fbpx

Peregrine Travel Centre

Big Central American Adventure

Big Central American Adventure

From AUD $13,520

Book Now Request a callback
Email Us Print

Description

An extraordinary, holistic expedition
Experience all the wildness and beauty of Costa Rica and Panama on a sweeping adventure through the canal, along the coasts, and inland to a mist-shrouded cloud forest, volcano, lake, and a car-free, jungle village.

Exhilarating coastal adventures
First explore aboard the versatile National Geographic Quest, with a variety of expedition tools. You’ll walk in the rain forest, kayak through mangrove forests, search for whales and dolphins in an expedition landing craft, and transit the Panama Canal—a modern wonder of the world. Snorkel at Isla Coiba, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with some of the best reefs in the Eastern Pacific.

An extensive inland exploration
Following your expedition, travel to dramatic Monteverde cloud forest for naturalist-guided walks in the rain forest reserve. Walk suspension bridges along Arenal Volcano, active since 1968. Visit a family owned, third-generation coffee farm with a chance to pick coffee cherries during a tour of the grounds. Drive to Lake Arenal, which we cross in small boats.

Wild Tortuguero: The Caribbean coast
After a short charter flight and a lake crossing by private boat, you’ll find yourself in remote, wild Tortuguero National Park. Stay in a rustic lodge at the water’s edge, wander the narrow streets of the car-free village where the rain forest pushes in from all sides. Experience the wildness on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica by venturing into the narrow canals that let us navigate deep into the park in search of monkeys, caiman, and tropical birds.

Travel with an exceptional team
Explore with the largest, most knowledgeable expedition team in the region. With one naturalist for every 12 guests, you’re ensured more access and varied points of view. With no assigned groups, you are free to experience the different personalities and specialties of our staff. They know these trails and coastlines well, adding insight, depth, and clarity to each landing. Our naturalists are adept at spotting wildlife and our photo instructors will help you with camera settings in the jungle and aboard ship. Their enthusiasm for the region and its biodiversity is contagious.

Trip Name
Big Central American Adventure
Days
15
Overview
Vessel Type: Expedition Ship Length: 72 metres Passenger Capacity: 100 guests (in 50 cabins) Built: 2017 Designed with decades of expedition experience in the region, National Geographic Quest more than comfortably accommodates 100 guests in 50 cabins. Her twin expedition craft landing platform allow us to rapidly get on and off the ship to take advantage of wildlife sightings and to ensure we maximize our time off the ship exploring. Created with a shallow draft, Quest draws only nine feet of water allowing her to sail into places where much larger ships cannot go. PUBLIC AREAS: Global gallery; fitness centre; LEXspa; lounge with full service bar and facilities for films and presentations; observation deck; mudroom with lockers for expedition gear, and a partially covered sundeck with chairs and tables. Our ‘open bridge’ provides guests an opportunity to meet our officers and captain and learn about navigation. MEALS: Served in single seatings with unassigned tables for an informal atmosphere and easy mingling. Breakfast is a wide selection buffet and dinner is served family-style. Menu emphasises local fare. CABINS: All cabins face outside with windows or portholes, private facilities and climate controls. Some cabins have balconies. EXPEDITION EQUIPMENT: Expedition landing craft, a fleet of 24 kayaks, Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), hydrophone, splashcam, underwater video camera, video microscope, snorkelling gear for all guests (where applicable). SPECIAL FEATURES: Guest internet access, elevator, National Geographic certified photo instructor, a video chronicler and undersea specialist. WELLNESS: The vessel is staffed by a Wellness Specialist and features a gym with an elliptical machine, treadmill, exercycles, handweights and resistance bands. Treatments in the LEXspa are available by appointment.

