Over 29 percent of Panama's landscape includes 15 national parks, forest reserves and 10 wildlife sanctuaries - this itinerary is designed to visit some of the country's most celebrated. Begin your Panama travel journey with a cruise of the "8th wonder of the world," the Panama canal, working your way through its complicated and impressive locks. Visit the charming mountain town of El Valle, and explore the surroundings on a canopy adventure. Visit with the indigenous community, Embera, in Chagres National Park, and finish your Panama travels exploring the ecology of Barro Colorado Island. Let us introduce you to this beautiful country!
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive Panama City. Overnight
Day 2: Panama Canal and El Valle (L)
Begin your travels with morning bus ride to the town of Gamboa where your boat awaits to bring you on a partial transit of the Panama Canal. Exploration of this engineering wonder begins at the north end of the Gaillard Cut. At the southern end of the Cut you'll enter the Pedro Miguel Locks, taking you into the man-made Miraflores Lake. Next, you'll be lowered 18 meters in the Miraflores Locks as you make your entrance into the Pacific Ocean. Disembark at the Flamenco Marina and meet your transfer to El Valle. This 2-hour drive follows the famous Pan American Highway. Sit back, relax, and take in beautiful Panama. El Valle's spring-like climate is perfect for exploring the vast variety of trails that run past Indian petroglyphs, hot spring and waterfalls. Spend the night in a quiet bed and breakfast.
Day 3: Canopy Adventure (B)
There is some free time this morning to take an optional visit to El Valle's Handicraft Market. Local farmers, as well as Nobe Bugle, Wounaan and some Embera Indians come to the market to sell fruits, vegetables, plants and handicrafts. After this leisurely morning get ready for a canopy adventure! At El Macho Falls you'll securely strap into a harness, and through a series of cables and pulleys, you’ll observe the landscape from four different platforms on a canopy adventure. Spend the the rest of the day enjoying some of the sites. You can hike to the nearby "La India Dormida" mountain, visit the local zoo El Nispero, soak in the nearby hot springs, or just relax around the beautiful grounds of your bed and breakfast.
Day 4: Transfer to Gamboa (B)
After a leisurely morning, you will be picked up and transfer to Gamboa Rainforest Resort. The rest of the day is free for you to arrange activities through the resort. You can visit any of the local exhibits, including the Frog and Reptile exhibit, the Butterfly enclosure, or arrange to go on a rainforest aerial tram tour, or go kayaking or boating out on Gatun Lake.
Day 5: Embera Drua Community (L)
Early this morning, transfer from El Valle to the Chagres National Park and the indigenous Embera Drua community. Board a motorized canoe to take you deep into Chagres rainforest. The park's protected waters supply nearly 80% of Panama City's drinking water. The canoe takes you to an Embera settlement. Let these intriguing and inviting people introduce you to their culture as they share their knowledge of botany, craftsmanship, and traditional music and dance. Try Embera's traditional body painting that colors the skin with the purplish juice from a jagua fruit. Enjoy lunch with the Embera community. Spend the rest of the afternoon with a guided tour of the tropical park.
Day 6: Barro Colorado Island (L)
This morning continue your Panama travel to Barro Colorado Island. After a short ride to the town of Gamboa, board a boat to cross the massive Lake Gatun. Born out of the Panama Canal, Gatun’s creation displaced over 50,000 people and submerged acres of forest – it also formed Isla Barro Colorado. Administered by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute since 1946 this area is considered the best-protected and most studied tropical rainforest in the world. Travelers are limited to a single trail that loops the island, to ensure the ecosystem remains well protected. You will also have the opportunity to explore the bays and forest-covered channels. From the boat, keep an eye out for Panama's thriving wildlife. Overnight Panama City.
Day 7: Return Home
Accommodations: 2 nights comfortable hotel, 2 nights bed and breakfast, 2 nights rainforest resort
Food Includes: All meals as indicated (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner); most of our hotels offer free continental breakfast.
Transportation: minibuses or vans, motorized canoe, boat
An easy-paced adventure that highlights Panama's celebrated travel sites. Itinerary explores some of the area's best natural reserves and parks, as well as local culture and traditions. A great introductory Panama tour.
Start Dates: Weekly departures; Fri-Thur
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Single Supplement: US$495
Personal Budgeting: Allow $130 for meals not included, $90 optional excursions, $30 airport taxes, gratuities
Pre & Post Tour Accommodations: Share US$60, Single US$120
Arrival/Departure Transfers: 1 person US$50 each, 2 or more people US$25/person
Prices are based on a 3% cash discount
Also see tour packages in:
Central America and Caribbean
Panama
Cultural Journey
National Parks
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