trip specifics

price

2010	A	AA	AAA	Deluxe
Jan	$4199	$4699	$5049	$5499
Feb - Mar 16	$4299	$4799	$5149	$5599
Mar 25 -Nov 8	$3999	$4499	$4849	$5299
Dec	$4499	$4999	$5349	$5799

No single supplement for 2010

2011	A	AA	AAA	Deluxe
Jan	$4199	$4699	$5049	$5499
Feb- Mar9	$4299	$4799	$5149	$5599
Mar18&27	$3999	$4499	$4849	$5299
Oct29-Nov	$4099	$4599	$4999	$5399
Dec.	$4599	$5099	$5499	$5899

Cradled between two continents and two seas lies a land as wild and primeval as any on earth. Protected in this tiny isthmus are more species of wildlife and flora than any other place on the planet. Volcanoes seethe, cloud forests flourish and turquoise bays, once hideouts for pirates, teem with marine life.

The narrow link of land that connects North and South America is unique on earth, and our small-ship voyages offer unparalleled access to the animals, plants and indigenous people who call this region home.

On the 100-guest Pacific Explorer, you'll visit ports of call and remote landings the big ships pass by. And with a limited number of fellow travelers, your experience both on board and ashore is up-close, casual, and very personal, whether you're meeting the Embera Indians of Panama's Darien Jungle or seeking wildlife in Costa Rica.

Our Zodiac inflatable excursion crafts take you right to remote bays and deserted shorelines, close enough to the water to trail your fingers in the sea as you watch for blue-footed boobies, red-billed oystercatchers, and magnificent frigate birds.

On the edge of Panama's Darién Jungle, you step from a Zodiac launch onto a huge gnarled root in the streambank. A tattooed man, the headman of the Emberá village, welcomes you ashore with a smile and a handshake.

Thanks to our expert Costa Rican naturalists and local contacts, you're given a true insider's view of this magical world. Come with us on your own voyage of discovery to this beautiful tropical wonderland.

Panama Canal and Costa Rica Cruises - Sail the beautiful pristine beach and jungle river-lined coastline between the Caribbean Sea and Manuel Antonio National Park, swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, taking nature walks and exploring by inflatable craft along the way. Venture into national parks and conservation areas teeming with wildlife, and visit remote communities where locals live, colorful and proud, in their ancient ways.

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Day 1 - Arrive in Panama - Embark Pacific Explorer

Transfer from the Panama City airport to Colon on the Caribbean coast to board the Pacific Explorer. Begin your Between Two Seas small ship cruise.

Accommodations: Pacific Explorer
Included Meals: dinner

Day 2 - Portobelo

Enjoy a guided walk in Portobelo today. Discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1502, this was once one of the richest ports of the Spanish Main. Tons of gold and silver treasure flowed through this tiny port en route to the Spanish king. The Portobelo harbor was protected by huge stone forts, which may have slowed down but did not stop pirates. Sir Francis Drake used the port in 1570 as a base to rob Spanish merchantmen. He returned in the 1590s and promptly destroyed the beginnings of Spannish fortifications. Henry Morgan raided in 1668 and British Admiral Vernon destroyed Portobelo's forts in 1793.

Our naturalists will lead a tour through Portobelo pointing out some of its historic sights. After lunch and tides permitting, explore a mangrove forest by inflatable excursion craft, looking for sloth, monkeys and snowy egrets.

Accommodations: Pacific Explorer
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3 - Panama Canal

Come eye-to-eye with one of the most acclaimed engineering marvels in the world, which employs over 9,000 workers. The Canal is over 50 miles long with a minimum depth of 41 feet. A ship traveling from New York to San Francisco saves 7,872 miles using the Panama Canal instead of going around South America. Approximately 14,000 ships pass through the Canal each year. Each ship pays according to the weight of the ship, with the average cost being about $30,000.

Transiting the Panama Canal is an unforgettable experience, especially aboard a small ship like the Pacific Explorer. The Canal has 3 sets of double locks: Miraflores and Pedro Miguel Locks on the Pacific side and Gatun Locks on the Atlantic side. A series of locks act as aquatic elevators by opening doors that let the lock either fill with water or drain. As the water level rises, a ship is raised. Each door of each lock weighs 80 tons, yet they float and thus require only about 40 watts of power to open and close. Gravity does all the necessary water transfer, so the lock process uses no pumps.

During our transit, we will have a Panama Canal Authority pilot onboard, who will guide our Captain throughout the whole trip. Average transit time is 8-10 hours. Also during transit there will be line handlers who come onboard to connect our ship to locomotives called mules to pull us through the 1,000-foot-long and 110-foot-wide lock chambers.

