costa rica & panama - national audubon society · isla coiba: an unexpected gem unquestionably,...
TRANSCRIPT
AboArd NAtioNAl GeoGrAphic SeA lioN January 26–February 2, 2013
coStA ricA & pANAMAtropicAl WildNeSS & the pANAMA cANAl
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Dear Audubon Member & Friend,
Early this year, The New York Times put Panama first on its 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 tropical
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. 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 Audubon leader Rodd Kelsey, Ph.D, Director of the Migratory Bird
Conservation Program, Audubon California; 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. You’ll relax on
a palm tree-lined beach and then hike to a waterfall pool for a swim. Snorkeling in
the clear sea at Isla Coiba is almost always a highlight, as is the afternoon spent at
Casa Orquídeas — a tropical garden tended by two welcoming ex-pats.
More than an expedition between the canal and the rain forest, 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 January 26–February 2, 2013. To reserve your place,
please return the enclosed reservation form or call (800) 967-7425.
Sincerely,
Sandy Pinto
Director of Licensing & Travel, Audubon
Cover: Hummingbird feeding on torch ginger. Opposite page: Coastline view of Corcovado National Park.
Ship’s Registry: United States
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Travel aboard an expedition ship — the most interesting way to explore Costa Rica & PanamaOnly traveling by ship makes the journey of going from rain forest to beach and habitats in
between as exciting as the wildlife and wonders. Only traveling by ship gives you the thrill
of transiting the legendary Panama Canal and visiting the pristine islands that lie beyond
its boundaries. Only traveling by ship gives you a sense of the whole and not just the parts
— it’s like living a story that reveals a new chapter every day.
An intimate, 62-guest expedition ship is not only perfect for exploring where much larger
ships cannot go, but our guests often compare the feeling aboard National Geographic
Sea Lion to that of a private yacht with a group of like-minded adventurers.
You’ll actively explore, too — on hikes and walks through the rain forests, kayaking,
snorkeling, and talking with our expert and engaging naturalists. No land-based
experience can equal the esprit de corps you’ll find aboard National Geographic Sea
Lion as you share adventures with fellow guests and your talented and friendly expedition
team. Service, comfort, and the luxury of unpacking once are terrific, too!
Opposite page (clockwise from top): Kayaking is a unique way to explore the rich ecosystem; purple honey-
creeper; heliconia flower; squirrel monkey with baby on palm leaf, Manuel Antonio N.P.; walk along the lush rain
forest trail; young explorer holds a steady perch for an owl-eye butterfly.
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Dividing oceans and uniting continents, Costa Rica and Panama are some of the
most beautiful and wildly diverse natural regions on the planet.
Hike a verdant rain forest with a botanist, snorkel over a vibrant coral reef with a
marine biologist — and in one day, experience more biodiversity than most people see
in a lifetime.
A team of naturalists, photographers,
ornithologist, biologists, and
more will share the wonders of
the environment. And with one
naturalist for every 12 guests
aboard the intimate expedition
ship National Geographic Sea Lion,
you’re ensured ample attention and
varied perspectives. The casual, yet
engaged style of exploration means
you’re welcome to gravitate toward
whichever naturalist’s background
mirrors your passions.
The naturalists take great pride in exploring the topography with you and spotting wildlife. You will find species that are found nowhere else, but also be surprised to find species that are common in your own backyard.
Remote islands and seldom-seen wildness in the company of experts
Keel-billed toucan
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A photo instructor will always help you go
home with the best shots.
A photo instructor will help take your photography skills to the next level, novice and amateur alike.
Expedition photography in the tropicsExplore Costa Rica and Panama with the
benefit of an onboard Lindblad Expeditions-
National Geographic certified photo
instructor— a naturalist specially trained to
offer assistance with your camera settings
and give you shooting tips in the field to
take advantage of the region’s peerless
light.
With such diversity and wildness, you’ll
find endless photo ops. There is the dizzying
greenness of the rain forest, the delicate
graceful details of wildflowers, the robust energy of monkeys.
At sea, we have dramatic sunsets and sunrises. On land, we hike the forest trails in search
of that moment that thrills and surprises us — the iridescent hummingbird, the upside-down
sloth, the vibrant heliconia flowering plant.
Capture the drama of the Panama Canal at night, and document your expedition in a way few
can. We have the special opportunity to cross part of the canal during the day and another
part at night, for two varied yet incredible views of this passage between the seas.
