler, and spider monkeys; scarlet macaws; white- tailed deer; collared peccaries; coatis; raccoons; coyotes, iguanas; and hundreds of species of tropical and migratory birds. OPTIONAL POST-TOUR EXTENSION January 17–19, 2017 Enjoy a last afternoon at Tortuga Island, which has outstanding scuba-diving sites COSTA RICA’S MONTEVERDE CLOUD FOREST RESERVE and excellent snorkeling opportunities to Spend a full day walking the trails of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Perched view marine life such as sting rays, angelfish, atop Costa Rica’s continental divide at 4,662 feet and sustained by moist clouds and fog, sharks, spinner dolphins, and octopuses. Monteverde’s complex ecosystem supports more than 100 species of mammals, 400 CALLISTO (B,L,D) species of birds, tens of thousands of insect species, and at least 2,500 varieties of plants, 420 of which are orchids alone. Details and pricing will be sent to participants confirmed Tuesday, January 17 on the cruise. PUERTO CALDERA / HOME This morning disembark the Callisto and transfer to the airport in San Jose for flights home. (B) Panama and Costa Rica • January 7–17, 2017 • 888.328.2089 [email protected] CALLISTO The 34-guest M/Y Callisto, an elegant“boutique” motor yacht renovated in 2015, offers a warm ambiance reflecting the finest traditions of seafaring, and the highest standard of accommodation, comfort, and safety. Public areas are decorated with rich fabrics, handsome woodwork, gleaming brass, antiques, and fine works of art. Cabins have marble-appointed en suite bathrooms with showers, individually controlled A/C, TV and CD/DVD player, telephone (for internal use), hair dryers, mini-fridge, central music, public address system, and safes. The Callisto complies with Eurosolas safety regulations, and its powerful engines, generators, and state-of-the-art twin stabilizers allow for safe and comfortable cruising. PROGRAM RATES (per person) Category DOUBLE SINGLE C $8,990 $13,490 LOWER DECK Portholes B $9,990 $14,990 LOWER DECK Portholes A $11,990 – MAIN DECK Double beds (bow section) or twin beds, large windows P $13,990 – MAIN DECK Double beds (bow section) or twin beds, large windows Program Rates Include A full program of briefings, lectures, and presentations by study leaders and local guides • All accommodations and meals as specified in the itinerary • 9-night cruise aboard the Callisto • All excursions, including entrance fees, as specified in the itinerary • Transfers on group arrival and departure days • Baggage handling • Gratuities to porters, guides, drivers, and ship’s crew for all group activities • Port fees and embarkation taxes • Wine, beer, and soft drinks with lunches and dinners • Welcome and farewell wine receptions • Bottled water on excursions • Complete packet of pre-departure information • Professional tour manager throughout Panama and Costa Rica • January 7–17, 2017 • 888.328.2089 [email protected] To reserve a place on Panama and Costa Rica you may complete and return this form with your deposit of $1,000 per person, payable to Criterion Travel.