Panama - an Odyssey $3.275

As Odysseus in ancient Greece you will explore some of the most undiscovered spots in Panama - all of an exceptional beauty. You will hop from one highlight to another, from the historic city over the pristine San Blas Islands up to the exuberant tropical rain forest at Gamboa. The most diverse parts of Panama have been put together in this package!!

Day 1, Monday: Arrival in Panama City :
Upon arrival to Panama you will be met at the airport by our representative and transferred to your city hotel.
Overnight at the Country Inn & Suites Amador, breakfast included.

Day 2, Tuesday: Metropolitan Park Hike & Historic City Tour :
After breakfast your guide will take you on a nature trail in the Metropolitan Natural Park followed by a visit to Old Panama, founded in 1519 and sacked in by the English buccaneer Henry Morgan. The history of the city continues to unfold with a stop in the once walled city of Casco Antiguo. This second Panama City was founded shortly after 1673 and is known for its magnificent Spanish Colonial architecture.
Overnight at the Country Inn & Suites Amador, breakfast included.

Day 3, Wednesday: Trans isthmus train ride and Caribbean Forts* :
In the early morning you will take the train to Colon on the Atlantic coast. This ocean-to ocean route runs adjacent to the Canal and offers superb views of the engineering wonder. The train traverses the water on causeways that link the small islands dotting the lake, with suitable impressive views. We have the chance to spot crocodiles, monkeys and toucans en route. Upon arrival in Colon you will visit the San Lorenzo and Portobelo Fortresses. You then return to Panama City on the train.
* Seating on train cannot be guaranteed!
Overnight at the Country Inn & Suites Amador, breakfast included.

Day 4, Thursday: San Blas Islands :
You will have an early morning start for an approximate 30 minute flight to the San Blas Archipelago on Panama's Caribbean Coast. Then you will be transferred by a motorized dugout canoe to the charming but simple lodge with private bathrooms owned and run by the Kuna Indians. Here you will have the opportunity to visit the Kuna principal community and experience their way of life. Lunch and dinner feature fresh San Blas seafood.
Overnight at the Uaguinega Lodge, all meals included.

Day 5, Friday: San Blas Islands :
Today you will visit the surrounding islands in the Kunas community, whose culture and traditions re-main largely undisturbed by Western influences. In the afternoon you have the chance to relax on one of the beautiful white sand beaches or snorkel over the coral reefs.
Overnight at the Uaguinega Lodge, all meals included.

Day 6, Saturday: San Blas to Chiriqui Highlands :
You take an early morning flight back to Panama City and connect to another flight to David, in the western province of Chiriqui. Upon arrival you will be driven to the quaint mountain town of Cerro Pun-ta, which will be your base for the next two nights.
Overnight at Los Quetzales Lodge, all meals included.

Day 7, Sunday: Barilles :
Today you will visit Barriles, a collection of pre-Columbian petroglyphs. There is a small museum and exhibition centre set in flower filled gardens dotted with dozens of carved stones and boulders. You will then take a very pleasant drive through racehorse lands to visit one of Latin America's finest orchid farms with over 2000 different varieties from all over the world.
Overnight at Los Quetzales Lodge, all meals included.

Day 8, Monday: Los Quetzales Trail to Boquete :
After breakfast you will meet up with your guide to walk on the first section of the Los Quetzales Trail as far as the first ranger station with fine views. Here you may have the chance of seeing the elusive res-plendent Quetzal and other species of birds and mammals. You will then travel by road around the vol-cano to Boquete (anyone wishing to continue on the full hike may do so). Your luggage will be trans-ported ahead to the Panamonte Hotel which will be your base for the next two nights.
Overnight at the Panamonte Inn, breakfast included.

Day 9, Tuesday: Boquete :
Today you will visit a coffee farm and the rock formations at Los Ladrillos. Coffee grown here is some of the best in the world and you will learn how coffee beans are harvested and the selection, drying, roast-ing and package processes. The rock formations were formed after the last eruption from Baru Volcano, fascinating for any amateur geologist.
Overnight at the Panamonte Inn, breakfast included.

Day 10, Wednesday: Boquete to Gamboa :
You will have a free morning to relax and enjoy the hotel's pretty garden before flying back to Panama City and transferring by road to Gamboa Rainforest Resort where you will stay for the next three nights.
Overnight at the Gamboa Rainforest Resort, breakfast included.

Day 11, Thursday: Gatun Lake & Chagres River :
After breakfast you will take a boat ride on Gatun Lake, where you can spot wildlife on the small islands. There are good chances of seeing spectacular caiman, green iguanas, terrestrial turtles, capuchin mon-keys, two-toed sloths and many different species of birds. You will have the afternoon at leisure and then embark on an evening adventure along the Chagres River where you can hope to observe the noc-turnal wildlife such as Caiman, Capybara and two-toed sloth.
Overnight at the Gamboa Rainforest Resort, Breakfast included.

Day 12, Friday: Soberania National Park, Pipeline Road & Miraflores Locks :
Early in the morning you will visit the Rainforest Discovery Centre where you will have a nice panoramic view of a canopy tower of the well preserved semi-deciduous forest in the heart of the Soberania National Park. Here you will have a good chance of spotting many different varieties of birds from a great vantage point, high up in the canopy. You will also have a good chance to observe wildlife on the Pipe-line Road. In the afternoon you will visit Miraflores Lock Visitor Centre, a fascinating museum depicting the trials and tribulations around the building of the Panama Canal.
Overnight at the Gamboa Rainforest Resort, Breakfast included.

Day 13, Saturday: Partial Canal Transit* & El Valle de Anton :
In the morning you will board a boat for the partial journey through the Panama Canal. You will follow the storied waterway that cuts through the Continental Divide, and observe how using a feat of hydro technology it raises giant vessels as large as 90,000 tons 26 meters above sea level. You will cruise through a near Garden of Eden - lush, tropical rain forests and untamed jungles that make this canal truly unique. You will then disembark and transfer by road to the tranquil mountain village of El Valle, a popular retreat for wealthy Panamanians set amid the crater of an extinct volcano.
Overnight at the hotel Park Eden, Breakfast included.

Day 14, Sunday: El Valle de Anton to Panama City, Departure :
This morning you will explore the local area with its lovely waterfalls, petroglyphs and local crafts by foot. Then you will gather at Las Casa de Lourdes for a farewell lunch (included). This is a delightful restaurant in wonderful surroundings. You will then transfer by road back to Panama City to embark on additional journeys in Panama or to fly home.

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