This seven night long tour seduces you to enjoy an exclusive selection of the most exciting locations in Panama: the historic Panama Canal, the village Volcan situated up in the highlands and the magical Bocas del Toro Archipelago. Your days will be filled with pure nature, secluded beaches and famous history.
Day 01 Sunday: Panama City - Transfer In
Upon arrival to Panama a representative will pick you up at the airport and transfer you to your city hotel for your firs 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, 01 double standard room,breakfast included.
Day 02 Monday: Panama City - David / Cerro Punta (B, L)
Today you will be transferred to the domestic airport for your short flight to David, approx. 50 minutes. Upon arrival to David, you will be driven to the La Amistad National Park, located about 90 minutes away. In the cloud forest you will have the chance to explore the lush and green nature on a one hour walk. After lunch you can take one of the interesting hiking and animal watching tours offered by the Los Quetzales Lodge.. Overnight at the Los Quetzales Lodge,01 double standard room, 3 daily meals and tours included.
Day 03 Tuesday: Cerro Punta (B, L)
Chose from one of the tours offered by Los Quetzales Lodge. Take advantage and explore together with your guide the lodge’s private reserve or visit the Baru Volcano or the La Amistad National Park. Overnight at the Los Quetzales Lodge,01 double standard room, 3 daily meals and tours included.
Day 04 Wednesday: Cerro Punta - Bocas Del Toro (B)
Today's program will bring you to the Caribbean Coast (estimated driving time: 4 hours). In Almirante, a little port of the Chiquita Banana company, you will board a small boat for a 20 minute ride to Isla Colon in Bocas Del Toro. Bocas del Toro is famous for its laidback ambiance. Here you will have a chance to experience typical Caribbean nature, striking wilderness and white sand beaches with crystal-clear water. Your hotel offers you water sports such as snorkeling or kayaking. Overnight at the Playa Tortuga Hotel, 01 double standard room, breakfast included.
Day 05 Thursday: Bocas Del Toro Tour (B)
Today's tour starts at the Bocas del Toro pier with a short boat ride to Laguna Bocatorito. In this bay, also called dolphin bay, the probability to spot dolphins is about 95%. You will spend some time watching them jump and play around your boat. You then continue to the Coral Keys to practice some snorkeling and to enjoy the colorful Bocas del Toro underwater world. At the Coral Keys there is a restaurant where you can have lunch if you want to (not included in the tour!). You will then continue to Red Frog Beach. It received its name thanks to the abundance of tiny red frogs that can be found at that beach. Enjoy the afternoon looking for the red frogs or relaxing at this clean white beach. In the late afternoon you will be taken back to Bocas del Toro. Overnight at the Playa Tortuga Hotel,01 double standard room, breakfast included.
Day 06 Friday: Panama City Tour (B)
After breakfast you will be picked up by our representative and brought to the domestic airport for your flight back to Panama City. Upon arrival, your English speaking guide will pick you up and take you on a private tour to Panama City and the Miraflores Locks. You will start the tour with a 30 minutes drive to Miraflores to see the huge vessels passing the Panama Canal. The busiest hours are between 09:00 and 11:00, so you will be able to see many ships getting lifted or lowered 18 meters in two distinct steps. You will enjoy the view on the Locks from a sheltered terrace and listen to the explanations of your guide. To complete the visit of the Canal you will visit the Museum and Visitor Center at Miraflores which gives you a good idea on the construction of the Canal – a masterpiece of engineering. You will also learn about the history of the canal and its significance for Panama and the entire world trade as well as on the current expansion project. After the visit to the Canal you will continue with your guide to the Amador Causeway, a road that connects three Islands in the Pacific Ocean and offers magnificent views on the Canal on one side and on the skyline of Panama City on the other side. The tour continues to the Casco Viejo, Panama City's colonial quarter. At the Casco Viejo you feel set back in time as you admire the lovely colonial houses, the narrow roads and the impressive churches. While visiting the highlights of this colonial district ,the Cathedral, the golden Altar, French Plaza and the Huertas Passway you will sure get an idea on Panama's long and interesting history. Overnight at the Country Inn & Suites Amador, 01 double standard room, breakfast included.
Day 07 Saturday: Partial crossing of the Panama Canal (B)
After a transfer from your hotel to Flamenco Marina, the partial transit starts with a motor coach ride for 45 minute to the town of Gamboa where the Panama Canal Dredging Division is located. Once in Gamboa, you will aboard the cruise ship to start the water portion of the tour. You will enter the canal at the north end of the Gaillard Cut, where the Chagres River flows into the Canal. The Gaillard Cut (also known as Culebra Cut because its curves resemble a snake) is one of the main points of interest for visitors because it was carved through the Continental Divide and this section of the Canal is full of history and geological value. Your boat will travel the Cut's 13.7 kilometers on the way to Pedro Miguel Locks. As you transit the Cut you will be able to appreciate the continuous maintenance that this area requires, because it is very susceptible to landslides. In this area you will also be able to observe the work in process for the Panama Canal expansion project. Before reaching the Pedro Miguel Locks at the southern end of the Cut, you will be able to view the new Centennial Bridge which crosses over the Canal. Next, your ship will enter Pedro Miguel Locks, which is one of the two sets of locks on the Pacific side, and here the vessel is lowered 9 meters in one step. You will then enter Miraflores Lake, which is a small artificial body of fresh water that separates Pedro Miguel from Miraflores Locks, the latter being the final set of locks before reaching the Pacific Ocean. At Miraflores Locks the vessel is lowered 18 meters in two distinct steps. Once in the Pacific Ocean the vessel will sail to the beautiful Flamenco Marina where you disembark. On the way to Flamenco, you will pass under the Bridge of the Americas, and later, you will be able to admire the Bay of Panama and Panama City's splendorous skyline. Upon arrival at Flamenco you will be transferred back to your city hotel. The tour includes transportation from and to your hotel, English speaking tour guide, lunch, soft drinks and water. Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes and don't forget to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, hat and your camera. Important Note: Every first and third Saturday of the month you can upgrade to a Complete Canal Transit (Pacific to Atlantic) for an additional $55 per person. Overnight at the Country Inn and Suites Hotel, 01 double standard room, breakfast included.
Day 08 Sunday: Departure (B)
After breakfast you will be transferred to the Tocumen Airport for your international flight back home.
