COSTA RICA & THE PANAMA CANAL - Expeditions

COSTA RICA & THE PANAMA CANAL

AN EXTRAORDINARY PANAMA CANAL TRANSIT

PLUS DISCOVER THE REGION BISECTED BY THE CANAL

NEW! ESCAPE TO GUANACASTE

AND BE OUR GUEST + FREE AIR & SOLO SAVINGS

2019-2021 VOYAGES |

EXPERIENCE THE PANAMA CANAL AND THE REGION IT BISECTS

OUR CANAL TRANSIT IS UNIQUELY IN-DEPTH AND OFFERS YOU MORE WAYS TO experience the wonder of the Canal than ever before: ? National Geographic Quest is the only ship allowed to overnight in the Canal Zone-- to see the Canal by day, and dramatically lit at night; ? Visit the Smithsonian Research Station on Barro Colorado Island in the Canal Zone, to learn about their research here since 1932; ? Or, venture to the mouth of the Chagres River and hike the Panama Rainforest Discovery Center trail into the rainforest canopy to learn about their raptor and migratory bird monitoring research; ? Lastly, you can Be Our Guest (see offer details on the following page) to experience the Canal from multiple perspectives and enjoy a thriving tropical city.

A small ship with an open top deck and panoramic windows, National Geographic Quest is the perfect platform for seeing the mechanical workings of the locks up close. Be sure to be on deck, or on the Bridge, as we approach the Canal entrance, to see the distant silhouette of the very modern capital city of Panama emerge; to see skyscrapers against sky instead of tall rainforest trees. We'll hold our position at the entrance as we wait for our canal pilot to board--observing from up close the gargantuan Panamax and Neopanamax vessels holding position for their transit. And of course, we'll see the landmarks: Amador Causeway, the Bridge of the Americas. The Centennial Bridge frames the entrance of Gaillard Cut, as we cruise through to enter the Miraflores Locks.

See the following page for more Canal experiences.

" The artist Joseph Pennell... found the shapes of the gates and walls towering above him so `stupendous' that he was almost unable to draw. Walter Bernard, editor of Scientific American, returned from a visit to the Isthmus to write an article on `The Mammoth Locks' in which he conceded that it is impossible even to consider the subject `without drifting into a superlative mood.' Another visitor would recall `the feeling that follows a service in a great cathedral.' "

-- DAVID MCCULLOUGH

The Path Between The Seas: The Creation of the Panama Canal

Cover: White-faced Capuchin monkey, Curu Wildlife Reserve, Costa Rica. ? David Vargas. This page: Crossing the Panama Canal. ? David Vargas.

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EXCLUSIVE OFFER: BE OUR GUEST IN PANAMA CITY

ACCEPT OUR INVITATION, AND ENJOY A PRE/POST-EXPEDITION night at the Marriott Panama, located in the heart of this sleekly modern tropical city, and spend two days enjoying a trio of unique and rewarding opportunities--with our compliments: ? Visit the Panama Canal's Miraflores locks, with a special, private after-hours tour of the Panama Canal Museum and dinner in the private dining room of the new, onsite restaurant, Atlantic & Pacific Co. With floor to ceiling windows and an unparalleled view of the canal, it's a privileged perspective on the heart of 21st century shipping; ? Venture to the Agua Clara Visitor Center at the Panama Canal's new, larger Pacific locks. See the exhibit there, and marvel at the scale of ships these locks can accommodate; ? Visit the exuberantly designed BioMuseum by legendary architect, Frank Gehry, the `Bilbao of Latin America,' with exhibits previewing the biodiversity you'll experience exploring the Canal Zone and the isthmus of Panama on your expedition aboard National Geographic Quest. Or, fly free from Miami to Panama City/San Jose--or vice versa--your choice. See page 29 or call for details.

" Dining overlooking the locks: "The view was absolutely amazing. It was so cool to see how they operate the locks, and how massive the ships coming through were! The food was good, my husband loved the burger!" "Absolute best view of canal, PERIOD." Visiting the BioMuseum " The architecture of the building alone is worth the trip ...The museum describes how Panama, an isthmus, was formed, its history in terms of plants, animals, and peoples, and why there is so much diversity."

-- , reviews

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1.800.EXPEDITION (1.800.397.3348)

TFHOBERMEPEORUAFRLELCGATUBPEOLSAUTTT- TEAMWORK

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