The Canal & Beyond

• Round trip economy class airfare from the USA to Panama City
• Domestic flights in Panama
• 8 nights hotel accommodations ( Panama City 4, Bambito Cloud Forest 2, Lake Gatun 2)
• All tranfers as per itinerary with assistance and baggage handling
• Private transportation with air- conditioned vehicles and English speaking professional tour guides throughout the tour
• Meals as specified each day: B = Breakfast (8), L = Lunch (6), D = Dinner (3)
• Guided excursions and tours as per itinerary
• Entrance fees to national parks and other attractions as specified
• Hotel taxes and service charges
• FreeGate travel bag and document portfolio

Day 1: USA - PANAMA CITY
Depart USA. Meeting and assistance upon arrival in Panama City and transfer to your hotel in Panama City. Balance of the day at leisure

Day 2: PANAMA CITY (B)
Early morning transfer to Balboa Harbor on the Pacific side of the canal where you will board a Panamanian ferry boat for a partial cruise of the canal. As you approach the canal, you will view the Bridge of the Americas, the only structure that connects both sides of the mainland. An English-speaking guide is on board the ship, narrating the significance of this most impressive engineering project constructed by the United States between 1904 and 1914. Return to Panama City for overnight.

Day 3: PANAMA CITY (B, L)
Today, you will enjoy a full day tour to the western province of Cocle, home to El Valle de Anton community.. After visiting the Open Air Sunday Market, you will enjoy lunch at the Rincon Vallero Country Inn. Return to the city in the late afternoon.

Day 4: PANAMA CITY- BAMBITO CLOUD FOREST (B, L, D)
Early morning transfer to Allbrook Municipal Airport for a 45 minute flight to the coastal city of David, located in the western province of Chiriqui. On arrival, transfer to the Bambito Cloud Forest area, located on the Pacific slope of the Baru Volcano National Park. Balance of the day is spent at leisure. Dinner and overnight.

Day 5: BAMBITO CLOUD FOREST (B,L,D)
After an early breakfast, proceed to visit the Amistad National Park in the Cerro Punta region. Your guide will lead you on an easy forest hike in search of the elusive Quetzal and other exotic birds. Afterwards, visit Maduro's Orchid Farm where you will view some of the world's most beautiful orchids. Lunch is included at a typical roadside Panamanian restaurant. Late afternoon return to the lodge for dinner and a well-deserved night's sleep.

Day 6: BAMBITO CLOUD FOREST- LAKE GATUN (B, L)
Following breakfast, transfer to David for your return flight to Panama City. Upon arrival, proceed via a short drive to the Soberania National Park, home of the Canopy Tower Rainforest Experience. The Tower offers its visitors an extraordinary opportunity to appreciate the rich and diverse fauna and flora of the Soberania National Park. From the top floor, you will observe the forest canopy, the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal, and Culebra Cut, the narrowest part of the Canal. After lunch, proceed with a drive to the Colon City area for a two-night stay at the Melia Panama Canal Resort Hotel, located in Espinar Fort at the edge of Lake Gatun, on the site of the former School of the Americas.

Day 7: LAKE GATUN (B, L)
This morning, you will drive to the Fort Sherman wilderness area en route to the ruins of the San Lorenzo Fort, built by the Spanish Conquistadors at the mouth of the mighty Chagres River to defend what is now the Caribbean entrance area of the Panama Canal. Board your outboard motor boat for guided nature cruise up the Chagres in search of exotic flora and fauna en route to Gatun Lake for a delicious lunch at the famous Tarpon Club. After lunch, return to the hotel to enjoy the pool or a walk around the lakeside tropical gardens.

Day 8: LAKE GATUN- PANAMA CITY (B, D)
Return transfer to Panama City. In the early afternoon, you will partake in a guided tour of the city, including "Panama Viejo" and Casco Antigua, then on to Amador Causeway, which unites four islands at the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal. Late afternoon return to the hotel. In the evening, enjoy a delicious farewell dinner and a wonderful Folkloric show. Return to the hotel after dinner.

Day 9: PANAMA CITY-USA (B)
After breakfast, transfer to Panama City International Airport for your flight home.

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Departure Dates & Prices