From the Panama Canal to The Andes

National Geographic Explorer begins with a transit of the Panama Canal, linking the Atlantic and the Pacific. Along the Pacific coast of South America, we explore an exciting sequence of off-the-beaten-track expedition calls, ranging from the fabled treasure island of Cocos, off the coast of Costa Rica, to Lobos de Tierra off the coast of Peru, a significant breeding place for the masked booby. And the stunning National Park at Isla Coiba in Panama, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Fauna and Flora Sanctuary at Isla Malpelo, some 300 miles off the Colombian coast, with its schools of hammerhead sharks and colonies of rare algae, lichens and mosses.

Pre-Columbian archaeology will be another highlight of this voyage. In Peru, the temples of the sun and moon were built by the Moche in the fifth century and the world’s largest adobe city, constructed at Chan Chan at the turn of the first millennium by the Chimú people. In Lima, we visit the Larco Herrara Muusem with its internationally renowned pre-Columbian gold collection.

Itinerary:

DAY 1 — Miami/Panama City, Panama
Arrive Panama and drive to the pier in Colon, where we embark National Geographic Explorer and begin our adventure with a passage through the Gatun Locks. (L,D)

DAY 2 — Panama Canal
Surrounded by the tropical rain forest that so challenged its builders, the Panama Canal is an amazing feat of engineering. Each of the 1,000-foot lock chambers will raise our ship, 27 feet at a time, without the assistance of pumps. This is strictly a gravity-fueled operation. Today’s exact schedule will be governed by the Panama Canal Commission. (B,L,D)

DAY 3 — Isla Coiba National Park
The Marine Conservation Corridor of the Tropical Eastern Pacific is a vast area of protected ocean including Panama’s Isla Coiba, remote Cocos Island in Costa Rica and Isla Malpelo — all World Heritage Sites. Today we explore Coiba to swim, kayak, hike or snorkel amid tropical fish. Our staff will assist both novice and expert snorkelers alike. (B,L,D)

DAY 4 — At Sea (B,L,D)

DAY 5 — At Sea/Cocos Island National Park, Costa Rica
Once you see the striking landscapes of Cocos Island — exuberant shades of green and impressive cascades that spring from tall cliffs – you’ll understand why this treasure is protected. Because of its isolation 300 miles into the Pacific, it has become a haven for big marine wildlife: schooling hammerheads, white-tip reef sharks, manta rays and tuna. Walk with our naturalists through the rain forest, snorkel, Zodiac or kayak in clear waters. (B,L,D)

DAY 6 — Cocos/At Sea (B,L,D)

DAY 7 — Isla Malpelo, Colombia
In stark contrast to lush Cocos, Isla Malpelo is a sheer rock rising from the sea with three high peaks, the highest being 1,000-foot Cerro de la Mona, often wreathed in clouds. Some 300 miles off the coast of Colombia, the Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary is visited by migratory birds, including red-billed tropic bird, red-footed boobies and magnificent frigate birds. With extremely stringent conservation and regulatory laws, we are very excited to finally gain permission to visit Malpelo for the first time ever! (B,L,D)

DAY 8 — At Sea (B,L,D)

DAY 9 — Puerto Lopez & Isla de la Plata, Ecuador
Today we arrive in Ecuador. Choose from activities that are historically focused, or spend the day with our Naturalists exploring Machallila National Park, where we hike through tropical dry forest and learn about archaeological findings of the little-known Manteno people. (B,L,D)

DAY 10 — Exploring Coastal Peru
Today is an exploratory day to find a small bay or inlet along the beautiful Peruvian coastline for hikes, Zodiac forays and kayak excursions. (B,L,D)

DAY 11 — Lobos de Tierra & Afuera. Peru
Spend a peaceful day exploring islands abundant with marine life, including sea lion colonies — via Zodiac and kayak. Our Undersea Specialist takes underwater footage, which animates our evening recap. (B,L,D)

DAY 12 — Salaverry: Chan Chan & Trujillo
Venture into the sacred Moche Valley, center of two ancient cultures. Our guides lead the way to the Temples of the Sun and Moon from the Moche culture. Then explore the adobe ruins of Chan Chan built by the Chimu, and on to the desert city of Trujillo, founded by Pizarro and still exuding Spanish colonial charm. (B,L,D)

DAY 13 — Lima
Explore Lima’s golden past, visiting the colonial market, the Indian market and the Larco Herrera Museum, with an extensive collection of pre-Columbian art and the famed Gold and Silver Gallery. In the late evening, after dinner aboard the ship, we take an overnight flight to Miami. (B,L,D)

DAY 14 — Arrive Miami/Home

What's Included:

All accommodations aboard ships or in hotels per itinerary or similar, all meals and nonalcoholic beverages aboard ship, meals on land as indicated, air transportation where indicated as included, shore excursions, sightseeing and entrance fees, special access permits, transfers to and from group flights, use of snorkeling equipment and wet suits, use of kayaks (where available), tips (except to Egyptologists and ship’s crew), taxes and service charges, services of a ship physician on most voyages, and services of our expedition staff.

What's Not Included:

Air transportation (except where shown as included), extensions, passport, visa, immigration fees, scuba diving (where available), meals not indicated, baggage/accident/travel protection plan, items of a personal nature, such as alcoholic beverages, e-mail, laundry. Gratuities to Egyptologists and ship’s crew at your discretion.

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