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A
journey in the Discovery is a feast of intense, sensory
experiences: the aroma of remote places, the texture of
unknown things, the multicolor tapestry of nature, the
accent of unheard languages, and the exquisite flavor of
what has never before been tasted; that is the
incomparable feeling of penetrating the secrets of other
worlds, other lives. That proximity is life, it is
beginning and end.
The yearning for that closeness is the virtue and spirit
of the true traveler and it is the reason for the
Journey Between the Seas. That communion of body and
spirit is only possible within the intimate realm of a
compact craft, designed to cover the narrowest marine
routes that take us to pristine lands.
A crew of ten has been carefully selected and trained to
ensure a perfect journey for the 24 exclusive passengers
of the Discovery. Inside the cozy, spacious cabins and
lounges, the magic of night melts imperceptibly with the
fabulous sunrises at amazing places that offer their
purest charms at dawn ready for a day of excursion. From
its decks, everything looks close, vivid, amazing,
moving and…unforgettable.
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NORTHBOUND JOURNEY
Day 1
Saturday
Panama City - Flamenco Marina
Sail the tropical waters of the Pacific Ocean towards
Contadora, where the Discovery will stay the first night
before navigating to the Darien Jungle. Take this
opportunity to meet your expedition leaders, the crew and
your fellow travelers while you savor our tempting native
cuisine.
Day 2
Sunday
Darien Jungle
Step aboard a time machine and travel back more than 600
years to a place that not many have had the privilege of
experiencing. More than an excursion, this is a journey into
the lives of the Embera Indians. A proud people who have
been able to maintain their traditions and lifestyle as they
were before the Spaniards colonized the region. These
natives are also master crafters of cocobolo wood carvings
and basketry. After motoring up river you will see the
village emerging from the jungle, as if by magic. Keep your
eyes open along the way as the region offers abundant
wildlife that is particularly active along the rivers edge.
Day 3
Monday
Pearl Islands – San Telmo
Snorkel and swim on the waters of the Pearl Islands. The
archipelago owes its name to the abundance of Pearl Oysters
which supported a substantial fishery in the early 1900`s.
On the outer portion of the archipelago, the islands of San
Telmo and Galera are home to some pristine beaches and
fertile fishing grounds. Join the divers from Esmeralda in
their search for pearls and kayak along beautiful and
unspoiled beaches. View the remains of the submarine
Explorer built in 1865 during the Civil War and which sunk
off the coast of San Telmo during the oyster fishery of the
late 1800´s.
Day 4
Tuesday
Panama Canal Transit – Gatun Lake
Wake up at the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal and join
the morning’s ship convoy for our northbound canal passage
traversing Miraflores Locks and Pedro Miguel Locks. The
Discovery will be raised 85 feet above sea level to Gatun
Lake. You will have a once in a lifetime opportunity to
experience up close the history and operation of this
engineering marvel. Navigate the Gaillard Cut, the narrowest
section of the Panama Canal, bisecting the Continental
Divide. This section of the canal is full of history and
geological value and you will be able to appreciate the
continuous maintenance that this area requires, because it
is very susceptible to landslides. Spend the night in Gatun
Lake on Panama Canal waters.
Day 5
Wednesday
Panama Canal – Barro Colorado
Prior to the construction of the Panama Canal, the vast
jungle area that is now the Gatun Lake was teeming with an
overwhelming abundance of wildlife. As the region was
flooded to create the lake, animals took refuge in the
mountain peaks, which are now the many islands that dot the
renowned lake. Explore Barro Colorado Island where the
Smithsonian´s Tropical Research Center is located. Your
expedition leader will take you on board small crafts past
lush rainforests to secluded areas of the lake to witness
first-hand the splendor and excitement of the jungle. Exotic
birds, monkeys, sloths, iguanas, and crocodiles are just a
few of the animals that you could see in their native
surroundings. The sights, sounds and scents that make up
this beautiful, tropical jungle will engulf you. Cameras are
a must as this is considered the world’s premier location
for viewing monkeys and other animals in the wild. The
Discovery will exit the Panama Canal in the afternoon on its
way to the mouth of the Chagres River.
Day 6
Thursday
Chagres River - Fort San Lorenzo
Experience the magnificent Chagres River which was used by
the conquistadors to move their gold across the Isthmus of
Panama en-route from Peru to Spain and by the gold
prospectors who attempted a "short cut" from the US East
coast to the gold fields of California. The river was the
center piece of the colonial inter-oceanic route and is now
the lifeline of the Panama Canal full of wildlife and
tropical jungle. Explore Fort San Lorenzo which is located
on a cliff at the mouth of the Chagres on the Atlantic side
where your leader will offer details of the immense amount
of history found on this area. The fort was built by the
Spaniards in the 16th century to defend their well known
gold trail.
Day 7
Friday
Portobelo – Caribbean
Enjoy the town of Portobelo on Caribbean waters which was
founded by Christopher Columbus on his fourth voyage to the
new continent in 1597. This quaint town is rich in history
as it was the site of many sea and land battles between the
Spanish colonials and the pirates and corsairs raiding the
Spanish Main. Explore the fortifications built by the
Spaniards to protect their treasures and visit the Church of
San Felipe, the sanctuary of the Black Christ. Spend the
night in the bay of Portobelo, the most important refuge for
the Spanish galleons in the Caribbean.
Day 8
Saturday
Portobelo – Caribbean
Wake up to a farewell breakfast before you disembark the
Discovery. Travel by motor coach to Panama City and back to
reality. This two hour trip will allow you to traverse the
trans-isthmian highway from the Atlantic to the Pacific
Ocean.
THE SOUTHBOUND JOURNEY FOLLOWS THE
SAME EXPLORATION ROUTE IN REVERSE
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