Panama Family Adventure

Early in the morning, join your naturalist guide and be transferred to the marina to board a specially equipped expedition boat. Travel by boat across Gatun Lake near the Panama Canal, passing by gigantic cargo ships transiting the waterway and contrasting with the natural surroundings. Along the way, search for green iguanas and three-toed sloths resting on tree branches, crocodile, osprey in the hunt for peacock bass, snail kite and keel-billed toucan, among other species. The expedition boat allows for close-up views of rainforest-covered islands in Gatun Lake; search for white-faced capuchin, howler monkey, spider monkey and the endemic red-napped tamarin. Enjoy the extraordinary views of the Panama Canal followed by a picnic lunch in a private garden in Gamboa town. In the early afternoon, return to Gamboa Rainforest Resort to enjoy Gamboa at leisure.

Early this morning, drive to El Corotu on the shores of Madden Lake. The main reservoir of drinking water for the cities of Panama and Colon, Madden Lake also supplies 40% of the water required for the operation of the Panama Canal. Here, board a motorized piragua (dugout canoe) and travel up the Chagres River to the Embera indigenous village. Travel through the rainforest of the 320,000-acre Chagres National Park, which is the largest of the national parks, protecting the Panama Canal Watershed. Along the Chagres River, search for little blue and green heron; Amazon, ringed and green kingfishers; great egret; anhingas; neotropical cormorant; and keel-billed toucans and ospreys flying above. At the Embera village, be greeted with dancing and music and learn about Embera customs and their relationship with nature. Handcrafts are available for sale as well as the chance to be painted with the traditional jagua, a natural dye the Embera use to adorn their bodies. After a picnic lunch, visit the nearby waterfall and take a dip in the crystal-clear waters of the Chagres River before heading back to Gamboa.

This morning, begin with an adventurous kayaking excursion on the Chagres River and the edge of the Panama Canal. Afterwards, enjoy a relaxing and quiet rainforest nature walk on La Chunga Trail that leads to the beautiful shore of the Chagres River. Eat lunch at a local restaurant and continue to the Miraflores Locks in the Panama Canal. Learn about its history and marvel at this engineering accomplishment. The canal still operates nearly the same as it did upon its inauguration in 1914 when the S.S. Ancon steamer became the first ship to transit the Panama Canal.

Late this afternoon, catch a flight from Albrook domestic airport to David, the 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 eastern side of the dormant Baru Volcano to the quaint town of Boquete with its countryside dotted with flower, fruit and vegetable farms, coffee plantations and extraordinary cloud forest.

This morning, experience the world from a new perspective with a canopy tree trek on a zip line. View the rainforest from 14 different canopy platforms while smoothly soaring in the heights of the cloud forest from one treetop to another. Glide through the trees and encounter a world unknown; discover a fascinating perspective of wildlife; and marvel at the sight of a great variety of orchids, trees and wildflowers that are found throughout the area. There will be an option to go on a river floating tour down the Chiriqui River for those who don’t go zip lining today (this optional tour has an additional cost and must be arranged in advance).

After a good night’s rest, pack up and get ready for the 4-hour drive to Bocas del Toro. Note the drastic change, traveling from the cloudforests to the coral reefs. Stop along the way several times to stretch your legs, play some games and enjoy the scenery. On arrival to Almirante on the Caribbean coast, transfer by boat to Isla Colon, where you will spend the next two nights. This afternoon, weather permitting, visit Swan’s Cay—a rock protruding from the depths of the Caribbean Sea, which serves as a rookery for red-billed tropic birds (the only place to be found in Panama) and brown boobies. Enjoy beach time at Boca del Drago and search for colorful starfish. Along the coastline, make stops at coral reefs and mangrove isles for snorkeling.

Depart by boat from the Bocas Inn, traversing the expanse of Bastimentos National Park, Panama’s first marine national park. Reach Salt Creek by navigating through clusters of red mangroves, which provide sea creatures with a protective area during their reproductive and developmental stages. Upon arrival enjoy a hike along Cayman Trail. This trail takes you through several stages of lowland forest. Look for red-throated ant tanager, golden-collared manakin, night monkeys, white-faced capuchins and three-toed sloth. An older tract of rainforest has tall trees that provide life to birds such as the three-wattled bellbird and green-breasted mango. A nearby lagoon is home to spectacled cayman and slider turtle. After the hike, enjoy a visit to the indigenous community and have a chance to purchase handicrafts such as painted woodcarvings and Ngobe handbags, followed by lunch. In the afternoon, snorkel among mangroves and coral reefs, searching for numerous fish species, as well as dynamic and brightly colored sea fans, sponges and brittle starfish.

Begin with a morning flight back to Panama City, where the daily activities include a visit to the ruins of Old Panama and Casco Antiguo. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit the Smithsonian Marine Exhibition at Culebra Point at the entrance to the Pacific side of the Panama Canal and the International Handcraft Market. Finish the sightseeing tour with a visit to the Biodiversity Museum designed by Frank Gehry located on Causeway Amador. Tonight enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

Today be picked up at the lobby of the hotel 2.5 hours prior to your scheduled departure flight and transferred to Tocumen International Airport.