HIGHLIGHTS

 

Experience a family vacation at the best places in Panama, from the Pacific coast and the Panama Canal to the western highlands to the Caribbean coast. You'll visit two Indian villages, Embera and Nobe Bugle, have the opportunity to zip line, take a boat and canoe ride, visit the Smithsonian Marine Exhibition and swim in the Caribbean! This is a perfect vacation for young and old!

You'll begin your exploration in the Soberiana Park near Panama city where you'll take an expedition boat ride on Gatun lake and have opportunities to see monkeys, sloths and many birds.  Next you'll visit an Embera Indian village by way of motorized dug out and be able to mingle with the tribal families living as they have for centuries.  A trip to the Summit Gardens' Harpy Eagle exhibit provides up close views of this magnificent bird.  In Bocas del Toro, you'll be introduced to another indigenous people, the Nobe Bugle and hike through Bastimentos National Park and snorkel and  swim in the Caribbean!  More adventure is in store when you are in the Highland cloud forest zone, where have the opportunity for either a  thrilling  zip line or float trip. Back in the city, the Smithsonian Marine Exhibition gives you the chance to interactively learn about life in the ocean.

 

Dates

March 13-21 / March 27 - April 4* / June 26-July 4 / July 17-25

(*Note: on this departure you will stay at Cocomo on the Sea, Bocas del Toro the nights of April 1 & 2)

 

2010 Rates 

 

$2025 per person based on double occupancy

Single Supplement $450 

 

To above prices, add 7% government tax

 

Minimum 3 persons

 

Included

• Lodging,
• All land, air and water transportation within Panamá.
• All airport/hotel transfers on scheduled arrival and departure dates,
• Meals as specified in the itinerary (B - breakfast, L - lunch, D - dinner),
• Park and related entrance fees,
• Guides’ services and expenses

Not Included

• International airfare
• Tourist card ($5 per person)
• Meals not specified in the itinerary
• Alcoholic beverages
• Personal equipment
• Extras in hotels (laundry, telephone calls, room service, etc.)                                       top
• Gratuities

Family Friendly Panama - Full Itinerary

 

Day 1 ARRIVE PANAMA

On arrival to Tocumen International Airport you will be met by a representative of JB Journeys™ and transferred to the Gamboa Rainforest Resort, your lodge for the next three (3) nights, located along the Panama Canal. This evening you will meet your naturalist guide at a welcome briefing. Night at GAMBOA RAINFOREST RESORT

 

Day 2 PANAMA CANAL JUNGLE BOAT ADVENTURE

Early in the morning you will set off with your guide for the marina, where you board a specially equipped expedition boat. The voyage travels across Gatun Lake in the Panama Canal, passing gigantic cargo ships - quite a contrast with the natural surroundings. Along the way, you can look for Green Iguana and Three-toed Sloth resting on tree branches, crocodile, Osprey, Snail Kite and Keel-billed Toucan, among other species.

 

The expedition boat will allows close access to rainforest-covered islands in Gatun Lake to search for White-faced Capuchin, Howler and Spider monkey and the endemic Red-napped Tamarin. You will have a picnic lunch on an island with extraordinary views of the Panama Canal and natural surroundings. After lunch you return to Gamboa and the afternoon is free.  Night at GAMBOA RAINFOREST RESORT  (B,L)

 

Day 3 THE CHAGRES RIVER AND THE EMBERA PEOPLE

Early in the morning you'll drive 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. From here you travel up the Chagres River aboard a motorized piragua (dugout canoe) to the Embera indigenous village of Embera Drua. The boat journeys through the rainforest of the 320,000-acre Chagres National Park, which is the largest of the National Parks protecting the Panama Canal Watershed.

 

Along the Chagres River, we may spot Little Blue and Green heron, Great Egret, Anhinga, Neotropical Cormorant, Amazon, Ringed, or Green kingfisher, along with Keel-billed Toucan and Osprey flying above. You will be greeted with dancing and music at the Embera village and learn about their customs and relationship with nature. Handicrafts will be available for sale as well as a chance to be painted with the traditional jagua, a natural dye the Embera use to adorn their bodies. After a picnic lunch and a visit to a nearby waterfall for a dip in the crystal-clear waters of the Chagres River, you will return back to Gamboa.  Night at GAMBOA RAINFOREST RESORT  (B,L)

 

 

Day 4 SUMMIT NATURAL PARK - MIRAFLORES LOCKS - CHIRIQUI HIGHLANDS
This morning is free, but after lunch you'll visit the Harpy Eagle Exhibit at Summit Natural Gardens and see up close this magnificent endangered species being studied under a captive reproduction program. You continue to the Miraflores Locks in the Panama Canal to witness ships passing through the 8th Wonder of the World. The canal still operates much as it did when it was inaugurated in 1914 and the SS Ancon steamer was the first ship to transit the Panama Canal.

