Do you like being active and getting to know a country off the beaten track? Then this itinerary is perfect for you. Secluded lodges have carefully been chosen for you to merge with the exuberant and lush vegetation of Panama. Diverse adventure activities have been put together to guarantee you an exciting thrill during your stay in Panama.
Day 01 Arrival in Panama City
After your arrival to Panama one of your representatives will welcome you at the airport and drive you to your city hotel, where you will spend your first night in Panama. Panama City is the capital and largest city in the country. It is home to a diverse blend of cultures and an enormous historical sector in the Old City. The lively and vibrant banking district on the other hand is very modern and often compared to Miami. Panama City is a thrilling location you will surely enjoy during your visit to this gorgeous country Overnight at the Country Inn & Suites Amador in Panama City
Day 02 Panama City and Canopy Crane (B)
In the early morning you will be taken to the Metropolitan National Park in order to experience the Smithsonian Rainforest Canopy Crane. With the crane you will reach an excellent altitude to observe the tropical rain forest and its inhabitants from a unique bird's eye perspective. Then, you will be taken on a city tour visiting Casco Antiguo with its unique French, Spanish and Italian architecture styles and Miraflores Lock where you will observe ships as they pass through the canal. The afternoon is free at leisure.. Overnight at the Country Inn & Suites Amador in Panama City
Day 03 Bayano Lake & Emberá Community (B, L, D)
This morning you travel on the Panamerican Highway to the east. Your destination is the bridge at Alayala. From here you will take a 45 minute boat ride across Bayano Lake to visit an Embera Wounaan Community. During the journey you can see aquatic birds and a floating petrified forest. Traditional handicrafts can be bought in the village. Returning by boat, you will then travel by 4x4 along a rough, muddy road to your lodge on the Llano-Carti roads the only road that traverses the SerranÃÂa de San Blas, the beautiful foothills joining Panama and San Blas to Darien and home to the indigenous Kuna. The lodge is situated at 375m close to the Nusagandi or PEMASKY Reserve (Project for the Study and Management of Wilderness Areas of Kuna Yala). It was set up by the Kuna people to halt the encroachment of their pre-mountain rainforest by settlers, subsistence farmers and loggers. Scientists from the Smithsonian Institute rank it as one of the world's top 10 reserves in terms of its wealth of flora and fauna. You will stay for two nights at Burbayar Lodge. The simple rooms have private bathrooms but only cold water. Lighting is by hurricane lamp. Overnight at the Burbayar Lodge, 01 double standard room, three daily meals included.
Day 04 Burbayar Jungle Trails (B, L, D)
Burbayar Lodge has a system of seven inter-connecting trails through the rainforest which range from 0.5 - 3.5km. Choose the duration of the walk that suit you best. The local Kuna guides will help you identify the birds, butterflies, medicinal plants, trees and flowers. Monkeys, sloths, agoutis, frogs and iguanas are often encountered along the way. Some of the trails lead to lovely waterfalls and crystal-clear pools that invite for a refreshing dip. For those who really want to stretch their legs it is possible to hike the Kuna Trail crossing the San Blas cordillera to the Caribbean - a challenging 6-8 hrs jungle trek. Overnight at the Burbayar Lodge, 01 double standard room, three daily meals included.
Day 05 Chiriquà Highlands /Cerro Punta (B, L, D)
Overland transfer back to Panama City (2 hrs), then you catch a flight to David in the Chiriqui highlands. You will be picked up on arrival in David and transferred by road to Cerro Punta on the western side of the Baru Volcano. Here you stay for two nights at Los Quetzales Lodge at an altitude of 2,200m. The Lodge has a 400ha preserve with land inside both the Bar National Park and La Amistad International Park. Overnight at Los Quetzales, 01 double standard room, three daily meals and tours included.
Day 06 Horse Riding, Mountain Biking, Walking, Birding or Spa (B, L, D)
Today you can choose from any of the following activities available at the lodge. In the immediate area there are walking or horse riding excursions amid the picturesque farming scenery ranging from 30 minutes to 4 hours duration. Mountain bikes are available for guests who wish to explore the surrounding independently. There are 8 trails within the cloud forest reserve and opportunities for longer hikes in either the Baru Volcano or the La Amistad National Park. Please note that the park entrance fee (USD 5 per person) is not included. If you wish to have a more relaxing day, the Finca Dracula Orchid farm is just a 10 minute walk away and the lodge offers optional spa therapies including massage, hot stones and reflexology (these services are not included in the package). Overnight at Los Quetzales, 01 double standard room, three daily meals and tours included.
