Best of Panama

Dossier

Panama is all too often neglected but at Undiscovered Destinations we believe this magnificent country has much to offer. This two week trip covers a range of Panama’s different aspects, starting in Panama City with its splendid old colonial architecture and art deco buildings. We spend time searching for wildlife such as sloth, crocodiles and monkeys in fantastic reserves such as La Amistad and Finca Lerida Cloudforest, wander through well preserved rural towns, and stay as guests of the Kuna Indian community on the idyllic San Blas Islands, to gain a real insight into the lives of Panama’s indigenous people. Focussing on wildlife and culture, this tour uncovers the hidden secrets of a spectacular but little known country.

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Day 1 - Panama City
Arrive in Panama City. Depending on arrival, you may have a chance to explore Panama’s capital before meeting your guide for the trip ahead. Overnight Holiday Inn, Panama Canal or similar.

Panama City
Founded in 1519 and subsequently used as a base for expeditions into South America, Panama City attracted international attention from its inception, with the notorious Welsh pirate Henry Morgan attacking the city and burning it to the ground. In more recent years, Panama City gained a reputation as a centre for illegitimate business deals and money laundering, a reputation which it has worked hard to shake off. Its age means that there are a wealth of sites and attractions to visit – its old quarter of Casco Antiguo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, contains numerous colonial era churches and other buildings. With a mixture of different architectural styles it reflects the cultural and ethnic diversity of the city, as art deco buildings jostle for space among older colonial designs and traditional Caribbean architecture.

Day 2 - Panama Canal Jungle Boat Adventure - Chiriqui Highlands
Drive to the town of Gamboa, where the Chagres River meets the Panama Canal. From here we take a boat across Gatun Lake in the canal, passing gigantic cargo ships en route – an astonishing contrast with the natural surroundings. Along the way, we will 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 wildlife. Afterwards, we fly to David, capital of Chiriqui province. Chiriqui is known as ‘Panama’s breadbasket’ and contains some of the most breathtaking highland scenery in Central America. Overnight Hotel dos Rios or similar. (BLD)

Gatun Lake
Gatun Lake was formed to give way to the Panama Canal in 1914. With a surface of 423 square-kilometres, at the time of its creation was the largest man-made lake in the world. The flow of all the rivers within the Panama Canal Watershed is contained in Gatun Lake to provide water for the operation of the lock system. More than 52 million gallons of fresh water are used for every ship that transits through the Panama Canal from one ocean to another. Our expedition boat will allow for close approximations to rainforest covered islands (former hill tops) in Gatun Lake to search for White-faced capuchin, Mantled howler monkey, Central American spider monkey, and Geoffrey’s tamarin. We enjoy a picnic lunch on a small island with extraordinary views of the Panama Canal and the natural surroundings.

Day 3 - La Amistad International Park and World Biosphere Reserve
This morning we explore La Amistad in search of species such as Resplendent Quetzal, Andean Pygmy-Owl, and Black and Yellow Silky Flycatcher among many other western highland birds. After lunch as visit Finca Dracula, home to over 1500 orchid species. On our return journey to the hotel we stop at a coffee estate to learn about the various process of coffee production, and enjoy a fresh brewed cup of coffee while watching the spectacular sunset over the Baru Volcano, the highest peak in Panama at 3,475 metres above sea level. Overnight Hotel dos Rios or similar. (BLD)

La Amistad International Park
Shared with neighbouring 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 best.

Day 4 - Sitio Barriles - Boquete
On the way to Boquete we visit Sitio Barriles an archaeological site of the extinct Barril culture that once lived on the slopes of the dormant Baru Volcano. We have time to learn about the petroglyphs before heading to the quaint town of Boquete, its countryside dotted with flower, fruit and produce farms, coffee plantations and lush tropical cloud forests. Overnight Hotel Panamonte or similar.(BLD)

Boquete
Surrounded my mountains and coffee plantations, Boquete is an idyllic little town that enjoys year round pleasant temperatures and manages to seduce most of those who visit it. It is a delightfully laid back place, where people still ride horses to get around, and many live to be over a hundred years old – attributing their longevity to the perfect climate and fresh mountain air. The coffee farms around here are well known for their sustainable farming practices, and harbour a wide diversity of bird species – often as many as cloudforest habitats. With great hiking, friendly people and superb views, Boquete has a well deserved place on any visitor’s itinerary.

