Destination: Panama | Duration: 13 days | Customized Itinerary: Call for Pricing
This 13 day ultimate Panama adventure is for those who want to experience the best adventures that Panama has to offer. From bird watching along world-famous Pipeline Road, to soaring through the canopy, to exploring some of Panama’s most exquisite beaches in Bocas del Toro and culminating with a Panama Canal Tour, you will not be disappointed!
Day 1: Welcome to Panama!
After passing through Immigration and Customs, you will exit through the double doors and be greeted by your Driver/Guide who will be holding a sign with your name on it. You will then go via your private transfer to the Gamboa Rainforest Resort.
Nestled between the banks of the Chagres River and directly on the Panama Canal, the Gamboa Rainforest Resort boasts spectacular views off the lush tropical rainforest and the Soberania National Park from the comfort of your private balcony. Distinctive, enchanting and inspiring, Gamboa Rainforest Resort brings you Panama as it was meant to be discovered.
Night at Gamboa Rainforest Resort – Deluxe Riverview Room
Day 2: Soberania National Park
Take a beautiful early morning hike through Soberania National Park and spot colorful tropical birds in the treetops. This trail, called Pipeline Road, has set world record bird counts and there have been up to 367 different species of birds spotted here in a 24 hour period. Keep your eyes peeled and you might spot a Keel-billed Toucan, a Thick-billed Mot-Mot and a Slaty-tailed Trogon as well as several species of tanagers, wrens and flycatchers. You might even see howler monkeys, anteaters, agoutis and sloths.
Night at Gamboa Rainforest Resort – Deluxe Riverview Room
Day 3: Gatun Lake Wildlife Expedition
Delve into the depths of the diverse Gamboa rainforest and ascend 280 feet from the cool forest floor to the dense upper canopy. Once at the top, surrounded by green leaves and tropical flowers, you can admire the view of Soberania National Park from the observation tower. Watch the enormous ships moving through the narrowest part of the Panama Canal – the Galliard Cut.
Then, take a thrilling high speed boat right through the heart of the Panama Canal. Slow down and glide through the lush jungle islands of Gatun Lake while a naturalist guide gives you an informative commentary on this lush ecosystem. This is a great opportunity to spot crocodiles, caimans, turtles, howler monkeys, three toed sloths and much more.
Night at Gamboa Rainforest Resort – Deluxe Riverview Room
Day 4: Adventure to Boquete
Transfer to the Albrook Domestic Airport for a short flight to David, the capital of Chiriqui Province. Stay in beautiful Boquete and venture out on an exclusive wildlife exploration to a private remote sanctuary. The 4×4 Land Cruiser will pick you up at the hotel and take you well off the beaten path for a chance to see howler monkeys, resplendent quetzals, white nosed coati, agouti paka and pygmy squirrels. Take a hike through the rainforest and keep your eyes open for butterflies, spiders, snakes, caterpillars, white tailed deer, armadillos and much more.
Night at Valle Escondido Resort and Spa – Deluxe Room
Day 5: Boquete Canopy Adventure
This afternoon may very well be the highlight of your Panama trip as you soar high above the ground through the rainforest. You will glide through the treetops of century-old forests, high above the pristine rivers and waterfalls that make up the incredible collection of natural landscapes bordering La Amistad National Park and the famous Baru Volcano.
A harness, an ultra-resistant steel cable and gravity are the only elements necessary to suspend and propel the “fearless rider” in this incredible “adrenaline rush”.
Night at Valle Escondido Resort and Spa – Deluxe Room
Day 6: Finca Ruiz Coffee Plantation
The Ruiz family have been growing coffee on this beautiful farm since the late 1800s. Their coffee is shade grown and environmentally friendly and many other small scale family farms in Panama partner with Cafe Ruiz to process, roast and market their coffee.
You’ll get an exclusive tour of the coffee plantation and a visit to the processing plant and the facility where the coffee bags are filled and the beans are hand-picked. Each step in the process will be explained by the excellent tour guide and at the end you will be able to take home a delicious bag of the best coffee in Panama.
Night at Valle Escondido Resort and Spa – Deluxe Room
Day 7: Adventure to Almirante
Today you will be picked up for your Private Land Transfer to Almirante where you will go by Water Taxi to Bocas del Toro. About an hour into the land transfer you will cross the Continental Divide as you push onwards toward Almirante. There will be time to stop at a picturesque waterfall and you may even be lucky enough to spot a Sloth or other wildlife.
