Austin-Lehman Adventures Makes Panama

 Accessible to Active Families on Three New Departures

New for 2009 on Austin-Lehman Adventures’ (ALA) list of iconic destinations for families is a 9 day / 8 night Panama Family: Reef & Rainforest Adventure with three departures scheduled in spring and summer breaks beginning in April.

The per person (double) rate is $3,498 (single supplement $780), with children ages 7 and up at $3,148 for first child and $2,798 for each additional child. Departures are Apr. 11-19; June 27-July 5 and July 11-19.

While trekking through a rainforest or flying overhead the canopy in an aerial tram, guests have the opportunity to see monkeys, toucans and elusive wild boars, hike to the top of Volcano Baru with views of the Caribbean and Pacific from the summit and explore the engineering feat that is the Panama Canal.  There are also cultural and scientific visits to a coffee plantation, butterfly farm, ancient ruins and more.

Guests lodge in distinctive accommodations at the Gamboa Rainforest Lodge, at Casa Grande Bambito in the Bambito Highlands offering fine dining and a wine cellar, and at Hotel Playa Tortuga on the Atlantic shore.

Dan Austin, ALA co-founder and director, says that “Panama is the new, hot destination for 2009.  It’s the perfect place for adventurous families looking for that undiscovered, undeveloped slice of paradise. It has so much to offer kids in terms of discovery, watchable wildlife, colorful culture and warm friendly people.”

The Austin-Lehman Adventures forte is to give guests a comprehensive and authentic insider’s view of regions visited through terrain-specific multi-sport activities. On this trip guests will white water raft, kayak, snorkel and ride horses. The nearly all-inclusive rate, exclusive of round trip air to/from Panama City, includes accommodations, meals, guides, entry fees, ground transportation and more.

“Our programs are about the luxury of learning, stimulating activity and the tender loving care we lavish on our guests,” says Paul Lehman, ALA founding partner, noting that his company’s 6 guests to one guide ratio has set an industry standard that makes these immersive trips personally rewarding.

Austin-Lehman Adventures manages all of the arrangements for its selected destinations that include iconic regions of North, Central and South America as well as southern Africa and Europe. Small groups are limited to 12 guests (18 on family departures). Rates include first-class accommodations, most meals and beverages, expert guides, park entry fees, multisport activities such as hiking, biking, rafting, horseback riding and more, ground transportation and luggage service. Not included is round trip travel to the host city.

For a copy of the 2009 catalog as well as information on ALA’s 66 unique itineraries for active adult and family travel, please call toll-free 1.800.575.1540, or e-mail info@austinlehman.com. To review current trips, schedules and itineraries visit www.austinlehman.com. 

Source: Widness & Wiggins