COSTA RICA AND PANAMA 2009

There's no region on earth that encompasses such natural diversity as Costa Rica and Panama. From volcanoes and cloud forests to amazing coastlines with pristine beaches, this tropical wonder has breathtaking beauty. Perhaps most important is it's position between the Americas: a land bridge between North and South where migrating animals and plants have met for thousands of years. The abundance of flora and fauna found nowhere else on earth makes the region a garden lovers paradise. Wildlife is plentiful and varied too and fortunately much of the region's rich wilderness has been preserved within National Parks. How thrilling it is to be walking along a forest trail in the early morning and hear the loud roaring of howler monkeys announcing their presence to the rest of the world; to see exotically coloured fish and perhaps be surprised by a sea turtle; and to have the chance to see so many bird species including the Quetzal and Scarlet Macaw. One of man's greatest engineering achievements is here too, the legendary Panama Canal. So there's plenty to do and see in this part of the globe but how do you get the best experience? That's where Furlongs Travel come in. We know above all else how to connect the dots and how to do it in an interesting fashion. For example we've chosen to stay "hacienda-style" near San Jose and in traditional country "casitas" in the cloud forest. We'll explore the coast aboard a privately chartered ship which, incidentally, is limited to 60 guests. We'll visit National Parks and private nature reserves, and our expert guides will help you find the sloths, monkeys and macaws, and also ensure you take full advantage of our unique approach to the Panama Canal. Furlongs holidays are always meticulously researched and planned and this tour will, as usual, be personally escorted by the proprietors. So, if you're inclined to explore nature, see one of man's greatest engineering feats, and want to travel in safe hands in the company of other discerning folk, don't miss this tour. It's a great opportunity to see what few have seen.

A colour brochure with all the holiday details is available on request, or you may download details here. Call us on 01580 240240 for any details you may require. Some useful information shown below. Follow these links or simply scroll down the page:-

• Itinerary
• Holiday prices and what's included
• Singles and twin-shares
• M/V Sea Voyager
• Holiday hotels
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HOLIDAY ITINERARY

Sun 29 Mar 2009, UK to Costa Rica
We fly from London Heathrow with connections available from other UK airports. Arriving in San Jose we take a short private transfer to the 4-star Marriott Costa Rica Hotel for a three night stay. (L,D)

Mon 30 Mar 2009, La Paz Waterfall Gardens
Excursion included today to Volcán Poás and La Paz Waterfall Gardens. The Volcan Poás main crater is one and a half kilometres wide, 300 metres deep, and full of subtle, moonscape colours. However the rest of Poás is intensely green so we'll need to keep a look out for the many hummingbirds and also the famed sacred bird of the Maya, the Quetzal. A visit to La Paz Gardens is also included. These are beautifully landscaped right next to a series of rushing waterfalls. (B,D)

Tue 31 Mar 2009, Lankester Gardens
Excursion included to the Orosi Valley with entry to Lankester Gardens, famous for hundreds of varieties of orchids and bromeliads. The gardens are run by the biology department of the University of Costa Rica. Orchids are abloom all year, but the best show is between February and May! (B,D)

Wed 1 Apr 2009, San Jose to San Ramon
Departing San Jose we drive to the agricultural town of San Ramón de Alajuela. Nearby, but entirely secluded, is the Villa Blanca Cloud Forest Hotel, your home for the next 3 nights. (B,D)

Thu 2 Apr 2009, Cloud Forest
The Villa Blanca Resort is set in the middle of a 2,000 acre cloud forest sanctuary. Accommodation is in individual "casitas" or cottages, and the welcoming central lodge houses public rooms and an excellent restaurant. Villa Blanca's experienced Naturalists lead day or night tours of well maintained trails. (B,D)

Fri 3 Apr 2009, Cloud Forest Options 
A free day, although plenty of options are available: Horse back riding, nature walks, Quetzal viewing, a cultural tour of San Ramon. Or perhaps a relaxing treatment at the hotel's Serenity Spa? (B,D)