Once you arrive at Almirante your guide will ensure you get on the water taxi for the relaxing boat trip from the mainland to Colon Island, which is main island in the archipelago of Bocas del Toro. There you can have a bite to eat at one of the numerous restaurants before your last water taxi to Bastimentos Island and the world-famous Bocas del Toro!
Night at Red Frog Beach Resort – Private King Villa
Day 8: Private Snorkeling and Island Hopping Tour
Today you will have your own Captain and Private Boat to explore some of the best virgin beaches and snorkeling spots throughout Bocas del Toro. One of the highlights will be to see the cute “monos perezosos” on their own private Island. Another top highlight will be to spend time at Star Fish Beach which is one of the very best spots for swimming in all of Bocas del Toro. There you can swim and relax on lounge chairs, and buy to cold drinks and delicious local seafood.
Then you will go to Zapatilla Island which was Panama’s first Marine Park. Established in 1988, Bastimentos Marine Park conserves marine and coastal ecosystems, including wetlands, mangroves, coral reefs, white-sand beaches and more than 200 species of tropical fish.
Night at Red Frog Beach Resort – Private King Villa
Day 9: Leisure Time and Flight to Panama City
Today you can spend most of the day at leisure enjoying the amenities of the resort before your afternoon flight to Panama City. Upon arrival you will be met by the smiling faces of your Private Driver/Guide who will transfer you to the sheek boutique Hotel Le Meridien.
Overlooking the Bay of Panama with the modern financial district just a stone’s throw away and colonial Casco Antiguo just a couple of miles in the distance, you’ll be close to the great attractions that Panama City has to offer. And with the superb attention to service by all, you will feel like you’ve arrived home at the Le Meridien.
Night in Panama City at Hotel Le Meridien – Deluxe Room (B)
Day 10: Historic Railway & Portobelo
Board a train and travel alongside the Panama Canal, through lush protected rainforests to the largest man-made lake in the world – Gatun Lake. Arrive at Gatun Locks, the most impressive of the three sets of locks along the Canal. It’s less crowded than Miraflores, so you will get a closer look at the ships. During this tour you will get a chance to check out the amazing Panama Canal Expansion Project and see history in the making.
Then, step back in time in beautiful Portobelo, a town rich with colonial history. On a historical tour you’ll visit five colonial fortifications and other significant landmarks such as the Hospital Chapel (1597) and the Custom House (1640). Enjoy a tasty local Caribbean style lunch during the tour and then head back to the Hotel le Meridien in Panama City.
Night in Panama City at Hotel Le Meridien – Deluxe Room (B)
Day 11: Experience Panama City
A vibrant and historic city, Panama City was founded in 1519 and is considered one of the most important cities in the Americas. Today you will admire its highlights and learn about its history.
In colonial Casco Antiguo you will visit the art museums within the Las Bovedas (once used for storing gold) and the monument to the French entrepreneurs who began the Panama Canal. You’ll also see the San Jose Church, the Panama Canal Museum, the National Cathedral and the Presidential Palace. You’ll also visit the ruins of Panama le Vieja, the “Old Panama City” that was destroyed by Sir Henry Morgan’s invasion in 1671.
Next, you will admire the impressive Miraflores Locks – an architectural marvel and the 8th wonder of the world. An expert canal guide will give you an informative tour of this amazing feat of engineering.
Night in Panama City at Hotel Le Meridien – Deluxe Room (B)
Day 12: Panama Canal Partial Transit
Begin the tour at the Flamenco Resort and Marine and board the ship bound toward the Bridge of the Americas. Cruise through Panama Bay and admire the Panama skyline before entering Miraflores Locks where your vessel will be lowered 18 meters over two different steps.
You’ll enter Miraflores Lake and travel to the second set of locks – Pedro Miguel. After making your way through these locks you will float past the Centennial Bridge and the Gaillard Cut – a narrow passageway carved through the Continental Divide. At the end of your journey you’ll arrive at the town of Gamboa where you will board a motor coach back to Flamenco Marina and your private transfer to your hotel.
Night in Panama City at Hotel Le Meridien – Deluxe Room (B)
Day 13: Time to Depart Panama
Today your private transfer vehicle and driver will pick you up from the hotel lobby approximately 3 hours prior to your scheduled departure flight. Take a last glance at Panama City’s skyline as you fly out of Tocuman International Airport and make your way back home.
