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| The Panama Canal and Costa Rica
An 11-Day tour starting from $5,490
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| About This Tour | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NEW for 2008! A cruise aboard the yacht Le Levant explores the ecological diversity of Costa Rica, pristine islands in the Pacific and Caribbean, remote villages, and the incomparable traversing of the Panama Canal – with informative lectures by on-board naturalists and Tauck Directors. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Feature Dining: 10 Breakfasts, 9 Lunches & 9 Dinners
Unique and Distinguished Hotels in the Best Locations: Night 1,2,3 Costa Rica Marriott Hotel: San José, Costa Rica Night 4-9 Aboard Le Levant: Cruising the Panama Canal Night 10 InterContinental Miramar Panama: Panama City, Panama Insightful Tour Directors During your travels, you have the pleasurable advantage of being with a Tauck Tour Director who is fully knowledgeable about the destination, its history and its culture. You can relax knowing that you are accompanied by a professional who manages the flow of events... a problem-solver (in the unlikely event a problem should arise)... an insider who saves you precious time... and a friend who will help transform your trip into a truly memorable journey. Every Travel Expense is Included When you travel with Tauck, you’ll save up to 40% on the cost of traveling the same itinerary on your own. What’s more, virtually every major travel expense is included: Along with most meals, your hotel accommodations, cruises, sightseeing, admissions to museums, galleries and theaters – even taxes and port charges – are built into the price of your trip. Guests are often delightfully surprised at how much is included. You can practically leave your wallet at home! A Tauck vacation offers you both superb quality and extraordinary value.
Westbound Itinerary
Day 1. Arrive San José Tour Begins: Costa Rica Marriott Hotel, San José. You’ll be met upon arrival at San José – Juan Santamaria International Airport and transferred to your first night’s hotel, Costa Rica Marriott Hotel, set on a 30-acre coffee plantation. After you’ve settled in, spend the remainder of the day and evening as you please. Dinner is at leisure tonight, with a choice of two restaurants. Meals D Day 2. Volcano Irazú / Welcome Dinner Travel to Volcano Irazú National Park, Costa Rica’s largest volcano. Walk to the rim to observe the fumaroles and cones of this eerie, barren landscape. Please join us this evening for a welcome cocktail reception, featuring local entertainment, which is followed by dinner. Your hacienda-style hotel is noted for superb views. Meals BLD Day 3. Butterfly Observatory Travel to La Paz Waterfall Gardens featuring five cascading waterfalls; a hike along uphill pathways and steps leads to viewing platforms. There is plenty to see for the less adventurous – within the Gardens lies the Hummingbird Garden, where you can enjoy the antics of 16 different species, as well as the Butterfly Observatory, the largest observatory of its kind in the world – it is home to hundreds of brilliantly-colored butterflies. Costa Rica’s fertile, volcanic soil is ideal for coffee growing; visit one of the country’s famed coffee plantations on your way back to San José to discover the secrets of this important export. Spend the evening as you please. Meals BL Day 4. San José / Sarchi / • Embark Le Levant A tour of San José takes you to the National Museum, the National Theatre or Parque Nacional, depending on the day of the week that you are visiting. Depart San José midday and travel to the picturesque village of Sarchi, a center for wood crafts and decoration; it is particularly known for the production and painting of traditional ox carts. Arrive in Caldera and board Le Levant for the start of your 6-night cruise to the remote islands off the shores of Costa Rica and Panama. Meals BLD • Day 5. Marenco Biological Reserve Disembark Le Levant this morning for an excursion to Marenco Biological Reserve on the isolated Osa Peninsula, which is a rainforest ecological treasure trove. Transfer by local boat to the beach, where your naturalists guide you on a tropical trail hike adjacent to the reserve; learn about the ecosystems and wildlife of this pristine region, perhaps sighting toucans and scarlet macaws who make their homes in the beautiful, tropical vegetation. You’ll also have an opportunity to swim in a natural freshwater stream that lies between the rainforest and the ocean’s shore before returning to the ship. Please join us for the Captain’s dinner this evening as Le Levant makes its way to beautiful Coiba Island. Meals BLD • Day 6. Coiba Island National Park Arrive at Granita del Oro, a tiny island that is ideal for snorkeling over the colorful coral reef. Due to its remote location, unspoiled Coiba Island, named a national park in 1993, remains pristine and virtually untouched by visitors. Le Levant anchors off the secluded white sand beach, where Zodiacs bring you ashore for what is often a wet landing. This relaxing island paradise is the ideal spot for water activities, including snorkeling. You’ll have a chance to do some swimming, and enjoy an outdoor barbecue, before setting sail for the Darien Province. Meals BLD • Day 7. Explore the Darien Province Experience Panama’s remote Darien Province today, one of the most ecologically diverse regions of Central America. Take a fascinating excursion to a remote village nestled on the banks of the Mogue River, and get an up-close look at daily life. Today’s active adventure includes traveling upriver by cayucos, motorized canoe-like fishing boats, followed by a short hike on rough terrain to one of the isolated villages found in this region; most of these villages are largely