Start this Panama tour by exploring the highlands of Boquete near the Costa Rica border. Enjoy hiking in cloudforest, whitewater rafting on the Chiriqui, and snorkeling outings, and enjoy a truly fresh cup of locally grown coffee! End your Panama travels with a couple days around Bocas del Toro, snorkeling and soaking in the sun.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive Panama City. Overnight.
Day 2: Gatun Lake and Beautiful Boquete (D)
The morning begins with a hiking tour of Soberania National Park, where you will explore the lowland tropical forest. During your trek, keep your eye open for over 390 bird species, such as the Harpy Eagle. Other wildlife to watch for include the two-toed sloth, leaf-cutting ants, howler monkeys, rhinoceros beetles and litter toads. Next, transfer to the man-made Gatun Lake and navigate the canal's colossal water wonder. From your boat, you can admire jungle birds and a variety of Panama's wildlife. After your cruise of Gatun, catch a late afternoon flight to the city of David in Chiriqui Province. You'll spend three nights in the charming town of Boquete, nestled at the foot of Volcan Baru. The region is surrounded by coffee farms and is also home to one of Central America's largest nature preserves - La Amistad International Peace Park.
Day 3: Free Day Boquete (B)
Today is free to enjoy as you wish. You can choose from among numerous activities such as whitewater rafting on the Chiriqui River, a day hike on Los Quetzales Trail through La Amistad International Park, a local zip-line tour through the rainforest canopy or speeding through the jungle vegetation on a mountain bike. If you prefer more relaxing activities, you can choose from an assortment of excursions around Boquete. A local coffee tour or horseback riding are some of the most highly recommended activities. The day is free for you to arrange your activities locally.
Day 4: Off to Bocas del Toro (B,L,D)
Today it's off to the Bocas del Toro Archipelago. You will be picked up and transfer back to the airport in David for your 25 minute flight to Bocas del Toro. Once there, you will meet your boat transfer to your new island escape. You will navigate through the Bocas archipelago's canals, passing local communities, mangroves, and into the Caribbean Sea. You'll arrive to your home for the next 3 nights, a secluded casually elegant resort overlooking Tranquilo Bay. Enjoy a welcome lunch upon your arrival, and spend the rest of the afternoon exploring your new surroundings.
Day 5-6: Tranquilo Bay Adventures (B,L,D)
Awake in your bungalow overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Time is yours to explore this remarkable region at your leisure. Included during your stay is one standard activity each day.
You can spend your days snorkeling, visiting turtle nesting sites, kayaking, diving, hiking, fishing, surfing, birding, or exploring nearby beaches. You days will be filled with marine and inland discovery, followed by a relaxing evening in the middle of beautiful Panama.
The island's midsection and surrounding waters are protected in the Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park, and the entire island offers nature lovers an array of wildlife, both terrestrial and marine. The waters here are filled with brilliant parrot fish, angel fish, red snapper, slender needle fish and many others. Four species of sea turtles come ashore to nest on the beaches and the forests are home to many endemic and endangered species such as neon colored frogs, the red billed tropic bird and two and three toed sloths.
Day 7: Panama City and Canal (B,L)
This morning you transfer back to Bocas Town for your short flight over vast jungles and into the center of Panama's vibrant capital city. You'll be met at the airport and first head to the Miraflores locks of the Panama Canal to observe the "eighth wonder of the world." Locomotives tie onto the mammoth ships and pull them through the locks to lessen the chance of mishap. Explore the exhibits here that tell the story of the canal's history. After lunch on the causeway, you will next visit Casco Antiguo Panama's "second" city, whose Spanish and French architecture reminds one of its past citizens. Last, you will finish up the tour with ruins of Panama La Vieja, where loads of Peru's gold once crossed. Later the pirate Henry Morgan came in search of the famed gold, and after Morgan's attack in 1671, Casco Antiguo was built. This afternoon you will be dropped off at your hotel
Day 8: Return Home
With a few more Panama travel days, you might visit the San Blas Islands and the Kuna Indians, experience the Panama Canal or even take a zip line adventure through the rainforest canopy!
Accommodations: 4 nights comfortable hotels, 3 night island retreat
Food Includes: All meals as indicated (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner); most of our hotels offer free continental breakfast.
Transportation: Minibuses or jeep, boat, and 3 local flights, local taxis as indicated
A Panama travel itinerary filled with naturalist exploration and plenty of variety for the adventurous and those who prefer to take it easy, but want to journey though a fascinating region.
Arrival/Departure Transfers: 1 person US$50 each, 2 or more people US$25/person
Start Dates: Weekly departures; Sun-Sun
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Single Supplement: US$595
Note: Internal Flights Panama City-David-Bocas del Toro-Panama City are not included. Please add US$280 (flight costs subject to change).
Personal Budgeting: Allow $60 for meals not included, $50 optional excursions, $6 museum fee at Panama Viejo,$30 airport taxes
Pre & Post Tour Accommodations: Share US$60, Single US$120
Prices are based on a 3% cash discount
Also see tour packages in:
Central America and Caribbean
Panama
Wildlife Viewing
Rainforest
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