DAY 1: Departure from USA
- Depart on your flight to Panama.
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DAY 2: Arrive in Panama City
- Meeting at Tocumen International Airport. Transfer to the hotel in Panama City.
- Accommodation in Panama City, free time.
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DAY 3: Sightseeing Tour of Panama City
- Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for an excursion at 8:00 in the morning.
- Founded by conquistadors in the 16th century, Panama City was the first Spanish city and port on the Pacific coast. Today, there are two cities in the country: Old Panama (Panama Viejo) and New Panama. In Old Panama, there are a lot of ruins of cathedrals from the early 17th century, monasteries, and bridges. New Panama is a beautiful modern city, with a well-preserved Colonial part (Casco Antiguo), which contains many buildings from that era. This part of New Panama has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and is under its protection.
- A 6-hour city tour includes a visit to the Archaeological Park "Panama Viejo" and the museum. We will also visit the old and modern parts of the city. We will visit the residential area of the canal - the former zone where Americans lived and worked on the construction of the canal, as well as one of the most beautiful streets in the capital - Balboa Boulevard, which stretches along the coast of Panama Bay.
- Casco Antiguo is a colorful district of the city with narrow streets, squares, and parks, where a large part of the countrys history has been preserved and is undergoing reconstruction. We will visit the National Theater - one of the most expressive examples of neoclassical architecture in Panama. We will walk through France Square, visit the Church of San Jose, and learn about the history of saving its unique Golden Altar. We can see a wonderful composition about the birth of Christ, installed for Christmas 2017. On Bolivar Square stands the monument to the Liberator Simon Bolivar - the national hero of many Central and South American countries. Next, our route will lead us to Cathedral Square, where the Cathedral is located, which opened after restoration in 2019, as well as the Panama Canal Museum and the Municipal Palace.
- Then we will go to Amador Causeway - the most amazing district of Panama City, which used to be three separate islands in the ocean: Naos, Perico, and Flamenco.
- Meal: Breakfast
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DAY 4: Excursion to Chagres National Park to the Embera Indians
- Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for an excursion at 8:00 in the morning.
- An exciting journey to Chagres National Park to the village of Tusipono, where the Embera Indians, the origins of Panama culture, live, is where people peacefully coexist with nature and where nature can be so unpredictable. You will learn about the pre-Columbian history of Panama and Mesoamerica, the origin of the Embera tribe, their traditions, crafts, and way of life. The Indians make amazingly beautiful and intricately woven baskets, sculptures from the red Cocobolo wood, statues from the "tau" fruit, beads, bracelets, and much more. You will see Indian dances and even be able to participate in them.
- The most enjoyable part of this journey is a boat ride on the Chagres River and swimming in the waterfall "Chorro del Mono", where capuchin monkeys and howler monkeys sometimes come down. Traditional dances, a traditional Indian lunch - fried tilapia and fried bananas, and fruits.
- For this excursion, we recommend wearing sports shoes with laces. Depending on the time of year, sometimes you have to reach the waterfall along a jungle trail, crossing a stream on foot. The water can be knee-deep.
- Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
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DAY 5: Taboga Island
- Breakfast at the hotel. Departure at 7:30 in the morning.
- Today, you have the opportunity to spend the day on one of the islands in the Pacific Ocean.
- The famous Taboga Island is located in the eponymous district and is an archipelago in the Gulf of Panama. The island is just 12 nautical miles away from Panama City, and the ferry ride takes 30 minutes one way. The coastline offers an endless variety of activities. Snorkelers will find stunning coral reefs and mollusks here. The calm waters create a small water basin, perfect for swimming or kayaking. In addition to various types of beach activities, the island is also ideal for walking along the narrow streets that have remained from colonial times. There are also many restaurants on the island that offer food, ice cream, and drinks at moderate prices. On the island, you will find the homes of famous people who came here to relax from the noisy metropolis. The diversity and extravagant design of some houses will make your journey even more enjoyable.
- Included:
- Round trip ferry tickets. Free Wi-Fi on board.
- 1-hour historical tour with a guide in English or Spanish.
- Lunch: fish in garlic sauce or Creole-style chicken with coconut milk rice, salad, dessert, and 1 drink of choice (alcoholic or non-alcoholic).
- Beach chair and umbrella.
- Shower and toilet facilities.
- Snorkel mask and tube.
- Lunch is included in the tour.
- After the end of the leisure time, return to Panama City by ferry. Transfer to the hotel.
- Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
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DAY 6: Soberania National Park, San Lorenzo Fortress, and Agua Clara
- Breakfast at the hotel. Departure at 8:00 in the morning to Soberania National Park, where the town of Gamboa is located. Excursions in Soberania National Park and Lake Gatun are a small but unforgettable and very interesting adventure in the tropics
- On a boat, we sail along the Chagres River, then enter the Panama Canal, where we pass by ocean vessels. We sail towards the islands, where we can see wild animals in their natural habitat. These include capuchin monkeys, howler monkeys, tamarins, and crocodiles and turtles can also be encountered. With great luck, manatees can even be seen.
- After the excursion, we return to the dock and then head to the Caribbean coast.
- The Panamanian Caribbean coast with its beautiful wild beaches, islands, and bays holds the history of great conquerors and daring pirate attacks. The names of Francis Drake, Henry Morgan, Edward Vernon, and other buccaneers are closely associated with the fortresses of San Lorenzo and Portobelo. In order to protect their treasures from pirate raids, Spanish King Philip II ordered the construction of a series of fortresses along the Caribbean coast, many of which have been preserved to this day: San Lorenzo, San Jeronimo, Santiago de La Gloria, San Fernando, and San Fernandin.
- In 1980, all colonial buildings and fortresses from the 17th and 18th centuries on the Panamanian Caribbean coast were included in UNESCOs list of cultural heritage sites.
- During this excursion, we will also visit the new "Agua Clara" locks on the Caribbean side of the Panama Canal. The "Agua Clara" locks began operating on June 26, 2016. Large vessels, called PANAMAX or NEOPANAMAX, pass through them from the Caribbean Sea. The principle of operation is the same as the old locks: raising or lowering ships by 26 meters above sea level. This lock has three chambers. The visitor center is located on a cliff, providing a convenient view of the movement of ships. There are also telescopes installed, allowing a view of Gatun Lake and the ships waiting their turn to enter the canal. The visitor center shows a film about the construction of this lock.
- After the visit, we return to Panama City by car, with a journey of about 2 hours.
- Arrival in Panama City.
- Meal: Breakfast
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DAY 7: Anton Valley
- Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for an excursion to El Valle de Anton - Anton Valley at 8:00 am.
- It got its name "Anton Valley" in honor of the stratovolcano "Caldera El Valle de Anton," with a radius of 6 km, which was formed about 1.1-1.3 million years ago. People settled here several thousand years ago. Now the city of El Valle de Anton is located in this caldera.
- Panama City and the Panama Province are two completely different worlds. The bustling city life represents the face of modern Panama. Traditional Panama is calm, quiet, cozy, unhurried, and very welcoming. The city is nestled in a volcanic crater. There are only a few places on the planet where people have settled in a volcanos crater. One such place is in Panama.
- The climate here is unique, very mild and comfortable, almost constant spring. Throughout the year, the average temperature is 28 degrees Celsius, and the average nighttime temperature is 20 degrees, with slight variations between summer and winter.
- In the Valley of El Valle de Anton, there are many attractions: the Central Market (you wont find a more colorful place), where they sell vegetables, fruits, souvenirs, flowers, including orchids. It is particularly crowded and interesting here on Sundays when residents from neighboring villages come with their goods. It is these residents who engage in the production of ceramics, sculptures, and pottery made from local tree species, as well as soapstone products, which are rarely found on the planet they can only be found in two places: India and Panama. Local sweets made from coconut, handicrafts made from semi-precious stones mined in the surrounding mountains are also sold here.
- The population of the town is mostly from the indigenous guaymi tribe. They have been living in these places since before the arrival of European conquerors.
- The unique symbol of the valley is the mountain "Sleeping Indian," named after a girl, whose legend has been passed down from generation to generation. At the market, you can find many souvenirs with the image of this mountain.
- Another attraction is the Chorro del Macho waterfall, the largest in the area, with water falling from a height of 70 meters. Canopy trails are laid above the waterfall. Those who wish can climb to the first platform with instructors and descend on ropes. One of the spans, 130 meters wide, passes right over the waterfall, and in the middle, you are stopped to take a photo as a souvenir. The view from above of the clouded tropical forest is very breathtaking. Downstream, there is a natural pool with flowing water where you can swim. This is especially pleasant in hot weather. The water temperature is 26-28 degrees.
- During the tour, you will also visit a private zoo and the El Nispero botanical garden.
- Lunch is not included in the tour. The guide will give recommendations for restaurants.
- Canopy tour is available for an additional fee.
- After the tour, transfer to the hotel.
- Meal: Breakfast
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DAY 8: Departure from Panama to USA
- Breakfast at the hotel. Free time.
- Transfer from the hotel to the airport.
- Meal: Breakfast
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