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A jungle river in the rainforest

Encounter Panama

Example 7 Day Tour
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Over 29% of Panama's landscape includes 15 national parks, forest reserves, and 10 wildlife sanctuaries - this itinerary is designed to visit some of the country's most celebrated. Begin your Panama travel journey with a cruise of the "8th wonder of the world", the Panama Canal, working your way through its complicated and impressive locks. Visit the charming mountain town of El Valle, and explore the surroundings on a canopy adventure. Visit with the indigenous community, Embera, in Chagres National Park, and finish your Panama travels exploring the ecology of Barro Colorado Island. Let us introduce you to this beautiful country!
Tight SqueezeCultural and wildlife encounters in PanamaHiking in PanamaHistoric architecture in Panama CityMarissa at Miraflores locksPlaza de la Catedral in Casca ViejoChurch in Old Panama...I am in the window at the topWhite house of PanamaShip in the locks of the Panama CanalMiraflores LocksMiraflores Locks, Panama Canal Ship being pulled through the Miraflores Locks of the Panama CanalA jungle river in the rainforest
Highlights
  • Explore trails that pass Indian petroglyphs, hotsprings, and waterfalls
  • Hop aboard a boat and make the iconic journey through the Panama Canal
  • Enjoy a free day at the Gamboa Rainforest Resort
  • Spend a day at the Embera community and learn about their culture
Places Visited
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Arrive in Panama City

Today, arrive in Panama City on the flight of your choice. Rest up from your travels and prepare for your adventure to begin in the morning. 

Day 2: Panama Canal and El Valle

  • Hotel
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch
Begin your Panama travels by taking a morning bus ride to the town of Gamboa where your vessel awaits to bring you on a partial transit of the Panama Canal. Your exploration of this engineering wonder begins at the north end of the Gaillard Cut; builders faced unprecedented challenges as they carved their way through the continental divide's solid rock for nearly 9 miles. At the southern end of the Cut enter the Pedro Miguel Locks, taking you into the man-made Miraflores Lake. Next, you are lowered 18 meters in the Miraflores Locks as you make your entrance into the Pacific Ocean. Disembark at the Flamenco Marina where you meet your transfer to El Valle. This 2-hour drive follows the famous Pan American Highway. Sit back, relax, and take in the celebrated views of Panama.

The beautiful mountain town of El Valle is located in the crater of an ancient volcano that erupted with such ferocity it blew off its top. It left a 3-mile-wide scar on the landscape – this crater is the largest in the Americas. The valley forests are alive with hummingbirds and other tropical wildlife, including a golden frog unique to the area. El Valle’s spring-like climate is perfect for exploring the vast variety of trails that run past Indian petroglyphs, hot springs, and waterfalls. Spend the night in a quiet bed and breakfast.

Day 3: El Valle

Today you will visit the native handicraft market. Local farmers, as well as Ngobe Bugle, Wounaan and some Embera Indians come to the market to sell fruits, vegetables, plants, and handicrafts. After this leisurely morning continue your Panama travels with a canopy adventure. At El Macho Falls securely strap into a harness, and through a series of cables and pulleys, observe the landscape from four different platforms on a canopy adventure. At 220 feet above the forest floor, share this rare and remarkable view with the animals sheltered within the canopy. Tonight, spend some time enjoying the charm of El Valle.

Day 4: Transfer to Gamboa

After a leisurely morning, you are picked up and transferred to Gamboa Rainforest Resort. The rest of the day is free for you to arrange activities through the resort. You can visit any of the local exhibits, including the frog and reptile exhibit or the butterfly enclosure, or arrange to go on a rainforest aerial tram tour, or go kayaking or boating out on Gatun Lake. Please note: if you think you will want to arrange an excursion for this afternoon at Gamboa, please notify us in advance to ensure you will be able to join.

Day 5: Embera Community Visit

Board a motorized canoe to take you deep into the Chagres rainforest to an Embera community. The park’s protected waters supply nearly 80% of Panama City’s drinking water. Upon arrival, exit the canoe and walk up a short hill where you are welcomed into the Embera settlement. Let these intriguing and inviting people introduce you to their culture as they share their knowledge of botany, craftsmanship, and traditional music and dance. Try the Embera traditional body painting that colors the skin with the purplish juice from a jagua fruit and enjoy lunch with the Embera community. Spend the rest of the afternoon with a guided tour of the tropical park.

Note: Community visit may change depending on the water level in the river.

Day 6: Barro Colorado Island

  • Hotel
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch
This morning continue your Panama travels to Barro Colorado Island. After a short ride to the town of Gamboa, board a boat to cross the massive Lake Gatun. Born out of the Panama Canal, Gatun’s creation displaced over 50,000 people and submerged acres of forest – it also formed Isla Barro Colorado. It is heavy with wildlife including howler monkeys, keel-billed toucans, tapirs, sloths, anteaters, tiger herons, crocodiles, and the stunning Morpho butterfly. Administered by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute since 1946, this area is considered the best-protected and most-studied tropical rainforest in the world. Travelers are limited to a single trail that loops the island, to ensure that the ecosystem remains well-protected. You also have the opportunity to explore the bays and forest-covered channels. From the boat, keep an eye out for Panama's thriving wildlife. In the evening, head back to Panama City for your final overnight.



Day 7: Return Home

  • 1 Breakfast
Make your way to the airport for your international flight home.

Accommodations

Los Mandarinos

Large and luxurious rooms
Enjoy breakfast on the patio
Relax in the beautifully tiled sauna

Le Meridien Panama

Hotel Lobby
Spa
Pool

Crowne Plaza Panama Airport

Gamboa Rainforest - Hotels

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$1,848

Notes

Select a Date
Payment in full for internal flights is due at time of booking.
Included
  • 6 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 1 Snacks
  • 6 Nights Accommodations
  • 2 Days Locally Hosted Guide Service
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Barro Colorado Island Entrance Fee
  • Chagres National Park Entrance Fee
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)

Map

When to Go

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.
Chance for unpredictable weather but with fewer visitors.

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This was our first trip to South America and we were a little nervous. But Adventure Life made things so easy! All our questions were answered before we left, and our guide, Vidal, was amazing! He gave us enough space to explore without rushing us along. He also knew where the best picture taking opportunities were, which was great.
Lindsay Gompf
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