Travel to Panama: Panama Discovery

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Panama Discovery

			Read a Trip Review DAYS: 8 GRADE: I define PRICE: From $1995 per person (Includes Local Air) HIGHLIGHTS: Soberania National Park and Panama Canal Chiriqui Cloud Forest Baru Volcano Bocas del Toro Bastimentos Marine National Park ACCOMMODATIONS: Hotels/Lodges MEALS: As noted  [B-Breakfast, L-Lunch,   D-Dinner] SEASON: Year-round Prices, Departure Dates and Included Services Send to a Friend Print this Itinerary

Travel through Panama from tropical rain forests and highland cloud forests to Caribbean cays in just eight days. This far-reaching Panama adventure features the historic Panama Canal, cultural interaction with the Embera Indigenous people and a wildlife jungle boat through rainforest preserves of Gatun Lake in the Panama Canal. We also explore the highland volcanoes, cloud forests and shade-grown coffee plantations of Boquete teeming with birds, and traverse over the Continental Divide to reach the Caribbean archipelago of Bocas del Toro where we hike in lowland tropical forests, snorkel, kayak in mangrove lagoons, and take in the lively Afro-Caribbean culture.

DAY 1 :  ARRIVE PANAMA
Welcome at Tocumen International Airport in Panama City where you are met and transferred to overnight at the Holiday Inn - Panama Canal or similar.

Hiking promises great wildlife sightings.

DAY 2 :  CHAGRES RIVER AND THE EMBERA PEOPLE
Early morning, we drive one hour to El Corotu on the shores of the Madden Lake.  The main reservoir of drinking water for the cities of Panama and Colon, Madden also supplies 40% of the water required for the operation of the Panama Canal.  Here we board a motorized piragua to travel up the Chargres River.  The dugout canoe journey takes us through the rainforest of the 320,000 acre Chagres National Park, we may be able to spot Little Blue and Green Heron, Great Egret, Anhinga, Neo-tropical Cororant, Amazon, Ringed and Green Kingfisher, along with Red-lored Amazon Parrott and Keel-billed Toucan flying above. 

Meet some of Panama's indigenous peoples on a visit to the Embera Drua village. On the banks of the Chagres River we board a motorized piragua (traditional dugout canoe) for our ride to Embera Drua. As we maneuver down the river, we may see Keel-billed Toucans and Ospreys flying through Chagres National Park, the largest of the national parks protecting the Panama Canal Watershed. Time and conditions allowing, we visit a waterfall where we can take a dip in the crystal-clear waters to cool down.  We are greeted with dancing and music at the village, where we learn about the traditions and crafts of these indigenous peoples. After a native-style lunch of fresh fried fish with plantains we participate in traditional dances. Overnight at the Holiday Inn - Panama Canal. [BLD]

DAY 3 :  PANAMA CANAL JUNGLE BOAT ADVENTURE - MIRAFLORES LOCKS - CHIRIQUI
Early in the morning we proceed with our naturalist guide to the town of Gamboa on the Panama Canal 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 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. Passing close by rainforest covered islands in Gatun Lake we search for White-faced capuchin, Howler monkey, Spider monkey and the endemic Red-napped tamarin.

We enjoy a picnic lunch on an island with extraordinary views of the Panama Canal and the natural surroundings. Early afternoon return to Gamboa and drive to the Miraflores Locks Visitors Center, where you will visit multiple exhibits of the Canal and have the opportunity to view the operations of the Panama Canal. 

In the afternoon you 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 the Boquete with its countryside dotted with flower, fruit and vegetable farms, coffee plantations and extraordinary cloud forest environments.  Overnight at Hotel Panamonte or similar. [BLD]

DAY 4 :  CLOUD FOREST CANOPY ZIPLINING - COFFEE TOUR
This morning we do a cloud forest canopy tree trek on a zipline that allows us to contemplate the rainforest from 14 different canopy platforms while smoothly soaring in the heights of the cloud forest from one treetop to another.  We glide through the trees and encounter an unknown world.  We discover a fascinating perspective of wildlife that we very few times appreciate.  Native species of flora and fauna can be observed.  We marvel at the sight of a great variety of orchids, trees and wildflowers that are found througout the area. 

This afternoon we have an interactive experience with coffee at Lerida Coffee Estate.  The experts will explain the process coffee beans go through.  This is no ordinary coffee.  Shade grown and scrutinized; Lerida's coffee is world renown.  Enjoy a fresh brewed cup of coffee while watching the spectacular sunset over the Baru Volcano, the highest peak of the country at 11,468 feet above sea level.  Overnight at Hotel Panamonte. [BLD]

DAY 5 :  FINCA LERIDA - BOCAS DEL TORO
Located at 7,500' elevation, Finca Lerida is a privately owned cloud forest preserve in the buffer zone of Baru Volcano National Park. Here we have some more chances to see the Resplendent Quetzal, as well as Three-wattles Bellbird, Volcano Hummingbird, and Long-tailed Silky Flycatcher in their cool habitat of orchids, bromeliads and wild avocados. Hiking through lush vegetation we arrive at the Collins family shade-grown coffee farm where lunch is served. In the afternoon we drive across the Continental Divide by the Fortuna Dam and spectacular waterfalls as we cross through the Palo Seco protected area that serves as buffer zone to La Amistad International Park. The transition from the cloud forests to the Caribbean Sea is spectacular. In the mainland town of Almirante we are met by our boat and transferred to Colon Island in Bocas del Toro. Check in and enjoy a tropical cocktail offered by the lodge's gregarious manager. Then kick back and enjoy the tropical breeze in the hammocks on the upstairs deck or mingle with the locals in this small, friendly Afro-Caribbean town. Overnight at the Bocas Inn. [BLD]

	Snorkeling in Bastimentos Marine Park

DAY 6 :  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 habitat during their reproductive and development stages. Walking along Caiman trail we pass through diverse stages of lowland forests looking for birds such as Red-throated Ant Tanager and Golden-collared Manakin. Mammals such as Night Monkeys, White-faced Capuchins and Three-toed Sloths also reside here. Older tracts of rainforest provide habitat 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 look for the tiny endemic bright colored Strawberry poison dart frog. We visit an indigenous community where we can purchase handicrafts such as painted woodcarvings and Ngobe handbags followed by local Caribbean fare for lunch. Return to town in the afternoon with time to explore the laid back Bocas town on our own. Overnight at the Bocas Inn. [BLD]

DAY 7 :  BOCA DEL DRAGO TO PANAMA CITY
Early in the morning we take a short boat ride to Boca del Drago around Colon Island. Conditions permitting we visit Swan's Cay, a rock protruding from the depths of the Caribbean Sea which serves as a rookery for Red-billed tropic birds (the only place to be found in Panama) and Brown boobies. After lunch, fly to Panama City where we stop at the Balboa handicraft market on our way to the hotel for some last minute shopping (time permitting), Overnight at Holiday Inn - Panama Canal. Farewell dinner at a local restaurant. [BLD]

DAY 8 :  DEPARTURE
Transfer to Tocumen International Airport 2.5 hours prior to flight departure. [B]

Questions? Ask Our Program Directors.

. C o n t a c t Grettel Calderon 1(800)345-4453