Panama Family Adventure - 9D/8N

photo of a church with the altar made of gold in Old Panama, courtesy of Tourism Board of PanamaExperience with your family the best places in Panama from the Pacific coast and the Panama Canal to the western highlands to the Caribbean coast.

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.

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.) or gratuities - Any personal expenses.

Notes: 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. * Pre or post trip extensions to San Blas Island are available.
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.
Trip Classification: Easy/moderate hiking with rolling hills and optional activities like snorkeling, rafting, longer hikes. Hotel or lodge accommodations are comfortable.
Equipment Checklist: Binoculars (preferably 7×35 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 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.

Departures: June 27-July 5 // July 18-26.

photo of the Old City, Panama courtesy of Tourism Board of PanamaDay by day Itinerary:

  • Day 1 Arrive Panama - On arrival to Tocumen International Airport we will be met by an Ancon Expeditions of Panama representative and transferred to the Gamboa Rainforest Resort, our lodge for the next 3 nights, located along the shores of the Panama Canal. This evening we enjoy a welcome briefing with our Naturalist Guide. Night at Gamboa Rainforest Resort Villas.
  • Day 2 Panama Canal Jungle Boat Adventure - Early in the morning we are picked up by our Naturalist Guide and transferred to the marina. We will have a picnic lunch on an island with extraordinary views of the Panama Canal and the natural surroundings. Early afternoon return to Gamboa This afternoon is to us to enjoy Gamboa. Night at Gamboa Rainforest Resort Villas (B,L)
  • Day 3 The Chagres River And The Emberá People - Early in the morning we drive to El Corotu on the shores of Madden Lake. After a picnic lunch we visit the nearby waterfall where we can take a dip in the crystal-clear waters of the Chagres River before heading back to Gamboa. Night at Gamboa Rainforest Resort Villas (B,L)
  • Day 4 Summit Botanical Gardens / Miraflores Locks / Chiriqui Highlands - After a leisurely morning we will visit the Harpy Eagle Exhibit at the Summit Botanical Gardens where we will be able to see up close this magnificent species which is endangered, being studied and under a captive reproduction program. We continue to the Miraflores Locks in the Panama Canal to learn about its history and marvel at this engineering accomplishment. The canal still operates pretty much as it did when it was inaugurated in 1914 the SS Ancon steamer was the first ship to transit the Panama Canal. In the afternoon we catch a flight from Albrook domestic airport to David, the capital of the Chiriqui province. Night at Hotel Panamonte (B,L,D)
  • Day 5 Cloudforest Hike or River Floating Tour - Early morning drive to the foothills of Baru Volcano at Finca Lerida. Baru Volcano is the hightest peak of the country at 3,475 meters above sea level. An exciting hike into the cloudforest is planned for today. We will be looking for the elusive Resplendent Quetzal and other wildife unique to this tropical highland envirnment. We will have lunch at a local coffee farm where we may get invited to help in the field. There will be an option to go on a river floating tour down the Chiriqui River for those who don’t go hiking today. This optional tour has an additional cost and must be arranged in advance. Night at Hotel Panamonte (B,L,D)
  • Day 6 Chiriqui Highlands / Bocas Del Toro - After a good night’s rest we pack our belongings and get ready for an early morning flight to Bocas del Toro. Night at Bocas Inn (B, L, D)
  • Day 7 Salt Creek Village / Bastimentos Marine National Park - We depart by boat from the Bocas Inn traversing the expanse of Bastimentos National Park, Panama’s first marine national park. We reach Salt Creek by navigating through clusters of Red Mangroves. Night at Bocas Inn (B,L,D)
  • Day 8 Panama City - After our morning flight to Panama City our activities today include a visit the ruins of Old Panama and Casco Antiguo. After lunch at a local restaurant we will 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. We will be taken to our hotel where after check-in we can enjoy the pool and other facilities in the afternoon. Tonight we enjoy a farewell dinner at our hotel. Night at Caesar Park Hotel (B,L,D)
  • Day 9 Depart Panama - Today we are picked up at the lobby of the hotel 2.5 hours prior to our scheduled departure flight and transferred to Tocumen International Airport. Fly home (B)


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Also tagged with: Escorted Journeys, Central America, Panama, Hiking, Active Travel, Educational, Cultural, Nature / Ecology, White-Water Rafting, Join-In Tour, Hosted Tours, Snorkeling


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