Day 5 - Finca Lerida Cloud Forest
This morning we explore Finca Lerida, a privately owned preserve in Boquete, in the buffer zone of Baru Volcano National Park. At an elevation of 2,286 metres we have an 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. We hike through lush vegetation and arrive at the Collin’s shade-grown coffee farm where lunch will be served. Overnight Hotel Panamonte or similar. (BLD)

Day 6 - Panama City
Travel back to David and fly to Panama City. We visit the Smithsonian’s Tropical Research Institute Tupper Centre and the Panama Canal’s Administration Building to admire its beautiful murals depicting the monumental labour involved in the building of the waterway. We also visit the Miraflores Locks, the first set of locks on the Pacific Ocean side of the canal and Casco Viejo, the colonial city. Overnight Hotel Executive or similar. (BLD)

Panama Canal
Only 48 miles in length, the Panama Canal has had an impact on shipping disproportionate to its tiny size. Joining the Caribbean and the Pacific, the opening of the canal meant that ships no longer had to brave either the North West Passage or Cape Horn to travel from the east of the Americas to the West, and distances were cut dramatically. First attempted by the French in 1880, the Panama Canal was completed by the United States in the early 20th century, at a cost of 27,500 lives. The canal consists of channels, artificial lakes and several locks, and in 2008 carried nearly 15,000 ships through its waters.

Day 7 - San Blas Islands - Dolphin Island
Depart by small plane to the San Blas Islands, where we then transfer by boat to Dolphin Island. The San Blas Islands are the home of the Kuna Indians, one of Panama’s seven indigenous groups. We visit the Kuna village of Achutupo in the company of a local guide giving us an excellent opportunity to learn about the 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! Later this afternoon we will go snorkelling in the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean Sea to look for stunning marine life. Our accommodation is at Uaginega Lodge. (BLD)

The Kuna
Located along the north-eastern coast of Panama in the Caribbean Sea, the San Blas Islands are the home of 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 colourful reverse appliquéd 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.

Day 8 - Panama City - Chagres River and the Embera
Return by plane to Panama City. We then travel to Madden Lake and board a motorized piragua (dugout canoe) to travel up the Chagres River to the Embera indigenous village of Embera Drua. The boat journey takes us through the rainforest of the 320,000-acre Chagres National Park and along the Chagres River, we may be able to spot Little Blue and Green Heron, Great Egret, Anhingas and kingfishers among other species. At the Embera village we learn about Embera customs and their relationship with nature, and have the 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 Hotel Executive or similar. (BLD)

Embera People
The Embera are one of Panama’s seven indigenous ethnic groups, and are mostly spread between the Darien Province of Panama and northern Colombia. For centuries they have lived semi-nomadic lives as hunter-gatherers and fishermen, moving through the forest in small family groups in search of food. However pressures on the forest in recent years have meant that it is increasingly difficult to sustain traditional ways of life, and now most have turned to agriculture for survival. Like most indigenous communities the Embera have been systematically marginalized by national governments and are poorly represented in Panama’s political system.

Day 9 - Partial Panama Canal Transit
Drive to the port of Balboa where we board our boat which will take us on the world famous journey through the Panama Canal. Cruise through Miraflores and Pedro Miguel Locks, Gaillard Cut at the Continental Divide, and the narrowest part of the Panama Canal, arriving at the town of Gamboa, home to the canal’s dredging division, an important part in the functioning of the canal. At Gamboa we disembark and drive back Panama City with a stop on the way at the Balboa handicraft market for some last minute shopping. Tonight we enjoy a farewell dinner at local restaurant. Overnight Hotel Executive or similar. (BLD)

Day 10 - Panama City
Tour ends. (B)

Tour style: Traveller

Inclusions:

Arrival and departure transfers
Domestic flights
All accommodation on twin share basis
Services of English speaking guide / tour leader
Meals as listed (B – Breakfast, L – Lunch, D – Dinner)
Entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerary

Excluded:

International flights
Any airport taxes
Travel Insurance
Visas
Drinks

Please note that this tour is operated and sold in conjunction with our local partner, and so you may be travelling with people of different nationalities.

Please note that you should also read the Country Notes in association with this itinerary for practical information about your trip and the destination you will be visiting.

The itinerary and supplementary information has been compiled with care and provided in good faith. However it may be subject to change, and does not form part of a contract between the client and Undiscovered Destinations.