Jewish Travel Division of EMCO Travel, LLC Since 1993 Toll-free 877-466-2934.  Phone 727-254-4373 Fax: 203-653-5586 email:  info@JewishTravelAgency.com

Kosher Expeditions

Kosher Expedition Cruise of Panama Canal , 7 nights/8 days

Date: November 30-December 7, 2008

Join Kosher Expeditions as we travel on The Discovery – a private 24 person, 12 cabin catamaran, as we explore the wonders of the Panama Canal.  Experience a unique and in-depth travel & cruise adventure exploring the regions locks, lakes, indigenous cultures and surrounding rainforests.

Panama: Three million years ago a thin strip of land emerged from the sea, uniting the Americas. The recently formed bridge turned into the path of an ongoing natural pilgrimage. At that moment, Panama defined its vocation to be a place of transit and travel. Thousands of years later, other men arrived by sea and crossed the narrow strip from one ocean to the other.

Centuries later, the same path was covered by the natives, the Conquistadors, the Inca gold followers, pirates, slaves, the railway builders, the California gold hunters and the incoming ships from coasts and seas all over the world.

Today, the Panama Canal stands as a living monument to this land of transit, this crossroads, stretching over a historic path trodden by those who opened the way and by the footsteps of those who remained.

Itinerary

Day 1 Sunday – Arrive Panama City / transfer to Flamenco Marina to meet your ship

Sail the tropical waters of the Pacific Ocean towards Contadora Island, where the Discovery will stay the first night before navigating to the Darien Jungle. Take this opportunity to meet your expedition leaders, the crew and your fellow travelers while you savor our tempting native cuisine.

• 3:00 p.m. – Embarkation time in Flamenco Marina.
• Discovery sails for Contadora Island.
• Welcome cocktail, a safety briefing, and an introduction to the crew and guides. The guides will give a full presentation of the sites to be visited during your 8-day program, including the next day’s activities to Mogue River in Darien.
• Safety drill. 
•  7:30 p.m. – Dinner

Day 2 Monday - Darien Jungle.

Step aboard a time machine and travel back more than 600 years to a place that not many have had the privilege of experiencing. More than an excursion, this is a journey into the lives of the Embera Indians. A proud people who have been able to maintain their traditions and lifestyle as they were before the Spaniards colonized the region. These natives are also master crafters of cocobolo wood carvings and basketry. After motoring up river you will see the village emerging from the jungle, as if by magic.  Keep your eyes open along the way as the region offers abundant wildlife that is particularly active along the rivers edge.

• Discovery starts its repositioning towards Darien (approximate sailing time is 4 hours and 30 minutes).
• Passengers arrive and wake up at the mouth of the Mogue River in Darien.
• 7:00 a.m. – Breakfast 
• Zodiac cruise around the Quebrada Honda/Punta Alegre area.
• 12:00 p.m. – Lunch 
• Passengers will be taken to visit the Embera Village to interact with the native Indians.
• 6:30 p.m. – Guides will give you a recap of what was done during the day and will give an explanation of next day’s activities. 
• 7:00 p.m. – Dinner

Day 3 Tuesday - Pearl Islands / San Telmo.

Snorkel and swim in the waters of the Pearl Islands. The archipelago owes its name to the abundance of pearl oysters which supported a substantial fishery in the early 1900’s. On the outer portion of the archipelago, the islands of San Telmo and Galera are home to some pristine beaches and fertile fishing grounds. View the remains of the submarine Explorer built in 1865 during the Civil War and which sunk off the coast of San Telmo during the oyster fishery of the late 1800´s.

• The Discovery repositions towards San Telmo, located in the Pearl Islands.
• 6:30 a.m. – Early risers coffee station in the bar area.
• 7:00 a.m. – Breakfast
• Snorkeling briefing.
• Activities start with a visit to the sunken Civil War submarine. Passengers will also be able to do  snorkeling around the area.
• 12:30 p.m. – Lunch
• The Discovery will be moving to Mogo Mogo Island. On the way, be on the lookout for whales and dolphins.
• When Discovery arrives at Mogo Mogo, you will spend the afternoon on the beach either swimming, snorkeling, kayaking or just enjoying the beautiful scenery of the crystal clear waters and golden sand.
• 6:30 p.m. – Guides will give you a recap of what was done during the day and will give an explanation of next day’s activities (including a brief explanation on the Panama Canal). 
• 7:00 p.m. – Dinner

Day 4 Wednesday - Panama Canal Transit / Limon Bay

Wake up at the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal and join the morning’s ship convoy for our northbound canal passage traversing Miraflores Locks, Pedro Miguel Locks and Gatun Locks. The Discovery will be raised 85 feet above sea level to Gatun Lake. You will have a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience up close the history and operation of this engineering marvel. Navigate the Gaillard Cut, the narrowest section of the Panama Canal, bisecting the Continental Divide. This section of the canal is full of history and geological value and you will be able to appreciate the continuous maintenance that this area requires, because it is very susceptible to landslides. Later in the afternoon, the Discovery will complete its full Panama Canal transit on its way to the Caribbean Sea and the mouth of the Chagres River.

