Experience the diverse heritage of stunning cities and remote towns and immerse yourself in Colombian and Panamanian cultures as you navigate the Caribbean coast aboard the 100-guest National Geographic Quest. We’ll disembark to take in the Arabian-influenced architecture of Santa Cruz de Lorica, see the bustling shores of Santa Cruz del Islote—the most densely populated island in the world, and meet the indigenous inhabitants of a secluded Panamanian archipelago where age-old traditions remain part of everyday life. Finally, transit the Panama Canal slowly, with special permission to anchor overnight in the Canal’s vast Gatún Lake before completing the 50-mile long passage through legendarily complex lock system.
Find an astonishing trove of natural and cultural treasures as you navigate the Caribbean coast of Colombia and Panama. Enjoy an active eight-day expedition visiting the Smithsonian Research Institute on Barro Colorado Island—kayaking through rarely-visited inlets, walking along pristine beaches, and hiking dense jungles. Colombia is home to the most biodiverse rainforests on Earth with almost 1,900 bird species and 450 mammals, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to encounter local wildlife. Plus, with a certified photo instructor on board, you’ll go home with some amazing photos.
Special Offers
Save 10% on the cabin fare when traveling with Dartmouth College. Valid on this departure date of Panama & Colombia: Exploring the Caribbean Coast, for new bookings only, subject to availability, may not be combined with other offers, and is not applicable on airfare or extensions. Call for details.
Book by August 31, 2023, and choose either a $700 air credit per person or a free pre-or-post voyage 3-day Panama City extension on this voyage date. New bookings only and subject to availability. See attached brochure for details.
$500 discount extended to all guests under the age of 18.
Travel with friends and family to mark special moments of celebration like birthdays, anniversaries, reunions, etc. With your group of eight or more (on a single booking), you will be entitled to: 5% off for the group; $150 shipboard credit toward the spa or champagne; custom group photo, and more. Milestone celebration must be communicated at time of booking. See attached brochure for details and limitations.
Day 1: Arrive in Cartagena, Colombia and embark National Geographic Quest.
Day 2: Santa Cruz del Islote and San Bernardo Archipelago
Day 3: Santa Cruz de Lorica to San Antero and Tuchín
Day 4: Sapzurro & Capurgana, Colombia
Day 5: Guna Yala Archipelago
Day 6: Portobelo
Day 7: Gatún Lake and transit the Panama Canal
Day 8: Disembark in Panama City, Panama and return home to U.S.
Moderately active:
- Daily onshore excursions require walking on uneven land
Faculty
Israel Reyes is Professor in and current Chair of the Department of Spanish and Portuguese at Dartmouth College, the former Chair of the Latin American, Latino, and Caribbean Studies Program, and holds an Adjunct Appointment with the Comparative Literature Program. He also serves as the Director of Fellowships in the Office of the Provost and organizes mentoring and professional development for a cohort of pre- and postdoctoral fellows. Professor Reyes teaches and conducts research on Latin American, Puerto Rican, and US Latinx literature and culture. He received his BA in Creative Writing and English from the University of Illinois-Chicago and his Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from the University of Iowa. His publications include his two books, Humor and the Eccentric Text in Puerto Rican Literature (University Press of Florida 2005) and Embodied Economies: Diaspora and Transcultural Capital in Latinx Caribbean Fiction and Theater (Rutgers University Press 2022). He has published scholarly articles on Judith Ortiz Cofer, Lalo Alcaraz, Nemesio Canales, Cristina García, Ana Lydia Vega, and Manuel Ramos Otero. He is currently working on a book project on Puerto Rican visual and performance cultures on Chicago's Paseo Boricua.
