Location: Province of Panama, Colon, San Blas
Price: $1,486* based on 2 people
Duration: 10 Days
Availability: Year Round
$1,486 based on 2 people
Day 1: Arrive in Panama
Upon arrival in Panama City, you will be met not just at the airport but at
the gate for a VIP reception. Don't worry about your bags or customs we take
care of all these little inconveniences as soon as you arrive. While you're
waiting for your baggage enjoy your favorite beverage in the Royal Saloon.
Overnight in Panama City
Day 2: Tour of Panama City
After breakfast, you will depart for a tour of the major sights of Panama
City. Your day begins with the ruins of Panama Viejo "Old Panama City"
founded 1519 and later destroyed by pirate Henry Morgan in 1671. Then, you
will explore the narrow streets, plazas and public parks of Casco Viejo, the
Colonial area. The tour continues to the commercial and banking area of
modern Panama City.
Overnight in Panama City (B L)
Day 3: Panama Canal Adventure
Panama is well known for the Canal and many would like to see more than just
the locks. Some take a partial or full canal transit with hundreds of people
on Saturdays and the experience is less than intimate. We thought it was
time to Experience the Canal in away that would appeal to our adventurous
types looking for a unique experience. After breakfast, you will travel to
Amador causeway on the pacific entrance to the Panama Canal. From here you
head to Balboa to the Administration building of the Panama Canal. Travel
along the railroad passing by former military bases Albrook Airfield and
Fort Clayton before arriving the first set of locks. With any luck, you will
see vessels as they transit through Miraflores Locks. There is an excellent
viewing Center recently opened that will help you understand this
engineering marvel. After about 2 hours, which will go by faster than you
think, you then head north passing Pedro Miguel Locks, the smallest of all
three locks to Gamboa. Gamboa, which is in the center of the 55,000-acre
Soberania Park, on the banks of the Rio Chagres. Unlike most visitors who
only peer at the canal from the locks, today you will take a fast boat
through the Panama Canal and through Gatun Lake. We navigate our way up the
waterway passing jungle islands and vessels making their way to Gatun Locks.
During your boat adventure you will enjoy a box lunch in the middle of this
beautiful theater of life call the Panama Canal.
Overnight in Panama City (B L)
Day 4: Panama Canal Railroad & Gatun Locks
This Morning you embark on an elegant train adventure along the Panama
Canal, traveling across the isthmus to Colon City. Upon arrival you will
visit Gatun Locks which offers visitors an incredible view of the Caribbean
Ocean and Lake Gatun. You will see a parade of ship as they are raised in
three giant steps 85 feet above see level. After about two hours you will
then cross the locks and drive over the channel. This is only possible we
both lanes are closed. You have an opportunity to see the little remains of
the French Canal before arriving Former Military base Fort Sherman. Here
you continue to Fort San Lorenzo on the mouth of the Chagres River. Birding
on this road to San Lorenzo is phenomenal. I can't think of any other places
more remarkable for wildlife. San Lorenzo is recognized by UNESCO as a World
Heritage site.
Overnight in Panama City (B L)
Day 5: Pipeline Road
The protected area of "Pipeline Road" boasts outstanding biodiversity and is
a major part of the Panama Canal watershed. With nearly 400 species, the
bird list is so extensive that the Panama Audubon Society has set world
record bird counts here. Look for howler monkeys, white-faced capuchin
monkeys and three-toed sloths. After lunch, you will visit the Summit
Botanical Gardens and Zoo, known for the world's only Harpy Eagle aviary.
Overnight in Panama City (B L)
Day 6: Old Gamboa Road - Plantation Road
In the morning you'll explore Old Gamboa Road looking for Spectacled Owls,
Fasciated Antshrike and Blue-crowned Motmot. You'll search at the Summit
Ponds for Kingfishers and nesting Boat-billed Herons. Lunch at the Summit
Gardens. In the afternoon we'll go to the Plantation Road, this dirt road
goes under tall evergreen forest and follows a small creek. The road is well
known for Blue-crowned Manakin, Golden-crowned Spadebill, leaftossers and
many others.
