Costa Rica — The Americas — Explore Worldwide 2008/09 online holiday brochure

THE AMERICAS PANAMA COSTA RICA White water rafting Quetzal spotting NEW! From Pacific to Caribbean 12 DAYS HOTELS A CONTINENTAL TRAVERSE! Ref PN Active Costa Rica! Ref MCC JFMAMJJASOND JFMA JFMAMJJASOND JFMA 16 DAYS HOTELS/LODGES/HACIENDAS EXPLORE THE WILD SIDE OF COSTA RICA Lake Nicaragua Active Costa Rica! Ref MCC S a nN I C A R A G U A Ju Caribbean an RINCON DE LA VIEJA 1895m Sea Cycling, horse riding Arenal SARAPIQUI Cycling Canopy walks White water rafting on Rio Reventazon Ricas finest wilderness, where primary rainforest tumbles into the ocean. Exploring on foot and by boat, we visit Cano Island and snorkel amongst the coral reefs. We return to the mainland to stay at Canto de Ballenas, taking boats into the marine caves where theres the chance to snorkel and also to hopefully spot dolphins. Forest Walks & Horse Riding Continuing up the coast we head to Manuel Antonio National Park where wildlife-spotting opportunities and the chance to swim off white sand beaches abound. From here we head across country to Rincon de la Vieja National Park famous for its volcano and waterfalls. Here we stay on a working ranch where we join in driving cattle, ride to a nearby waterfall on horseback, bathe in volcanic mud pools and explore the trails in the National Park. White Water, Biking Beneath Volcanoes and the Caribbean Pausing at Arenal we cycle beneath what is one of the most active volcanoes in the world before continuing to Sarapiqui. Here we take in the sounds of the rainforest at our lodge, home to an array of bromeliads and heliconia and alive with birdlife especially the beautiful hummingbird and we take time to explore the jungle by canopy and zip-wire. We try our hand at white-water rafting and take to the Grade 3 rapids of the Rio Reventazon, whisking us down to the Caribbean lowlands where we end with a chance to relax or for the energetic to kayak, surf and hike an excellent finale to this active tour. The densely rainforested isthmus of Panama has served as a land bridge between Central America and South America for a remarkable host of wildlife and as a crossing point from the Caribbean to the Pacific for a succession of Spanish Conquistadors, pirates and of course for the Panama Canal. From the cool highlands in the west, to picturesque Caribbean Islands, discover a compact and diverse country. Panama City & Canal After exploring the ruins of Old Panama we spend the day exploring the vibrant colonial heart of Panama City, with its balconied houses and ramparts overlooking the Pacific Ocean. We then spend a day on the canal itself, travelling by boat through Gatun Lake as far as Gatun locks, keeping our eyes peeled for wildlife along the densely forested river banks. Highlands & Bocas del Toro Heading west up into the cooler highlands we explore on foot a landscape of lush, tropical forest, occassionally scarred by the volcanoes whose peaks dominate the region. After COSTA RICA quetzal searching in La Amistad Park and the chance to try white water rafting we take a ferry across to the Caribbean Islands of Bocas del Toro where we can relax, comb the white-sand beaches and snorkel in the clear warm seas. FACTFILE Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Panama City. 2 In Panama City; city tour. 3 Miraflores docks and boat trip on Gatun Lake; return Panama City. 4 In Chilibre; optional hike Camino de los Cruces (6hrs). 5 In Chilibre; optional Pipeline road excursion for birdspotting, canoeing or canopy walks. 6 Train to Colon, drive to Portobelo and return Chilibre. 7 Fly Bocas del Toro; free afternoon. 8 On Bocas; boat trip and snorkelling. 9 On Bocas; Free day for optional trips. 10 Fly Panama City; optional visit to Embera Indians. 11 Fly London. 12 Arrive London. Accommodation & Meals: 10nts hotel; 10 breakfasts & 1 lunch included. See insert p2. Mode of Travel: Bus (charter & public)/Ferry/ Train/Flights as itinerary. Comment: A comprehensive trip from the rainforested banks of the Panama Canal to walks and wildlife spotting in the highlands on the Costa Rican border. It is possible to opt out of all walks. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader, drivers, boatmen and some local guides. Group Size: Approx. 13 to 18. COSTA RICA SAN JOSE PUERTO VIEJO Cerro Chirripo 3820m Palmar Sur MANUEL ANTONIO NP Walks & swimming CANTO DE BALLENAS PA C I F I C OCEAN km 0 Boat trip to caves Isla del Ca�o CORCOVADO NP Pacific beach 100 Optional walks Costa Ricas landscape varies from cloudforest to tropical beaches, volcanoes to white water rivers. Our journey takes us from Pacific to Caribbean on horseback, white-water raft, bike, and on foot to explore Central Americas most highly regarded multiactive destination. Watch troops of Capuchin monkeys, catch sight of the distinctively inactive sloth or take to the sea and go dolphin spotting. This tour is a potent mix of activity, adventure, scenery and wildlife, with time to relax towards the end on the Caribbean coast. A tour for people of all abilities. Rainforest Walks & Whales We fly to the Osa Peninsula and travel by boat to our lodge to immerse ourselves in Costa Canopy zipwire BOCAS DEL TORO Boat tour, swimming & snorkeling Almirante La Amistad NP From Pacific to Caribbean Ref PN Lake Optional visit C A R I B B E A N Lock Alajuela Panama Canal Ember� S E A wildlife cruise Community Gatun Chagres NP Bocas del Toro Archipelago Lake Gatun Gamboa Los CERRO PUNTA Quetzales Volc�n Bar� 3475m Trail Miraflores Docks PANAMA CITY ui Viejo iriq BOQUETE David PANAMA a C ordiller City tour Panama Viejo ral Cent P A C I F I C O C E A N km 0 100 Ch Gulf of Chiriqui FACTFILE Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/San Jose. 2 Fly to Palmar Sur; bus and boat to Osa Peninsula; walks on Drake Bay. 3 & 4 In Corcovado, visit reserve, horse riding, snorkelling, walks. 5 Boat and Bus to Canto de Ballenas, visit caves; snorkelling and dolphin spotting. 6 Drive to Manuel Antonio NP; jungle walks and swimming. 7 Drive to Rincon de la Vieja Volcano. 8 & 9 At Rincon de la Vieja, visit National Park, farm, horse riding to waterfalls and hot springs, optional canyoning. 10 Drive to Sarapiqui via Arenal for cycling. 11 At Sarapiqui, rainforest walk, optional canopy walk. 12 Drive to Caribbean, white-water rafting en route; continue to Puerto Viejo. 13 Relax on Caribbean; optional surfing or kayaking. 14 Drive to San Jose. 15 Fly London. 16 Arrive London. Accommodation & Meals: 4nts hotel, 10nts lodge; 9 breakfasts, 5 lunches & 3 dinners included. See insert p2. Mode of Travel: Boat/Raft/Bike/Bus/On foot. Comment: Despite its tiny size, Costa Rica has an incredible variety of world-class attractions. All included activities are within the scope of any moderately fit adult full instruction is given. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader plus driver(s), boatmen and relevant local guides. Group Size: Approx. 12 to 16. Colourful Bocas del Toro For information, inspiration and latest tour availability visit www.explore.co.uk 201

The Americas contd… Costa Rica