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| Crossing the Panama Canal from the bow of the National Geographic Sea Lion. // Photo by David Vargas. |
In 2016, the completion of the mammoth Panama Canal expansion project will usher in a new chapter for Panama and cap off the celebration of Panama Canal’s 100th birthday.
Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic’s expedition season is timed to see the impressive construction site – before the locks are flooded – with special offers, a land only itinerary, and new amenities for experiences to transit the canal, and opportunities to explore deep in the jungle.
Lindblad offers a selection of Costa Rica and Panama itineraries, ranging from eight to 15 days, set aboard the 62-guest National Geographic Sea Lion. All explore the coasts and canal; snorkel, swim, kayak along the shores of wild islands; venture up rain forest-canopied rivers in expedition landing craft - led by a large, knowledgeable expedition team.
Complimentary Two-Day Extension in Panama City
Clients can visit the new Canal Expansion Observation Center for the construction site, visit the much-lauded, new Frank Gehry-designed Biodiversity Museum and enjoy the scale and the ambience of Panama City as it is today. The special opportunity includes a private dinner at the Atlantic and Pacific Co. restaurant where clients can observe the daily operations of the canal while dining.
Clients who book by November 30 can choose a free round-trip airfare from Miami or the Panama City extension on select January and February dates.
Adding to the ship’s cool tools for exploration, this season Lindblad will inaugurate a fleet of paddle boards onboard to enable a more fun and dynamic way to explore. Guests can circumnavigate a tiny uninhabited island, explore mangroves, or paddle along an idyllic beach.
A New, Nine-day Land Based Journey
Clients can discover the wild, rugged beauty of Costa Rica on an inland adventure. Explore the country’s Pacific and Caribbean sides, rain forests, mountains, and see wonderful wildlife; walk suspension bridges in the dense forest surrounding Arenal Volcano and relax in nearby hot springs; hike through the mist-shrouded cloud forest reserve in Monteverde with great bird watching; visit the remote, car-less town of Tortuguero, and venture into the rain forest via green-canopied canals. Accommodations include a stay in a rustic lodge at the water's edge, and private bungalows for a gracious dimension to your Costa Rican experience.
Visit www.expeditions.com.