Day 07 Los Quetzales Trail (B)
Today you will hike with a guide the whole 6 miles of the Los Quetzales Trail (approx 5hrs walking). Starting from Cerro Punta west of the Baru Volcano you will hike uphill and downhill on a very scenic but muddy trail through the cloud forest of the Baru National Park to reach the popular coffee growing mountain town of Boquete on the eastern flank of the Volcano. You will enjoy a picnic lunch on the way and you should have a good chance of spotting a number of birds and mammals. Between January to May the locals say there is a 100% chance of spotting the magnificent iridescent Resplendent Quetzal here, this falls to just 25% at other times. As you emerge at the ranger station at the end of the trail a vehicle will be waiting with your luggage to take you to your lodge in Boquete. Here you will stay for the next three nights. Overnight at the Finca Lerida, Standard Room, breakfast included.
Day 08 Canopy Tour & Natural hot springs (B)
Today you will be driven up to Palo Alto for a morning canopy adventure where you glide through the forest on a series of 11 different zip-line cables for 3 kilometers suspended at heights between 30-60m above ground. This is all about adventure but there are also great opportunities for spotting orchids, ferns and bromeliads high in the tree tops. In the afternoon relax your limbs in the Caldera Thermal pools, famous for the curative properties of their waters. These are natural open-air pools with mineral water heated geo-thermally to different temperatures. Perhaps alternate with a bathe in the local river for a cooling contrast in temperature. Overnight at the Finca Lerida, Standard Room, breakfast included.
Day 09 White water rafting (B)
The adventure goes on. Enjoy a morning of white water rafting down one of the local rivers which have their source on the slopes of the Baru Volcano and which carve their way through the cloud forest. Choose what would suit you best depending on the season and your level of experience. The options range from a gentle 2½hr class II introduction on the Esti River, through class III trips (e.g. Sabo Section of the ChiriquàViejo) to an exhilarating world class 4hr class IV run (Palon Section of ChiriquàViejo). For best natural history opportunities and pristine waterfalls, the 3hr mostly class II and III rapids on the Gariche River, is suggested. Lunch is included. Rest of the day is free to relax at the lodge. Overnight at the Finca Lerida, Standard Room, breakfast included.
Day 10 Boquete- Bocas del Toro (B)
Transfer by road down from the cloud forested mountains to Almirante on the Caribbean coast. By boat out to the coral reefs of Bocas del Toro. This will be your base for the next 3 nights staying at Hotel Bocas del Toro in the friendly town of Bocas del Toro on Colon Island where you can mingle with the locals and sample the bars and restaurants. Overnight at the Bocas Inn, Standard Room, breakfast included.
Day 11 Bird Island, Boca Drago, Starfish Beach Tour (B)
Today’s tour starts at the Bocas del Toro pier with a short boat ride to Playa de las Estrellas, the starfish beach. You will practice some snorkeling at that beach and admire the numerous sea stars in the clean Caribbean waters. You will continue to Boca del Drago where you will have time to relax on a white sand beach and a calm turquoise sea. At Boca del Drago you will also find a restaurant where you can have lunch (not included in the tour!). In the afternoon you will continue to Isla de los Pájaros, the Bird's Island. The island offers spectacular scenery and a large number of sea birds nesting here. After the Bird's Island you will be taken back to Bocas del Toro. Overnight at the Bocas Inn, Standard Room, breakfast included.
Day 12 Free day at Bocas del Toro (B)
Free day based on Colon Island - opportunities for water adventure including diving, snorkeling and kayaking or hikes to local beaches (not included). Overnight at the Bocas Inn, Standard Room, breakfast included.
Day 13 Return to Panama City (B)
Flight back to Panama City. You will be picked upon arrival and transferred to your hotel in Panama City for your last night in Panama. Rest of the day is free for shopping, city sightseeing, relaxing at the hotel or sampling the nightlife. Overnight at the Country Inn & Suites Amador, Standard room, breakfast included.
Day 14 Depart Panama (B)
For your departure you will be transferred to the international airport Tocumen for your flight back home.