International maritime law gives priority to commercial freighters and the Pacific Explorer will likely transit the Canal in the late afternoon or evening. Cruise West has included a daytime visit to the Miraflores Locks Visitor Center, only steps away from the Canal. The Center tells the ongoing Panama Canal story through up-close observation of transiting vessels, details about canal operations, a collection of historic artifacts, and information about the biodiversity of the region. The schedule for this visit varies.

Accommodations: Pacific Explorer
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4 - Darien Jungle

As we make our way toward the Darién Jungle, we hope to see whales, dolphins and marine birds. Some dolphins, including bottle-nosed and pantropical spotted dolphins, will often rush to the bow and surf the pressure wave that the ship creates as we pass through the water.

The Darién Jungle represents 5 ecological zones of tropical forest from the high elevations to lowlands, with about 10,000 known species of plants. Of the over 900 resident species of Panamanian land birds, the majority are found in the Darién. Listen for the roars of howler monkeys, the screeches of parrots and macaws and look for black mangrove hawks soaring above. The jungle is also home of the harpy eagle, the national bird of Panama.

Visit a remote Emberá village tucked away on the southwest coast of the Darién Jungle. The Emberá people openly welcome us as friends. They will perform native dancing with traditional music. The women will show the baskets they make, tightly woven, exquisitely shaped and adorned with traditional patterns. The men will pull out a piece of rag wrapped around delicately carved animals cut in Tagua, a palm fruit sometimes called vegetable ivory for its resemblance to polished horn material..

Accommodations: Pacific Explorer
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Days 5-6 - Granito de Oro and Coiba National Park

Some of the richest waters of Central America's Pacific coast can be found here, plus the largest expanse of lowland tropical forest, 80% of which is largely untouched, primary forest. The park includes Panama's biggest island and is one of its newest protected areas, established in 1991. In the early 1900s it was a maximum security prison and before that, it was used for many years as a hideaway for pirates. Pre-Columbian remains dating from around A.D. 500 have been found there.

A preliminary study of the marine life here during 1997 identified 69 species of fish, like white-tipped reef sharks, manta rays and the comical puffer fish. To date, 147 species of birds have been identified, including scarlet macaws. The Coiba Spinetail, a little brown-and-white bird, is found only on the islands in Coiba National Park. Coiba Spinetails are mainly arboreal and prefer dense tangles of vines and leaves where they forage, climbing through the denser cover rather than over the more open branches. Coiba Park's marine animals include 23 species of whales and dolphins, including humpback, sperm and killer whales, which inhabit its waters year round.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site of pristine waters and abundant sea life makes this one of the top 10 diving locations in the world. Enjoy a day of island snorkeling and kayaking. Please keep in mind that the underwater world is a very sensitive marine environment. Coiba National Park has the second largest coral reef in the Central-Eastern Pacific Ocean. Coral is actually an animal and grows very slowly. Stepping on coral can kill what has taken literally years to grow. Coral can also give you a painful, slow-healing cut, so it is best to avoid contact with it.

Accommodations: Pacific Explorer
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7 - Gulfo Dulce

Take a guided tour through the beautiful gardens at Casa Orquideas or "Orchid House." Casa Orquideas is a private botanical garden cultivated by long-time local residents, who have lovingly landscaped this homestead for over 20 years. They have amassed a wonderful collection of tropical fruit trees, bromeliads, cycads, palms, heliconias, ornamental plants and more than 100 varieties of orchids. See, smell, and touch a wide variety of beautiful ornamental plants and taste some unusual fruits.

In the afternoon take a walk in search of wildlife. Look for toucans, monkeys and maybe even a snake. If you prefer a quiet afternoon on your own, stay onboard and relax on the Sun Deck.

Accommodations: Pacific Explorer
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8 - Corcovado Conservation Area

Discover a pristine rainforest, populated by a number of endangered species including puma, tapir, poison dart frogs, crocodile, jaguar, and marine turtles. It is home to the largest population of scarlet macaws in Costa Rica. Close to 400 species of birds have been seen here. There are also around 140 mammals and over 500 species of trees. Giant trees draped with vines and lianas and supported by massive buttress roots tower over the forest floor. Corcovado is inundated with nearly 20 feet of rain a year and is technically known as a very humid tropical lowland rainforest. Guided hikes will be offered, of varying degrees of difficulty. Lunch is a picnic on the beach, weather permitting.

Accommodations: Pacific Explorer
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 9 - Manuel Antonio National Park

This park was created in 1972 and consists of 3 magnificent white-sand beaches that are backed by a jungle sheltering hundreds of fascinating plant species. Naturalists lead walks to outstanding wildlife viewing. There are over 109 mammal species and 184 species of birds here. Watch for monkeys, iguanas, agoutis, sloth, and the rare turquoise cotinga.