 

In the afternoon you catch a flight from Albrook domestic airport to the town of David, the capital of the Chiriqui province. Chiriqui is known as “Panama’s breadbasket” due to it rich, fertile soil and the breathtaking highland scenery. Transfer is by van to the eastern side of the dormant Baru Volcano to the quaint town of Boquete with its countryside dotted with flower, fruit and vegetable farms, coffee plantations and extraordinary cloud forest environments.  Night at FINCA LERIDA LODGE (B, L, D)                                                            top

 

Day 5 CLOUD FOREST CANOPY TREE TREK or RIVER FLOATING TOUR

This morning you will do a canopy tree trek on a zip line that that allows you to contemplate the rainforest from fourteen different canopy platforms while smoothly soaring in the heights of the cloud forest from one treetop to another. You will glide through the trees and encounter a world unknown. You will discover a fascinating perspective of wildlife that you had never appreciated. Native species of flora and fauna can be observed. You will marvel at the sight of a great variety of orchids, trees and wildflowers that are found throughout the area. There will be an option to go on a river floating tour down the Chiriqui River for those who don’t go zip lining today. This optional tour has an additional cost and must be arranged in advance.  Night at FINCA LERIDA LODGE (B, L, D)

 

Day 6 CHIRIQUI HIGHLANDS – BOCAS DEL TORO

After a good night’s rest you pack your belongings and get ready for the 4 hour drive to Bocas del Toro. You will be literally traveling from the cloudforests to the coral reefs. You will stop along the way several times to stretch your legs, play some games and enjoy the scenery. On arrival to Almirante on the Caribbean coast a boat will be waiting for you to be transferred to Isla Colon where you will spend the next two nights. This afternoon, weather permitting, you visit Swan's Cay, a rock protruding from the depths of the Caribbean Sea, which serves as rookery for Red-billed tropic birds (the only place to be found in Panama) and Brown boobies. You will enjoy beach time at Boca del Drago and search for colorful starfish. Along the coastline, you make stops at coral reefs and mangrove isles for snorkeling.  Night at BOCAS INN (B, L, D)

 

Day 7 SALT CREEK VILLAGE – BASTIMENTOS MARINE NATIONAL PARK

Today you'll depart by boat from the Bocas Inn traversing the expanse of Bastimentos National Park, Panama’s first marine national park, en route to Salt Creek, navigating through clusters of Red Mangroves, which provide sea creatures a protective area during their reproductive and development stages. Here you will hike the Caiman Trail, which takes you through several stages of lowland forest dynamics, and is a good place to look for birds such as Red-throated Ant Tanager and Golden-collared Manakin (Cerritus sub sp.), mammals like Night Monkey, White-faced Capuchin and Three-toed Sloth.

 

An older tract of rainforest has tall trees that provide life to birds such as the Three-wattled Bellbird and Green-breasted Mango and at a nearby lagoon you may see Spectacled Caiman and Slider Turtle, while on the ground you might find the tiny endemic poison dart frog Dendrobates Pumilio. After the hike, you will visit the indigenous community with a chance to purchase handicrafts such as painted woodcarvings and Ngobe handbags, followed by lunch. In the afternoon, you'll have an opportunity to snorkel among mangroves and coral reefs, searching for numerous fish species, as well as dynamic and brightly colored sea fans, sponges and brittle starfish. Night at BOCAS INN (B, L, D)

 

Day 8 PANAMA CITY

An early morning flight takes you from Bocas del Toro to Panama City and this day you will visit the ruins of Viejo Panama and Casco Antiguo. After lunch at a local restaurant you visit the Smithsonian Marine Exhibition at Culebra Point at the entrance to the Pacific side of the Panama Canal and the International Handcraft Market where crafts from Panama and other Latin American countries are sold. Finally you go to your hotel where after check-in you can enjoy the pool and other facilities in the afternoon. A farewell dinner will take place at your hotel. Night at HOTEL EL PANAMA(B, L, D)                                                                                     top

 

Day 9 DEPART PANAMA

Today you are picked up at the lobby of the hotel 2-3 hours prior to your scheduled departure flight and transferred to Tocumen International Airport. (B)

 

Why not consider a Panama Canal Transit after the tour? Or perhaps an extension to the San Blas Islands?

 

lick here to request reservation

 

LOGISTICS

 

TRIP CLASSIFICATION: Easy/moderate hiking with rolling hills and optional activities like snorkeling, rafting, longer hikes. Hotel or lodge accommodations are comfortable.                        top

 

NOTE: Weight restrictions apply to luggage in commercial and chartered flights within Panama. A maximum of 25 lbs. of checked luggage per person is allowed. Arrangements can be made at the hotel in Panama City to store luggage that will not be needed during a particular leg of the trip. Excess baggage charges assessed by commercial carriers are the responsibility of the passenger.

 

RAFTING EXCURSION, DAY 5: Minimum age restrictions will apply and depend upon the River Class and Section being run. Participants are expected to listen and follow instructions given both before and during the river outing. Some river sections are tougher than others and require an honest assessment of participants’ physical fitness level and capabilities. Participants must alert Ancon Expeditions of Panama as to any physical conditions that may impede performance on the river in advance. Persons suspected of being under the influence of drugs, alcohol or any other mind-altering substance will not be allowed to participate on the river trip. No refunds will be issued in this event.

 

EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST: Binoculars (preferably 7x35 or larger), camera with extra batteries & film, flashlight with extra bulb & batteries, bathing suit, insect repellant, sunscreen, hat, day pack, water bottle, lightweight/quick dry cotton clothes, windbreaker, sandals, sneakers/hiking boots, rain gear, money in small denominations, toiletries & personal medications.

 

Rafting participants should bring Teva-style, rubber-soled shoes with good grip (diving booties not recommended), sunscreen, shorts, T-shirt, baseball cap, croakies or similar elastic band for glasses, dry bag, complete change of clothes and a towel.                     top