Panamainfo.com

Based on double occupancy, children sharing room with parents. Children's rates are for children 12 and under. Contact us for special rates for children under 5.

Day 1

Arrive to Tocumen Airport in Panama City this evening. Our Ancon Expeditions of representative will greet us outside the Customs gate at the airport. We are transferred to Gamboa in a mini van. En route we are briefed about the days to come and are provided with a welcome package.
Night at the Gamboa Rainforest Resort Villas (D)

Day 2

Today we will enjoy the Gamboa Rainforest Resort attractions, including the butterfly farm, orchid nursery, serpentarium and the rainforest canopy aerial tram. We will also have time to swim in the pool and look around our villa for Agouti and tropical birds.

This evening we will join an alligator safari up the Chagres River. We will head out by boat to look for alligators and other nocturnal creatures. Adventure begins here.
Night at the Gamboa Rainforest Resort Villas (B)

Day 3

This morning we are picked up at our Villa by an Ancon Expeditions of Panama Naturalist Guide and transferred to the resort's marina. Here we board the Endemic, a specially equipped expedition boat. We depart on an exploration of the Panama Canal that will include visiting Dariencito where former United States military compounds built during World War II are being overtaken by the lush tropical rainforest and are home to different creatures.

Look out for trogons, toucans and Howler monkeys here. We continue our voyage 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 Green iguanas resting on tree branches, Ospreys in the hunt for Peacock Bass, Snail Kites and with luck the recently released Harpy Eagle that these days makes the Panama Canal Watershed its territory.

We will visit the Primate Reserve and Sanctuary of Panama. Located on a set of islands in Gatun Lake, here we will be amazed by the White-faced capuchins, Red-napped tamarins, Howler monkeys and two sub-species of Spider monkeys.

Return to the Villa after a picnic lunch prepared on an island within the Panama Canal. This afternoon is open to relax or perhaps rent a fishing boat. Night at the Gamboa Rainforest Resort Villas (B, L)

Day 4

Today we will visit the Harpy Eagle Exhibit at the Summit Botanical Gardens where we will be able to see, up close, this magnificent bird of prey: Panama's national bird.

We continue to the Miraflores Locks in the Panama Canal to learn about the history and incredible engineering accomplishment this work is. The canal operates pretty much as it did back in 1914 when it was inaugurated, it was the Ancon steamer the first ship that crossed the Panama Canal.

In the afternoon we catch a flight (1 hour) from Albrook domestic airport to David, the Capital of the Chiriqui Province, in western Panama. A driver and mini van wait for us for the transfer to the picturesque town of Boquete, located on the foothills of the dormant Baru Volcano. Night at Panamonte Hotel (B, L, D)

Day 5

Today we will ride on a 4x4 to Baru Volcano National Park in search of the Resplendent Quetzal and other interesting cloudforest specialties (white water rafting is optional). The afternoon is open to relax or to go horseback riding. Night at Panamonte Hotel (B, L, D)

Day 6

After a good night's rest we pack our belongings and get ready for the 3.5 hour drive across the Continental divide. We will be literally driving from the Cloudforests of the Pacific slope to the Coral reefs of the Caribbean Sea. Along the way we will stop to take pictures of extraordinary waterfalls and spectacular vistas.

We arrive in the small town of Almirante after a picnic lunch where the Bocas Endemic boat is waiting to transfer us to the Bocas Inn on Colon Island (25 minutes). Night at the Bocas Inn (B, L, D)

Day 7

Today depart on the Bocas Endemic for an exploration of Dolphin Bay where a bottle-nosed dolphin family might be willing to show off their talent. We continue to Popa Island where we do our first snorkeling in the coral reefs. These reefs are full of colorful underwater life. After lunch we will visit the island for a brief nature hike in search of frogs, toucans and sloth.

Return to the lodge. After dinner we will hop on a mini van and drive to Turtle Beach. During the season, we will be amazed by the sea turtles which arrive to this beach to lay their eggs. They have been doing this for thousands of years and we will be careful enough to not disturb them. Night at the Bocas Inn (B, L, D)

Day 8

Our sense of adventure will take us to Bastimentos Marine National Park Today.
Our first stop is Zapatilla Cays where the white sand beach and coral reefs are simply extraordinary. More snorkeling and beach time here.

After a full morning here we head out to Red frog trail where we will look for the amazing strawberry frog. This tiny amphibian, the size of a fingernail, was used in the past by indigenous to poison their arrows tips used for hunting.

Tonight dinner at the Bocas Inn is accompanied by a live Calypso band. Music, dancing and laughter will rule the evening. Night at the Bocas Inn (B, L, D)

Day 9

Mid morning flight to Panama City. On arrival visit the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute's Marine Laboratory at Culebra followed by a tour of Panama Viejo, the old city founded in 1519 that was repeatedly sacked and ultimately burned down by pirate Sir Francis Morgan.

After lunch check in at the Caesar Park Hotel in Panama City. Enjoy the pool and other facilities in the afternoon. Night at the Caesar Park Hotel (B, L)

Day 10

Transfer out to airport (B).

Included:

• Nine (9) nights of lodging
• Land, Air & Water Transportation within Panama
• Meals as specified itinerary (B,L,D)
• National Parks
• Museums
• Related Fees / Taxes
• Services and expenses of a naturalist guide.

Not Included

• International airfare
• Personal Gear
• Tourist Card (US $5.00 per person)
• Airport departure tax (US$20.00 per person)
• Hotel Extras (telephone calls, room service, laundry, etc.)
• Alcoholic Beverages
• Gratuities and anything not mentioned in the itinerary