Itinerary

Day 1
Arrival to Panama

Upon arrival to Panama the group will be met in the Tocumen International airport by the Tour Leader and an interpretive guide and escorted to your hotel.  This evening we will host a “Get Acquainted” event with cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and a tour briefing.

Day 2
Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute's
Barro Colorado Island

The Barro Colorado Nature Monument (BCNM) of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) represents a huge role in the conservation of forests and wildlife.  Among its endeavors BCNM has been protecting and investigating the ecology of over 13,800 acres of land, which includes Barro Colorado Island (BCI) and five nearby peninsulas, for more than eighty years.  This site has one of the longest histories of research in the New World tropics.

Every year almost 300 scientists from around the world visit BCI.  In addition to the research conducted, this area provides refuge to nearly fifty percent of all the animal and bird species reported in Panama.  The species list of BCI includes up to 150 mammals and 1,200 species of plants.  Our day trip to this amazing island includes an exciting boat ride across Gatun Lake and the Panama Canal to the island, an interpretive walk among the trails led by an expert guide employed by STRI, and lunch at the facility.

 Meals Included: B, L, D

Day 3
The Wild Side of the Panama Canal

This day combines the thrill of encountering wildlife in their natural habitats while passing in the shadows of the mammoth cargo ships transiting the Panama Canal.  Gatun Lake, with a surface area of 423 square-kilometers, was created in 1914 as the main waterway for the canal and contains many small islands (former hilltops) that provide protected natural habitats for many of the animals that live in the region.

From the comfort of our expedition boat which allows shoreline access to the rainforest covered islands we will search for white-faced capuchin, mantled howler monkey, central american spider monkey, and Geoffrey’s tamarin. We are likely to spot green iguana and three-toed sloth resting on tree branches, crocodile napping on beaches, osprey hunting for peacock bass, snail kite, and keel-billed toucan. At mid-day, we will enjoy a picnic lunch on a small island with extraordinary views of the Panama Canal and the natural surroundings.

This afternoon we’ll board a plane for the short flight to the Chiriqui highlands where we’ll embrace the mild climate of this beautiful mountainous region surrounded by cloud forest and coffee fincas.

Meals Included: B, L, D

Day 4
Hiking the Quetzales Trail

This morning we’ll depart early from Boquete to the trailhead of the Sendero de los Quetzales Located within the Volcan Baru National Park.  By beginning the hike from Cerro Punta we’ll walk the six mile trail that slopes downhill finishing in Boquete.  Along the way we’ll have the opportunity to appreciate our beautiful surroundings, look for the resplendent quetzal, and enjoy a picnic lunch under the canopy of this tropical cloud forest.  The afternoon will be free to explore the town of Boquete with its shops, cafes, and art galleries.

Meals Included: B, L, D

Day 5
Finca Lerida & Bocas Del Toro

This morning we will get up with the birds for a walk along the trails at Finca Lerida’s natural reserve with its variety of trees producing the aguacatillo fruit and year-round quetzales.  Among the many other highland species of birds found here, this private nature reserve is a unique place to study and experience the cloud forest environment and to discover the flora and fauna hidden within.

After a lunch prepared with fresh, organic, local ingredient we'll make the scenic drive over the Talamanca mountain range from Chiriqui to the province of Bocas Del Toro where along the way we’ll visit the Ngobe indigenous village of Silico Creek.  Here we’ll see how the organic cocoa is grown and processed into chocolate.  Once we reach the town of Almirante on the shores of the Caribbean we’ll take a boat ride from mainland Panama to the archipelago of Bocas Del Toro.

Meals Included: B, L, D

Day 6
Bocas Del Toro and Sea Star Beach

This morning, winds permitting, we visit the only known nesting site in the southwest Caribbean of the Red-billed Tropicbird, Swans Cay, otherwise known as Bird Island.  This island is also one of the only three Caribbean nesting sites for Brown Boobies.  We will spend our time here circumnavigating the island and its outcroppings observing the colonies of birds and learning about their natural history.

After lunch we will stroll along the beach to beautiful Sea Star Bay where we bask in the tropical sun on a white sand beach and swim in the warm turquoise waters.  At Sea Star Beach one can get up close and personal with the beautiful pin cushion sea star.  Our afternoon will be spent exploring and snorkeling the reefs of the western side of Isla Colon, Big Bite and Punta Caracol

Meals Included: B, L, D

Day 7
Bastimentos National Park

This day is spent exploring both the terrestrial and under water wonders of Bastimentos National Park.  First we visit Salt Creek, another Ngobe village, where we’ll be greeted by our local guide Salino, who will lead us through his nature trail where we have the opportunity to see sloths, monkeys, including the western night monkey, birds, Caymans, and the famous red strawberry frog, a poison dart frog that lives on the island.  Lunch will be enjoyed at a restaurant by the sea, built on stilts out over the water.  With a full stomach we’ll head for a short on respite on Red Frog Beach where one can lie in sun or take a swim in the Caribbean.  The afternoon will be spent snorkeling Tino’s reef and sponge garden, Mangroves, and Solarte Gardens which are teaming with tropical fish and multiple varieties of coral and sponges.

Meals Included: B, L, D.

Day 8
Ancient and Modern Panama City

Upon our early morning return to Panama City we’ll first explore the ruins of Old Panama founded in 1519 and the first Spanish settlement on the Pacific side of the Americas.  This ancient city of Panama was the gateway for Peru’s gold and silver and the silks of the Orient. Our guide will lead us on an exploration of what remains of the cities original convents and seminaries, which were looted and destroyed by pirates in 1671.

Our next stop will be Casco Antiguo, The historic center of Panama City. It is a quiet, charming district of narrow streets overlooked by the flower bedecked balconies of two and three-story houses. At its tip lies French Park, a monument to the French builders who began the Panama Canal, and the lovely French Embassy. As we meander through the area we will see the remaining ruins of the convents and seminaries, the famous Flat Arch, which reportedly helped convince engineers that Panama was earth-quake-proof and the beautiful Cathedral with its mother of pearl covered spires.

After Lunch we’ll head to the Miraflores Visitor Center (MVC) an expression of the permanent commitment of the Panama Canal Authority to strengthen the public’s knowledge of the Canal. Located on the east side of the Miraflores Locks, the MVC allows the visitor to observe transiting vessels from a distance of only a few meters and learn firsthand about the various operations of the Panama Canal, the history of its construction, its participation in the world markets, and the importance of its watershed.  From the observation platform, you’ll watch in awe as ocean-going ships are tendered through huge locks with only inches to spare.

Tonight we bid farewell at local restaurant in Casco Antiguo

Meals Included: B ,L, D.

Day 9
Panama Departure

Today we’ll say farewell to this enchanting country and return home, where you’ll be eager to share your incredible Panama, Panama Canal, and wildlife encounters.

Meals Included: B

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