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 10 days / 9 nights
Explore the (1) Panama Canal with its natural and historic legacy, visit Miraflores Locks, enjoy cloud forest environments filled with life at La Amistad International Park (2) and Finca Lerida in the Chiriqui highlands (3), explore the historic parts of Panama City and learn about extinct and thriving indigenous cultures in San Blas (4) and the Chagres River (5).
 Day 1 Arrive to Panama
On arrival to Tocumen International Airport in Panama City, you will be met by an Ancon Expeditions of Panama representative and transferred to your hotel.
Night at HOLIDAY INN - PANAMA CANAL
Day 2 Panama Canal Rainforest Boat Adventure - Miraflores Locks - Chiriqui
Early in the morning you will be picked up at the lobby of the hotel by your Naturalist Guide for a 30 minute drive to the town of Gamboa, where the Chagres River meets the Panama Canal. Here you will board an expedition boat and depart on an adventure that will include a voyage across Gatun Lake in the Panama Canal passing by gigantic cargo ships transiting the waterway, making contrast with the natural surroundings. Along the way, you will have the opportunity to spot Green Iguana and Three-toed Sloth resting on tree branches, Crocodile, Osprey in the hunt for Peacock Bass, Snail Kite and Keel-billed Toucan among other wildlife. Gatun Lake was formed to give way to the Panama Canal in 1914. With a surface of 4 262 Km2 (164 Mi2), at the time of its creation was the largest man-made lake in the world. The flow of all the rivers within the Panama Canal Watershed is contained in Gatun Lake to provide water for the operation of the locks system. Nearly 200 million Liters (52 million gallons) of fresh water are used for every ship that transits through the Panama Canal from one ocean to another. Your expedition boat will allow for close approximations to rainforest-covered islands (former hill tops) in Gatun Lake to search for White-faced Capuchin, Mantled Howler Monkey, Central American Spider Monkey, and Geoffrey’s Tamarin. Enjoy a midday picnic lunch on a small island with extraordinary views of the Panama Canal and the natural surroundings.
You will return to Gamboa in the early afternoon and head for Miraflores Locks at the Panama Canal where you will learn about the canal’s history, operation and expansion work currently underway. You will also enjoy a close-up view of the locks in motion. A short drive to Albrook domestic airport will follow in order to catch the scheduled flight to David, capital of the Chiriqui province. Chiriqui is known as “Panama’s breadbasket” and contains some of the most breathtaking highland scenery in Central America. On arrival you will be transferred to the western side of the Baru Volcano, to the town of Volcan.
Night at HOTEL DOS RIOS (BLD)
Day 3 La Amistad International Park & World Biosphere Reserve & Sitios Barriles Shared with neighboring Costa Rica and recognized in 1982 as a World Biosphere Reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site, La Amistad is located at a point on the Central American natural land bridge where flora and fauna from North and South America reach their maximum species mix. With great ranges in altitude, precipitation, soil and temperature, biodiversity here is at its best.
You will spend the morning hiking and exploring La Amistad in the area of El Retoño in search of the Resplendent Quetzal, Silvery-fronted Tapaculo, Andean Pygmy-Owl, Barred Becard, Black and Yellow Silky Flycatcher among many other western highland birds. After lunch at a local restaurant you will visit Sitio Barriles, an archeological site of the extinct Barril culture that once thrived on the slopes of the dormant Baru Volcano.
Night at HOTEL DOS RIOS (BLD) Day 4 Finca Drácula - Boquete This morning you will visit Finca Dracula home to over 1,500 orchid species. After lunch you will continue to the eastern side of Baru Volcano , enroute you will have a unique opportunity to experience a century-old tradition at a local Trapiche, a horse-powered sugar mill where the delicious Raspadura blocks are made. You will then proceed to the quaint town of Boquete with its countryside dotted with flower, fruit and produce farms, coffee plantations and also lush tropical cloudforests. This afternoon you will have an interactive experience with coffee at Lerida Coffee Estate. The experts will explain the process the coffee beans go through before reaching your cup. This is no ordinary coffee. Carefully grown and scrutinized; Lerida’s coffee is world renown. Enjoy a fresh brewed cup of coffee while watching the spectacular sunset over the Baru Volcano, the highest peak of the country at 3,475m (11,400 feet) above sea level.
