Experience the spirit of Panama in this fantastic 7-day tour blending cultural highlights and natural wonders. Venture deep into the rainforest to spend an afternoon with the indigenous community, Embera, in Chagres National Park. Visit the charming mountain town of El Valle, and explore the surrounding forest on a canopy adventure. Then unwind on the beaches of the San Blas Islands and soak up the cultural traditions of the Kuna people. Finally, complete your introduction to Panama with a traditional dinner show in the heart of Panama City.
Highlights
Visit El Valle, located in the crater of a volcano
Meet and interact with an Embera Community and learn about their culture
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
After breakfast start your Panama travels with a two-hour drive along the Pan-American Highway into beautiful El Valle. This mountain town is located in the crater of an ancient volcano that erupted with such ferocity that it left a 3-mile-wide scar on the landscape. This crater is the largest in the Americas. Hike the valley’s trails admiring its 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. 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. Enjoy a traditional Panamanian lunch, and with time, explore the city’s markets where locals sell colorful handmade baskets, clay figures, vegetables, and flowers. Overnight in Panama City.
Today visit Chagres National Park and the indigenous Embera Drua community. Board a motorized canoe to take youdeep into Chagres rainforest. The park’s protected waters supply nearly 80% of Panama City’s drinking water. The canoe takes you to an 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 Embera’s traditional body painting that colors the skin with the purplish juice from a jagua fruit. Enjoy a traditional lunch with the community and then spend the rest of the afternoon with a guided tour of the tropical park.
Day 4: San Blas
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Take an early flight from Panama City to the Achutupu Airstrip. Meet your local guide, and travel by boat across the calm lagoon waters to the Dolphin Lodge. Spend some time unwinding with a stroll through the private island, or relax in your cabin until breakfast is served. Bread, jam, eggs, sausage, coffee and juice - it is simple and satisfying. The fine white beaches are perfect for sunbathing and a good book, but be sure to take advantage of the water with some snorkeling and swimming. Enjoy a light lunch back at the lodge, then visit the neighboring secluded beaches for some additional relaxation. For the adventurous, Dolphin Lodge also offers artisan fishing and canoeing opportunities. At night, dine under the stars on baby lobster and other scrumptious local dishes. As you turn in, let the warm Caribbean breeze and the quiet lapping waves put your senses at peace.
Day 5: Visit with the Kuna People of San Blas
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
After a light breakfast, spend the afternoon getting to know the native communities and the Kuna people. Explore the local crafts and politics, and have the opportunity to meet a local chief. Further your experience of the unique and affectionate Kuna people with a tour to Achutupo, a Kuna burial ground. Feel free to photograph as much of the engaging landscape as you wish, but be respectful to the people. Permission is needed if you would like to take their picture. Also, it is customary for the Kuna people to charge you a dollar for their photo. Return to the lodge for lunch, and spend the rest of the afternoon enjoying a return trip to the sandy beaches and crystal waters of the private islands, or hike around neighboring islands for fantastic bird-watching. Parakeets, parrots, and hummingbirds are just some of the hundreds of species that migrate to the San Blas islands. After dinner, enjoy a final look at the starry night before turning into bed.
Rise early for breakfast, and then take a boat back to Achutupu where you catch your return flight to Panama City. Tonight it’s off to Las Tinajas Restaurant for a dinner and folklore show. The "pollera", the national costume worn by the women dancers, is considered one of the most beautiful national costumes in the world. Enjoy an oasis of flavor characteristic of the countryside and taste delicious Panamanian-style dishes in the comfortable and elegant surroundings of this traditional restaurant.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Initial deposit is $400, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
The trip was terrific with great planning on your part. Most of the adventures were not mainstream and somewhat off the beaten path which made it especially enjoyable!! We felt taken care of and you all were readily available to respond to questions and issues. I would highly recommend your company and friends have already expressed interest based on our pictures and excitement.
Gale Cantor
TrustScore 4.8 | 174 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 174 reviews on
1 day ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.