Some three million years ago a narrow isthmus rose from the sea, forming a land bridge between North and South America that allowed species to mingle. A hundred years ago the Panama Canal cut across that land bridge giving nations around the globe a shortcut so they, too, could mingle. These two events have led to a region so rich it’s proven irresistible to history buffs, engineers, and nature lovers alike.

With staggering biodiversity and the epic engineering achievement of the Panama Canal (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the opportunities for adventure and enrichment are endless. Enjoy a unique daylight small ship view of the canal, locks, and Lake Gatun as a Canal Historian describes each phase of your journey. Wade ashore as your Zodiac makes “wet landings” in small ports and on remote beaches backed by rainforest. Watch for birds, monkeys, and species found nowhere else on earth. Encounter indigenous tribes who only recently emerged from the jungle. It’s an intoxicating voyage that will thoroughly satisfy the adventurer in you.