Night at FINCA LERIDA LODGE (BLD)
Day 5 Finca Lerida Cloud Forest
Explore Finca Lerida, a privately owned preserve in Boquete, located in the buffer zone of Baru Volcano National Park. At an elevation of 2,286m (7,500 feet) you will have the opportunity to look for the elusive Resplendent Quetzal, Three-wattled Bellbird, Black-faced Solitaire, Volcano Hummingbird, Long-tailed Silky Flycatcher and Prong-billed Barbet in their cool habitat of orchids, bromeliads and wild avocados. The afternoon is open to relax or to walk through the coffee plantation within the property.
Night at FINCA LERIDA LODGE (BLD)
Day 6 Panama City - Casco Viejo
After breakfast you will be transferred to David in time to catch the morning flight to Panama City. Upon arrival you will begin a tour of Panama City, a contrasting metropolis with a World Heritage Sites, rainforests and a flourishing business district filled with skyscrapers.
Today we will explore the ruins of Old Panama City, the first European settlement to be established along the shores of the Pacific Ocean (1519), Casco Viejo with its colonial landmarks and cobblestone streets, the Panama Canal Museum and the modern city.
Night at HOLIDAY INN – PANAMA CANAL (BLD)
Day 7 San Blas Islands - Dolphin Island Located along the northeastern coast of Panama on the Caribbean Sea, the San Blas Islands are the home of the Kuna Indians. Determined to protect their unique culture, the Kunas were granted regional autonomy forming the Comarca (autonomous territory) of Kuna Yala where to this day an indigenous congress rules. Kuna women spend countless hours stitching the very colorful reverse appliquéd cotton mola which is part of their daily wear. Essentially, the Kuna are fishermen, but they also farm coconut, corn, rice, cocoa, yucca and other staples.
Today you will depart by small plane to San Blas at the crack of dawn. To enhance the interaction with the Kuna, travelers will go without the Naturalist Guide. A representative of Uaguinega Lodge will greet you upon landing at the airstrip and will transfer you to the lodge by boat to check in and have breakfast. Uaguinega Lodge is located on Uaguitupo (Dolphin) Island, about ten minutes from the Achutupo airstrip. Owned and operated by a Kuna family, the accommodations at Dolphin Lodge are rustic but comfortable in traditional Kuna-style huts with cozy beds, indoor bathrooms and a hammock on the front porch. Meals are served in the Bohio dining room overlooking the Caribbean Sea.
After breakfast you will visit the Kuna village of Achutupo in the company of a local guide that will offer an excellent opportunity to learn about the Kuna culture and traditional ceremonies. Visit the communal house of “Sahilas” (Kuna chiefs) where the chiefs are responsible for enforcing the law of the community as well as offering advice on other aspects of life - including marital problems! Learn about the building of the typical Kuna house, their economy, the famous mola, and the processing of sugar cane into the alcoholic drink known as chicha. Return to the lodge to relax at one of the hammocks and to have lunch. Later this afternoon you will go snorkeling in the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean Sea to look for stunning marine life.
Night at UAGUINEGA LODGE (BLD)
Day 8 Panama City - Chagres River & the Embera People
Early morning transfer to the mainland where you will catch the plane bound for Panama City. Upon arrival you will meet your Naturalist Guide who will take you to El Corotu on the shores of Madden Lake. The main reservoir of drinking water for the cities of Panama and Colon, Madden Lake also supplies 40% of the water required for the operation of the Panama Canal. Here, you will board a motorized piragua (dugout canoe) and travel up the Chagres River. The journey will take you through the rainforest of the 129,500 hectares (320,000 acres) Chagres National Park, which is the largest of the National Parks protecting the Panama Canal Watershed. Along the Chagres River, you may be able to spot Little Blue and Green Heron, Great Egret, Anhingas, Neotropical Cormorant, Amazon, Ringed, and Green Kingfishers, along with Keel-billed Toucans and Ospreys flying above. At the Embera village you will be greeted with dancing and music. You will learn about Embera customs and their relationship with nature. There will be handcrafts available for sale and you will have a chance to be painted with the traditional jagua, a natural dye the Embera use to adorn their bodies. After a picnic lunch you will head back to Panama City.
Night at HOTEL EL PANAMA (BLD)
Day 9 Partial Panama Canal Transit Today you will transit through the Panama Canal. Drive to Gamboa where you will begin the journey heading south on Gatun Lake. At this point the ship will be sailing at 26m (85 feet) above sea level. Shortly after departure, the ship will enter Gaillard Cut, the narrowest section of the Panama Canal. The 13.7Km (8.5 Miles) long portion of the Continental Divide was carved through rock and shale at beginning of last century when the canal began operating (1914).
