Tour options and Prices
We are pleased to offer two small group tours in this little visited Central American country. Our Best of Panama programme explores the country’s highlights and offers the first time visitor an excellent introduction to this wonderfully varied destination. The trip is based on good quality accommodation and can be described as a ‘soft adventure’.
Our second option however, will appeal to the more intrepid traveller and offers the rare opportunity of visiting the infamous Darien, travelling deep into the rainforests.
10 Day Best of Panama Tour - Click here for Prices
Style of travel - Traveller
Day 1 – UK to Panama City
On arrival at Tocumen International Airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Panama City. A welcome information kit will be provided for you.
Overnight at the Country Inn & Suites Amador
Day 2 – Boat tour along the Panama Canal
An early morning briefing with your guide in the hotel before setting of on a 45 minute ride along the scenic Gamboa Road to the Soberania National Park. Here you have great chances to observe the unique ecology of the Canal watershed. Following this you are taken to Gatun Lake where you will board a boat to travel part of the canal and visit small islands to see the wildlife. Spectacled Caiman, Green Iguana and Two-toed sloth’s are among the species you can expect to see.
Afterwards, you are taken to the domestic airport for your flight to David. From here it is a 45 minute trip to the mountainous town of Cerro Punta.
Overnight at the Los Quetzales Lodge (BLD)
Day 3 – La Amistad International Park
Today you visit the Talamanca protected area, 7 miles from Cerro Punta. This area acts as a biological corridor between the Baru Volcano National Park and La Amistad International Park. It is one of the biological reserves of great ecological value and led UNESCO to declare this area a world heritage site in 1983.
The Talamanca mountain chain divides the waters of the Pacific and the Caribbean. In terms of biodiversity, the area contains 180 endemic species of plants and is one of the last major refuges for endangered fauna such as the Ocelot, the Jaguar and the Tapir. The area is particularly rich in birds with about 600 different species. No other protected area in Central America has as much biodiversity.
Later in the day you will be visiting one of Latin Americas finest orchid farms, Finca Dracula, with more than 2,000 different types of orchid from around the world.
Overnight at the Los Quetzales Lodge (BL)
Day 4 – Los Quetzales Trail
After breakfast you will be met by your guide to begin one of the most beautiful walks in Central America. You will cross rivers and hike through old growth forests as you head up into the cloud forest. In the Baru National Park you travel through low mountain forest, pre-mountain rainforest and finally the cloud forest, allowing you the chance to observe the Quetzal and bell bird, a variety of humming birds, porcupines and Coati Mundi. A packed lunch is provided for the walk. You are then transferred to the beautiful town of Boquete.
Overnight at the Panamonte Inn & Spa (BL)
Day 5 – Finca Lerida
Today you learn about the fascinating process involved in the growing and production of coffee. You will walk through the coffee fields of Finca Lerida and learn about the coffee plants and how the coffee beans are harvested. Then you will learn about the selection, drying, roasting and packaging processes. Of course there is also plenty of time to taste the produce!
Overnight at the Panamonte Inn & Spa (BL)
Day 6 – Panama City Tour
Today we return to Panama City and take a historical and cultural tour. Visit Panama La Vieja, the first city established by the Spanish and then conquered by the Pirate Henry Morgan in 1671. We also visit Casco Antiguo, built in 1673, and walk around the French Plaza and surrounding monuments. The highlight of the day is one of the world’s most amazing engineering masterpieces, the Panama Canal at the Miraflores Locks. Here you can observe the canal as ships pass through.
Overnight at the Country Inn & Suites Amador (BL)
Day 7 – San Blas Islands
An early morning departure from the hotel for a 35 minute flight to the San Blas Archipelago airstrip on Panama’s Atlantic Coast. You are then transferred by a motorised dugout canoe to the very rustic but charming San Blas lodge. Here you will have the opportunity to visit the Kuna Indian’s principal community. Enjoy beautiful beaches on nearby islands and fresh San Blas seafood.
Overnight at the Dolphin Lodge (BLD)
Day 8 – San Blas Islands
A free day to relax on white sand beaches or in a hammock under the palms. You can rent snorkelling equipment to explore the beautiful reefs of the San Blas
Overnight at the Dolphin Lodge (BLD)
Day 9 – Embera Indigenous Encounter
You have an early morning flight back to Panama City and are transferred to Chagres National Park to begin your visit to the Embera Community.
Board a native dugout canoe to travel up the Chagres River and learn about the culture of the Embera Indians through their arts, their knowledge of local plants and their cultural dances and music which dates back centuries. Walk in the jungle, explore the waterfalls and learn about a magical culture all in one day!
