Between Two Oceans

Day 1 Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica

Embark the Silver Explorer and depart on your exciting 8-day expedition – Between Two Oceans. This evening, you will be introduced to your Expedition Team and receive a Zodiac briefing.

Day 2 Puerto Quepos, Costa Rica

Go ashore by Zodiac to the small port town of Quepos. Tranquil turquoise beaches, lush tropical jungles, and a fantastic variety of flora and fauna can only begin to paint the portrait of this idyllic destination. Quepos is less than 4.5 miles (7 km) from Costa Rica’s most popular gem, Manuel Antonio National Park, which is where you will begin the day’s exploration. Manuel Antonio National Park is one of the most stunning and bio-diverse areas of the world. Spread out over 683 hectares it is filled with diverse wildlife, has both primary and secondary forests, boasts a stunning shoreline ideal for bird watching or swimming, and is home to a number of endemic species of plants and animals including: iguanas, sloths, squirrel monkeys, colourful crabs, and the ceiba tree, which, according to ancient Mayan culture, is the tree of life that links you to the spirit world. Together with your informative Costa Rican naturalist guides hike through the exotic, bio-diverse tropical rainforests hoping to encounter monkeys and sloths as they traverse the tree canopy, and listen to the songs of the multitude of birds as they glide above the group.

Alternatively, enjoy a cruise through the mangroves, considered to be an important ecosystem packed with hundreds of species of marine and land animals.

Aboard a sturdy vessel designed for this type of cruising, your guides and captain navigate around shifting sandbanks to reveal the animals, insects and plants that lie hidden from the untrained eye. Pass through wide lagoons where many species of sea birds can be observed, and round narrow passages, hoping for a chance to encounter white-collared capuchin monkeys. These creatures are highly curious and known to come out to peer at those who have entered their realm.

Day 3 Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica

Today have the opportunity to visit Santuario Silvestre de Osa – the only wildlife sanctuary and rescue center in Golfo Dulce that devotes all of its efforts to the care and rehabilitation of rainforest animals. The sanctuary is home to a wide variety of orphaned and injured animals (about 70 animals in residence) including: howler monkeys, spider monkeys, squirrel monkeys, white-faced capuchin monkeys, scarlet macaws, toucans, parrots and two-toed sloths. Enjoy the sanctuary grounds in the company of the park’s creators as they share their wealth of knowledge on local natural history and show you some of these animals.

Alternatively, and depending on favorable tides, you could choose instead to set off on a kayaking adventure. Cross Golfo Dulce to little Puerto Jimenez and through mangroves, humidity and the unique squeaking sounds of scarlet macaws. Your kayak guides will be waiting with kayaks and paddles at the put-in area. Once instructions are given and equipment is set, paddle through the surf to a little lagoon where you will be able to observe caimans (a kind of rainforest alligator) as well as several aquatic bird species. After enjoying this beautiful sanctuary, return to your kayaks and continue on to the mangroves where, even though wildlife observation is not guaranteed, hope to see several bird species, crabs and possibly white-faced monkeys, as well as other mammals. Your next kayaking destination is Preciosa Beach where a refreshment of water, fruits and cookies will give you some extra energy for the paddle back!

Day 4 Isla Coiba, Panama

Making full use of the small, manoeuvrable ship and Zodiacs, hope to land at this remote part of Panama for a hike through the rainforest. Onboard naturalists will point out the local flora and search for signs of wildlife.

Just offshore from this nature preserve, a rocky headland provides an ideal spot for snorkeling. Join the onboard damsel fish, jacks, surgeon fish, trumpet fish, parrot fish, trigger fish and white tip reef sharks. Take this opportunity to swim and snorkel, or glide along in one of the kayaks. Or just relax on the beach and enjoy the hospitality as your butlers serve fresh fruit skewers and a variety of cocktails.

