Departure Dates 2009: June 27-July 5, July 18-26.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive to Panama. On arrival to Tocumen International Airport we will be met by an Ancon Expeditions of Panama representative and transferred to the Gamboa Rainforest Resort, our lodge for the next 3 nights, located along the shores of the Panama Canal. Night at Gamboa Rainforest Resort.
Day 2: Panama Canal Jungle Boat Adventure
Early in the morning we are picked up by our Naturalist Guide and transferred to the marina, where we board a specially equipped expedition boat. The voyage takes us across Gatun Lake in the Panama Canal passing by gigantic cargo ships transiting the waterway and making contrast with the natural surroundings. Along the way, we will have the opportunity to spot Green iguana and Three-toed sloth resting on tree branches, crocodile, Osprey in the hunt for Peacock bass, Snail kite and Keel-billed toucan among other species. The expedition boat will allow for close approximations to rainforest covered islands in Gatun Lake to search for White-faced capuchin, Howler monkey, Spider monkey and the endemic Red-napped tamarin. We will have a picnic lunch on an island with extraordinary views of the Panama Canal and the natural surroundings. Early afternoon return to Gamboa This afternoon is to ourselves to enjoy Gamboa. Night at Gamboa Rainforest Resort. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 3: The Chagres River and the Embera People
Early in the morning we drive to El Corotu on the shores of Madden Lake. The main reservoir of drinking water for the cities of Panama and Colon, Madden Lake also supplies 40% of the water required for the operation of the Panama Canal. Here, we board a motorized piragua (dugout canoe) and travel up the Chagres River to the Embera indigenous village of Embera Drua. The boat journey takes us through the rainforest of the 320,000-acre Chagres National Park, which is the largest of the National Parks protecting the Panama Canal Watershed. Along the Chagres River, we may be able to spot Little Blue and Green Heron, Great Egret, Anhingas, Neotropical Cormorant, Amazon, Ringed, and Green Kingfishers, along with Keel-billed Toucans and Ospreys flying above.
At the Embera village we will be greeted with dancing and music. We will learn about Embera customs and their relationship with nature. There will be handcrafts available for sale and we will have a chance to be painted with the traditional jagua, a natural dye the Embera use to adorn their bodies. After a picnic lunch we visit the nearby waterfall where we can take a dip in the crystal-clear waters of the Chagres River before heading back to Gamboa. Night at Gamboa Rainforest Resort Villas. Includes: (B), (L).
Day 4: Summit Natural Park - Miraflores Locks - Chiriqui Highlands
This morning we will visit Summit Natural Park where we will tour the botanical gardens and also enjoy the highlights which include the natural exhibits of the Jaguar, Baird’s Tapir and Harpy Eagle. We continue to the Miraflores Locks in the Panama Canal to learn about its history and marvel at this engineering accomplishment. The canal still operates pretty much as it did when it was inaugurated in 1914 the SS Ancon steamer was the first ship to transit the Panama Canal.
In the afternoon we catch a flight from Albrook domestic airport to David, the capital of the Chiriqui province. Chiriqui is known as “Panama’s breadbasket” and contains some of the most breathtaking highland scenery in Central America. Transfer by van to the eastern side of the dormant Baru Volcano to the quaint town of Boquete with its countryside dotted with flower, fruit and vegetable farms, coffee plantations and extraordinary cloud forest environments. Night at Finca Lerida Lodge. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 5: Canopy Tree Treck or River Floating Tour
This morning you will do a canopy tree trek on a zip line that that allows you to contemplate the rainforest from fourteen different canopy platforms while smoothly soaring in the heights of the cloud forest from one treetop to another. You will glide through the trees and encounter a world unknown. You will discover a fascinating perspective of wildlife that you had never appreciated. Native species of flora and fauna can be observed. You will marvel at the sight of a great variety of orchids, trees and wildflowers that are found throughout the area.