Overnight at the Country Inn & Suites Amador (BL)
Day 10 – Panama Canal Partial Transit
After your breakfast you will be taken to Flamenco Pier and board a bus to take you to the town of Gamboa, where you board the vessel. The boat travels the 13.7 kilometres of the Gaillard Cut on the way to Pedro Miguel Locks. On the way you will view the Centennial Bridge. Once in the Pedro Miguel Locks the boat is lowered 9 metres in one step. The boat then enters the Miraflores Lake and the final set of locks before the Pacific Ocean, the Miraflores Locks. Here the vessel is lowered 18 metres in two distinct steps and once in the Pacific Ocean the boat travels to the beautiful Flamenco Marina where your trip ends.
Overnight at the Country Inn & Suites Amador (BL)
Day 11 – El Valle
Today begins with a 2 hour drive along the famous Pan-American Highway to the beautiful mountain town of Elle Valle de Anton. The town is in the crater of a dormant volcano, once the largest in Central America. El Valle has a variety of attractions such as Indian petroglyphs, hot springs, waterfalls, rock climbing and hikes for all abilities. On arrival you will visit the picturesque town market. Enjoy a picnic lunch from atop El Gaital.
Overnight at the Country Inn & Suites Amador (BL)
Day 12 – Historical Portobelo & the Transcontinental Railroad
An early morning start takes you to the Railway Station to ride the train to the Atlantic side of Panama. On arrival you are met and begin your tour of Portobelo Fortress. During the 17th and 19th centuries, the Port of Portobelo served as a Spanish Fortress and was the victim of various pirate attacks, the most well known being by the notorious Henry Morgan. The small island of Drake where his remains are located is nearby. Visit the ruins of the colonial port, the customhouse where treasure and gold were stored and the Portobelo church. Return to Panama City.
Overnight at the Country Inn & Suites Amador (BL)
Day 13 – Depart Panama
At the appropriate time you will be taken from the hotel to the International Airport for your departing flight via the USA back to the UK
Day 14 – Arrive UK
You arrive back in the UK early this morning.
Key to inclusions: B - breakfast, L - lunch, D - dinner
14 Day Darien Explorer Trek - Click here for Prices Back to top
Trip Rating: Pioneer
Day 1 - UK to Panama City
On arrival to Tocumen International Airport we are met by our Expedition Guide and transferred to our hotel in Panama City. Enjoy a welcome cocktail and briefing with our Expedition Guide.
Overnight at Hotel Executive
Day 2 - Panama City – Gulf of San Miguel –Punta Patino
This morning we are picked up at our hotel and transferred to Panama City’s domestic airport to board the scheduled flight (approximately 45 minutes) to La Palma ,capital of the Darien province, located by the mouth of the mighty Tuira River. At La Palma we board our expedition boat which takes us to the Ancon Expeditions lodge at the private 65,000-acre Punta Patiño Nature Reserve, overlooking the Gulf of San Miguel where we settle into our private cabins. Be on the lookout for bottle-nosed dolphin and different species of birds that find refuge among the mangrove-dotted coast. After a light and refreshing lunch we will head out on our first excursion of the trip. This afternoon we hike the Piedra Candela trail where our guide will describe the importance of this tropical dry forest. This type of forest is quickly vanishing due to deforestation. We can return to the lodge or stay at the beach to see the spectacular sunset. This evening we will take a short walk to the wetlands in search of Capybaras, the world’s largest rodent with its northernmost range being Panama. We will also look for caiman, owls and other nocturnal species.
Overnight at Punta Patino Lodge (BLD)
Day 3 - Mogue River – Emera People
This morning we embark on our motorized dugout canoe and head for the Mogue River. We will look for Roseate Spoonbill, Ibis, Osprey and Raccoons fishing along the river. The trip up river takes us through millenary mangroves making the boat ride extraordinary. We arrive at the village of Mogue where its inhabitants greet us. After the formalities and presentations we will be able to learn about their culture and traditions. Also we will have the opportunity of buying their beautiful handicrafts that are made from natural materials. The men are expert carvers of Cocobolo wood and the women weave extraordinary baskets from palm fibres with dyes from different plants. Enjoy the day exchanging experiences with the Mogue inhabitants.
Overnight at Mogue Village (fully screened tents with mats for sleeping) (BLD)
Day 4 - Mogue River – Pirre Station
Our journey up the mighty Tuira River this morning takes us to the town of El Real and the Pirre River at the entrance to the Darien National Park. Access to the Darien National Park Pirre Station depends on the water level of the Pirre River. If the water level is low we will hike from El Real to the Station (3 hours.) If the water level permits we ride in our dugout canoe (2 hours.). Rushing waterfalls and crystal clear pools overwhelm our senses as the mighty Darien jungle envelops us. We will look for Dendrobates frogs and flocks of understory birds.
Overnight at Pirre Park Ranger Station (rustic with bunk beds) (BLD)
Day 5 - Pirre Station
The area surrounding Pirre Station is the habitat of many lowland species. We may see Scarlet-browed, Tawny-crested, Lemon-spectacled Tanagers, White-fronted Nunbird, and Gray-cheeked Nunlet among many others. Those interested in botany will be overwhelmed by the old “cathedral rainforest;” Ceibas, Anacardiums, stranglers and more. This afternoon we can cool off in the Pirre waterfall with its natural water slide.
