Secrets of Central America - with National Geographic10 nights, call for pricing

Itinerary

In collaboration with National Geographic Expeditions.  PONANT takes you to discover CostaRica and Panama with an 11-day expedition cruise. A circuit of great beauty around the isthmus of Panama, a link between two continents, which concentrates a biodiversity that is unique in the world, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean between dream islands, natural reserves and encounters with the fascinating local communities. Your journey in CentralAmerica will begin with a visit to the Curú Wildlife Refuge. Deep inside the tropical rainforest you may be lucky enough to see multicoloured birds, monkeys, iguanas and sloths. In Casa Orquideas, in the heart of a region that is home to Costa Rica' most beautiful beaches, you will have the chance to visit a botanical garden with a sublime collection of tropical flowers. Your ship will then head for the magnificent Darien National Park in Panama. This little corner of paradise is a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to remarkable plants and wildlife. Sandy beaches, rocky coastlines, mangroves, swamps and tropical rainforests vie with each other for beauty and offer a feast for photographers. This will also be the occasion for meeting the astonishing semi-nomadic Emberas community. Your ship will stop in the Pearl Islands, which nestle in the Gulf of Panama, before sailing through the world-famous Panama Canal. You will then discover the golden sand and crystal-clear waters of the coral islets of the San Blas Islands. The Kuna live among the palm trees and pirogues; this people perpetuates, among other things, the traditional craft of molas, weaved textiles in sparkling colours. You will finally be able to enjoy a visit with an all-new port of call in the magnificent Portobelo Bay, between mangroves, tropical forest and discovery of the Congo culture. The fortifications of this former gateway to the New World are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The encounters with the wildlife described above illustrate possible experiences only and cannot be guaranteed.