There will be an option to go on a river floating tour down the Chiriqui River for those who don’t go zip lining today. This optional tour has an additional cost and must be arranged in advance. Night at Finca lerida Lodge. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 6: Chiriqui Highlands - Bocas Del Toro
After a good night’s rest we pack our belongings and get ready for the 4 hour drive to Bocas del Toro. We will be literally traveling from the cloud forests to the coral reefs. We will stop along the way several times to stretch our legs, play some games and enjoy the scenery. On arrival to Almirante on the Caribbean coast a boat will be waiting for us to be transferred to Colon Island where we will spend the next two nights. This afternoon, weather permitting, we visit Swan's Cay, a rock protruding from the depths of the Caribbean Sea, which serves as rookery for Red-billed tropic birds (the only place to be found in Panama) and Brown boobies. We will enjoy beach time at Boca del Drago and search for colorful starfish. Along the coastline, we make stops at coral reefs and mangrove isles for snorkeling. Night at Bocas Inn. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 7: Salt Creek Village - Bastimentos Marine national Park
We depart by boat from the Bocas Inn traversing the expanse of Bastimentos National Park, Panama’s first marine national park. We reach Salt Creek by navigating through clusters of Red Mangroves, which provide sea creatures with a protective area during their reproductive and development stages. Upon arrival we first enjoy a walk along Caiman trail. This trail takes us through several stages of lowland forest dynamics. Here, we will look for birds such as Red-throated Ant Tanager and Golden-collared Manakin (Cerritus sub sp.).
Mammals such as Night Monkeys, White-faced Capuchins and Three-toed Sloths also live here. An older tract of rainforest has tall trees that provide life to birds such as the Three-wattled Bellbird and Green-breasted Mango. A nearby lagoon is home to Spectacled Cayman and Slider Turtle. On the ground we will look for the tiny endemic poison dart frog Dendrobates Pumilio. After the hike, we enjoy a visit to the indigenous community and a chance to purchase handicrafts such as painted woodcarvings and Ngobe handbags, followed by lunch. In the afternoon, we will snorkel among mangroves and coral reefs, searching for numerous fish species, as well as dynamic and brightly colored sea fans, sponges and brittle starfish. Night at Bocas Inn. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 8: Panama City. A morning flight will take us back to Panama City where the activities today include a visit the ruins of Old Panama and Casco Antiguo. After lunch at a local restaurant we will visit the Smithsonian Marine Exhibition at Culebra Point at the entrance to the Pacific side of the Panama Canal and the International Handcraft Market where crafts from Panama and other Latin American countries are available. Tonight we enjoy a farewell dinner at our hotel. Night at Hotel El Panama. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 9: Depart Panama. Today we are picked up at the lobby of the hotel 2.5 hours prior to our scheduled departure flight and transferred to Tocumen International Airport. Fly home. Pre or post trip extensions to San Blas Island are available. Includes: (B).
Notes:
- Trip Classification: Easy/moderate hiking with rolling hills and optional activities like snorkeling, rafting, longer hikes. Hotel or lodge accommodations are comfortable.
- Rafting Excursion: Minimum age restrictions will apply and depend upon the River Class and Section being run. Participants are expected to listen and follow instructions given both before and during the river outing. Some river sections are tougher than others and require an honest assessment of participants’ physical fitness level and capabilities. Participants must alert Ancon Expeditions of Panama as to any physical conditions that may impede performance on the river in advance. Persons suspected of being under the influence of drugs, alcohol or any other mind-altering substance will not be allowed to participate on the river trip. No refunds will be issued in this event.
- Equipment Checklist: Binoculars (preferably 7x35 or larger), camera with extra batteries & film, flashlight with extra bulb & batteries, bathing suit, insect repellent, sunscreen, hat, day pack, water bottle, lightweight/quick dry cotton clothes, windbreaker, sandals, sneakers/hiking boots, rain gear, money in small denominations, toiletries & personal medications. Rafting participants should bring rubber-soled shoes with good grip (diving booties not recommended), sunscreen, shorts, T-shirt, baseball cap, croakies or similar elastic band for glasses, dry bag, complete change of clothes and a towel.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Lodging
- All land, air and water transportation within Panama
- All airport/hotel transfers on scheduled arrival and departure dates
- Meals as specified in the itinerary (B - breakfast, L - lunch, D - dinner)
- Entrance fees
- Guides’ services and expenses and services of an in-bound land operator for airline re-confirmations and tour operations.
Price Excludes:
- International airfare
- Tourist card ($5 per person)
- Meals not specified in the itinerary
- Alcoholic beverages
- Personal equipment
- Extras in hotels (laundry, telephone calls, room service, etc.) or gratuities.
Also see tour packages in:
Central America and Caribbean
Panama
Local Culture
Cultural Journey
Rainforest
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