The Best of Panama

Chiriqui - La Amistad - Baru Volcano - San Blas - Dolphin Island - Canal Transition - Panama City

Panama

This comfortable journey first visits the province of Chiriqui with its contrasts from its beautiful coast to the highlands of volcanic origin. After La Amistad, we travel on to Boquete and Baru Volcano National Park. After visiting the Panama Canal Administrative Centre we travel on to San Blas, composed of 365 islands, one for everyday of the year. The multicolour beauty of this region is reflected on their women and their popular molas, considered being one of the most sophisticated handicrafts of Latin America. After some relaxation on one of its lovely beaches, we travel back to Panama City for a journey through the Isthmus of Panama, the narrowest portion of the canal before cruising partially the famous Panama Canal. Really the best of Panama!

The Itinerary

Day 1:
On arrival to Tocumen International Airport in Panama City, we will be met by our representative and transferred to our hotel. Welcome cocktail and briefing with our Naturalist Guide. Night at COUNTRY INN - PANAMA CANAL

Day 2: PANAMA CANAL JUNGLE BOAT ADVENTURE - CHIRIQUI HIGHLANDS
Early in the morning we are picked up by our Naturalist Guide and transferred to the town of Gamboa in the Panama Canal where we board the Endemic, a specially equipped expedition boat. Our voyage takes us across the Panama Canal passing by gigantic cargo ships that make contrast with the natural surroundings. Along the way we will have the opportunity to spot Sloths and Green iguanas resting on tree branches, Ospreys, Snail Kites, Toucans and other bird species. We will visit the Primate Reserve and Sanctuary of Panama located on a set of islands in Gatun Lake. Here we will have the opportunity of seeing White-faced capuchins, Red-napped tamarins, Howler monkeys and two sub-species of Spider monkeys and learn about their behaviour. After a picnic lunch we return to Gamboa and drive to Albrook domestic airport to catch our scheduled flight to David, capital of the Chiriqui province. Chiriqui is known as "Panama's breadbasket" and contains some of the most breathtaking highland scenery in Central America. Transfer by van to the western side of the Baru Volcano to the town of Volcan. Night at HOTEL DOS RIOS (BLD)

Day 3: LA AMISTAD INTERNATIONAL PARK & WORLD BIOSPHERE RESERVE
Shared with neighbouring Costa Rica and recognized in 1982 as a World Biosphere Reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site, La Amistad is located at a point on the Central American natural land bridge where flora and fauna from North and South America reach here their maximum species mix. With great ranges in altitude, precipitation, soil and temperature, bio-diversity here is at its best. We spend the morning hiking and exploring La Amistad in the area of El Retono in search of the Resplendent Quetzal, Silvery-fronted Tapaculo, Andean Pygmy-Owl, Barred Becard, Black and Yellow Silky Flycatcher among many other western highland birds. After lunch at a local restaurant we will visit Finca Dracula home to over 1500 orchid species. On our return ride to the hotel we will stop at the Janson's Coffee Estate and have an interactive experience with coffee. Here the experts will explain all the processes that coffee beans go through. This is no ordinary coffee. Shade grown and scrutinized, Janson's Coffee is world renown. Enjoy a fresh brewed cup of coffee while watching the spectacular sunset over the Baru Volcano, the highest peak of the country at 3,475 meters above sea level. Night at HOTEL DOS RIOS (BLD)

Day 4: SITIO BARRILES - CARTA VIEJA RUM FACTORY - BOQUETE
On the way to Boquete we will first visit Sitio Barriles an archaeological site of the extinct Barril culture that once lived on the slopes of the dormant Baru Volcano. Here the site guide will interpret the writings on the stones (petroglyphs) and enlighten us on the history of this culture. Afterwards we will proceed to the Carta Vieja Rum Factory where we will learn how rum is made from sugar cane molasses and their different blends that are achieved by aging. Once our rum tasting is done, we proceed to the eastern side of Baru Volcano to the quaint town of Boquete with its countryside dotted with flower, fruit and vegetable farms, coffee plantations and also lush tropical cloud forests. At the entrance to Boquete we will stop atop a bluff where we will have an extraordinary view of the town set in the mountain valley at 1,060 meters above sea level with the Caldera River running through it. After a picnic lunch we will visit the exhibit on the 2nd floor of the Touiis visitor center. This afternoon feel free to visit this quaint town. Night at HOTEL PANAMONTE (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 meters 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 will hike through lush vegetation and arrive at the Collin's shade-grown coffee farm where lunch will be served. In the afternoon we visit a hydroponics farm. Night at HOTEL PANAMONTE (BLD)

Day 6: PANAMA CITY
After a leisurely breakfast we will travel to the city of David to board our mid-morning flight to Panama City. Upon arrival we visit the Smithsonian's Tropical Research Institute Tupper Center where we have lunch and visit the bookstore, butterfly farm and temporary exhibits. Afterwards visit the Panama Canal's Administration Building to admire the beautiful murals painted by William B. Van Ingen that depict the monumental labour involved in the building of the waterway. We continue with a visit to Miraflores Locks the first set of locks on the Pacific Ocean side of the canal and Casco Viejo, the colonial city. Night at HOTEL EXECUTIVE (BLD)

