Join the Hebridean Sky as it sails across one of the most beautiful regions in the world! Full of history, Central America is the perfect getaway, mixing culture, adventure, and magical landscapes. Meet the Emberá Indians of the Darién and the Kuna Indians of San Blas who proudly preserve their cultural heritage. Enjoy a daylight transit through the historic locks of the Panama Canal. Step ashore on seldom-visited Isla de Providencia, Colombia—its long history includes tales of colonization, conquest, and buried treasure. Stroll the atmospheric streets of Havana to discover stunning colonial architecture and sun-splashed plazas, where classic American cars complete the scene of a bygone era. Snorkel or dive over healthy coral reefs to view colorful tropical fish, turtles, stingrays, and more.
Highlights
Explore one of the largest marine parks in the world at Isla Coiba
Visit the Emberá community & learn more about their traditional way of life
Discover Portobelo, one of Spain’s strongholds during colonial times
Enjoy the fabulous setting along Cuba’s most spectacular bay, Cienfuegos
Snorkel the beautiful, breathtaking beaches of Isla de la Juventud
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Anchor off Isla Coiba for an exploration of one of the largest marine parks in the world. Zodiacs take you on excursions along wild shores and bring you to secluded beaches. On nature hikes search for more than 130 species of birds, including red-legged honeycreepers, crimson-backed tanagers, and brilliantly colored lance-tailed manakins. Snorkeling is excellent, as Coiba is also the site of a large coral reef where a convergence of currents reveals an array of eastern tropical Pacific marine life.
Panama’s remote Darién Province is one of Central America’s last unspoiled regions. This morning enter Emberá Indian territory as you land on Playa del Muerto at the mouth of the Mogue River. Enjoy warm welcomes from the Emberá community of Mogue, where you can learn more about their traditional way of life and enjoy a lively dance performance.
During your daylight transit, the Hebridean Sky gracefully navigates the dramatic Gaillard Cut, Gatun Lake, and the canal’s three mighty locks. Relax on deck and enjoy a historical perspective as you follow this famed waterway to the Atlantic.
The San Blas Archipelago is a group of over 350 islands stretching for 200 miles along Panama’s east coast. Largely roadless, and many ringed with reefs, they vary in size from tiny uninhabited islets with few palm trees to larger islands clad in jungle. San Blas is also home to the Kuna Indians, a semiautonomous tribe still practicing the traditions of their ancestors, including the crafting of molas - brightly colored, appliquéd fabrics. Meet the Kuna, learn about their culture, and admire or purchase molas. In the afternoon land at Holandes Caye to snorkel in the inviting waters.
This morning disembark in the historic town of Portobelo, one of Spain’s most important strongholds in the Americas during colonial times. Visit Forts San Geronimo and Santiago de la Gloria, as well as the Church of San Felipe.
Day 9: Puerto Limón | Tortuguero Canals, Costa Rica
Board shallow-draft boats today for an excursion among the Tortuguero Canals, home to 2,000 plant species, more than 400 species of birds, and 13 of Costa Rica’s 16 endangered mammals. During your exploration of the raffia-lined waterways, you may spy sloths, howler and capuchin monkeys, wood storks, bare-throated tiger herons, roseate spoon-bills, Montezuma oropendolas, ringed kingfishers, and crocodiles, caimans, turtles, iguanas, as well as the Jesus Christ lizard, so named for its unique ability to run across water. Return to the ship for lunch and set sail for Colombia.
Far from mainland Colombia, rarely visited Isla de Providencia is a warm and friendly, English-speaking island with the nostalgic feel of the Caribbean of yesteryear. An island tour takes you to a parochial school and other points of interest ashore. Or, venture out to snorkel among a variety of fish that populate the island’s coral reef.
With its French spirit and fabulous setting along Cuba’s most spectacular bay, Cienfuegos has earned UNESCO status for its outstanding architecture, which you discover on a guided walking tour. Then depart overland for the UNESCO-designated Zapata Wetland region. View some of the local wildlife at the Fiesta Campesina zoo-park before touring the Playa Giron (Bay of Pigs) Museum, located at the site of the unsuccessful military invasion by US-backed anti-Castro forces in April 1961.
This beautiful island offers breathtaking beaches, lush forests, and excellent snorkeling and diving. Join naturalists on walks to search for indigenous flora and fauna, explore the rich marine environment, or simply relax and soak in your surroundings on a white-sand beach.
Isolated Maria La Gorda is one of the most diverse biological regions in the world, and home to a variety of different natural habitats, including coral reefs, beaches, mangroves, scrublands, and evergreen forests with more than 170 species of birds and dozens of reptile and mammal species. Spend the morning snorkeling over pristine reefs and searching for wildlife on nature walks.
Day 15: Havana | Disembark
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Disembark after breakfast and get acquainted with Old Havana—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—on a walking tour. After lunch make a stop at El Floridita Bar, the birthplace of the daiquiri and one of Hemingway’s favorite watering holes. This evening, climb into one of Havana’s vintage cars for a stylish ride to Rio Mar for dinner, then enjoy a performance at the legendary Buena Vista Social Club. Check in to the five-star Meliá Cohiba, which overlooks the city’s famous three-mile-long Malecón, for dinner and overnight.
Day 16: Havana, Cuba
1 Breakfast
Transfer to the airport for your independent homeward flight,
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$13,980
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Category 1
Amundsen Deck staterooms are 240 square feet and have two to four portholes.
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Category 2
Byrd Deck staterooms are 225 square feet with large picture windows.
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Category 3
Mawson Deck staterooms range between 220 to 240 square feet and feature large picture windows.
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Category 4
Mawson Deck staterooms range between 220 to 240 square feet and feature large picture windows.
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Category 5
Scott Deck staterooms are 260 square feet including private balconies.
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Category 6
Shackleton Deck staterooms are 325 square feet including private balconies.
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Owner's Suite
The owner’s suite is 370 square feet including a private balcony.
Initial deposit is 25%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
I could not be happier with my Adventure Life experience, from beginning to end. I travel a lot, and I think your company and personnel do an outstanding job. I truly appreciate your professionalism, attentiveness, and flexibility. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend your company and would be happy to serve as a reference.
Constance Block
TrustScore 4.8 | 174 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 174 reviews on
8 hours ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
1 day ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.