MS Caledonian Sky - Noble Caledonia

The Secret Worlds of Two Oceans
A voyage through the Panama Canal linking the natural wonders
of Costa Rica, Panama and Ecuador
6th to 18th November 2012
That great engineering feat, the Panama Canal, makes an
itinerary such as this possible. We start on the Caribbean Coast
of Costa Rica and make our way down to Panama and across
to the Pacific side of Panama and Costa Rica before heading
out into the ocean to the little known Cocos island. This
tiny dot on the map is the tip of a volcano and shares many
wildlife similarities with its island neighbour to the south, the
Galapagos Islands. Like the Galapagos, many species have
evolved here after their arrival, growing into distinct forms
that are not found anywhere else in the world.
The first portion of our voyage
concentrates on Costa Rica
and Panama, an area rich
in the wonders of the natural world
both on land and sea. It is an area
becoming increasingly popular with
travellers from the UK because of its
natural beauty and diverse range of
flora and fauna. In Costa Rica, one
of the most advanced countries in
Central America, there is so much
to see. Mist shrouded cloud forests,
lush rainforests, fast flowing rivers,
seemingly endless white sandy
beaches and a simply spectacular
wildlife of forest mammals, turtles,
iguanas, frogs, butterflies and some
850 species of birds.
Neighbouring Panama also offers
marvellous wildlife together with
indigenous cultures in remote
jungle and island locations and the
navigation of the Panama Canal
alongside vast cargo vessels is a sight
not to be missed. The swashbuckling
history of the Spanish Main adds
another dimension. Spanish
exploitation and the riches plundered
from South American gold and the
resulting pirate ring all make a visit to
Pacific and Caribbean Panama a great
experience.
In Ecuador we will land at Manta for a
day in the Machalilla National Park, a
protected coastal haven for over 200
species of birds and wildlife. There
will also be time to explore Manta,
founded by the conquistadors in 1535.
Our cruise ends in the Ecuadorian port
Bocas del Toro
of Guayaquil from where you have the
option of visiting the Galapagos Islands
for a few days or returning to the UK.
The Itinerary
Day 1 - London Heathrow to San
Jose, Costa Rica. Fly by scheduled
indirect flight. Upon arrival transfer
to the Real Intercontinental hotel or
similar for an overnight stay.
Day 2 - San José to Puerto Limon.
Morning visit to the Gold Museum
and brief city tour of San José. After
lunch join the scenic drive through the
hills to Puerto Limon on the Caribbean
coast. Embark MS Caledonian Sky and
sail in the early evening.
Day 3 - Bocas del Toro, Panama.
Bordered by Costa Rica to the west,
the Caribbean Sea to the north and
the Cordillera Central mountains
to the south, the pristine islands of
Bocas del Toro are part of a marine
PA C I F I C O C E A N
C A R I B B E A N S E A
COSTA RICA Puerto Limon
San Jose
Bocas del Toro
Golfo
Dulce PANAMA
Panama Canal
V
Isla Coiba
Cocos Island
Machalilla National Park
national park and are simply beautiful.
Visit the town of Bocas del Toro
on Isla Colon, a charming place
untouched by mass tourism.
Day 4 - Panama Canal transit. A
highlight of the expedition, the
Panama Canal transit takes between
eight and ten hours including crossing
Lake Gatun, one of the largest manmade
lakes in the world. A daylight
transit cannot be guaranteed as cargo
vessels have priority. Depending on
our schedule we hope to visit either
the vibrant metropolis of Panama City
or the once important 17th century
trading and military Caribbean port of
Portobello with its defensive forts and
burial site of Sir Francis Drake.
Day 5 - Isla Coiba. After a morning
at sea we land on this once infamous
prison island, now a National Park
that has reverted to an island
paradise. Explore some of the 38 tiny
Manta
ECUADOR
Guayaquil
COLOMBIA
For many Cocos
Island will be
the highlight of
the trip, but the
extraordinary
places and
wildlife we will
encounter both
before in Central
America and
after in Ecuador
will be as
equally
fascinating.
38 www.noble-caledonia.co.uk