Central America

Panama Vacation Package

9 Days Panama: Wildlife Bridge of the Americas Tour Package

Duration: 9 Days / 8 Nights
Priced From: $3,498 pp dbl. occ.
Dates: Oct - Dec

Panama has long been known to travelers for the fascinating history and geography of the Panama Canal, but in recent years it has also developed a formidable reputation for offering some of the most interesting tropical nature to be found anywhere.

This isthmus of mountains, rainforests and tropical coastlines forms a natural land bridge between North and South America, and at this crossroads we find some of the greatest biodiversity on Earth. Tiny tamarin monkeys, brilliant blue morpho butterflies, colorful tropical birds and a riot of orchids, bromeliads and other plant life characterize these jungles. The human history of Panama is equally interesting. Panama tour takes you along paths that were used by Spanish conquistadors and rogue pirates, and we’ll learn the epic story of the Canal’s construction. We’ll meet indigenous people of the jungle and learn about their traditional customs.

We fly from the U.S. to Panama City and proceed to Gamboa Rainforest Resort, our home for the next four nights.

Day 2
Upper Chagres River / Emberá Village

We venture on the upper Chagres River for encounters with the Emberá Indians, Panamanian natives who maintain their rich traditions to this day. Our guide and the Emberá tell us about the medicinal plants and wildlife of the region. This afternoon we return to Gamboa, where we have time to relax. (B,L,D)

Day 3
Lower Chagres River / Fort San Lorenzo

Explore the lower Chagres River in excursion boats, looking for wildlife in the dense jungle. At the Caribbean, San Lorenzo National Park protects prolific wildlife and historic Fort San Lorenzo. (B,L,D)

Day 4
Barro Colorado Island (Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute)

This morning we take a boat on the Panama Canal’s Gatún Lake to world-famous Barro Colorado Island, managed by the Smithsonian since 1946 and a mecca for scientists studying tropical biology. The island is the longest-protected neotropical rainforest on Earth. Accompanied by student scientists working on the island and our naturalist guide, we tour the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and walk the surrounding trails. The Smithsonian monitors climatic conditions, plants and animal populations in the area. They have mapped the exact locations of 238,000 woody plants of 304 species. After our visit, we return on our boat to Gamboa to enjoy a relaxing afternoon. (B,L,D)

Day 5
Soberanía National Park / Miraflores Locks / Boquete

This morning we explore Pipeline Road, located in Soberanía National Park. Over 500 species of birds have been observed here in a single day. Walking these jungle-lined paths, we look for brilliantly colored poison arrow frogs, glass-winged and morpho butterflies, the endemic red-naped tamarin and three-toed sloths. We are then treated en route to a behind-the-scenes look at the Panama Canal. At the Miraflores Locks, we’ll be able to see ships passing through the lock’s massive 800-ton doors. We then take a short flight to the town of David, and transfer to the Chiriquí Highlands and charming Finca Lérida Lodge, situated on a working coffee farm 5,500 feet above sea level. (B,L,D)

Day 6
Chiriquí Highlands & Boquete

This morning we explore highland forest trails in a private preserve contiguous to La Amistad Biosphere Reserve. The lush montane cloud forests are rich in bromeliads, ferns, orchids and mosses and we have good chances of seeing one of the most beautiful birds in the world, the resplendent quetzal, along with other characteristic highland birds such as orange-bellied trogon, three-wattled bellbird and sulphur-winged parakeet. After lunch, we tour the coffee farm where our lodge is situated, and have time to visit the town of Boquete to look for handicrafts and mingle with local residents. (B,L,D)

Day 7
Chiriquí Highlands / Panama City

Walk along the forested trails that surround Finca Lérida Lodge and wind through the coffee plantation, enjoying a view of the surrounding mountains. Search for colorful tanagers, emerald toucanets and three-wattled bellbirds. A brilliant assortment of hummingbirds can be found everywhere we explore. We drive to the airport to board our short flight back to Panama City and transfer to our hotel, the Miramar Intercontinental*. (B,L,D)

Day 8
Panama Canal Passage / Colonial Panama City

This morning, we board a ship in Lake Gatún for a passage of the Panama Canal’s Gaillard Cut and Pedro Miguel and Miraflores Locks. After Balboa crossed the isthmus in 1513, becoming the first European to see the Pacific Ocean, the dream of building a canal to connect the Pacific and the Caribbean was set in motion. That dream became a reality in 1913, when the Panama Canal opened. We complete the dramatic partial transit through one of the greatest manmade wonders of the modern world. On arrival at the Amador Marina, we disembark and explore Casco Viejo, Panama City’s colonial district, on foot. We enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B,L,D)

Day 9
Panama City / U.S.

If you’d like to rise early, you can take an optional excursion exploring the canopy of the Metropolitan Nature Park near Panama City. Later this morning, we transfer to the airport for the morning flight home. (B)

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