Panama is currently undertaking the monumental task of expanding the Panama Canal. The US$5.25 billion grand-scale project contemplates building of even larger locks and deepening the channel to accommodate post-Panamax ships, the largest of all cargo ships that now have to bypass this waterway. The project is estimated to be completed by 2015. You will have the opportunity to look at the work’s progress on this extraordinary engineering venture.
The ship will reach Pedro Miguel locks, where the vessel will be lowered 9.4 meters into Miraflores Lake. After traveling nearly 2 kilometers you arrive to Miraflores locks, where the transition from fresh water to salt water takes place in the locks chambers. Due to the Pacific Ocean’s extreme tidal variations, Miraflores locks miter gates are the tallest of the locks system. In two steps, the vessel will be lowered 16.6 meters onto the Pacific Ocean. You will then sail under the bridge of the Americas, which reunites the land divided by the Panama Canal as part of the Pan-American Highway. The Amador Marina will be your final destination, where you will disembark and returned to your hotel. Tonight you will enjoy a farewell dinner at local restaurant.
Night at HOTEL EL PANAMA (BLD)
Day 10 Depart Panama Today you will be picked up at the lobby of the hotel 2.5 hours prior to your scheduled departure flight and transferred to Tocumen International Airport. Fly home (B)
Optional pre and post-tour extensions are available to the Darien and Bocas del Toro
TRIP CLASSIFICATION
- Easy/moderate hiking 2-4 hours per day with rolling, slippery hills.
- Hotel or lodge accommodation comfortable
DEPARTURE DATES 2010
Oct 15 - 24, 2010
Dec 31, 2010 - January 9, 2011 * - 3 clients signed up already!
DEPARTURE DATES 2011
Jan 28 - Feb 6, 2011
Feb 25 - March 6, 2011
April 22 - May 1, 2011
July 15-24, 2011
Sep 9-18, 2011
Oct 14-23, 2011
Dec 23 - Jan 1, 2012 *
PRICE
US$2,500 per person + 7% tax (double occupancy) * – minimum of 4 passengers -
Additional price for single occupancy: US$645 + 7% tax * Please note that during Christmas Holiday Season (December departures) a surcharge of 7.5% per person applies. * For our October 2010 departure receive a 10% discount if you book now!
INCLUDED NOT INCLUDED
- Lodging, meals as specified in the itinerary (B - breakfast, L - lunch, D - dinner)
| | - All land, air and water transportation within Panama
| - Meals not specified in the itinerary
- Alcoholic beverages
| | | - All airport/hotel transfers on scheduled arrival and departure dates
| - Gratuities and extras in hotels (telephone calls, laundry, room service)
| - Guides´services and expenses
| - Snorkeling equipment (can be rented at a small fee at the Uaguinega Lodge)
| - Services of an in-bound land operator for airline re-confirmations and tour operations
| | - Park, museum and related entrance fees
| | DISCLAIMER & NOTE
Prices and itineraries are correct at the time of printing, however they are subject to change due to tidal/weather or local conditions, availabilities or factors beyond our control. The San Blas portion of this trip is led by a local bilingual guide. The Naturalist Guide will not be traveling to San Blas.
Weight restrictions apply to luggage in commercial and chartered flights within Panama. A maximum of 25 lbs. (11 kg) of checked luggage and 10 lbs. (4.5 kg) of carry-on per person is allowed. Arrangements can be made with your hotel or Ancon Expeditions to store luggage that will not be needed while away from the city. Excess baggage charges assessed by commercial carriers are the responsibility of the passenger.
