Panama Canal Special

The Panama Canal Special is a package specially designed for people interested in seeing this masterpiece of engineering from different angles. The impressive Miraflores locks close to your hotel, a fascinating train ride along the Canal and as highlight the Panama Canal Crossing on a cruise ship.

Day 01 Thursday: Arrival to Panama City :
Upon arrival to Panama a representative of Panama Trails will pick you up at the airport and transfer you to your city hotel for your first night in Panama.

Panama City is the capital and largest city in the country. It is home to a diverse blend of cultures and an enormous historical sector in the Old City. The lively and vibrant banking district on the other hand is very modern and often compared to Miami. Panama City is a thrilling location you will surely enjoy during your visit to this gorgeous country.

Spend the afternoon at the Miraflores Locks and Visitor Center just 10 walking minutes from your hotel away (entrance fee of USD 8.00 not included). Learn about the history, the construction and the significance of the Panama Canal – a masterpiece of engineering.

Overnight at the Holiday Inn, deluxe Canal View room, breakfast included.

Day 02 Panama Canal Railway Ride & Gatun Locks Tour :
In the early morning you will be picked up at your hotel and taken to the Panama City Railway station. There you will board a train for the historical ride along the Panama Canal. It takes about one hour for the 70 km to Colon. The scenic ride passes by small towns, lush rainforests and over many small islands of the artificial Gatun Lake, a big part of the Panama Canal. Upon arrival in Colon the tour continues at the Gatun Locks of the Panama Canal. At this impressive installation between Lake Gatun and the Atlantic Ocean the container vessels are lifted or lowered a total of 26 meters in three steps. Your guide will have a lot of information on the construction of the Canal, its significance for Panama and the new expansion project for you. After the tour you will be transferred back to your Panama City hotel.

Overnight at the Holiday Inn, deluxe Canal View room, breakfast included.

Day 03 Saturday: Partial crossing of the Panama Canal :
Today you will enjoy a partial crossing of the historical Panama Canal. After a transfer from your hotel to Flamenco Marina, the partial transit starts with a motor coach ride for 45 minute to the town of Gamboa where the Panama Canal Dredging Division is located. Once in Gamboa, you will aboard the cruise ship to start the water portion of the tour. You will enter the canal at the north end of the Gailard cut, where the Chagres River flows into the Canal. The Gaillard Cut (also known as Culebra Cut because its curves resemble a snake) is one of the main points of interest for visitors because it was carved through the Continental Divide and this section of the Canal is full of history and geological value. Your boat will travel the Cut's 13.7 kilometers on the way to Pedro Miguel Locks. As you transit the Cut you will be able to appreciate the continuous maintenance that this area requires, because it is very susceptible to landslides. In this area you will also be able to observe the work in process for the Panama Canal expansion project.

Before reaching the Pedro Miguel Locks at the southern end of the Cut, you will be able to view the new Centennial Bridge which crosses over the Canal. Next, your ship will enter Pedro Miguel Locks, which is one of the two sets of locks on the Pacific side, and here the vessel is lowered 9 meters in one step. You will then enter Miraflores Lake, which is a small artificial body of fresh water that separates Pedro Miguel from Miraflores Locks, the latter being the final set of locks before reaching the Pacific Ocean. At Miraflores Locks the vessel is lowered 18 meters in two distinct steps.

Once in the Pacific Ocean the vessel will sail to the beautiful Flamenco Marina where you disembark. On the way to Flamenco, you will pass under the Bridge of the Americas, and later, you will be able to admire the Bay of Panama and Panama City's splendorous skyline. Upon arrival at Flamenco you will be transferred back to your city hotel.

The tour includes transportation from and to your hotel, English speaking tour guide, lunch, soft drinks and water. Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes and don’t forget to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, hat and your camera.

Important Note: Every first and third Saturday of the month you can upgrade to a Complete Canal Transit (Pacific to Atlantic) for an additional price of $55 per person.

Overnight at the Holiday Inn, deluxe Canal View room, breakfast included.

Day 04 Sunday: Departure :
After breakfast you will be transferred to the Tocumen Airport for your international flight back home.

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