Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival to Panama

Upon your arrival at the international airport an EcoCircuitos representative will meet and transfer you to your hotel in Panama City.

Day 2 Historical City Tour

Depart from your hotel to visit Panama Viejo, the first city founded in the isthmus by Spanish conquerors at the beginning of colonization. The remaining ruins are the vestiges left by pirate Henry Morgan, who sacked the town in 1671. We will head to the second colonial city of Panama, Casco Antiguo, built in 1673. We will walk around the French Plaza and monuments and you will witness a place where pirates and conquistadors once fought for wealth and power on the path between the oceans. The architecture of this area is exquisite including French, Italian and Spanish styles. After this visit you will return to the hotel.

Duration: 4 hours. Overnight at a hotel of your choice. (B)

Day 3 Hiking & Boat Tour the Gatun Lake

Early in the morning you will enjoy a short hike through the rainforest, to learn about this amazing ecosystem. Afterwards you will go on a expedition boat tour expedition in the Gatun Lake and travel through part of the Panama Canal to look for neotropical animals: sloths, birds, crocodiles and much more!

Spend the night at Gamboa Rainforest Resort. Optional: Visit the Rainforest Discovery Center on Pipeline road. (B)

Day 4 Chagres National Park - Embera Indigenous Encounter

Early in the morning your guide will meet you at the hotel lobby and you will be transferred you to El Corotu pier on the shore of Madden Lake. You will board a motorized piragua (dugout canoe) and travel up the Chagres River to the Embera indigenous village of Embera Drua. The boat journey takes you through the rainforest of the 129,500-hectare (320,000-acre) Chagres National Park. This park is the largest and one of the most important conservation areas in the Panama Canal Watershed.

Along the Chagres River, you may be able to spot Little blue and Green Heron, Great egret, Anhingas, Neotropical cormorant, Mealy and Red-lured amazons, Ringed and Green kingfishers, along with Keel-billed toucans and Ospreys flying above. Once you have arrived at the village, you will learn about the Embera customs and their relationship with nature. There will be handcrafts available for sale and you will have the chance to be painted with the traditional jaguar, a natural dye the Embera use to adorn their bodies (optional). After a traditional Embera lunch you will return to Panama City.

Duration: 6 - 8 hours, Includes: Ground and river transportation, entrance fees to the Chagres National Park, traditional lunch at the community, donation and specialized guide. (BL)

Day 5 Beach Combing at the Pacific Side of Panama

Our driver will meet you in the lobby of your hotel for your transfer to the Pacific Coast. Your excursion begins by crossing the Americas Bridge and traveling west of Panama City.

You can choose hotel options such as as Sheraton Bijao, Playa Blanca Beach Resort, Intercontinental Playa Bonita, Casa Guardia, JW Marriot in Buenaventura, Coronado hotels or your preference. (Meals will depend on the hotel option).

Day 6 Free Day for relaxation at the Pacific side

Enjoy the day at your leisure, exploring the beach town or relaxing at the hotel. Optional tours are available from the hotel. (Meals will depend on the hotel option)

Day 7 Return to Panama

You will be transferred to Panama City. Upon arrival you will be transferred to the hotel of your choice. (B)

Day 8 Transfer Out

At the appropriate time, you will be transferred to the Tocumen International Airport for your departure.

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