Panama, Costa Rica & Peru

Natural Wonders and Ancient Civilizations Learn about the ecology of four lush National parks, including Corcovado National park, Costa Rica; coiba island, one of Panama’s best protected marine national parks; and Machalilla National park, which protects one of Ecuador’s few remaining coastal habitats. Explore pre-Columbian archaeological sites in Peru such as chan chan, capital of the Chimu culture; the Moche pyramids Huaca de la Luna and Huaca del Sol; pachacámac, the largest Peruvian coastal city and ceremonial center before the arrival of the Spaniards; and the reconstructed pre-Inca villa of puruchuco. Other highlights include flying over the celebrated Nazca lines, immense designs “drawn” in the desert; plus an optional two-night excursion to cuzco and Machu picchu. You will also visit trujillo, lima, and arequipa, which feature Spanish colonial architecture and excellent museum collections.

Mon., November 1, 2010: FLY FROM USA | PANAMA CITY | COLÓN, Panama | EMBARK Arrive in Panama City and transfer to Colón, on the Caribbean, to embark Clelia II.(D)

Tues., November 2: TRANSIT the PANAMA CANAL Clelia II transits the historic Panama Canal, passing from the Atlantic to the Pacific. The scenery and mechanics of the transit are fascinating, with the ship being raised and lowered a total of 85 feet. (B, L, D)

Wed., November 3: COIBA ISLAND Call at Coiba, one of several islands off Peninsula Azuero and one of Panama’s best protected marine national parks. Accompanied by resident naturalists, hike in search of scarlet macaws, brown pelicans, brown boobies, and frigate birds. (B, L, D)

Thurs., November 4: GOLFITO, Costa Rica Sail through Golfo Dulce to the town of Golfito. Drive to the Orchid Garden to see its native and exotic plant collection. Next visit Finca Köbö, a sustainable farm, and partake in a chocolate tour. At this cacao plantation, learn about the steps of making good chocolate, from the cacao bean to its transformation into chocolate. (B, L, D)

 Fri., November 5: MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL PARK Scenic Manuel Antonio National Park is a perfect combination of warm Pacific waters and rain forest that grow down to white-sand beaches. Nature trails follow the beach and over a forested, rocky promontory. The park protects many habitats, including primary and secondary forest, mangroves, beach vegetation, and marine resources. Due to its relatively small size and isolation by surrounding ocean and plantations, it is one of the easiest places in Costa Rica to see wildlife, particularly sloths, coatimundi, agoutis, White-faced Monkeys, and the tiny Squirrel Monkey. (B, L, D)

Sat., November 6: MARENCO BIOLOGICAL RESERVE, Corcovado National Park, Osa Peninsula Explore the spectacular 15,000-acre Marenco Biological Reserve, located in Corcovado National Park. On a bluff overlooking the Pacific, this protected virgin rain forest is home to hundreds of different types of trees. Naturalists aid in your understanding of the intricate ecosystem and familiarize you with conservation efforts. Look for prehistoric iguanas, sloths clinging to trees, and playful primates dancing along the jungle ceiling. The park is widely considered the crown jewel in the extensive system of national parks and biological reserves spread across Costa Rica. National Geographic called it “the most biologically intense place on Earth.” Abundant wildlife includes scarlet macaws (the country’s largest population), spider monkeys, anteaters, pumas, and white-faced capuchin monkeys. (B, L, D)

Sun. & Mon., November 7 & 8: AT SEA (B, L, D)

Tues., November 9: MANTA | MONTECRISTI or MACHALILLA NATIONAL PARK | MANTA, Ecuador Ecuador’s port of Manta was founded by the conquistadors in 1535. It was an important center of the Manta culture, which thrived in this area from about a.d. 500. Explore the town and the Banco Central Museum’s excellent collection of archaeological artifacts. Also, drive to the interesting colonial town of Montecristi, an important center for wicker-work and the Panama hat industry. Or, spend the day at Machalilla National Park, protecting one of Ecuador’s few remaining coastal habitats. Over 200 species of birds and a variety of wildlife are found here. (B, L, D)

Wed., November 10: AT SEA (B, L, D)

Thurs., November 11: SALAVERRY | HUACA de la LUNA & HUACA del SOL | CHAN CHAN | SALAVERRY, Peru Visit Huaca de la Luna and view Huaca del Sol, pyramids from the Moche culture, a remarkable pre-Inca civilization. Continue to Chan Chan, imperial capital of the Chimú (a.d. 1000-1470) and the world’s largest adobe city. (B, L, D)

Fri., November 12: SALAVERRY | EL BRUJO or TRUJILLO | SALAVERRY Discover El Brujo Archaeological Complex and the newly opened Museo de Cao. Alternatively, tour Trujillo, founded by the Spanish in 1534 and known for its colonial architecture. Visit the Casa Urquiaga, a mansion containing pre-Columbian ceramics, and the Plaza de Armas, fronted by the 17th-century Cathedral. (B, L, D)

Sat. - Mon., November 13 – 15: CALLAO | LIMA, PACHACAMAC and PURUCHUCO or CUZCO and MACHU PICCHU | CALLAO Clelia II remains in Callao, Lima’s lively port, for three days to comprehensively explore the area’s ancient sites and Lima’s splendid museums. Before the Spaniards’ arrival in the 16th century, the area around Lima contained vibrant cities, two of which we will explore: Pachacamac, the largest pre-Columbian Peruvian coastal city and ceremonial center; and Puruchuco, the site of a pre-Inca noble’s palace. In Lima, visit the historical center, a UNESCO World Heritage site; the National Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology; and the Gold Museum. Alternatively, fly to Cuzco for two nights/three days to explore the center of the Inca Empire and Machu Picchu, the Inca site dramatically set atop towering mountains. (The Cuzco/Machu Picchu excursion is available at an additional cost of $1,375 per person, double occupancy; $1,795 per person, single occupancy.) (B, L, D)

Tues., November 16: SAN MARTIN | PARACAS | BALLESTAS ISLANDS | SAN MARTIN Explore the Paracas peninsula, a reserve protecting an important marine ecosystem. Paracas was also a pre-Nazca necropolis, with over 400 mummies excavated. Also discover the Ballestas Islands, home to thousands of seabirds. (B, L, D)

Wed., November 17: SAN JUAN | NAZCA | SAN JUAN Travel to Nazca, named for the culture that lived here from a.d. 200-800. Via small aircraft, fly over the Nazca Lines, giant, mysterious designs (a condor, etc.) drawn in the desert by the Nazca or another early culture. (B, L, D)

Thurs., November 18: | DISEMBARK | AREQUIPA Disembark at Matarani on Peru’s south coast and drive through impressive scenery to Arequipa, set in a beautiful valley surrounded by mountains. Check in to the Hotel Sonesta Posada del Inca. (B, L, D)

Fri., November 19: AREQUIPA Occupied originally by Aymaras and Incas, lovely Arequipa was founded by the Spaniards in 1540 and is notable for its magnificent colonial architecture. Explore the elegant Plaza de Armas; the Santa Catalina Convent, a walled colonial town in the middle of the city; the 17th-century Church of La Compañia; and the Museo Sanctuarios de Altura, containing the celebrated frozen mummies found on Ampata volcano. (B, L, D)

Sat., November 20: AREQUIPA | FLY TO USA (B)