Day 7: SAN BLAS ISLANDS - DOLPHIN ISLAND
Located along the northeastern coast of Panama in the Caribbean Sea, the San Blas Islands are the home of the Kuna Indians. Determined to protect their unique culture, the Kunas were granted regional autonomy forming the "Comarca" (autonomous territory) of Kuna Yala where to this day an indigenous congress rules. Kuna women spend countless hours stitching the very colourful reverse appliqued cotton "molas" which is part of their daily wear. Essentially, the Kuna are fishermen, but they also farm coconut, corn, rice, cocoa, yucca and other staples. We depart by small plane to San Blas at the crack of dawn today. To enhance the interaction with the Kuna travellers will go without the Naturalist Guide. A representative of Dolphin Lodge will greet us upon landing at the airstrip and transfer to the lodge on a motorized dugout canoe to check in and have breakfast. Dolphin Lodge is located on Uaguitupo (Dolphin) Island, about five minutes from the Achutupo airstrip via dugout canoe. Owned and operated by a Kuna family, the accommodations at Dolphin Lodge are rustic but comfortable in traditional Kuna-style huts with cozy beds, indoor bathrooms and a hammock on the front porch. Meals are served in the Bohio dining room overlooking the Caribbean Sea. We visit the Kuna village of Achutupo in the company of a local guide that will provide us with 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! Learn about the building of the typical Kuna house, their economy, the traditional "mola", and the processing of sugar cane into the alcoholic drink known as "chicha". We return to the lodge to relax at one of the hammocks and to have lunch. Later this afternoon we will go snorkelling in the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean Sea to look for stunning marine and coral life. Night at DOLPHIN ISLAND LODGE (BLD)

NOTE: Women travellers to the San Blas Islands should wear one-piece swimsuits in accordance to Kuna traditions.

Day 8: PANAMA CITY - THE TRANS-ISTHMIAN ROUTE
After breakfast we board our plane bound for Panama City. Upon arrival we meet our Naturalist Guide and board a van for our trip across the Isthmus of Panama at its narrowest portion of with only 80kms in length. We will stop at Las Cruces Trail and walk a small portion of the cobblestone trail that was used by the Spanish conquistadors to bring their cargo to and from the city of Panama. From there we continue to the port town of Portobelo famous for its trade fairs during the 17th century and visit the old Customs building and the fortifications. Afterwards we travel west and cross the Panama Canal over the Gatun Locks and proceed to Fort San Lorenzo. Built at the mouth of the Chagres River to fortify and protect the river entrance to Las Cruces Trail, it was also used as the port of entry for the gold diggers on their way to California in the 1880s during the Gold Rush. We will be traveling along lush rainforest where we might have the opportunity to see more Monkeys, Sloths, Toucans and other wildlife. This afternoon we return to the city by train, on board the Panama Canal Railway train and reminisce on those adventurous travellers in search of fortune and fame. This 1 hour ride will take us alongside the eastern shores of the Panama Canal with spectacular views. Transfer to the hotel from the Corozal train station. Night at HOTEL EXECUTIVE (BLD)

Day 9: PARTIAL PANAMA CANAL TRANSIT
Early morning pick-up at the hotel for the 15 minute 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, 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 will disembark and drive back to our hotel in 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. Night at the HOTEL EXECUTIVE (BLD)

Day 10:
Transfer to Tocumen International Airport 2.5 hours prior to flight departure (B)

General Information

Rated: Easy


Fixed Departure dates
Year 2004: December 28-January 6, 2004, February 6-15, April 2-11, June 4-13, August 13-22, October 1-10, December 3-12 (and on request)
Minimum 2 passengers

Tour Tariff
	Per person	SGL Supp.
USD	$ 2195	$ 250
EUR	€ 1821	€ 207
GBP	£ 1229	£140

(*) Price last updated on 02 November 2003. Current price may vary due to elements out of our control, so please always check by sending us a
quotation request .

Included:
Lodging, all land, air and water transportation within Panama. All airport/hotel transfers on scheduled arrival and departure dates, meals as specified in the itinerary (B - breakfast, L - lunch, D - dinner), park, museum and related entrance fees, guides' services and expenses and the services of an in-bound land operator for airline re-confirmations and tour operations. A US$25.00 contribution in your name to Panama's National Association for the Conservation of Nature (ANCON) has been included in the price.

Not included:
International airfare, airport departure taxes ($20 per person), tourist card ($5 per person), meals not specified in the itinerary, alcoholic beverages, personal equipment, extras in hotels (laundry, telephone calls, room service, etc.), gratuities.

Note:
Weight restrictions apply to luggage in both commercial and chartered flights within Panama. A maximum of 25 lbs. of checked luggage and 10 lbs. of carry-on per person is allowed. Arrangements can be made with our local operator to store luggage that will not be needed while away from the city. Excess baggage charges assessed by commercial carriers are the responsibility of the passenger.

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