Expedition South And Central America With Panama Canal: Jungle Adventures, Caribbean Magic And Equatorial Discoveries

When people discuss great South American cities, Lima is often overlooked. But Peru's capital can hold its own against its neighbors. It has an oceanfront setting, colonial-era splendor, sophisticated dining, and nonstop nightlife.It's true that the city—clogged with traffic and choked with fumes—doesn't make a good first impression, especially since the airport is in an industrial neighborhood. But wander around the regal edifices surrounding the Plaza de Armas, among the gnarled olive trees of San Isidro's Parque El Olivar, or along the winding lanes in the coastal community of Barranco, and you'll find yourself charmed.In 1535 Francisco Pizarro found the perfect place for the capital of Spain's colonial empire. On a natural port, the so-called Ciudad de los Reyes (City of Kings) allowed Spain to ship home all the gold the conquistador plundered from the Inca. Lima served as the capital of Spain's South American empire for 300 years, and it's safe to say that no other colonial city enjoyed such power and prestige during this period.When Peru declared its independence from Spain in 1821, the declaration was read in the square that Pizarro had so carefully designed. Many of the colonial-era buildings around the Plaza de Armas are standing today. Walk a few blocks in any direction for churches and elegant houses that reveal just how wealthy this city once was. But the poor state of most buildings attests to the fact that the country's wealthy families have moved to neighborhoods to the south over the past century.The walls that surrounded the city were demolished in 1870, making way for unprecedented growth. A former hacienda became the graceful residential neighborhood of San Isidro. In the early 1920s the construction of tree-lined Avenida Arequipa heralded the development of neighborhoods such as bustling Miraflores and bohemian Barranco.Almost a third of the country's population of 29 million lives in the metropolitan area, many of them in relatively poor conos: newer neighborhoods on the outskirts of the city. Most residents of those neighborhoods moved there from mountain villages during the political violence and poverty that marked the 1980s and ’90s, when crime increased dramatically. During the past decade the country has enjoyed peace and steady economic growth, which have been accompanied by many improvements and refurbishment in the city. Residents who used to steer clear of the historic center now stroll along its streets. And many travelers who once would have avoided the city altogether now plan to spend a day here and end up staying two or three.

In Peru, your expedition will be characterised by the former Spanish conquistadors. Let your experts on board get you in the mood for this moving history. All of Peru’s territories were conquered one after the other and placed under Spanish rule. The port city of Paita, the Spanish capital on Peru’s north-west coast from 1578 to 1588, still boasts historical colonial flair today.

In the 16th century, the privateer Sir Francis Drake went on a raid in the Pacific Ocean. He is said to have hidden a legendary silver treasure on the Isla de la Plata, the “Silver Island” in Ecuador. During your individual shore visit, you won’t have to search long to discover the real treasure: an impressive variety of wildlife. The whimsical frigate birds and turkey vultures, as well as lava lizards, are native to the island. With local guides and your experts, you will walk across the island and be introduced to the vegetation of this dry forest, which is also found in a similar form on the Galapagos Islands. The wildlife constantly invites you to take photos, perhaps when magnificent frigate birds gracefully circle over the surf or brown pelicans practice diving. Images of nature that will never fade in your memory, even without a camera.

Isla de la Plata translates to ‘Island of Silver’, and the name was derived from the legend of swashbuckling pirate Sir Francis Drake’s buried silver treasure. The popular legend states that in the 16th century, hundreds of tons of silver and gold were never fully recovered and are still hidden on the island. The island was privately owned until 1979, when it was declared part of Ecuador’s Machalilla National Park. Best known for its fauna, which is amazingly similar to that of the Galapagos Islands, Isla de la Plata is a delightful place for birding, photography and long nature walks. Although just south of the equator, the influences of the colder Humboldt Current bring nutrient-rich water as far north as Isla de la Plata.

In the Utria National Park on the Pacific coast of Colombia, the wild beauty of the rainforest and the sea combine to create an unforgettable habitat. This huge park boasts one of the greatest biodiversities in the world, with species including anteaters, howler monkeys and deer. Surrounded by mountains cloaked in mist and mangrove-lined estuaries that change with the tides, you will be amazed by the flora and fauna. During a walk in the jungle or along the lagoon, your experts on board will continually hone your eye for unforgettable natural and animal sightings. Tropical birds, reptiles, amphibians, land mammals – which of these species will you observe? An excursion into the cultural heritage of the Afro-Colombian communities living here will round off your experiences.

The Utria National Park, located on Colombia’s Pacific Coast, is set in one of the most beautiful and unique natural settings of the country. It is a natural landmark of Colombia with striking thick rainforest, endless beaches, lush mangroves and steep mountains. During the breeding season, humpback whales raise their new-borns in the coastal waters. The park is a biodiversity “hot spot”, with a huge diversity of wildlife including monkeys, frogs, and more than 400 species of birds.