WHAT TO BRING
- Binoculars (preferably 7x35 or bigger, also available for rent at Ancon Expeditions of Panama)
| - Water bottle
- Lightweight/quick dry cotton clothes
| - Camera with extra batteries & film
| - Sandals, sneakers / hiking boots
| - Flashlight with extra bulb & batteries
| | - Insect repellant, Sunscreen, bathing suit
| - Money in small denominations
| | - Toiletries & personal medications
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TIPPING
Ancon Expeditions is Panama’s top eco-tourism operator. Our Natural & Cultural History Guides are the country's finest. Due to frequently asked questions from our clients about suggested guide & staff gratuities, we would like to provide you with the following universal tipping guidelines: - Naturalist guide/Tour leader: US$10.00-US$20.00 per person/day
- Day tour guide: US$10.00 per person/day
- Transfer driver: US$2.00 per person
- Tour driver: US$5.00 per person/day
- Tour boat driver: US$5.00 per person/day
- Hotel bellman: US$1.00 per person per suitcase
- International airport bellmen (red caps): US$1.00 per piece of suitcase
HOLIDAY INN PANAMA CANAL 
| Overlooking the Panama Canal Miraflores Locks and surrounded by lush tropical vegetation, the Holiday Inn has 137 rooms, 2 restaurants, business centre, coffee shop, elevators, jogging trail, outdoor pool, restaurants, and 5 meeting rooms. Located in the Canal Area, the hotel is close to the domestic airport and free shuttles run daily to the Albrook shopping mall. |
Address: Ave. Omar Torrijos Herrera, Clayton, City of Knowledge, Panama Website: www.hinnpanama.com/index2.html Phone: +(507) 317-4000 Fax: +(507) 317-4001 Check in: 3:00 p.m. Check out: 12:00 p.m. HOTEL DOS RIOS 
| On the slopes of the Barú Volcano, surrounded by mountains and lush vegetation at an altitude of 1750m above sea level, Hotel Dos Rios is located in the beautiful town of Volcán, just 54km away from the domestic airport in David, the capital of Chiriqui. Dos Rios Hotel has 18 rooms, a restaurant, bar, pizzeria, conference room (50 persons), souvenir shop, Internet, fax, external medical services, and a butterfly garden. |
Address: Nueva California, Volcán, Chiriqui, Panama
Website: www.dosrios.com.pa
Phone: +(507) 771-5555
Fax: +(507) 771-5794
Check in: 2:00 p.m.
Check out: 1:00 p.m. FINCA LERIDA
 | This unique and beautiful privately owned preserve in Boquete, in the buffer zone of Baru Volcano National Park, is an idyllic lodging escape in the middle of the cloud forest and shade-grown coffee plantations. Finca Lerida has 13 comfortable rooms, a living room area for game nights or relaxation in front of the open fire place, a restaurant and many beautiful trails. The eco lodge is located just 20 minutes outside the charming town of Boquete. |
Address: Alto Quiel, Boquete, Chiriqui, Panama Website: www.fincalerida.com Phone: +(507) 720-2285 Check in: 3:00 p.m. Check out: 12:00 p.m. UAGUINEGA LODGE  | Owned and operated by a Kuna family, the Uaguinega Lodge is located on a private island at approximately 50 minute flight distance from Panama City. The accommodation is basic but comfortable in traditional Kuna-style huts with two or three beds, private bathrooms and a hammock on the front porch. The lodge has 11 huts and the sea-breeze provides a good source of room ventilation. Meals including freshly caught seafood are served in the Bohio dining room overlooking the Caribbean. Electricity is available for a couple of hours every day. |
Address: Uaguitupo (Dolphin) Island, Kuna Yala Comarca, San Blas Islands
Website: www.uaguinega.com
Phone: +(507) 263-7780
Fax: +(507) 263-1500
Check in & Check out: Depend on domestic flights HOTEL EL PANAMA
| Hotel El Panama´s 333 spacious rooms are fully equipped with TV, security safe, mini bar and generous bathroom amenities. The large, new open-air lobby welcomes guests to relax, as well as the large outdoor pool area, which is ideal for families. This nice hotel counts with three restaurants, souvenir shops, a business centre, Wireless Internet, gym and spa. The hotel is located in the banking area and in walking distance to restaurants, bars, clubs, supermarkets, down town and shopping malls. |
Address: Vía España y Vía Venetto, Panama City
Website: www.elpanama.com
Phone: +(507) 215-9000
Check in: 3:00 p.m.
Check out: 1:00 p.m.
"My wife and I would like to thank you and Ancon Expeditions for a very enjoyable, informative, and memorable tour of Panama. Our tour guide, Kenny Weeks, was excellent. His knowledge of the country, as well as the birds and wildlife in it, was most impressive. Above all, he made it fun and easy-going, which is what we hope for in a vacation. We consider him to be a friend.
Panama was everything we hoped for, and even more. It is very rich in history and culture, and now has a special place in our hearts. We hope to return again soon.
Thanks again for everything."
Best of Panama (Feb 19-28, 2010)
Bob & Carol Dolha
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