Best of Panama

Itinerary

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.

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)