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 From Spanish conquistadors to gold rush adventurers. On the Trans-Isthmian Route find yourself in the most interesting historical journey in Panama. You will be traversing Panama from South to North by road, exploring the forts at San Lorenzo and Portobelo, enjoying a lunch at Cocoplum Resaturant and returning late afternoon by train from Colon to Panama City.
Early in the morning you are picked up at the lobby of your hotel by an Ancon Expeditions of Panama Naturalist Guide for a drive across the Isthmus of Panama to the Caribbean province of Colon. Along the way you will stop at a site where remnants of Las Cruces Trail, the 400 year old colonial trail used by the Spaniards to transport gold across the isthmus, are still found.
Once in Colon you drive over the Panama Canal at Gatun Locks and reach the Castle of San Lorenzo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built at the mouth of the Chagres River, this Spanish bastion served to fortify and protect the river entrance to Las Cruces Trail that led to Panama City on the Pacific Ocean and was later also used as the port of entry for gold diggers on their way to California during the second half of the 19th century. You will be traveling through lush rainforest within San Lorenzo National Park, where you might have the opportunity to see monkeys, Two and Three-toed sloths, Coatimundi, toucans and other wildlife. You return through Colon City on your way to the historic town of Portobelo where you have lunch. Famous for its trade fairs during the 17th century, Portobelo is another World Heritage Site. During colonial times it was one of the most important strongholds of the Spanish Main in the Americas. You will visit Forts San Geronimo and Santiago de la Gloria as well as the Church of San Felipe.
The return to Panama City will be on the Trans-Isthmian train. The railway follows a similar route as the original train built to transport 49ers coming from the east coast of the United States across the Isthmus to continue their journey by boat to California. The route was diverted when Gatun Lake was formed to give way to the Panama Canal. The train will take you along the magnificent waterway, flanked by the exuberant rainforests of Soberania National Park. After an approximately one hour train ride you arrive at the Corozal Station in Panama City and will then be transferred to your hotel.
**In some instances the tour may be offered in reverse (depending on the train seat availability), starting with the train ride in the morning and returning to Panama City in the afternoon by road. In such cases the tour will start earlier in the morning.**
TOUR SCHEDULE* 7:30 a.m. Approximate pick up time at your hotel in Panama City (depending on your hotel location) 9-10 hours Approximate tour duration *This tour is only available from Monday through Friday. Check our SPECIALS SECTION for current "open tours" with already passengers signed up or review our green season Specials! PRICE 2010 (valid through Nov 30, 2010) US$150 per person + 7% tax (4+ passengers) US$220 per person + 7% tax (2-3 passengers) PRICE 2011 (tours after Dec 1, 2010 through Nov 30, 2011) US$160 per person + 7% tax (4+ passengers) US$230 per person + 7% tax (2-3 passengers) INCLUDES - Bilingual Naturalist Guide
- Full Lunch
- Transportation from/to your hotel in Panama City*
- Park and related fees
- Train fare
*a $25 per person surcharge (roundtrip, based on 2+ persons) must be added to day tours beginning and/or ending at Gamboa Rainforest Resort, Intercontinental Playa Bonita Resort or the Canopy Tower
DISCLAIMER Prices and itineraries are correct at the time of printing, however they are subject to change due to weather or local conditions, availabilities or factors beyond our control. WHAT TO BRING - Binoculars (available for rent at Ancon Expeditions of Panama)
- Camera
- Cap or hat
- Sunscreen lotion
- Insect Repellant
- Light clothing
- Light raincoat
- Good traction footwear
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
“Abdiel, our guide was superb! Good humor, very knowledgeable, and could not have done a better job. Absolutely fantastic...as was Edgar our many-hatted driver. We had an exceptional tour and clearly, I would use Ancon Expeditions of Panama again.” The Trans-Isthmian Route Glenn, Canada “Very informative guide who made sure to tell us about the local history of the places we visited.”
The Trans-Isthmian Route
Kelly Carey, USA
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