Day 5 Bay of San Miguel, Darien Jungle, Panama

The Darien Jungle is remote and has one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world. It is also recognized as one of the world’s top ten birding sites, and hope to see many bird species such as the colorful crimson-collared tanager, green and chestnut-fronted macaws, rufous-tailed and snow-bellied hummingbirds, whimbrels, willets (a type of sandpiper), white ibises and egrets, laughing gulls. Other wildlife you may see includes tapir and black-headed spider monkey, vultures, and the endangered great curassows.

This morning, the Silver Explorer will anchor in the Bay of San Miguel. Explore this pristine, seldom visited area by Zodiac or local canoe, navigating up the tidal Mogue River. At the conclusion of your river adventure, hear the sound of distant drums welcoming you to the remote Embera Village. The Darien Jungle is rarely visited by outsiders (fewer than 1,000 tourists visit each year), and Embera Village is one of several indigenous groups who live in relative isolation.

Go ashore to melodic rhythms of traditional tribal music played by male villagers on drums, maracas and flutes. Local women and children in brightly colored attire welcome you to their village and introduce you to their way of life. Visit authentic tribal dwellings built of nearby trees and plants. Before leaving, villagers will perform a native dance for your entertainment and demonstrate basket weaving and carving techniques. And you will have the opportunity to purchase souvenirs of your visit including beautiful handcrafted baskets and carvings.

As part of your cultural exchange, guests are encouraged to bring school supplies – such as pencils, writing pads and reading material – to donate to the local school. The village is also always in need of prescription reading glasses and over-the-counter medicine and medical equipment.

Days 6-7 Balboa, Panama City, Panama

Begin your explorations of Panama's three cities with the spectacular ruins of Panama Viejo. Founded in 1519, this was the first European settlement on the Pacific Coast. Gold from Peru passed through here heading for port towns where it was loaded onto ships bound for Spain. In 1671, English pirate Henry Morgan and his 1,200 men ransacked and destroyed the city.

Next visit Casco Antiguo, the Colonial City, and visit many historical churches and public buildings dating back to 1673. Much of Casco Antiguo is being restored including the National Theater, which contains one of the greatest turn-of-the-20th-century ceiling paintings inspired by Robert Lewis.

The view of Panama's three cities from the Amador Causeway is superb. After lunch see the former Panama Canal Zone, which was occupied until December 31, 1999 by the United States of America. Drive along parallel to the Canal until you reach the first set of locks: Miraflores. Here observe ships in the lock chambers as they transit through the Canal. At the Visitor’s Center, an exhibit explains the workings of the Panama Canal and how ships make the transit from one ocean to the other.

Alternatively, birders will want to join this excursion to discover Panama’s vast variety of bird species. Panama boasts 954 bird species, more than the US and Canada combined. Soberania National Park on Pipeline Road – where 300 species were spotted in a single day by the Audubon Society – is considered one of the best birding spots in the world. Located in the Panama Canal watershed, this former US military access road takes you into old growth secondary forest, ideal for the observation of flora and fauna from the Pacific and Caribbean slopes. During this birding adventure you'll have the opportunity to see many bird species and a diversity of plant and tree species. Howler Monkeys, Anteaters and Agoutis also inhabit this area.

Day 7 Panama Canal, Panama

In the 1880s, a French company began building a canal but were thwarted by engineering problems and tropical disease, which killed over 20,000 workers. In 1903 the United States took over the project, completing it in 1914. Today you will pass through the narrowest point of the Isthmus of Panama and the American continent. The Panama Canal is an engineering marvel connecting the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans. Three sets of locks work as water elevators lifting ships to the level of Gatun Lake, 85 feet (26 metres) above sea level, and later lowering them again to sea level on the other side. By using the Canal, vessels avoid traveling the 14,000 nautical mile route through the treacherous Drake Passage and around Cape Horn at the southernmost tip of South America.

NOTE: Due to heavy traffic in the Canal, a daylight transit cannot be guaranteed. Confirmation of exact times will be established once it is closer to the actual transit date.

Day 8 Colón (Cristobal), Panama

Arrive in Colón just before sunset on Day 7. Head ashore to experience the local nightlife or enjoy a final evening on board. Following breakfast on the morning of Day 8, disembark the Silver Explorer for your continued journey home.