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Panama Canal, sail through history
“…you here who are doing your work well in bringing to completion this great enterprise, are standing exactly as a soldier of the few great wars of the world’s history. This is one of the great works of the world. It is a greater work than you yourselves at the moment realize.”
– Theodore Roosevelt, addressing the canal
See the Panama Canal as it was meant to be seen — by ship. Our crossing is usually split
between day and evening, giving you the extra benefit of seeing the canal dramatically lit at
night. The nearly 100-year-old canal is a marvel of engineering and a living monument to the
toil and genius of a generation.
Enjoy special access while voyaging through the Panama Canal zone. By arrangement with
the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, National Geographic Sea Lion is granted access
to Barro Colorado Island in the canal’s Lake Gatún.
This 3,700-acre island has been under constant supervision of the Smithsonian since 1923
and is the world’s leading venue for tropical research. Their local guides and researchers will
help us explore this unique habitat and enlighten us to the scientists’ ongoing research.
Isla Coiba: An unexpected gem Unquestionably, adventurous travelers
are drawn to this expedition to see and
experience the Panama Canal. But if you
were to ask any of them at random at the
end of their journey about the highlights of
their trip, they almost invariably will mention
Coiba National Park.
Snorkeling in Coiba National Park is a not-
to-be-missed experience. This sliver of white
sand in the middle of a sea of aqua is just
irresistible. The variety of color and forms found in the reef around the island attests to the
beauty and uniqueness of this national park.
Coiba, one of Panama’s most important national parks and now one of the five UNESCO
World Heritage sites in the country, is the pride and glory of its park system. It not only
protects the most extensive tropical forest of any island in the region, but it boasts the
best examples of Pacific coral reefs found anywhere between Baja California and Peru.
Coiba is special because it is the one place where virtually everyone's interests can be
accommodated, by offering birding walks, sea kayaking, snorkeling, and Zodiac cruising.
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There's no need to lug snorkeling gear from home — that's our job. Above: Encounter with an agile sea turtle.
Kayaks allow you to make your own personal discoveries.
Costa Rica & The Panama Canal ItInErAry: 8 DAys/7 nIghts – NatioNal GeoGraphic Sea lioN
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COsTA RiCA
Herradura
Panama Canal
PANAMA
Manuel Antonio N.P.
Osa Peninsula
Colón
Panama CityBarro Colorado is.
Caribbean Sea
Pacific Ocean Gulf of Panama
san José
Golfo Dulce
isla Coiba
Join us to explore the coastal regions of Panama and Costa Rica for an intriguing blend of
nature — plus a transit of the legendary Panama Canal. The wildlife of the region includes
spider, howler, and capuchin monkeys, coatimundis, sloths, and over 300 species of birds,
including toucans and macaws.
DAY 1: MIAMI/SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA/HERRADURA/EMBARK
Upon arrival in San José, transfer to Herradura and embark National Geographic Sea Lion. (D)
DAY 2: MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL PARK
Spend the morning in Manuel Antonio National Park. We explore early, when the wildlife is most
active. The naturalists point out monkeys or birds as they zip through the forest, and lethargic three-
toed sloths in the trees. In the afternoon, find a place for a hike or take a refreshing swim. (B,L,D)
DAY 3: OSA PENINSULA
We anchor off the Osa Peninsula, unreachable by road, to see some of the most pristine lowland
rain forest on the Pacific. In the environs of Corcovado National Park, you may swim in waterfall
pools, horseback ride, or join a Zodiac cruise. Trek through the rain forest to look for monkeys. (B,L,D)
DAY 4: GOLFO DULCE
We enter the mangrove-fringed Golfo Dulce, a protected gulf along
the southwestern edge of Costa Rica. At Casa Orquídeas, a privately
owned garden accessible only by boat and special invitation, see a
profusion of orchids; look for tanagers, parrots, and gaudy toucans.
Later, explore the placid bay, ideal for kayaking or swimming. (B,L,D)
DAY 5: ISLA COIBA NATIONAL PARK, PANAMA
Our first stop in Panama is at the remote Isla Coiba National Park, a
UNESCO World Heritage site. Once a penal colony, the island has long been
Capuchin monkey and baby.