Overnight at Pirre Park Ranger Station (rustic with bunk beds) (BLD)
Day 6 - Pirre Station – El Real
This morning we will be on the trail early observing the bird activity that accompanies the army ant swarms. After lunch we continue hiking to El Real stopping en route at the Embera village of Pijibasal. At El Real we can enjoy the Bullerengue dancing that is popular in this Afrodarienite town. We may choose to sleep in the local hotel or perhaps we will choose to set our tents for the evening.
Overnight local Rooming House or El Real Camp (BLD)
Day 7 - El Real - Lepe
We board our motorized piragua again this morning and resume our journey on the Tuira River passing by Yaviza the terminus of the Pan-American Highway. If time allows we will visit the Embera villages along the river learning more about this fascinating culture. From our piragua we may be able to see Wood Stork, Laughing Falcon, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Gray-headed Kite, Bat Falcon, Rusty-margined Flycatcher and many others. After approximately 4 hours we arrive at the town of Boca de Cupe. It is from this town that the railroad took miners in and out of the fabled Cana Gold Mines. Now virtually uninhabited, Cana was home to more than 16,000 people less than 100 years ago. We will see occasional signs of the former infrastructure that was present in Cana during our hikes through the jungle. The paths of the former Cana railroad provide access on foot through the jungle to search for Macaws and Peccaries.
Overnight at Lepe Camp (BLD)
Day 8 - Lepe Camp – Cruzamono Station
This morning we start the hike up river to the Cruzamono Ranger Station. As we hike through the jungle we will be able to see and hear a myriad of birdcalls and other wonderful nature sounds as well as maybe seeing footprints of mammals.
Overnight at Cruzamono Park Ranger Station (BLD)
Day 9 - Cruzamono Ranger Station – Cana Field Station
We continue our hike today following the Cupe River. We look for White-headed Wren, Tody Motmot, Macaws, Red-throated Caracara, and many other species amidst the towering Cuipo (Cavallinesia platanifolia) trees and the giant Anacardiums. The remoteness of this region and the dramatic forest around us offers possible sightings of large mammals like Tapir, Giant Anteater, Black-spider Monkey, White-lipped Peccary and others. Accommodations at Cana are basic but comfortable with shared bathrooms and hot water showers.
Overnight at Cana Field Station (BLD)
Day 10 - Cana Field Station
Set amidst 19th century locomotives, winches, smokestacks and ovens, Cana is an explorer’s paradise. Relics of the recent attempts (late 1800s) to mine this wilderness area are reminders of how vulnerable even the most remote areas are to human exploitation. In 1996 the government of Panama outlawed all mining activity within Darien National Park turning the area of Cana into a natural haven.
Overnight at Cana Field Station (BLD)
Day 11- Cana Field Station – Pirre Cloudforest Camp
This full day slow-paced hike to our highland campsite (located at about 1200 meters above sea level) takes us through dramatic changes in the forest habitat. A virtual island of endemic and rarities, these forests are home to Golden-headed Quetzals, Yellow-green Grosbeak, Yellow-collared Chlorophonia, Beautiful Treerunner, Varied Solitaire, Pirre endemic species, Sharpbill, and many others. Follow the tracks of the Tapir and be on the lookout for White-lipped Peccaries.
Overnight at Pirre Cloudforest Tent Camp (BLD)
Day 12 - Pirre Cloudforest – Cana Field Station
Today we will explore this remote unspoiled cloud forest paradise. From the camp we will climb another 640 meters and discover a forest covered by permanent mist. Rare species of flora are found here where the Jaguar is also present. Afterwards hike back to the Cana Field Station.
Night at Cana Field Station (BLD)
Day 13 - Cana Field Station – Panama City
Our midmorning flight will take us back to the city; upon arrival we will visit the Miraflores Locks of the Panama Canal and a craft market. We will return to our hotel to freshen up for tonight’s farewell dinner at a typical Panamanian l restaurant.
Overnight at Hotel Executive (BLD)
Day 14 - Panama City to UK
Transfer to Tocumen International Airport for return flight to the UK, via the United States
Tailormade Tours - Back to top
What is a Tailormade Tour?
If you want the freedom to plan your own trip, without being restricted to the consensus of the group, then a Tailormade Tour is a great way to travel. It really is the next best thing to travelling independently and will appeal to the traveller, who perhaps would normally travel this way. The practicalities of independent travel should not be underestimated. Expert local knowledge and help is essential if you are to make the most of your trip. A private tour offers extremely good value. You will enjoy the flexibility and freedom to simply stop when and where you like, and control the pace of your trip.
Give us a call, so we can informally talk about your plans, what your interests are and what you hope to get out of your trip. We will liaise with our overseas colleagues to ensure that we offer you sound and relevant advice.
Alternatively, complete and submit the Tailormade Tour Quotation Request form. We aim to get back to you within 2 working days with details of options and costs.
Tailormade Tours Quotation Request
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