Travel to Panama: Panama Discovery

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Panama Discovery

			DAYS: 8 GRADE: I define PRICE: From $2095 per person (Includes Local Air) HIGHLIGHTS: Soberania National Park Bastimentos Marine National Park Bocas Del Toro Chiriqui Cloud Forest Baru Volcano 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 historic forts of Colon and Panama City, a ride on the trans-Isthmian railway, and a wildlife jungle boat through rainforest preserves of Gatun Lake in the Panama Canal. We 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 City of Knowledge.

Hiking promises great wildlife sightings.

DAY 2 :  PANAMA CANAL JUNGLE BOAT EXPEDITION - MIRAFLORES LOCKS
Early in the morning we proceed with out 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 Visitor's Center, where we'll visit multiple exhibits of the canal and have the opportunity to view the operations of the Panama Canal. Welcome dinner at a restaurant overlooking the Bay of Panama. Overnight at the Holiday Inn City of Knowledge. [BLD]

DAY 3 :  THE TRANS-ISTHMIAN ROUTE
Driving across the Isthmus of Panama to the Caribbean province of Colon we stop at a site where remnants of Las Cruces Trail, the 400-year-old colonial trail used by the Spaniards to transport gold across the isthmus, are still found. Once in Colon we drive over the Panama Canal at Gatun Locks and reach the Castle of San Lorenzo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built at the mouth of the Chagres River this Spanish bastion served to fortify and protect the river entrance to Las Cruces Trail that led to Panama City on the Pacific Ocean, once used as the port of entry for gold diggers on their way to California during the second half of the 19th century. We travel through lush rainforest within San Lorenzo National Park where we look for monkeys, Two and Three-toed sloths, Coatimundi, toucans and other wildlife.

We return through Colon City on our way to the historic town of Portobelo for lunch. Famous for its trade fairs during the 17th century, Portobelo is another World Heritage Site. Amble among forts San Geronimo and Santiago de la Gloria; during colonial times this was one of the most important strongholds of the Spanish Main in the Americas.

We return to Panama City on the Trans-isthmian train, following the railway route that transported 49ers coming from the east coast of the United States across the Isthmus to continue their journey by boat to California. The scenic train follows along the Panama Canal flanked by the exuberant rainforests of Soberania National Park. We arrive to Corozal Station and then transfer to overnight at the Holiday Inn City of Knowledge. [BLD]

DAY 4 :  CHIRIQUI - LOS QUETZALES TRAIL
Morning transfer to Albrook domestic airport to board the 1-hour flight to David, capital of Chiriqui province. Known as "Panama's breadbasket," Chiriqui boasts some of the most breathtaking highland scenery in Central America. From the airport in David we travel by van two hours to Cerro Punta where we start a 4-hour hike along Los Quetzales Trail through the foothills of Baru Volcano, the highest peak in Panama at 3,475 meters above sea level. Hiking in the cloud forests of Baru Volcano National Park we take our time stopping to enjoy the views and looking out for the elusive Resplendent Quetzal. Picnic lunch on the trail. We reach the town of Boquete where we overnight at Finca Lerida, Hotel Panamonte or similar. [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 City of Knowledge. 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