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protected and accessible by special permit only. You’ll have an opportunity to search for the
Coiba Island agouti and the mantled howler money. The pristine beach is ideal for swimming,
snorkeling, and kayaking. (B,L,D)
DAY 6: GULF OF PANAMA ISLETS/PANAMA CANAL TRANSIT
This archipelago of islands due south of Panama City has a storied past — pearls,
conquistadors, buccaneers, and so much more. We’ll explore the turquoise waters via Zodiac
or kayak, where dolphins and whales have been spotted. Observe roosting and nesting
magnificent frigatebirds and blue-footed boobies on the bluffs of isolated islets. Reboard
the ship in the afternoon and head to the Panama Canal. Stretching more than 50 miles,
the canal was a colossal engineering feat completed in 1914. We’ll most likely begin our
crossing at night, when the canal is dramatically lit. (B,L,D)
DAY 7: BARRO COLORADO ISLAND/PANAMA CANAL TRANSIT
In the morning, we’ll board Zodiacs for Barro Colorado Nature Monument in Gatún Lake by
special arrangement. This island has been the primary Smithsonian center for tropical rain
forest study since 1923, and we are proud to have special permission to visit the facilities at
the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. Join researchers for a walk through the forests
that so challenged the builders of the canal. In the evening, continue through the complex lock
system of the canal. (B,L,D)
DAY 8: COLON/PANAMA CITY, PANAMA/U.S.
After breakfast, disembark in Colón and transfer to
the airport in Panama City for flights home. (B)
optional pre-Voyage extensionExtend your adventure with three days in
Monteverde Cloud Forest. Call for details.
National Geographic Sea Lion is ideal for exploring where much larger ships cannot go.
Blue Morpho butterfly.
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National Geographic Sea Lion CAPACITY: 62 guests in 31 outside
cabins. REGISTRY: United States.
OvERALL LENGTH: 152 feet.
PUBLIC AREAS: Ship features a library;
global market; lounge with full-service bar
and facilities for films, slide shows, and
presentations; Observation Deck; partially
covered Sun Deck with chairs and tables.
Our “Open Bridge” provides guests an
opportunity to meet our officers and
captain and learn about navigation.
MEALS: Served in single seatings
with unassigned tables for an informal
atmosphere and easy mingling. Breakfast
is a wide-selection buffet, and lunch
is often served family style. Menu
emphasizes local flavors.
CABINS: All face outside with windows,
private facilities, and climate controls.
ExPEDITION EqUIPMENT: Zodiac landing
craft, kayaks, snorkeling gear, bow camera,
hydrophone, Splash-Cam, underwater
video camera, and video microscope.
SPECIAL FEATURES: Guest Internet access.
A video chronicler, undersea specialist, and
ship’s doctor on board all voyages.
WELLNESS: The vessel is staffed by a
wellness specialist and features exercise
equipment, LEXspa, and morning stretch
classes on the Sun Deck.
Prices are per person, double occupancy unless indicated as solo.
iTiNERARy CAT. 1 CAT. 2 CAT. 3 CAT. 1 sOlO
CAT. 2 sOlO
ADvANCE PAyMENT NOTE
Costa Rica & The Panama Canal
$5,330 $5,860 $6,990 $7,990 $8,790 $550Sample Airfare: Miami/San José/Panama City/Miami: Economy from $500; Business from $1,500. Subject to change.
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CATEGORY 1: Main Deck #300-305 — Conveniently positioned between the dining room and lounge, these cabins feature two single lower beds, a writing desk, and a large view window.CATEGORY 2: Bridge Deck #100-104; Upper Deck #200-212, 215 — These well-located cabins include two lower single beds and a window.CATEGORY 3: Bridge Deck #105, 106; Upper Deck #214, 216, 217, 219 — These cabins feature a seating unit with table and two large view windows. Upper
LEXspa 106
105 103
104
101
102 100 SUN DECK
BRID
GE
GYM EQUIPMENT
BRIDGE DECK
219 217
216 214
215 211
212 210 208 206 204 202 200
201 203 205 207 209
UPPER DECK
MAIN DECK
LOUNGE
OBSERVATIONDECK
BAR
CPTN.
DINING ROOM
305 303 301
304 302 300
Deck cabins include two lower single beds which can convert to a double bed and a pull-out single bed for a third person; Bridge Deck cabins include two lower single beds only.NOTE: Sole occupancy cabins are available in Categories 1 and 2 only. Third person rates are available in certain categories at one half the double occupancy rate.SHARED ACCOMMODATIONS: Shares can be arranged at the double occupancy rate in Categories 1 and 2 only.
