PANAMA and COSTA RICA. INCLUDING THE PANAMA CANAL aboard Callisto January 7 17, 2017

Transcription

1 PANAMA and COSTA RICA INCLUDING THE PANAMA CANAL aboard Callisto January 7 17, 2017

2 ENJOY SOME OF THE LOVELIEST ISLANDS and national parks in Central America on a 7-day voyage aboard the newly refurbished Callisto to Panama and Costa Rica. Accompanied by an expert in industrial environmental management, sail along the Pacific coast of Panama and Costa Rica, marveling at rainforests teeming with exotic wildlife and bird species, sugary beaches fringed by sparkling azure water, and dense forests that cascade down impressive mountainsides to the shore. A special highlight is a round-trip transit of the Panama Canal between Panama City and Gatun Lake, much of it in daylight for optimal viewing of this key conduit for international maritime trade. Opportunities abound to seek out the numerous species of birds, mammals, and marine life that make these tropical environments their home. Swim and snorkel in one of the largest coral reefs on the Pacific Coast of the Americas. Hike through lush rainforests alive with the vivid sounds and colors of a richly diverse wildlife. Also meet Panama s indigenous Embera people, present for countless generations and committed to maintaining many of their ancestral customs. An optional post-tour extension to Costa Rica s Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is also available. HIGHLIGHTS Transit the Panama Canal by daylight between Panama City and Gatun Lake, with an opportunity to observe the recently constructed new flights of locks, built to increase the canal s carrying capacity. Visit the Embera Indians, traditionally a riverine people for whom rivers and boats still play a central role in the activities of daily life as well as in their cosmology. Swim and snorkel in the waters around UNESCO World Heritage site Coiba Island, which is surrounded by one of the largest coral reefs on the Pacific coast of the Americas. Discover the traditional Spanish architecture of Panama City s colonial old city, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the cutting-edge, brightly colored, Frank Gehry-designed Biomuseum. Travel deep into the Darien rainforest, a vast tropical wilderness full of exotic plants, rare wildlife, and indigenous people and part of the Darien Gap, the only break in the Pan-American Highway.

3 ITINERARY Saturday, January 7 HOME / PANAMA CITY, PANAMA Depart the U.S. on a flight to Panama City, the capital of Panama. On arrival, transfer to the hotel. This evening enjoy a welcome reception and dinner. BRISTOL HOTEL (R,D) Sunday, January 8 PANAMA CANAL / GATUN LAKE Built between 1881 and 1914, the Panama Canal cuts through the Isthmus of Panama to connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. After a welcome lecture and orientation, embark the Callisto and begin transiting the Panama Canal through the Miraflores Locks and the Pedro Miguel Locks, which lift ships from the Pacific up to the level of Gatun Lake. During this transit, observe the Third Set of Locks project, which began in 2007 and is scheduled for completion in Monday, January 9 GATUN LAKE / PANAMA CANAL Join biologists for a guided walk among the protected forests of Barro Colorado Island in Gatun Lake. The island was formed when the Chagres River was dammed to create Gatun Lake in 1913, causing the rising waters to cover most of an existing tropical forest. Established as a nature reserve in 1923, Barro Colorado is one of the moststudied tropical forests in the world. This evening, return through the canal to Panama City. Tuesday, January 10 PANAMA CITY Discover Panama City s historic and cultural highlights, including the new Biomuseum, designed by Frank Gehry and dedicated to exhibitions on Panama s biodiversity; Panama Viejo ( Old Panama ), the architectural vestiges of the first Spanish city founded on the Pacific coast of the Americas; and the San Felipe District, the colonial heart of the city and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Wednesday, January 11 DARIEN RAINFOREST Anchor near La Palma and travel by motorized cayuca (traditional canoe) into the Darien Rainforest to meet the indigenous Embera people and learn of their ancestral customs, which date back to pre-columbian times. The rainforest is on the Panamanian side of the Darien Gap, a large swath of undeveloped swampland and forest between Panama and Colombia that interrupts the Pan-American Highway. Thursday, January 12 GRANITO DE ORO Cruise to Granito de Oro ( Little Grain of Gold ), a small island off the coast of Coiba Island in Coiba National Park. The island s reef structure shelters a diversity and volume of marine life that makes it among the top diving destinations in the world. Spend the afternoon swimming and snorkeling from pristine white sand beaches. Friday, January 13 COIBA ISLAND Linked by the underwater Cordillera mountain chain to the Cocos and Galapagos Islands, Coiba Island is surrounded by one of the largest coral reefs on the Pacific coast of the Americas. Its waters teem with marine life, including whale and tiger sharks, sperm whales, sea turtles, angel rays, and giant schools of fish. Coiba is also a refuge for a number of threatened terrestrial species, such as the crested eagle, and several sub-species of agouti, possum, and howler monkey. Established as a national park in 1992, Coiba Island is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Explore this amazing marine world, then enjoy a hearty barbecue on the beach. Saturday, January 14 GOLFO DULCE / OSA PENINSULA, COSTA RICA Dock in the small port of Gol to for a visit to the Orchid House, a private botanical garden with beautiful landscaping, amazing flowers, and unique fruits. This afternoon explore the Osa Peninsula, bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Golfo Dulce to the east,