One of the most amazing waterways and shortcuts ever created by man: the Panama Canal, a masterpiece of engineering. The daytime passage through the canal that is over 80 km (50 mi.) long is the perfect mix of nature and technology accompanied by the pure spirit of discovery. Instead of the new section for giant container ships, your small expedition ship will take the narrow, original route of the canal. Feel the pulse of the lifeline as the ship glides past jungle and mangrove forests. The banks here are denser and the lock chambers narrower, giving you a direct view of their mechanics. You can watch the ship negotiating the the locks of Miraflores, Pedro Miguel and Gatun with great excitement – as you listen to knowledgeable commentary from your experts on board. It’s not just a passage, but a nostalgic experience with a historic atmosphere.

On the Caribbean side of the Panama Canal, San Blas awaits you with its 365 stunning islands – many of which are uninhabited. White beaches, turquoise-coloured water and lush green vegetation create a pure Robinson Crusoe feeling. The archipelago is home to the Indigenous Kuna tribe, who fought for their autonomy within Panama in 1925 in disputes with the central government. Today, the tribe lives on the larger islands, mainly near the mainland. They are known as the “gold people” because of the gold jewellery they wear. The colourful “molas”, elaborate sewing with traditional decorations, are typical of the women’s costumes. Gain an insight into the life of the Kuna on an individual shore visit and spend a few relaxing hours on the beach of one of these beautiful islands.

The San Blas archipelago is located off the Caribbean coast, east of Colon, and is made up of 365 islands that range in size from tiny ones with a few coconut palms to islands on which hundreds of Kuna Indians live. Only about fifty are inhabited. The Kuna rule the San Blas Territory with internal autonomy, and have tightly preserved their language and cultural traditions over the centuries despite influences from European colonies. In addition to their own language, Spanish is widely spoken and many men work on the mainland, but live on the islands. Women wear costumes with unique designs based on local themes, geometric patterns, and stylised fauna and flora. The island of El Porvenir is one of the main seats of government for the Kuna Indians. Many Kunas from the other islands came to settle on El Porvenir, bringing with them their traditional arts and crafts, including the famous molas. These intricately hand-sewn designs are made by the women of the tribes as part of their blouses and dresses. With the increased tourism, molas are now a favoured souvenir and craft item for visitors.

Cartagena de Indias, as the Colombian port city is called in contrast to the Spanish city of Cartagena, is said by many South America experts to have the most beautiful old town on the continent. Colombia declared the historic city centre a national heritage site as early as 1959, and in 1984 it also became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The massive fortress walls that still encircle the old town today and the colourful facades of the noble palaces and merchants’ houses are truly exceptional. With his novel, “Love in the Time of Cholera”, Gabriel García Márquez brought literary fame to Cartagena. Relax and explore the lively old town, the Spanish fortress of San Felipe and the Gold Museum on your own or with your experts. Cartagena’s Andalusian roots are unmistakable in its flair and architecture.

Cartagena's magnificent city walls and fortresses, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, enclose a well-restored historic center (the Cuidad Amurallada, or walled city) with plazas, churches, museums, and shops that have made it a lively coastal vacation spot for South Americans and others. New hotels and restaurants make the walled city a desirable place to stay, and the formerly down-at-the-heels Getsemaní neighborhood attracts those seeking a bohemian buzz. The historic center is a small section of Cartagena; many hotels are in the Bocagrande district, an elongated peninsula where high-rise hotels overlook a long, gray-sand beach.When it was founded in 1533 by Spanish conquistador Pedro de Heredia, Cartagena was the only port on the South American mainland. Gold and silver looted from indigenous peoples passed through here en route to Spain and attracted pirates, including Sir Francis Drake, who in 1586 torched 200 buildings. Cartagena's walls protected the city's riches as well as the New World's most important African slave market.

Caribbean dreams come to life in a colourful landscape: here on Curacao the sky appears to melt into the ocean, and the beaches and the sun gleam as if they were trying to outdo each other. Curacao is the largest of the three ABC islands – Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao – in the Netherlands Antilles, and is located in the Caribbean Sea. Historic Willemstad is a Dutch treasure of palm trees with its canals, pastel-coloured houses, beautiful colonial buildings and the historic Fort Amsterdam. During your exploration, the old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, will show its European aspects and Dutch roots. In addition to the urban highlights, your experts on board will also shed light on the former dark side of slavery.

The small Caribbean island of Bequia has retained its friendly and laid-back atmosphere. Here, life seems to move at a slower pace: the island only gained electricity and telephone service in the 1970s. Port Elizabeth adds an international flair: take a relaxed stroll through the capital, with its popular marina, which is also the starting point for sailing trips to the island world of the Grenadines. Bequia is a mecca for sailing, even in miniature: every year at Easter, a regatta of miniature sailors takes place here, for which there are numerous workshops for model ships. The island has something for everyone – from the small vegetable market to Mount Pleasant with its sweeping views and a sea turtle sanctuary. Or you can simply enjoy a day at the beach on the white sands of a sheltered cove, with the turquoise sea as your backdrop.

