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Copyright Michael S. Nolan/Lindblad
Copyright Jack Swenson/Lindblad
Other photos courtesy of Larry Larsen and Bob Nansen
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An expedition on the
WILD SIDE!
COSTA
RICA & PANAMA
Aboard National Geographic Sea Lion
November 17 -24, 2012
FREE 3-day Monteverde Cloud Forest pretrip. Extend your 8-day Panama and Costa Rica voyage
with three days in Monteverde Cloud Forest.
Call 1-800-252-4910 for details.
Dear Members and Friends,
Early this year, The New York Times put Panama first on their list of 45 Places to
Go in 2012. The tagline declared, “Go for the canal. Stay for everything else.” I
couldn’t agree more.
The canal is a historic and modern marvel at once, and our transit of it aboard a
62-guest expedition ship will be unique. It is spread over two days, allowing you to see
it by day and dramatically lit at night. You’ll overnight anchored at Gatún Lake inside
the Canal Zone, and in the morning, you’ll explore the Smithsonian Institute’s research
facility that has been on Barro Colorado Island for decades. Here a researcher shares
ongoing projects and gives you a rare, privileged glimpse behind the scenes. You’re
invited to hike the island’s trails to look for monkeys, agoutis, and other wildlife, and
you’ll take a Zodiac ride along the shoreline to search for crocodiles and more.
While the canal is a powerful draw, you’ll find the “everything else” even more
enchanting. This is an expedition that takes you between the stark steel and
concrete of the canal and into an all-consuming jungle. At times we walk deep into
the rain forest — the only sounds are birdcalls, jungle noises, and our own footfalls.
You’ll find the isolation and immersion into wildness revitalizing — as well as the
company. A team of expert naturalists, including an undersea specialist and a
photo instructor, will accompany us everywhere sharing their insights and expertise
during our hikes and Zodiac cruises. The expedition ship is outfitted with kayaks and
snorkeling gear that are yours to further explore the sea.
The best time to visit Panama and Costa Rica is during winter, when Central
America’s tropical landscape is bright and green and most inviting. And if you book
now, enjoy a complimentary three-day, pre-voyage extension to the acclaimed
Monteverde Cloud Forest, one of Costa Rica’s must-see sites.
More than an expedition between the canal and the jungle, it is a voyage that will
energize your mind, body, and spirit, and offer an enriching break from winter. I hope
you’ll join us from November 17–24, 2012. To make your reservation, please call
toll free at 800-252-4910 or return the reservation form attached to the brochure below.
Sincerely,
Margaret M. Betchart
President, Betchart Expeditions, Inc.
For AAAS Travels, ACS & Sigma Xi Expeditions
From $5,330 plus air.
2012 Brochure
(Requires an Adobe pdf reader to view)
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