Clockwise from top left: Fresh produce is sourced locally whenever possible; comfortable Category 3 cabin;
guests scanning the sea for marine mammals.
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Expedition Cost Includes: Accommodations aboard ship; all meals as indicated; nonalcoholic beverages aboard ship; all shore excursions, sightseeing, and entrance fees; transfers to/from airport/ship if traveling on group flights; use of kayaks and snorkeling gear; all port taxes and service charges during the voyage; gratuities to local guides/drivers; services of Lindblad Expeditions’ natural history staff and a ship physician. Not Included: Air transportation Miami/Central America/Miami; meals not indicated; extension; horseback riding; passport/visa fees; baggage/accident/travel protection plan; items of a personal nature such as alcoholic beverages, voyage DVD, email, and laundry; gratuities to ship’s crew at your discretion.Airfare: Airfare is an additional cost unless otherwise indicated. Sample airfares are subject to change. Lindblad Expeditions will gladly assist in making your air arrangements. There will be a $50 per person service fee if you elect for Lindblad to handle your air arrangements.Note: A complete packet of pre-departure information, including recommended reading list and sug-gestions on what to bring, will be sent to you approximately four months before departure.Reservations: To confirm your place, an advance payment of US $550 per person is payable by check or major credit card. Final Payment: Due no later than 60 days prior to departure. Insurance: Trip cancellation/interruption insurance is highly recommended by Audubon Nature Odysseys and should be considered for your financial protection. Also important, especially if you are traveling internationally, is medical insurance and emergency medical evacuation coverage. A compre-hensive package will be made available to you upon receipt of your initial deposit. Early purchase may provide coverage of preexisting medical problems.Smoking Policy: Allowed only in designated outdoor areas. Responsibility: Certain other provisions concerning, among other things, limitations of the Company’s (Lindblad Expeditions) liability for loss of property, injury, illness or death during the voyage will be provided to all guests prior to final payment, and to prospective guests upon request.
CAnCELLAtIOn POLICy
number of Days Prior to Expedition start Per Person Cancellation Fee90 or more days $150
89–60 days Advance payment cost
59–30 days 50% of trip cost
29–0 days No refund
This policy applies to expeditions and may vary for extensions. We strongly recommend that you purchase a travel protection plan.
itinerary and prices listed in this brochure are as of publication date, and are subject to change. The Company reserves the right to impose surcharges based on increases in the Company’s actual cost of fuel.
The ship carries twelve double and eight single kayaks, allowing for water-level exploration.
Bring the Kids: We believe sharing an expedition with your kids or grandkids is a life-enhancing experi-ence. So, take $500 off the double occupancy price for each person under 18.
SPECIAL OFFER
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
The ship carries twelve double and eight single kayaks, allowing for water-level exploration.
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Reservation Form: Costa Rica & The Panama Canal January 26–February 2, 2013 Aboard National Geographic Sea Lion
Please reserve _______________________place(s).
Name 1 (As it appears on passport): ____________________________________________
Name 1 (Preferred name for name badge): ___________________ Date of Birth: __________
Name 2 (As it appears on passport): ____________________________________________
Name 2 (Preferred name for name badge): ___________________ Date of Birth: __________
Street Address: ________________________________________________________
City: ________________________________ State: _______________ Zip: ________
Home Phone: ________________________ Business Phone: ____________________
Cell: ______________________________ Fax: ______________________________
Email: _______________________________________________________________
Accommodations: Double Single Twin share w/friend Twin share (Roommate assigned by tour operator)
Please indicate choice of cabin category in order of preference: 1st choice: _______________________2nd choice: ___________________________
Please send me information on the Monteverde extension.
Enclosed is my advance payment of $ _____________________(US$550 per person) Check made payable to Lindblad Maritime Enterprises, Ltd.
Charge my advance payment of $_________________________ (US$550 per person) to my Visa MasterCard American Express or Discover
Account Number: _______________________________________ Expires: _________
Cardholder Signature: _____________________________________ Date: _________
Our trips are designed for Audubon members. If you are not a member, please send the
National Audubon Society a separate check for the special introductory rate of $20.
Please tell us how interested you are in birding:
Interested Not Interested Very Interested
Please return to: Audubon Nature OdysseysAttn: Yng-Ru Chen225 Varick Street, 7th FloorNew York, NY 10014Phone: (800) 967-7425 or(212) 979-3066Fax: (212) 979-3155Email: [email protected]
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