Manuel Antonio offers well-maintained trails where you can explore the jungle on your own or join a walk with one of our naturalists. You may wish to see the small shopping area, relax on the white-sand beach or take a swim.

Accommodations: Pacific Explorer
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 10 - Disembark the Pacific Explorer

Disembark at Los Sueños and transfer to the San José Airport for your flight home.

Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals:

Reverse Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Costa Rica, D
Day 2 Manuel Antonio National Park, BLD
Day 3 Corcovado National Park, BLD
Day 4 Golfo Dulce, BLD
Day 5 Coiba National Park, BLD
Day 6 Coiba National Park, BLD
Day 7 Darien Jungle, BLD
Day 8 Panama Canal, BLD
Day 9 Portobelo, BLD
Day 10 Disembark


Cocos Island Itinerary

In 2010 the Pacific Explorer will also sail on 7 day departures to Cocos Island, Costa Rica. This unique itinerary features marine and island exploration and it begins and ends in San Jose, Costa Rica. Explore Cocos Island by zodiac, sea kayak, and on foot. The marine environment, made famous by Jacques Cousteau is among the best places to snorkel in the world.


Departure Dates:

Jan 24-30 2010
Apr 12-18 2010

Day 1 Arrive Costa Rica, D
Day 2 At Sea, BLD
Day 3 Explore Cocos Island, BLD
Day 4 Explore Cocos Island, BLD
Day 5 Explore Cocos Island, BLD
Day 6 At Sea, BLD
Day 7 Disembark, B

View Costa Rica Cruise Video:


Notes on Itinerary: We may occasionally alter itineraries slightly for safety, or to take advantage of weather, wildlife, and unplanned discoveries. Our ability to be spontaneous makes our style of cruising unique.

Single Travelers: If you are traveling alone and wish to share accommodations, we will guarantee double occupancy rates in Categories AA and AAA on the Pacific Explorer. Triple cabins can be booked in the Deluxe cabin category. Please call for triple rates.

Land Cost Includes: Taxes, port charges, fees and on board services. On board gratuities are neither required nor expected; all airport/ hotel transfers; cruise including all meals while aboard and an experienced naturalist guides.

Not Included: Airfare to/from Panama and Costa Rica; excess baggage charges; items of a personal nature such as alcoholic beverages, laundry fees and insurance of any kind.

Arrival and Departure For trips starting in Panama City, Panama and ending in San Jose, Costa Rica: Plan to arrive at the airport (PTY) by 1:30pm on Day 1. On Day 10, the final day of the cruise, please do not schedule return flights until after 2:00pm. For trips starting in San Jose, Costa Rica and ending in Panama City, Panama: Plan to arrive at the airport (SJO) by 1:30pm on Day 1. On Day 10, the final day of the cruise, please do not schedule return flights until after 2:00pm.

Payment and Cancellation Policy: A deposit of 20% of the trip total cost per person is required to confirm a reservation, with final payment due 90 days prior to departure. Cancellations received prior to departure are subject to cancellation penalties per person. Please see AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions.

We highly recommend our travelers
protect their investment with comprehensive Trip Cancellation and Insurance

Accommodations Aboard: Your comfortable home-base throughout Panama and Costa Rica will be aboard the Pacific Explorer. This vessel takes 100 guests and features comfortable cabins, view windows, private bathroom, dining room, lounge, sun deck, viewing platforms and more. The vessels are casual - the food delicious - and the staff friendly and helpful. Click on the 'Accommodations' link for full vessel information.

Qualifications: This trip will be enjoyed by anyone who is in good health and leads an active life. Excursions from the boat to the land is facilitated by inflatable crafts and our unique bow-landing staircase. Trip members will hike from the landing point to specific areas for wildlife observation. Hiking time for most landings will be a couple of hours roundtrip with lots of time to stop to study, photograph and enjoy the flora and fauna.

Extending Your Trip: Call AdventureSmith Explorations about the possibilities of extending your trip in Costa Rica or Panama. We offer custom extensions to Manuel Antonio National Park, Arenal Volcano, Monteverde Cloud Forest, Corcovado National Park, Tortuguero National Park, and many other great options.

General Information: This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations 'Terms & Conditions'. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A packing list, extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information is sent upon confirmation. We strongly recommend the purchase of Trip Insurance through AdventureSmith Explorations. If purchased within 14 days of sign-up, the pre-existing condition exclusion is waived.

Photo Credit: Cruise West

† Photographers' Cruise Details: Co-hosted by PENTAX professional photographers, both cruises include special field events and onboard workshops as well as a full menu of standard activities. Whether novice or seasoned photographers and regardless of the brand of camera you use, you will receive valuable, hands-on instruction on everything from image composition and digital image management to tips on how to be in the "right place at the right time". You will also enjoy access to a variety of the newest PENTAX products.

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Call today.


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