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Peregrine Travel Centre

Panama City and the Panama Canal Experience

Panama City and the Panama Canal Experience

From EUR €7,195

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Description

Costa Rica’s Pacific coast: perfect sailing waters
The sea surrounding Costa Rica is the perfect place for sailing – and the Sea Cloud ii is the perfect yacht to sail in. Our ship will cruise between the far-flung national parks, ensuring that you arrive completely refreshed and ready to begin each new adventure on land.

Panama City and the Panama Canal
It took 30 eventful years until the Panama Canal was finally completed. In 2016, the new, three-tier lock system was brought into service. Travelling through the canal during the day is a truly special experience. Panama City is another absolute must-see: In the new trend destination of Central America, the historical quarter and the ultra-modern centre form an intriguing contrast.

The picture-perfect beaches of Costa Rica and Panama
On the tranquil coasts of Costa Rica and Panama, unforgettable natural scenery and beautiful relaxing beaches can be found just a few steps away from one another. Paradisiacal conservation areas blend into charming bays, and shady palms line the beaches as if on a picture postcard. What is more, if you really just want to relax, you will find the perfect place to do so in the soft sand of Coiba, Tortuga and the Pearl Islands.

The most beautiful national parks in Panama and Costa Rica
Experience an incredible eleven distinct landscapes on this journey, all of them starkly different. On the way you will also discover a phenomenally diverse range of unspoilt natural scenery, from rainforests, imposing volcanic settings and mysterious river banks to picturesque beaches and national marine parks. One of them, the Coiba National Park, is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Corcovado National Park, one of Costa Rica’s oldest rainforests, is located on the Pacific Peninsula of Osa. This park is home to roughly 400 species of birds; and many other animals have been spotted roaming this forest.

Granada – a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Situated picturesquely at the foot of a volcano and on the shore of a lake, the Nicaraguan town of Granada never ceases to conjure up stunning views of the natural and the man-made. Founded by the Spanish in 1524, it was one of the most influential towns in Central America for around 200 years. It is still considered an insider tip among the region’s colonial pearls. The significance of its historical legacy has earned it a very special seal of approval: a place on the UNESCO World Heritage Site List.

A lecturer accompanies the trip
You are bound to have some questions about all the fascinating flora and fauna found in the national parks we visit on our trip. For that reason, a scientist who knows all there is to know about the region’s varying ecosystems will be on board to provide you with the answers. He will be joining us for the entire journey, giving talks and accompanying us on excursions.