Sat 4 Apr 2009, Embark MV Sea Voyager
Today we drive from San Ramon to the Pacific coast via the Carara National Park. "Carara" is derived from the Huetar Indian word for crocodile and we're likely see some from the safety of the road bridge over the Rio Tárcoles. Then onward to Herradura to embark our privately chartered M/V Sea Voyager. (B,D)

Sun 5 Apr 2009, Manuel Antonio National Park 
The abundant wildlife in Manuel Antonio National Park is most active in the early morning, so we're off to an early start today. We transfer ashore via rigid Zodiac boats and start exploring. Monkeys or vividly coloured birds can be easy to spot, but it often takes the expert eye of a naturalist to point out lethargic three-toed sloths. This afternoon we'll visit Refugio Curu, a private nature reserve in dry forest. We follow a wide track to spot for green-tailed iguanas, coatimundis, and more than 150 species of birds including scarlet macaws. (B,L,D)

Mon 6 Apr 2009, The Osa Peninsula
Accessible only by boat or small aircraft, we visit Corcovado National Park on the Osa Peninsula, a region of immense biological diversity. Here we'll take a walk to a magnificent waterfall with an optional refreshing swim in its waters. Plus free time to relax on the beach, swim, horse ride, snorkel, or bird watch. (B,L,D)

Tue 7 Apr 2009, Golfo Dulce
A unique tropical fjord, Golfo Dulce is surrounded by spectacular forests and dense mangroves. We'll drop anchor near the Rincon river and explore by your choice of Zodiac, kayak, or on foot, all escorted by our expert Naturalists. This afternoon a private visit to Ron & Trudy McAllister's wonderful botanic garden, "Casa Orquídeas", which overlooks the sea and boasts a huge collection of tropical plants and flowers. (B,L,D)

Wed 8 Apr 2009, Isla Coiba
Overnight we left Costa Rica behind and sailed into the equally lovely neighbouring country of Panama. Our first port of call in Panama is Isla Coiba. Since 1991 this island has been the centrepiece of a huge national park, most of which is oceanic. In addition to the selection of birds, reptiles and mammals in this park, there are also 69 species of fish. We'll spend a relaxing morning on an idyllic beach perfect for swimming and snorkelling. Then enjoy a sumptuous barbecue lunch. In the afternoon we head towards the Bay of Panama, watching for pods of dolphins and other marine mammals as we sail. (B,L,D)

Thu 9 Apr 2009, Gulf of Panama
Dropping anchor off Otoque Island in the Gulf of Panama we take a Zodiac ride to see close up the amazing abundance of sea birds here. Brown pelicans, magnificent frigate birds, brown boobies, blue boobies, herons, falcons and great-tailed grackles. Weighing anchor we head towards the modern city of Panama to await our canal transit. The construction of the canal, completed over 90 years ago, is a story of adventure, ordeal and accomplishment. We proceed through the first two sets of locks lifting us 86 feet above sea level into the large, man-made Gatun lake, where we drop anchor for the night. (B,L,D)

Fri 10 Apr 2009, Barro Colorado Island 
By special arrangement we are guests of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. Famous for studies of tropical forest ecosystems since the 1920s, we visit Barro Colorado Island, escorted by local Smithsonian guides. This afternoon we continue our transit of the canal, past the earth dam on the Chagres River, and through the three Gatun Locks. At the end of the transit we will be lowered into the Caribbean Sea! (B,L,D)

Sat 11 Apr 2009, Colon
Farewell to our floating hotel and our wonderful crew as we disembark in Colon and head back to Panama City. With a mini tour en-route, our destination is a secluded spot on the Pacific coast ... the 5-star InterContinental Playa Bonita Resort. Utter comfort and luxury for 3 nights! (B,D)

Sun 12 & Mon 13 Apr 2009, Panama Freedays 
Two days pure relaxation in wonderful surroundings. A beautiful resort with gardens, private beach, swimming pools, rainforest walks and everything you need. (B,D)

Tue 14 Apr 2009, Depart Panama
Almost a full day in paradise before our early evening transfer to the airport. (B,D)

Wed 15 Apr, 2009, Arrive UK
Via Madrid, we land ack at London Heathrow this afternoon. (B)

WHAT'S INCLUDED IN THIS ESCORTED TOUR