Discover Panama *8 Day*
Bocas Town

Start this Panama tour by exploring the highlands of Boquete near the Costa Rica border. Enjoy hiking in cloudforest or whitewater rafting on the Chiriqui. End your Panama travels with a couple days around Bocas del Toro, snorkeling and soaking in the sun.

Day 1 Arrive Panama City  

Arrive to Panama City, Overnight.

Day 2 Gatun Lake and Beautiful Boquete (D)  

This morning begin your Panama travels with a hiking tour of Soberania National Park, where you will explore the lowland tropical forest. As you hike, keep your eye open for over 390 bird species, such as the Harpy Eagle. Other wildlife to watch for include the two-toed sloth, howler monkeys, leaf-cutting ants, rhinoceros beetles and litter toads. Next, transfer to Gatun Lake and navigate the canal's colossal water wonder. This exciting man-made lake is alive with large barges, commuter ships and other vessels. From your boat, you can admire jungle birds, monkeys, caiman and a variety of Panama's wildlife. After your cruise of Gatun, catch a late afternoon flight to the city of David in Chiriqui Province. You'll spend two nights in the charming town of Boquete, nestled at the foot of Volcan Baru and surrounded by coffee farms and one of Central America's largest nature preserves - La Amistad International Peace Park.

Day 3 Free Day Boquete (B)  

Today is yours to enjoy as you wish. Included in your package are either a whitewater rafting trip down the Chiriqui River, or a guided 4-6 hour hike on Los Quetzales Trail through La Amistad International Park. Whitewater rafting is exhilarating here and the Chiriqui river is world renowned for its easily accessed non-stop Class III-IV rapids. La Amistad Park contains some of the country's richest biodiversity with seven of the 12 life zones found here. Quetzales, harpy eagles, and 90 species of mammals

More options include a zip-line tour through the rainforest canopy or speeding through the jungle vegetation on a mountain bike. If you prefer more relaxing activities, you can choose from an assortment of excursions around Boquete. A local coffee tour or horseback riding are some of the most highly recommended activities.

Day 4 Off to the Bocas Town (B,L)  

Today it's off to the charming Caribbean town of Bocas del Toro on Isla Colon. You will be picked up and transfer back to the airport in David for your 25 minute flight to Bocas del Toro. Once there, you will be met and transferred to your new hotel. You'll arrive at Bocas mid-day, and enjoy a welcome to Bocas Lunch. The rest of the day is yours to wander this charming town and soak up the relaxed atmosphere.

Day 5 Isla Bastimentos (B)  

Today you'll board a motor launch to explore some of the areas most idyllic beaches, forests and snorkeling waters. The island's midsection and surrounding waters are protected in the Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park, and the entire island offers nature lovers an array of wildlife, both terrestrial and marine. The waters here are filled with brilliant parrot fish, angel fish, red snapper, slender needle fish and many others. Four species of sea turtles come ashore to nest on the beaches and the forests are home to many endemic and endangered species such as neon colored frogs, the red billed tropic bird and two and three toed sloths.

Your snorkeling tour begins at Dolphin Lagoon; an important feeding area for bottle-nosed dolphins. Then onto Coral Cay and Red Frog beach. It is a short walk through mangroves to Red Frog beach -- keep an eye out for its endangered namesake. You'll enjoy a relaxing swim, or lounge, on the beach before heading to Hospital Point for more snorkeling. Once the primary medical center for the United Fruit Company, Hospital Point is now popular for its wonderful snorkeling and diving. Tonight, enjoy the laid back night life of Bocas town.

Day 6 Free Day Bocas del Toro (B)  

Enjoy this day free to arrange other activities locally. You can arrange to go snorkeling at some other sites in the Archipelago, arrange to go kayaking, or go hiking on the mainland. The day is free to do as you like!

Day 7 Panama City and Canal (B,L)  

This morning you will transfer back to the airstrip for your short flight over vast jungles and into the center of Panama's vibrant capital city. You'll be met at the airport and first head to the Miraflores locks of the Panama Canal to observe the "eighth wonder of the world." Locomotives tie onto the mammoth ships and pull them through the locks to lessen the chance of mishap. Explore the exhibits here that tell the story of the canal's history. After lunch on the causeway, you will next visit Casco Antiguo Panama's "second" city, whose Spanish and French architecture reminds one of its past citizens. Last, you will finish up the tour with ruins of Panama La Vieja, where loads of Peru's gold once crossed. Later the pirate Henry Morgan came in search of the famed gold, and after Morgan's attack in 1671, Casco Antiguo was built. This afternoon you will be dropped off at your hotel.

Day 8 Return Home

With a few more Panama travel days, you might visit the San Blas Islands and the Kuna Indians, experience the Panama Canal or even take a zip line adventure through the rainforest canopy!
  

US$1435

J F M A M J J A S O N D
8 Days starting & ending in Panama City. Sun-Sun
Tour Code: DP8-BT
Single Supplement:  US$665









Travel Highlights Panama City
Canal
Boquete
La Amistad Biosphere
Bocas del Toro

Accommodations:  3 nights waterfront hotel, 4 nights comfortable hotels.

Food Includes:  All meals as indicated (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner); most of our hotels offer free continental breakfast.

Transportation:  Minibuses or jeep, boat, and 2 local flights, local taxis as indicated

Notes:  Flights Panama City-David, David-Bocas del Toro, Bocas del Toro-Panama City are not included. Please add US$315 (flight costs subject to change).

Group & Staff:  Min 2, Max 12; bilingual naturalists, local guides.

Personal Budgeting:  Allow $150 for meals not included, $95 optional excursions, $6 museum fee at Panama Viejo, $5 taxi airport transfers in Bocas Town, $30 airport taxes

Pre & Post Tour Accommodations:  Share US$70, Single US$135

Is it for Me?  A Panama travel itinerary filled with naturalist exploration and plenty of variety for the adventurous and those who prefer to take it easy, but want to journey though a fascinating region.

Arrival / Departure Transfers: 1 person US$50 each
2 or more people US$25 /person
Start Dates Weekly departures

Prices are based on a 3% cash discount