Travel to Panama: Panama Explorer

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Panama Explorer

			Read a Trip Review DAYS: 10 GRADE: I define PRICE: From $2500 per person (Includes Local Air) HIGHLIGHTS: Panama City Miraflores Locks Soberania National Park Chiriqui Cloud Forest Baru Volcano La Amistad International Biosphere Reserve Dolphin Island San Blas Islands Partial Panama Canal transit 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

Experience the astonishing ecological and cultural diversity of Panama on this small group adventure. Accompanied by master naturalist guides you discover plentiful wildlife in the lowland rainforests of Gatun Lake, and the Panama Canal. We search for the Resplendent Quetzal on hikes in the highland cloud forests of the Amistad Biosphere Reserve and explore the local industries of orchids, sugar and coffee. A short flight to the San Blas archipelago in the Caribbean delivers us to our thatch-roof cabanas on a tropical island where we snorkel, swim and visit with native Kuna Indians. Our adventure concludes with a partial transit through the famous Panama Canal.

DAY 1 :  ARRIVAL
Welcome at Tocumen International Airport in Panama City where you are met and transferred to overnight at Holiday Inn Panama Canal. [Meals on own]

DAY 2 :  PANAMA CANAL JUNGLE BOAT EXPEDITION - CHIRIQUI HIGHLANDS
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 we?ll 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 Bambito [BLD]

Hike in the dense cloud forests filled with innumerable bromeliads and orchids.

DAY 3 :  LA AMISTAD INTERNATIONAL PARK AND WORLD BIOSPHERE RESERVE
Shared with neighboring Costa Rica and recognized in 1982 as a World Biosphere Reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site, La Amistad is located at a point on the Central American natural land bridge where flora and fauna from North and South America reach their maximum species mix. With great ranges in altitude, precipitation, soil and temperature, bio-diversity here is at its peak. We spend the morning hiking and exploring La Amistad in the area of El Retoo in search of the Resplendent Quetzal, Silvery-fronted Tapaculo, Andean Pygmy-Owl, Barred Becard, Black and Yellow Silky Flycatcher among many other western highland birds. After lunch at a local restaurant we visit Sitio Barriles, an archeological site of the former Barril culture where an expert on-site guide interprets petroglyphs that explain the history of the people who once lived on the slopes of the dormant Baru Volcano. Overnight at Hotel Bambito [BLD]

DAY 4 :  FINCA DRACULA ORCHID FARM AND SUGAR MILL
This morning we visit Finca Dracula home to over 1500 orchid species. We continue to the quaint town of Boquete where the countryside is covered with flower, fruit and vegetable farms, coffee plantations and lush tropical cloud forest. We also have a unique opportunity to experience a century-old tradition at a local Trapiche, a horse-powered sugar mill where the delicious Raspadura blocks are made. We enjoy a typical lunch and a traditional polleras folkloric dance presentation. Before we arrive to the town of Boquete, we stop at the local look out point where you can enjoy the views over the valley. This afternoon is open to relax, stroll through town on your own or enjoy the Spa services at your hotel (at extra cost). Overnight at Hotel Panamonte [BLD]

DAY 5 :  CLOUD FOREST HIKE AND BOQUETE COFFEE EXPERIENCE
This morning we take a nature walk on the hills of Boquete where we have the opportunity to look for the elusive Resplendent Quetzal, Three-wattled Bellbird, Black-faced Solitaire, Volcano Hummingbird, Long-tailed Silky Flycatcher and Prong-billed Barbet in their cool habitat of orchids, bromeliads and wild avocados. After lunch at a local restaurant, we participate on a complete coffee experience where we learn about the growing, processing, roasting, packing, and trading of high-end quality coffee. Overnight at Hotel Panamonte [BLD]