Bequia is a Carib word meaning "island of the cloud." Hilly and green with several golden-sand beaches, Bequia is 9 miles (14½ km) south of St. Vincent's southwestern shore; with a population of 5,000, it's the largest of the Grenadines. Although boatbuilding, whaling, and fishing have been the predominant industries here for generations, sailing has now become almost synonymous with Bequia. Admiralty Bay is a favored anchorage for both privately owned and chartered yachts. Lodgings range from comfortable resorts and villas to cozy West Indian—style inns. Bequia's airport and the frequent ferry service from St. Vincent make this a favorite destination for day-trippers, as well. The ferry docks in Port Elizabeth, a tiny town with waterfront bars, restaurants, and shops where you can buy handmade souvenirs—including the exquisitely detailed model sailboats that are a famous Bequia export. The Easter Regatta is held during the four-day Easter weekend, when revelers gather to watch boat races and celebrate the island's seafaring traditions with food, music, dancing, and competitive games.To see the views, villages, beaches, and boatbuilding sites around Bequia, hire a taxi at the jetty in Port Elizabeth. Several usually line up under the almond trees to meet each ferry from St. Vincent.

The name itself reflects the eventful history of Port of Spain – taken by the Spanish, conquered by the British, then the capital of the short-lived Federation of the West Indies. In 1962, the city was named the capital of Trinidad and Tobago as part of the country’s independence from Great Britain. Follow in the footsteps of these times, either independently or with your experts: Independence Square, Holy Trinity Cathedral, the Parliament Building and Queen’s Park Savannah with its colonial-style buildings are all settings for history. The name Trinidad goes back to Christopher Columbus, who, inspired by the island’s three distinctive mountain peaks, named it after the Holy Trinity. The large wetland habitat on Trinidad’s west coast is a birdwatchers’ paradise where cormorants, three-coloured herons and cardinals live. A real highlight is the opportunity to watch the scarlet ibises as they return to their roosting trees in large numbers at dusk.

Port of Spain is a seaport on the north-west coast of the island of Trinidad. The capital and commercial centre of Trinidad and Tobago, Port of Spain has architecture from around the world from Hindu temples to gingerbread Rococo. Trinidad, home of the carnival and the steel band, is an astonishing melting-pot of people and cultures - including African, Oriental, Indian, European and New World. It is also home to an interesting array of South American flora, as well as more than 400 species of birds, some of which can be seen if you visit the Asa Wright Nature Reserve. A Native American village known as Conquerabia occupied the site when the Spanish settled in the area in 1595 and renamed the community 'Puerto de España'. After the British took control of the island in 1797, the settlement's name was anglicised to Port of Spain. The city served as the capital of the Federation of the West Indies from 1958 to 1962, before the grouping was dissolved.

The rocky island of Ile Royale welcomes you with a mix of Brazilian rainforest and Caribbean palm trees as a cinematic backdrop. It was used as a French penal colony until 1951 – made famous by the book “Papillon” by Henri Charrière and its 1973 film adaptation starring Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman. The island invites you to go on an exciting journey through time – from arriving by Zodiac at the old landing site, which was once built by the prisoners, to looking into the cell blocks overgrown by vegetation. Enjoy the freedom to explore this secluded island independently. No film can capture the experiences that you’ll gather on your expedition.

Blessed with an abundance of wildlife, the first thing visitors to Ile Royale will notice will be the sea turtles feeding along the pier, the iguanas basking on rocks, and perhaps even the peacocks strolling along the road. At first glance, the island seems like paradise but scratch the surface and a much sombre past becomes clear. In fact, French Guiana was not always the tropical holiday destination it is today – far from it. During its penal colony days, being sent ‘en Guyane’ was the ultimate form of punishment, reserved primarily for the worst of France’s criminals (many will, of course, know the story of Henri Charriere aka Papillon, played by Steve McQueen in the film of the same name). Thankfully, Ile Royale – part of the three islands known as The Devil’s Islands (the smallest of which still retains the name today) has thrown off the shackles of its past and today embraces visitors in a rather more welcoming manner! If you decide to venture beyond the picture postcard long beach with swaying palm trees, historians will no doubt enjoy visiting the beautiful French colonial buildings, once home to the prison officers. Besides the officers’ quarters sits one of the highlights of Ile Royale – the prisoner-built chapel, dating from 1855. The most striking features, inside the wooden church, are the murals painted by convicted forger, Francis Lagrange. Other remains include the House of the Sisters, the military hospital and of course, the prison itself. Interestingly, in 1971 the Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (or CNES, France’s equivalent to NASA) purchased the islands. As they sit in the flight path of most rocket launches, the islands must be evacuated on launch days.