4 ITINERARY (CONT.) and home to at least half of all of the species living in Costa Rica. Sunday, January 15 MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL PARK Often rated as one of the most beautiful national parks in the world, Manuel Antonio National Park packs a variety of impressive landscapes into approximately 4,000 acres, including white sand beaches, lush foliage, imposing mountains, and dense forests that reach to the shoreline. Soar high above the jungle floor on a canopy tour or explore the park s fragile rainforest ecosystem on the well-maintained trails below. Monday, January 16 CURU WILDLIFE RESERVE / TORTUGA ISLAND Walk with park rangers through this private reserve, dedicated to sustainable agriculture, forest management, and protection of wildlife, including white-faced, howler, and spider monkeys; scarlet macaws; whitetailed deer; collared peccaries; coatis; raccoons; coyotes, iguanas; and hundreds of species of tropical and migratory birds. Enjoy a last afternoon at Tortuga Island, which has outstanding scuba-diving sites and excellent snorkeling opportunities to view marine life such as sting rays, angelfish, sharks, spinner dolphins, and octopuses. Tuesday, January 17 PUERTO CALDERA / HOME This morning disembark the Callisto and transfer to the airport in San Jose for flights home. (B) COSTA RICA Manuel Antonio NP Osa Peninsula PACIFIC OCEAN San Jose Golfito Coiba Island CARIBBEAN SEA PANAMA Panama Canal Panama City La Palma OPTIONAL POST-TOUR EXTENSION January 17 19, 2017 COSTA RICA S MONTEVERDE CLOUD FOREST RESERVE Spend a full day walking the trails of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Perched atop Costa Rica s continental divide at 4,662 feet and sustained by moist clouds and fog, Monteverde s complex ecosystem supports more than 100 species of mammals, 400 species of birds, tens of thousands of insect species, and at least 2,500 varieties of plants, 420 of which are orchids alone. Details and pricing will be sent to participants confirmed on the cruise.

5 CALLISTO The 34-guest M/Y Callisto, an elegant boutique motor yacht renovated in 2015, offers a warm ambiance reflecting the finest traditions of seafaring, and the highest standard of accommodation, comfort, and safety. Public areas are decorated with rich fabrics, handsome woodwork, gleaming brass, antiques, and fine works of art. Cabins have marble-appointed en suite bathrooms with showers, individually controlled A/C, TV and CD/DVD player, telephone (for internal use), hair dryers, mini-fridge, central music, public address system, and safes. The Callisto complies with Eurosolas safety regulations, and its powerful engines, generators, and state-of-the-art twin stabilizers allow for safe and comfortable cruising. PROGRAM RATES (per person) Category C $8,990 LOWER DECK Portholes DOUBLE SINGLE $13,490 B LOWER DECK Portholes $9,990 $14,990 A MAIN DECK Double beds (bow section) or twin beds, large windows P MAIN DECK Double beds (bow section) or twin beds, large windows $11,990 $13,990 Program Rates Include A full program of briefings, lectures, and presentations by study leaders and local guides All accommodations and meals as specified in the itinerary 9-night cruise aboard the Callisto All excursions, including entrance fees, as specified in the itinerary Transfers on group arrival and departure days Baggage handling Gratuities to porters, guides, drivers, and ship s crew for all group activities Port fees and embarkation taxes Wine, beer, and soft drinks with lunches and dinners Welcome and farewell wine receptions Bottled water on excursions Complete packet of pre-departure information Professional tour manager throughout