DAY 6 :  PANAMA CITY - CASCO VIEJO
After a leisurely breakfast we drive 90 minutes to David for a mid-morning flight to Panama City. Upon arrival we begin exploring Panama City, a contrasting metropolis with World Heritage Sites, rainforests and a flourishing business district filled with skyscrapers. Today we explore the ruins of Old Panama City, the first European settlement to be established along the shores of the Pacific Ocean (1519), Casco Viejo with its colonial landmarks and cobblestone streets, the Panama Canal Museum and the modern city. Overnight at Holiday Inn Panama Canal [BLD]

DAY 7 :  SAN BLAS ISLANDS - DOLPHIN ISLAND
Located along the northeastern coast of Panama in the Caribbean Sea, the San Blas Islands are the home to the Kuna Indians. Determined to protect their unique culture, the Kunas were granted regional autonomy forming the Comarca (autonomous territory) of Kuna Yala where to this day an indigenous congress rules. Kuna women spend countless hours stitching the very colorful reverse appliqud cotton molas which is part of their daily wear. Essentially, the Kuna are fishermen, but they also farm coconut, corn, rice, cocoa, yucca and other staples.

We depart by scheduled flight to San Blas at the crack of dawn. To enhance the interaction with the Kuna, travelers go without our Naturalist Guide. A representative of Dolphin Lodge will greet us upon landing at the airstrip and transfer to the lodge on a motorized dugout canoe to check in and have breakfast.

Uaguinega Lodge is located on Uaguitupo (Dolphin) Island, about five minutes from the Achutupo airstrip via dugout canoe. Owned and operated by a Kuna family, the accommodations at Dolphin Lodge are rustic but comfortable in traditional Kuna-style huts with cozy beds, indoor bathrooms and a hammock on the front porch. Meals are served in the Bohio dining room overlooking the Caribbean Sea. We visit the Kuna village of Achutupo in the company of a local guide who introduces us to Kuna culture and traditional ceremonies. Visit the communal house of Sahilas (Kuna chiefs) where the chiefs are responsible for enforcing the law of the community as well as offering advice on other aspects of life - including marital problems! Learn about the building of the typical Kuna house, their economy, the traditional mola, and the processing of sugar cane into the alcoholic drink known as chicha. We return to the lodge to relax at one of the hammocks and to have lunch. Later this afternoon we will go snorkeling in the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean Sea to look for stunning marine and coral life. Overnight at Uaguinega Lodge [BLD]

DAY 8 :  PANAMA CITY - CHAGRES RIVER & EMBERA
After breakfast we board our plane bound for Panama City. Upon arrival we meet our Naturalist Guide and board a van for our trip to El Corotu on the shores of Madden Lake. The main reservoir of drinking water for the cities of Panama and Colon, Madden Lake also supplies 40% of the water required for the operation of the Panama Canal. Here, we board a motorized piragua (dugout canoe) and travel up the Chagres River to the Embera indigenous village of Embera Drua. The boat journey takes us through the rainforest of the Chagres National Park, the largest National Park that protects the Panama Canal Watershed. At the Embera village we will be greeted with dancing and music. We will learn about Embera customs and their relationship with nature. You will have a chance to be painted with the traditional jagua, a natural dye the Embera use to adorn their bodies. After a picnic lunch we visit the nearby waterfall where we can take a dip in the crystal-clear waters of the Chagres River before heading back to Panama City. Overnight at El Panama [BLD]

DAY 9 :  PARTIAL PANAMA CANAL TRANSIT
Early morning pick-up for the 15 minute drive to the port of Balboa where we board our boat to take us on the world famous journey through the Panama Canal. Cruise through Miraflores and Pedro Miguel Locks, Gaillard Cut at the Continental Divide, the narrowest part of the Panama Canal, arriving at the town of Gamboa home to the canals dredging division, an important part in the functioning of the canal. At Gamboa we disembark and drive back to our hotel in Panama City with a stop on the way at the Balboa handicraft market. Farewell dinner at local restaurant. Overnight at El Panama [BLD]

DAY 10 :  DEPARTURE
Depart for the airport approximately two and a half hours before your scheduled international flight. [B]

Questions? Ask Our Program Directors.

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