• Discovery starts sailing on its way to transit the Panama Canal.
• 6:30 a.m. – Early risers coffee station in the bar area.
• 8:00 a.m. – Breakfast 
• Discovery will do a daylight transit through the Panama Canal crossing the first two sets of locks, Miraflores and Pedro Miguel locks. 
• 12:30 p.m. – BBQ lunch during the Panama Canal transit.
• Discovery will complete its full Panama Canal transit in the afternoon reaching up to Limon Bay, outside of the Gatun Locks.
• 6:30 p.m – Guides will give you a recap of what was done during the day and will give an explanation of next day’s activities. 
• 7:00 p.m. – Dinner

* Times and schedules are upon confirmation by the Panama Canal.

Day 5 Thursday - Chagres River / Fort San Lorenzo

Experience the magnificent Chagres River which was used by the conquistadors to move their gold across the Isthmus of Panama en-route from Peru to Spain and by the gold prospectors who attempted a "short cut" from the US East coast to the gold fields of California. The river was the centerpiece of the colonial inter-oceanic route and is now the lifeline of the Panama Canal full of wildlife and tropical jungle. Explore Fort San Lorenzo which is located on a cliff at the mouth of the Chagres on the Atlantic side where your leader will offer details of the immense amount of history found on this area. The fort was built by the Spaniards in the 16th century to defend their well known gold trail.

• Discovery will sail towards the mouth of the Chagres River.
• 6:30 a.m. – Early risers coffee station in the bar area.
• 7:00 a.m. – Breakfast 
• Exploration on the Chagres River.
• 12:30 p.m. – Lunch 
• Depart on a nature walk and exploration to Fort San Lorenzo.
• 6:30 p.m – Guides will give you a recap of what was done during the day and will give an explanation of next day’s activities. 
• 7:00 p.m. – Dinner

Day 6 Friday - Portobelo – Caribbean / Disembark

Enjoy the town of Portobelo on Caribbean waters which was founded by Christopher Columbus on his fourth voyage to the new continent in 1597. This quaint town is rich in history as it was the site of many sea and land battles between the Spanish colonials and the pirates and corsairs raiding the Spanish Main. Explore the fortifications built by the Spaniards to protect their treasures. After lunch, be ready to disembark the Discovery. Travel by motor coach to Panama City for a memorable Shabbat with the Jewish community of Panama. This two hour trip will allow you to traverse the trans-isthmian highway from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean.

• Discovery leaves the Chagres River area and repositions towards Portobelo.
• 6:30 a.m. – Early risers coffee station in the bar area.
• 7:00 a.m. – Breakfast
• You will disembark the Discovery for a tour to the town of Portobelo to interact with the locals, buy beautiful crafts, and vist the fortifications built by the Spaniards. After the tour, you will immediately board the bus that will take you back to Panama City for a 2 hour ride.
• 12:30 p.m. – Lunch on board
• 1:30 p.m. – Depart for Panama City
• 3:30 p.m.  – Arrive Panama City, hotel check-in
• 5:30 p.m. – Shabbat services at local synagogue
• 7:30 p.m. – Shabbat dinner

Day 7 Saturday – Shabbat in Panama / Day at leisure

Shabbat is at leisure with the Jewish community of Panama City.  Morning service followed by Kiddush and afternoon at leisure.  Havdallah and farewell dinner where we say goodbye and share stories of the past weeks adventure with old and new friends.

Day 8 Sunday - Depart

* Please note itinerary and times are subject to change
 

Activities include

• Rainforest exploration via kayak, zodiac and walks

• Cultural programs

• Panama Canal Passage

• Snorkeling

• Lecture series

• Plus so much more!

Your Team Leaders

Onboard the Discovery you will find enthusiastic expedition leaders that will provide insight and profound understanding of the adventure you will undertake. They are experienced and well trained naturalists ready to share their vast knowledge and understanding.

Our expedition leaders share a love for history and a passion for nature. They will introduce you to native human groups that still preserve their customs and traditions, and to a world of stunning natural beauty and rich history unknown by most.

They are experts on their fields and they will make your journey onboard the Discovery an unforgettable experience.

Your Kosher Expeditions staff includes your tour leaders and certified on-site mashgiach

Land Cost:

$3950 per person/double

*Please add 9% for taxes and fees.  $100 per person for gratuities will be collected at the start of the program.

The Ship

Passenger numbers on the Discovery are limited to just 24, ensuring everyone can enjoy serenity and privacy together with the excitement and closeness of a true exploration cruise.

Discovery is a 33 meter, purpose built catamaran providing 8 queen and 4 twin cabins. All cabins have individual climate control, bathrooms and huge windows which extend along the length of the cabin allowing you to enjoy the scenery in complete privacy.

The dining area, bar and lounge are located on the upper deck which is fitted with floor to ceiling “glass walls” providing a spectacular dinning experience and plenty of space to unwind. Enjoy Panamanian haute gastronomy as we delight you with exquisite indigenous dishes prepared by our talented chef. A BBQ and sun deck are located on the topmost observation deck.

The Discovery is equipped with a unique platform that lowers kayakers gently into the water and also retrieves them in perfect safety and comfort

Deck Plan

Upper Deck

Mid-Deck

Main - Deck

Other departures available year round for small private groups of 2-13 participants and large private groups of 14 +

Email for more information or reservation

Index

Toll-free 877-466-2934.  Phone 727-254-4373
email:  info@JewishTravelAgency.com
www.JewishTravelAgency.com

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