Caribbean Journey

Day 1 - Panama City

Welcome to Panama! Upon arrival at Tocumen International Airport you will be transferred to your hotel in Panama City for check-in. The remainder of the day is yours at leisure to explore and get to know the capital of Panama.

Day 2 - Panama City

After breakfast, your half day tour takes you to the most interesting places in the city. You will see the ruins of Old Panama, climb up the Cathedral tower, visit the Old Panama Museum and then continue to Casco Viejo (the old city compound), which dates back to the late 1600's. Casco Viejo is home to the monuments of Ferdinand de Lesseps and other Frenchmen instrumental in the ill-fated attempt of the French to construct a canal through Panama. Then, we will continuewith a visit to the Miraflores Locks at the Panama Canal, where large ships can be seen transiting the canal. Enjoy a presentation by the Panama Canal Authority about the history of the Panama Canal and marvel at the workings of this feat of human engineering. Afterwards, lunch will be served at a local restaurant. The tour then continues to the Panama Canal area, including the town of Balboa, a former part of the Panama Canal Zone. In the late afternoon you will return to your hotel in Panama City.(B,L)

Day 3 - Panama City I Gamboa I Panama City

This morning you will drive to the town of Gamboa, where the Chagres River meets the Panama Canal. Here you will board a boat and start your jungle-adventureexpedition across the Gatun Lake in the Panama Canal. The boat tour will circle rainforest-covered islands (former hill tops) in the Gatun Lake to search for the White-faced Capuchin, Mantled Howler Monkey, Central American Spider Monkey, and Geoffrey’s Tamarin. Following the boat tour, we will head toSoberania National Park for a hiking tour around the trails of the lush forest.Afterwards, visit the Biodiversity Museum designed by Canadian-American Architect Frank Gehry. The building was designed to tell the story of how the Isthmus of Panama rose from the sea, uniting two continents, separating a vast ocean in two, and changing the planet’s biodiversity forever. The Biomuseo’s 4,000 square meters contain eight permanent exhibition galleries designed by Bruce Mau Design and are a combination of art and science that leads the visitor to experience a marvelous phenomenon. Return to your hotel in Panama City. (B, picnic lunch)

Day 4 - Panama City I San Blas

Rise and shine for an early morning pick-up and transfer to Albrook Domestic Airport for your flight to Playón Chico. When you arrive at Playón Chico,you will be escorted to your hotel on a short boat ride. (B,L,D)

Day 5 - San Blas

A day of blissful island and beach fun awaits today! This indigenous territory is made up of more than 365 islands northeast of Panama proper. Come along to visitbeautiful beaches and take-in the pristine natural beauty. Swim,snorkel, and dive the area's splendid waters. Taste authentic localrecipes and abundant fresh seafood. Rest and relax amid thespectacular flora and fauna just steps from the breathtaking crystalblue sea and white sand beaches. (B,L,D)

Day 6 - San Blas IGamboa

Board your early morning flight to Panama City. Once you arrive to Albrook airport, transfer from Panama City to your resort in Gamboa. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. (B)

Day 7 - Gamboa

Today is a free day for you to relax and explore on your own. Optional activities can be arranged upon your request such as hiking, birding, kayaking tours, and visit to the Ember a Indigenous Encounter in the property.(B)

Day 8 - GamboaI Colon Province

Today, transfer to the train station in Panama City for your journey to Colon province. Once you arrive to Colon province, you will have the opportunity to visit the Agua Clara Visitors Center and be amazed by the panoramic view of the Agua Clara Locks. After enjoying the panoramic view, continue onto the screening room where you will learn more about the construction and effort of several Panamanians of this modern engineering masterpiece. Then, we will continue to the Fort of San Lorenzo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, built at the mouth of the Chagres River. This Spanish bastion served to fortify and protect the river entrance to Las Cruces Trail that led to Panama City on the Pacific Ocean. This entrance was later used as the port of entry for gold diggers on their way to California during the second half of the 19th century. You will be traveling through lush rainforest within San Lorenzo National Park, where you might have the opportunity to see monkeys, Two and Three-toed sloths, coatimundis, toucans and other wildlife. Lunch included in a local restaurant. (B,L)