Itinerary



Day 1 - DAY 1: Panama City, Panama/Colón/N.G. Quest
Upon arrival in Panama City, drive to Colón to board National Geographic Quest and set sail for the first part of our Panama Canal transit anchoring in Gatún Lake. This unique interruption makes us one of the few ships that make the crossing in two days, as well as the only ship permitted the exclusive opportunity to explore impressive Barro Colorado, which we visit tomorrow.
Day 2 - DAY 2: Barro Colorado/Panama Canal Transit
In the morning, we’ll board expedition landing craft for Barro Colorado Nature Monument in Gatún Lake. This island has been the primary Smithsonian center for tropical rain forest study since 1946, and we are very proud to have special permission to visit the facilities at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. Meet some of the scientists and learn about their work before we re-board to continue our crossing. Often we have the opportunity to cross part of the Canal during the day, and another when it is dramatically lit at night.
Day 3 - DAY 3: Gulf of Panama Islets
This archipelago of islands due south of Panama City has a storied past — pearls, conquistadors, buccaneers, and so much more. We’ll explore the turquoise waters via expedition landing craft or kayak, where dolphins and whales have been spotted. We may also observe magnificent frigate birds, brown pelicans, neotropic cormorants, and brown boobies.
Day 4 - DAY 4: Isla Coiba National Park
Isla Coiba is one of Panama’s most remote national parks, where you may hike tropical, moist forest trails, swim, snorkel amid tropical fish and try stand up paddle boarding. Our staff will assist both novice and expert snorkelers alike. For those preferring a drier clime, Naturalists take underwater footage, which animates our evening gathering in the lounge.
Day 5 - DAY 5: Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica
Today we make our first landfall in Costa Rica. At Casa Orquídeas, a privately-owned garden accessible only by boat and special invitation, see a profusion of orchids; and look for tanagers, parrots and gaudy toucans. Later, explore the bay of Golfo Dulce, ideal for kayaking, stand up paddle boarding. expedition landing craft cruises and wimming.
Day 6 - DAY 6: Osa Peninsula & Corcovado National Park
National Geographic Quest anchors off the remote Osa Peninsula and the environs of Corcovado National Park. Our exact landing spot for the day will depend on sea conditions. You may swim in waterfall pools, horseback ride or join a expedition landing craft cruise. Trek through the rain forest for a chance to see three species of monkeys in one day: howler, spider and squirrel!
Day 7 - DAY 7: Manuel Antonio National Park
The abundant wildlife here is most active in the early morning, so we are sure to get an early start. Monkeys or vividly colored birds can be easy to spot, but it often takes the expert eye of a Naturalist to point out lethargic three-toed sloths. In the afternoon, we explore Costa Rica’s beautiful coast where we’ll find a great spot for a final hike or swim.
Day 8 - DAY 8: Herradura/Monteverde
Disembark National Geographic Quest and head to Carara National Park, where the less dense rain forests make for easy bird sightings. Lunch at a local restaurant before venturing to the nearby Bat Jungle exhibit or hearing from an early Quaker settler of Monteverde. We’ll check in to a family-owned retreat with privacy, expansive lawns and picturesque views of the cloud forest.
Day 9 - DAY 9: Monteverde
Breakfast at the hotel before visiting a butterfly farm where we’ll have the opportunity to see dozens of local species in a short time. After lunch, we’ll tour the Monteverde reserve with trained Naturalists, relying on their expertise to spot mantled howler monkeys and possibly the rare Resplendent Quetzal.
Day 10 - DAY 10: Monteverde/Arenal
We'll enjoy breakfast at the hotel and then visit a family-owned farm practicing sustainable agriculture and traditional sugar processing. A local guide will give us a walking tour of the farm and accompany us as we see the original trapiche sugar press. We'll have a chance to sample the local sugar cane liquor called guaro. After the tour, we'll drive to Lake Arenal, which we'll cross in 40-passenger boats landing at a restaurant on the lake's far side. Afterwards, we will check into an elegant hotel surrounded by gardens and pastures with grazing animals, and every room offers a panoramic view of the smoldering Arenal volcano.
Day 11 - DAY 11: Arenal Volcano
Walk the Arenal Hanging Bridges strung more than 3 kilometers through the rain forest canopy, and then explore the Arenal bridges winding through the dense forest. In the evening, relax in thermal pools naturally heated by the volcano.
Day 12 - DAY 12: Arenal/Tortuguero
Transfer from your hotel to the Arenal airstrip for a charter flight to Tortuguero, a spectacular lowland forest on Costa Rica’s northeast coast, accessible only by water or air. A short boat ride brings you to the rustic Aninga Lodge, set on the water’s edge. Settle into your accommodations in charming private bungalows raised above the rain forest floor and enjoy lunch at the lodge’s restaurant. The lodge also has swimming pools and a walking trail to take advantage of. Later, explore the canals of Tortuguero National Park in small boats with your naturalist guides. Be on the lookout for howler, spider and capuchin monkeys as well as caiman, ibis, tiger herons, curassow and myriad other bird species. Dine tonight at the lodge restaurant, nestled in the middle of the rain forest.
Day 13 - DAY 13: Tortuguero
Set out by boat to explore more of Tortuguero National Park’s canals. You can choose guided boats or go by kayak for a more personal exploration. In the early afternoon, you’ll have free time to enjoy the lodge’s amenities such as the pool or optional spa treatments before visiting the Sea Turtle Conservancy. There you’ll learn about the history of the region and important conservation work taking place on Tortuguero’s beaches. Later, stroll through the car-less village to see small shops before dining at Miss Junies, a restaurant with a rich heritage and Afro-Caribbean flair.
Day 14 - DAY 14: Tortuguero/San José
En route to San José, stop to visit Sibú Chocolatier, makers of some of the world’s finest organic chocolate. Learn the Aztec & Mayan history of the cacao plant and enjoy a workshop on preparing chocolate. The day ends with a farewell dinner.
Day 15 - DAY 15: San José/Home
Transfer to the San José airport for flights home.
Day 16 - Please Note:
All day-by-day breakdowns are a sampling of the places we intend to visit, conditions permitting.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
23-03-202006-04-2020AUD $13,520Category 1
23-03-202006-04-2020AUD $14,290Category 2
23-03-202006-04-2020AUD $14,800Category 3
23-03-202006-04-2020AUD $15,830Category 4
23-03-202006-04-2020AUD $16,990Category 5
23-03-202006-04-2020AUD $18,040Category 1 Single
23-03-202006-04-2020AUD $19,200Category 2 Single

Inclusions

    • Explore the Pacific and Caribbean sides of Costa Rica, inland rain forests, mountains, and see wonderful wildlife
    • Transit the Panama Canal, with an exclusive visit to the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute at Barro Colorado Island
    • Kayak, snorkel, swim, hike—actively explore every day
    • Hike through the mist-shrouded cloud forest reserve in Monteverde and enjoy great bird watching
    • Walk suspension bridges in the dense forest surrounding Arenal Volcano and relax in nearby hot springs
    • Visit the remote, car-less town of Tortuguero and venture through rain-forest-shrouded canals in small boats.

Map

Related products

Recent Blog Posts

Browse Trips in

Panama
More of activity:
South & Central America Cruises