PANAMA CANAL PARTIAL TRANSIT
TOUR DESCRIPTION The Panama Canal Partial Transit offers you the opportunity to cruise through Pedro Miguel Locks and Miraflores Locks (two of the three lock sets of the Panama Canal), on a 250 passenger ferry. During low season from April through November the tour runs mostly on Fridays and Saturdays and during high season from December through March from Thursdays through Saturdays. The Panama Canal celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2014 and the Panama Canal expansion works, a monumental US$5.25 billion project, are due to be completed in 2015.
PRICE
US$200 per person plus 7% tax
INCLUDED Bilingual narrator on board, soft drinks, and water, light breakfast coffee station (only included on Northbound Transits), lunch, transportation from/to your hotel in Panama City (please note that a $35 per person roundtrip surcharge based on 2+ persons must be added to day tours beginning and/or ending at Gamboa Rainforest Resort, Canopy Tower, Playa Bonita or hotels near Tocumen Airport)
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.
ITINERARY
(SOUTHBOUND DESCRIPTION)
This morning you will be picked up at your hotel by an Ancon Expeditions of Panama driver for a short ride to the Flamenco Marina, in Amador, where you will transfer to our outfitter's coach bus for the 40-minute drive to the town of Gamboa, halfway up the Panama Canal, where you will board the Panama Canal transit day cruiser.
The journey begins where the Chagres River flows into Gatun Lake, 26 meters above sea level. Cruising southbound, the first highlight of the day will be crossing Gaillard Cut, the narrowest section of the Panama Canal. The 13.7-kilometer long portion of the waterway was carved through rock and shale between 1904 and 1914 and it is flanked by the backbones of the Continental Divide. The original width of Gaillard Cut was 92 meters. In order to accommodate to the demands of today's transit needs, the Panama Canal Authority recently completed the monumental task of widening the Cut to 192 meters in straight sections and up to 222 meters in curves. This allows for unrestricted two-way traffic of Panamax vessels, the largest ships that can currently fit in the Panama Canal locks. The majestic Centenario Bridge soars over Gaillard Cut.
As the cruise continues you will reach the first set of locks that you will cross today. At Pedro Miguel locks the ship will be lowered 9 meters into Miraflores Lake. While you enjoy lunch on board, you will reach Miraflores Locks, which are the tallest in the canal's locks system due to the extreme tidal variation of the Pacific Ocean. In two steps, the ship will be lowered from 17 meters above sea level to sea level. The transition from freshwater from the lake and lock chambers to saltwater in the Pacific Ocean takes place here.
Before leaving the Panama Canal and entering the Pacific Ocean you will sail under the bridge of the Americas, which raises over 100 meters above sea level reuniting the land divided during the construction of the canal and forming a link on the Pan-American Highway. You will disembark at the Flamenco Marina where your driver will be waiting to bring you back to your hotel.
(NORTHBOUND DESCRIPTION)
This morning you will be picked up at your hotel by an Ancon Expeditions of Panama driver for a short ride to the Flamenco Marina, in Amador, where you will board the Panama Canal day cruiser. The journey begins on the Pacific Ocean heading north. You will cruise under the bridge of the Americas, which raises over 100 meters above sea level reuniting the land divided during the construction of the canal forming a link on the Pan-American Highway.
As the cruise continues you will reach the first set of locks that you will cross today. Miraflores locks, which are the tallest in the canal's locks system due to the extreme tidal variation of the Pacific Ocean, will raise the ship 17 meters above sea level in two steps into Miraflores Lake. A transition from saltwater in the Pacific Ocean to fresh water in the locks chambers and lake take place here. While you enjoy lunch on board, you will reach Pedro Miguel locks where the ship is raised 9 more meters. At this point, the ship will be cruising on Gatun Lake at 26 meters above sea level and entering Gaillard Cut, the narrowest section of the Panama Canal. The 13.7-kilometer long portion of the waterway was carved through rock and shale between 1904 and 1914 and it is flanked by the backbones of the Continental Divide. The original width of Gaillard Cut was 92 meters. In order to accommodate the demands of today's transit needs, the Panama Canal Authority recently completed the monumental task of widening the Cut to 192 meters in straight sections and up to 222 meters in curves. This allows for unrestricted two-way traffic of Panamax vessels, the largest ships that can currently fit in the Panama Canal locks. The majestic Centenario Bridge soars over Gaillard Cut.
The Panama Canal opens up into Gatun Lake where the Chagres River, the main source of water used in the canal operation, flows into the waterway near the town of Gamboa where you will disembark. From here, you will ride 40 minutes on a coach bus back to Flamenco Marina where your driver will be waiting to bring you back to your hotel.
DETAILS
PARTIAL TRANSIT DEPARTURES 2023
February 12, 19, 25*, 26
March 4*, 5, 11*, 12, 19, 25*, 26
April 1*, 2, 8*, 9, 15**, 16, 22*, 23, 29*, 30
May 14, 20**, 21, 27*, 28
June 3*, 4, 10*, 11, 17**, 18, 24*, 25
July 1*, 2, 8*, 9, 15**, 16, 22*, 23, 29*, 30
August 5*, 6, 12*, 13, 19**, 20, 26*, 27
September 16**, 17, 23*, 24, 30*
October 1, 7*, 8, 14*, 15, 21**, 22, 28*, 29
November 4*, 5, 11*, 12, 18**, 19, 25*, 26
December 2*, 3, 9*, 10, 16**, 17, 23*, 30*, 31
*NORTHBOUND TRANSIT (check-in at 7:00 a.m.)
**combined with the Ocean to Ocean Transit (check-in at 7:00 a.m.)
Duration: Approx. 6-7 hours. The duration of the Panama Canal transit depends on ship traffic which is managed by the Panama Canal Authority. Southbound Transits (without the *) normally start mid-morning and end mid-afternoon, while Northbound Transits start early morning and end early afternoon.
WHAT TO BRING
Binoculars (available for rent at Ancon Expeditions of Panama)
Camera
Cap or hat
Sunscreen lotion
Light clothing
Light raincoat
Tennis shoes or sandals
Cash in small denominations is suggested if interested in purchasing souvenirs, snacks and alcoholic beverages
REVIEWS
“Having already traveled extensively in the Caribbean and further a field, this was a trip and a vacation not to be missed.”
Lionel Cave, USA
“Tanto nosotros como nuestras amigas quedamos muy satisfechas con el fabuloso tour por el canal. Tu guía y el capitán fueron extremadamente eficientes y nos dieron trato VIP.
Es un tour, en tu agencia por supuesto, que recomendaremos mucho. Mis amigas van a poner una nota en el internet recomendándolo. Gracias otra vez por toda tu amabilidad personal.”
Ana Palau, Panama
“Ancon Expeditions of Panama did an outstanding job
of creating a tour just for the four of us that allowed us to see the best of Panama
in a short time. You guys did a great job of customizing a package for us at a reasonable price, and the quality of the guides and drivers was outstanding. Everything was so professional and well done, we will recommend Ancon Expeditions of Panama to our friends.
Great job, especially Melanie.”
Jerry Ribnick, USA