Trip Name
Panama City and the Panama Canal Experience
Days
15
Overview
Vessel Type: Tall Ship (Sailing) Length: 105 metres Passenger Capacity: 96 Built: 2001 Launched in 2001, Sea Cloud II is a stunning vessel, built along traditional lines, but offering deluxe accommodation. She combines timeless elegance of sailing ships of the past with the highest safety standards and the luxurious comfort of modern cruise ships. Just like her legendary sister ship Sea Cloud, the 29,600 square feet of sails is set by hand which is a truly magical sight. Built to accommodate 96 passengers in five star luxury, she offers a range of beautifully appointed suites and cabins which are furnished with great style. All accommodations have outside views and the bathrooms, in light marble, are unusually spacious and extremely comfortable. The finest, carefully chosen fabrics, combined with leather, rattan and other materials, brass and gold, precious woods and marble together create an impressive ensemble. No expense has been spared to create a sympathetic ambience in both the accommodations and public areas and this is reflected throughout the vessel. Public areas include an elegant lounge, library, fitness centre, boutique, lido bar and hospital. The single sitting dining room is airy and modern and the quality of the cuisine and service will be to the highest of standards, as one would expect on a Sea Cloud cruise. Relax on the Lido deck and experience the natural grandeur of travelling under sail, rekindling memories of a bygone age. Please note deck and suite plans are indicative only and may vary slightly.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Days 1 & 2 - Colon & Transit Panama Canal
Since 1914, the Panama Canal has linked the Atlantic to the Pacific. This technological marvel of locks and canals also comprises two artificial lakes. The Gatúnsee, one of the world's largest dammed lakes, has now regained a unique range of flora and fauna. In fact, nature has reclaimed the lake for itself, with the rainforest sprawling over its banks. The former hills are now islands on which an astonishing variety of species has formed, due to its isolation. The largest island, Barro Colorado, is completely untouched and has been a nature reserve since 1923. Scientists from all over the world come here to try and discover the jungle's last secrets.The idea of connecting the Atlantic and Pacific at the narrowest part of Central America has been around for many hundreds of years, but from a technical perspective this tremendous achievement only became possible much later. The French took on the project in 1881, after the successful opening of the Suez Canal in Egypt in 1869. But it would be more than 30 years before the canal was finally completed in 1914. This masterpiece of technology is just under 82 kilometres (50 miles) long, has 12 lock basins and negotiates a difference in altitude of 26 metres (85 foot). The Panama Canal is one of the world's most important waterways and most spectacular ship canal.
Day 2 - Day 3 - Islas de las Perlas
The name of this Pacific archipelago in the Gulf of Panama pre-dates the Spanish conquest to a time when its inhabitants were pearl fishermen and traded in beautiful oyster pearls. Where in previous centuries, pirates and buccaneers hid out and buried their loot, other treasures can now be found. Over 200 pearl islands, of which even the smallest are inhabited, form an almost undisturbed paradise with a diverse range of lakes and rivers, enchanting white coral beaches, golden sandy beaches and black volcanic beaches, rounded off with lush green tropical vegetation. The island of Contadora has special significance as the place where U.S. President Jimmy Carter signed the Panama Canal Treaty in 1977, ceding sovereign rights over the Panama Canal to the Republic of Panama.
Day 3 - Day 4 - At Sea
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Day 4 - Day 5 - Isla Coiba/Coiba National Park
The Coiba National Park covers the island of Coiba, the largest in the country, and 38 other smaller tiny islets. It is one of the world's largest marine national parks and is protected by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Because the island broke off from the mainland around 15,000 years ago, a unique range of flora and fauna and an extraordinary variety of species are preserved here. Beautiful deserted beaches nestle up to the delightful turquoise sea.
Day 5 - Day 6 - Golfito & Anchorage Casa Orqideas
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Day 6 - Day 7 - Playa San Josecito/Punta Marenco (Drake Bay)
One of the oldest rainforests in Costa Rica is on the Osa Peninsula in the Pacific Ocean. The impenetrable Corcovado National Park is home to jaguars, tapirs, pumas, ocelots, anteaters and around 400 species of bird. Some trees grow to 80 metres (262 foot) in height with trunks that are three-metres (10 foot) thick. The time of explorers seeking the legendary gold of Eldorado in the untouched rainforest is over; today the many rare animal and plant species are the real treasure.
Day 7 - Day 8 - Islas Tortugas
Isla Tortuga is on the Gulf of Nicoya on Costa Rica's Pacific coast. It actually consists of two islands - Isla Tolinga and Isla Alcatraz, with the latter known as Tortuga. The turquoise ocean, blue sky, deep green palms and white sandy beaches make "turtle island" a heavenly place to stop for a swim and its many fishes make it a colourful place for snorkelling.
Day 8 - Day 9 - Quepos
Quepos was a lively little port at the time of booming banana exports. Today it is a gateway to the Manuel Antonio National Park, which lies to the south. The park covers an area of just 683 hectares and is one of the most diverse rainforests in Costa Rica. Paths lead you from the beautiful sandy beach straight to the heart of this untamed green kingdom. More than 1,000 varieties of plant and prolific wildlife, including whole herds of inquisitive apes, sloths, coatis and raccoons, iguanas, many species of bird, and unique colourful butterflies have made this place their home.
Day 9 - Day 10 - At Sea
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Day 10 - Day 11 - Playas del Coco
At the weekends, the beaches of Playas del Coco are likely to be populated with young Ticos hoping to swim and catch some sun. Take a river trip through the jungle areas, rice fields and sugar cane plantations and discover animals that are native to the shores of the Rio Corobici. The Palo Verde National Park stretches along one bank of the Rio Tempisque. It features the densest population of water fowl in the whole of Costa Rica and is one of the best areas for bird watching in Central America - almost 300 species of bird have been identified here. The best vantage point to see them is on a boat trip through the mangroves.
Day 11 - Days 12 & 13 - San Juan del Sur
The beautiful colonial city of Granada lies at the foot of the Mombacho volcano and on the western bank of Lake Nicaragua, the largest lake in Central America with its own archipelago of around 300 islands. The country's oldest town, it was founded by the Spanish in 1524. It was often attacked by pirates in colonial times due to its growing wealth as one of the most important trading places. This important historic legacy has received special protection, and the place is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The old city around the Parque Centrale is a magnificently restored treasure with its splendid Spanish facades, Cathedral and monasteries.
Day 12 - Day 14 - At Sea
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Day 13 - Day 15 - Puntarenas
Disembarkation.
Day 14 - Please Note:
Itinerary subject to change!

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
20-12-201803-01-2019EUR €0GTY Double Cabin
20-12-201803-01-2019EUR €0Category F Upper/Lower Beds
20-12-201803-01-2019EUR €0Category E
20-12-201803-01-2019EUR €0GTY Single Cabin
20-12-201803-01-2019EUR €0Category D
20-12-201803-01-2019EUR €0Category C
20-12-201803-01-2019EUR €0Category B
20-12-201803-01-2019EUR €0Category A

Inclusions

    • Costa Rica’s Pacific coast: perfect sailing waters
    • Panama City and the Panama Canal
    • The picture-perfect beaches of Costa Rica and Panama
    • The most beautiful national parks in Panama and Costa Rica
    • Granada – a UNESCO World Heritage Site
    • A lecturer accompanies the trip

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