Early in the morning you are picked up at the lobby of your hotel by an Ancon Expeditions of Panama Naturalist Guide for a 45 minute drive to the town of Gamboa, where the Chagres River meets the Panama Canal. Here you 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 423 square-kilometers, 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 lock system. More than 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. You will enjoy a picnic lunch on a small island with extraordinary views of the Panama Canal and the natural surroundings.
Early in the afternoon you return to Gamboa for the drive back to Panama City.
We highly recommend this tour with an extension visit to Miraflores Locks & Visitor Center. On this extended tour you would see the fascination of the Panama Canal not only from its nature & wildlife perspective, but also from its historic and engineering point of view. The Miraflores Visitor Center will provide you excellent information about the past, presence and future of the Panama Canal. After you leave the expedition boat near the Gamboa area you will be transferred about 20 minutes back towards the city and stop for another 1-2 hours (depending on group size and guide judgment) at the Miraflores Locks Visitor Center. From there you will be dropped off at your hotel. Please note, that this extension can only be offered if all passengers on the Rainforest Boat Adventure have decided in advance to take the extension visit. If this is not the case, you have the option to be dropped off at the Miraflores Locks Visitor Center on the way back from the boat tour. You would have to pay the entrance fee directly at the museum and then make your own way back to the hotel.
TOUR SCHEDULE
7:30 a.m. Approximate pick up time at your hotel in Panama City (depending on your hotel location)
6 hours Approximate tour duration (with extension to Miraflores Locks ca. 2 hours more)
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$110 per person + 7% tax (minimum of 2 passengers)
US$135 per person + 7% tax with extension to Miraflores Locks & Visitor Center
PRICE 2011 (starting Dec 1, 2010 through Nov 30, 2011)
US$110 per person + 7% tax (minimum of 2 passengers)
US$140 per person + 7% tax with extension to Miraflores Locks & Visitor Center
INCLUDED
- Bilingual Naturalist Guide
- Picnic Lunch
- Transportation from/to your hotel in Panama City
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
- Tennis shoes or sandals
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
"The Panama Canal Rainforest Boat Adventure was one of the best tours we've ever taken. The guide was interesting and extremely knowledgeable about the canal, wildlife, and Panama in general. The tour was unique and the price was reasonable for the personal attention we received. Although it was pouring rain for most of the tour, Ancon went out of their way to figure out the best option for us. We ended up taking the tour anyway and had a blast."
Panama Canal Rainforest Boat Adventure (May 20, 2010)
Pamela Glauber, USA
“We had a fabulous trip, and we really enjoyed the tour.
We would definitely use Ancon again.”
Panama Canal Rainforest Boat Adventure (March 21, 2010)
Tangela Richter, USA
“The entire operation was very professional, accountable and knowledgeable, from the office to the guides and local station help!”
Panama Canal Rainforest Boat Adventure
Nancy Rogge, USA
“Amazing what you can see in half a day alongside a canal!”
Panama Canal Rainforest Boat Adventure
Gerald Dick, Austria
“One of the highlights of our trip - all thanks to the knowledge and friendly manner of out tour guide.”
Panama Canal Rainforest Boat Adventure
Rachael & Mark Williams, USA
"More than expected, well organized, interesting, both tours were different but very interesting. An excellent experience would recommend Ancon Expeditions as the one to choose."
Panama Canal Rainforest Boat Adventure
Neil Mathieson, Australia
“Very friendly, highly knowledgeable and I really did notice a difference in quality to other tour operators, so will recommend Ancon to friends traveling to Panama”
Panama Canal Rainforest Boat Adventure
Barbara Goedde, Germany
“Great way to learn about the Canal and rainforest.
The trip was fun and safe. Thanks Melanie, we had a great time!”
Panama Canal Rainforest Boat Adventure
Sara Tewksbury, USA
“Ancon Expeditions have helped me as a photographer to see and photograph birds, animals, landscapes, and other wildlife in urban, and remote and wild areas of Panama. Their logistics are excellent. Ancon Expeditions have excellent naturalist guides with broad knowledge beyond only the nature of Panama; in addition they have very high level of ethics.”
Panama Canal Rainforest Boat Adventure
Øyvind Martinsen, Norway
“Our guide was excellent. His knowledge of the canal and the flora and fauna was impressive, his stories were interesting and his genuine excitement for spotting wildlife made the experience more enjoyable. The rainforest adventure tour reminds us of the jungle cruise ride in Disneyland, only it was the real deal.”
Panama Canal Rainforest Boat Adventure
Adrian Culjat, USA
“We want to thank you for a great tour. Everything was so well organized and our pick up arrived on time! The guide and the boat captain were wonderful and so knowledgeable about all the wildlife (and respectful of it) and so many details about the history of the canal. Anyone who truly wants to see the Panama Canal should take your tour. We were able to see so many things that you just can't see from a cruise ship! We can’t wait to take your tour again next time we go to Panama!!”
Panama Canal Rainforest Boat Adventure
Nilda Chong, USA
“Good Morning Katiana.
First I would like to thank you for all your assistance in getting my tour booked and arrangement for us. Saturday Rainforest boat tour was great. I had a wonderful time, learned a lot and was very enjoyable time.”
Panama Canal Rainforest Boat Adventure
Nathalie Hains, USA
“Unfortunately, our stay in Panama City was very short, just for three days… This means that we had to see and learn so many things in only a very short time. I think that the two day tours we took with your company gave us the opportunity to do so, but not only… we got much more than we had expected… MUCHAS GRACIAS!”
Panama Canal Rainforest Boat Adventure & Miraflores Locks
Half Day Panama City Tour
Chrystalla Koumi, Cyprus
