Itinerary: There are seven-night
exploration cruises along Panama’s inter-oceanic route navigating
from one ocean to the other, including a visit to the isolated jungle in Darien
and the native Embera Indians, joining locals in the
search for pearls in the Pearl Islands, transiting the Panama Canal with an
overnight in Gatun Lake, and including the Chagres
River, the Spanish fortresses at San Lorenzo and Portobelo.
The cruise begins in Panama City.
Cabins: 12. (8 queen and 4 twin). All cabins
are outside with large windows and have private bathroom and individual air
conditioning.
Dress: Casual at all times.
Dining: The dining area, bar and lounge are located on the upper deck
which is fitted with floor to ceiling glass. Panamanian food and indigenous
dishes are offered. A barbecue is held on the top deck.
Facilities and Activities: Guests spend every day exploring and
experiencing nature and history … walking rainforest trails, snorkeling and
kayaking. The vessel has the capability to reach remote areas for an up-close
relation with nature, history and wild life. The
Darien jungle village is
a journey into the lives of
the Embera Indians who have maintained their
traditions and lifestyle as they were hundreds of years ago. They are master
crafters of cocobolo wood carvings and basketry. In the Pearl Islands you
snorkel and kayak at the islands of San Telmo and
Galera and join divers from Esmeralda in their
search for pearls. In Gatun Lake in Panama Canal
waters you explore Colorado Island where the Smithsonian´s
Tropical Research Center is located and into rainforest secluded areas to see
birds, monkeys, sloths, iguanas, and crocodiles. The
Discovery then completes its full Panama Canal transit to the Caribbean Sea and
the
Chagres River, which
was used by the conquistadors to move their gold across the
Isthmus of Panama en-route from
Peru to Spain, and a visit to Fort San Lorenzo built by the Spaniards in the
16th century to defend their gold trail. On the Caribbean side is a visit to the
town of
Portobelo, founded by
Christopher Columbus on his fourth voyage in 1597, the site of many battles
between the Spanish colonials and the pirates and an important refuge for
Spanish galleons in the Caribbean. The rainy season (April to November) offers
more foliage and flowering, but nature trails then may be muddy. Expedition
leaders are fully bilingual in English and Spanish.
Recent Fares Reported to Us: US$3,950 per person. There will be a US$250
per person early booking discount if full payment is received 180 days before
departure. Price includes transfers to and from the ship, shore excursions, use
of equipment, all beverages, and port charges.