Overnight in Panama City (B L)
Day 7: San Blas Islands
The islands of the San Blas Archipelago are strung out along the Caribbean
coast of Panama from the Golfo de San Blas nearly all the way to the
Colombian border. The islands are home to the Kuna Indians, who own the 378
islands as an autonomous province, with minimal interference from the
government. They maintain their own economic system, language, customs and
culture, with distinctive dress, legends, music and dance. Overnight in San
Blas (B L D)
Day 8: San Blas Islands
After a leisurely breakfast. You head off to a nearby un-populated island
for some snorkeling and beach fun. This island offers excellent snorkeling
opportunities for all levels. Afternoon, you head back to your host island
for lunch and the rest of your day can be spent just relaxing in a hammock
or laying out on the beach. Overnight in San Blas (B L D)
Day 9: Embera Encounters
Upon arrival you will embark on an incredible journey to the jungles of
Chagres National Park, where we will encounter the Emberá. Your adventure
begins with an exciting dugout canoe ride up the Chagres River. Along the
way, we will negotiate rapids and discover the jungle's many splendors.
The Emberá are a unique and beautiful people. You will soon forget the
outside world as you are immersed in their cultural dance and music. You're
invited to explore the area's abundant variety of birds and wildlife during
your jungle trek. During our visit, we will see that the Emberá possess
amazing botanical knowledge - most will be surprised to learn of their
contributions to modern pharmaceuticals. Visitors are welcomed to paint our
bodies as the Emberá do, with a natural fruit dye called Jagua. You will
also have the opportunity to view famed Emberá handicrafts.
An exciting ride in a dugout canoe, a trek through the jungle, the
opportunity to learn from a magical culture - all this in one day and within
one hour of Panama City.
Overnight in Panama City (B L)
Day 10: Departure
Transfer to the international airport at least two hours before your
flight's scheduled departure time. (B)
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Seasonal Climate: Panama has a tropical climate with high temperature and humidity, the average temperature 30°C. The rainy season is from May to November and the summer from December to April. The rainfall is of a tropical nature, falling for 1-2 hours in the afternoon.
Required Documents: U.S. and Canadian citizens are strongly encouraged to have a passport which is valid for six months from the date of entry. Travelers are required to purchase a $5 tourist card (provided by the airline) for entry into Panama. UK, CAN, USA, NZ and AUS citizens do not require a visa for a stay up to 90 days. Other nationalities should consult their consular office.
Vaccinations & Protection: Nothing compulsory, but we recommend protection against Malaria, Typhoid, Infectious Hepatitis and Polio if you are traveling to Jungles of Darien, Bocas del Toro or San Blas. Special Note: Visa and Vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.
PACKING FOR YOUR TRIP
A recommended list of clothing and personal gear will be provided before your trip. Here we make a few specific recommendations with regard to your Package.
Luggage: One main piece of luggage and a daypack. Total allowance: 44lbs /20kgs.
Clothing: Pack essentially for Hot Conditions. Lightweight clothing is essential though a warmer sweater is advisable in A/C settings. A rain jacket is recommended during the green season. Footwear: A pair of lightweight shoes or sandals are recommended. They should be comfortable and broken in before coming to Panama.
Equipment: We recommend a sunhat, a Flash Light/torch, insect repellent, umbrella during the Green Season. Binoculars are very useful for bird and animal spotting and a camera.
Included
All ground, train and boat transportation within your trip, all accommodations, Canal and park fees, local tourism taxes, Bilingual guide, all activities as described in the itinerary and some meals.
Not Included
R/T transportation from your home city to Panama City, beer, liquor and bottled water in hotel rooms, items of a personal nature (laundry, telephone, etc.), gratuities, travel insurance, international airport departure taxes. The Panama Canal is one of the modern wonders of the world. Many people would like to see more than just the locks. Some take a Canal Transit with hundreds of people and the experience is less than intimate. Experience the Canal in a unique way that will transport you back in time where you can hear the voices of the past tell a fascinating stories of how man divided the a strip of land to unite the world.
*5% ITBMS government tax not included.
Note: Hotels are subject to change.