6 To reserve a place on Panama and Costa Rica you may complete and return this form with your deposit of $1,000 per person, payable to Criterion Travel. Mail to: 145 Forest Ave. Palo Alto, CA For more information or to reserve by phone, please call (888) or (650) , or res@criteriontravel.com GENERAL INFORMATION PROGRAM RATES DO NOT INCLUDE U.S. domestic and international airfare Passport/visa expenses Medical expenses and immunizations Private airport transfers on days other than program arrival/departure days Travel insurance Optional excursions or deviations from the scheduled tour Excess baggage charges Meals not specified in the itinerary; dishes and beverages not part of the included meals Laundry or dry cleaning Telephone, fax, internet, and charges Room service Other items of a personal nature AIRFARE U.S. domestic and international airfare is not included in the program rates. Information about making flight arrangements will be sent to all participants. WHAT TO EXPECT The weather in January will be pleasant, with average daytime temperatures in the low 80s F and little rain. This is a moderately active program that involves extended periods of walking on uneven terrain on trails and beaches. There are also opportunities for swimming and snorkeling. Participants should be fit, in active good health, and able to keep up with the group without assistance from tour staff. GROUP SIZE The maximum number of participants on this program is 26, including travelers from Yale University. INSURANCE Travel insurance for trip cancellation and interruption, medical problems, baggage loss and delay, etc., is highly recommended, and we hope that you will obtain it for this expedition. Trip cancellation policies that apply to this expedition are included in this brochure. Please be sure to carry the details of your travel insurance coverage with you on the program. Travelers are free to purchase the travel insurance of their choice. It is recommended that travelers clearly understand the difference between primary and secondary travel insurance. NAME #1 (as on passport) NAME #2 (as on passport) STREET ADDRESS CITY / STATE / ZIP / POSTAL CODE HOME PHONE (s) WORK PHONE BIRTHDATE BIRTHDATE PAYMENT O Enclosed is my check for $ ($1,000 per person), to reserve place(s) on Panama and Costa Rica OR O Charge the deposit to my credit card (circle one): VISA MC AMEX Diners Club Discover NAME ON CREDIT CARD CARD # EXP. DATE SECURITY CODE TERMS & CONDITIONS RESERVATIONS AND DEPOSITS To reserve space, please complete the reservation form and mail it with your check or credit card information to the address at the top of the form. You may also fax the form to (650) and your reservation will be held for five working days pending receipt of your check or credit card information. If you have questions, please call (888) or res@criteriontravel.com. Final payment deadline is September , 120 days prior to departure. CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS Upon payment of a $1,000 deposit per person, all reservations are subject to the cancellation provisions set forth below and by which the passenger agrees to be bound. Cancellations shall not be effective until they are received in writing and confirmed by Criterion Travel. Deposits are refundable (less a $250 per person administration fee) if written notice of cancellation is received within 30 days of reservation; after that, deposits are 100% nonrefundable. Final payment is due September 8, 2016 (120 days prior to departure). Cancellations within 120 days of departure are 100% nonrefundable. For this reason, we strongly urge participants to purchase trip cancellation insurance. If the program is cancelled by Criterion Travel, you will receive a full refund, without further obligation on our part. No refunds will be made for any part of this program on which you choose not to participate. Note: Criterion Travel does not accept liability for any airline cancellation penalty incurred by the purchase of a nonrefundable ticket in conjunction with this tour. ITINERARY CHANGES The itinerary presented for this tour is subject to modification and change by Criterion Travel. Every reasonable effort will be made to operate the program as planned; however, should unforeseen world events and conditions require the itinerary to be altered, Criterion Travel reserves the right to do so for the safety and best interest of the group. Any extra expenses incurred in this situation are the responsibility of the participant. RESERVATION CONTACT (888) or res@criteriontravel.com California Seller of Travel Program CST # PHOTO CREDITS: (From Dreamstime.com): Panama City Carolbsokolow; Panama Canal Picturemakersllc; Coconuts in the Doorway Konstantin Kalishko. Other photos courtesy of Andy Ridgway. SIGNATURE AS IT APPEARS ON CREDIT CARD CATEGORY PREFERENCE 1st Choice 2nd Choice Bed Preference (not guaranteed): O One bed O Two beds SINGLE TRAVELERS O I prefer to have single accommodations. OR O I plan to share accommodations with: DATE OR O I d like to know about roommates. I am a O Non-smoker O Smoker. I understand that if a roommate cannot be found by the final payment deadline of September 8, 2016, I will pay the single rate. O I/We have read the Terms & Conditions section of this brochure and understand and agree with them as stated herein. SIGNATURE SIGNATURE DATE DATE