unaffected by modern times. Learn about the routines of everyday life in the jungle; witness the cultural traditions of local villagers, including their traditional dance, and view their cocobolo wood and tagua vegetable ivory carvings. This will be a day you’ll long remember! Return to Le Levant, and set sail for your transit through the Panama Canal. Meals BLD • Day 8. Transit the Panama Canal Opened in 1914, the Panama Canal is one of mankind’s most incredible endeavors. Aboard Le Levant, freely view the canal crossing from the open decks. It is approximately a ten-hour journey from the Pacific Ocean to the Caribbean Sea, during which time Le Levant enters three sets of locks – Miraflores, Pedro Miguel and the Gatún locks – and is raised and lowered a total of 85 ft. A local Panama Canal guide will provide commentary as Le Levant makes its way through the canal, which was one of the most challenging and difficult engineering projects ever undertaken – and today is one of the world’s most important shipping routes. While exact transit time through this 51-mile long canal cannot be guaranteed, your crossing is sure to be a treasured highlight of this cruise, any time of the day or night. Meals BLD • Day 9. Discover the San Blas Islands The 365 small, tropical islands of San Blas Province, home to the Kuna Indians, are blessed with beautiful beaches and swaying palm trees. These little-known islands are truly reminiscent of a South Seas paradise! Only a small number of the islands are inhabited; visit Achutupo Island, where you will visit a local village and meet the Kuna Indians. You’ll examine their hand-crafted molas, which are elaborately embroidered cloths depicting birds, animals, and mythical figures in cutwork applique. You may have an opportunity to swim and snorkel. Meals BLD 10. Disembark Colón / Panama City A morning arrival in Colón, Panama, signals the end of your cruise. Travel to the Gamboa Rainforest Resort where it’s your choice of either an aerial tram ride with a naturalist, or a boat cruise with a naturalist. Have a buffet luncheon overlooking the river and the canal, featuring Panamanian food. Visit Miraflores Locks, southernmost and tallest of the three sets of locks on the Panama Canal. Arrive in Panama City for a sightseeing orientation tour that takes you through the modern section of the city, which is positioned to be a trading capital for the region. Please join us this evening for a farewell reception and dinner, marking the end of this extraordinary journey that was part adventure, part learning, and total enjoyment from sunrise to sundown! Meals BLD 11. Journey Home Tour ends: Panama City, Panama. A transfer from the InterContinental Miramar Panama to Tocumen International Airport is included. Allow a minimum of 2 1/2 hours for flight check-in. Meals B
Complete Transit of the Panama Canal
Journey across the Panama Canal on a ten-hour adventure that is a “must-do” for any world traveler! Explore The Darien Travel by motorized dugout canoes to the remote village of Mogue in the Darien Province for a rare glimpse of daily life; this experience is cited by guests as transformational, one that’s never forgotten. Delight in the Butterfly Observatory Explore La Paz Waterfall Gardens, the amazing Butterfly Observatory – largest observatory of its kind in the world – and the Hummingbird Garden. Volcano Irazú National Park Hike along the barren landscape surrounding Costa Rica’s tallest volcano amidst craters, cones and fumaroles. Cruise aboard Le Levant Exclusive to Tauck, Le Levant was built in 1998, setting a new standard in small-ship cruising. Her gracious design is accented by well-balanced interior decor. She boasts five decks that include a 95-seat panoramic restaurant, 95-seat indoor restaurant, library, two bars, elevator, hair salon, sauna, swimming pool, and boutique. She is equipped with four anti-roll stabilizers to provide smooth sailing, and is ideal for cruising the waterways of the Panama Canal as well as the small islands and hidden coves of the Pacific Ocean. Le Levant accommodates up to 90 guests in 45 handsomely appointed, all-outside staterooms, approximately 188 sq. ft. Large picture windows provide panoramic views from the comfort of each room. They feature a private teak and marble bathroom with shower, individually controlled air conditioning, satellite television, VCR, mini-bar, personal safe, hi-fi radio, and twin or double beds, and are equipped with standard European 220-volt electric outlets. All tour prices are per person, in US dollars, based on double occupancy in Champlain Deck.
2008 Rates Single Occupancy Rate = $9,020 Triple Occupancy Rate = $5,140 2009 Westbound Rates Champlain Deck: Single Occupancy = $9,690 Triple Occupancy = $5540 La Perouse Deck: Single Occupancy = $9,990 Triple Occupancy = $5,840 Bougainville Deck: Single Occupancy = $10,490 Triple Occupancy N/A 2009 Eastbound Rates Champlain Deck: Single Occupancy = $9,490 Triple Occupancy = $5,340 La Perouse Deck: Single Occupancy = $9,790 Triple Occupancy = $5,640 Bougainville Deck: Single Occupancy = $10,290 Triple Occupancy N/A |
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| Note: All prices are per person, double occupancy, subject to availability. These pages are not endorsed or supported by the tour operator in any way. All information presented is based on promotional material provided by the tour operator. All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates are subject to change without notice and at any time by the tour operators. Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. The prices on this website are not guaranteed. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in pricing. Please call us toll free at 1-800-942-3301 to confirm availability and pricing. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||