Discover Panama

Discover Panama - The Land Between the Seas

9 Days
February 29 - March 8, 2012

Your Tour Includes

Round trip air from Ottawa

"Door to Door" sedan service to/from Ottawa Airport (within 100km radius)

Panama Canal Cruise aboard the Panama Queen

Highlights include: Panama City, Miraflores Locks, Culinary Demonstration, Monkey Island Cruise, Smithsonian Galeta Marine Laboratory, Gamboa Rainforest Reserve, Panama Canal Railway, Pacific Queen Panama Canal Cruise, Emberá Indigenous Village, Salsa Dance Lesson, Playa Bonita

8 nights accommodation

8 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 4 dinners

Tour guide in Panama

Air taxes and fees/surcharges of $130 (subject to increase until paid in full)

Escorted by Art & Dot Jamieson

Tour Pricing
Double (2 per room) - $3329 per person
SIngle (1 per room) - $4229 per person
Triple (3 per room) - $3299 per person
(all prices are in Canadian $)

* Pricing includes round trip air from Ottawa valid on all bookings made prior to November 1, 2011. Bookings made after this date are subject to availability and potential changes in airfare pricing.

Insurance
Deluxe Cancellation and Full Medical flat rate Insurance of $180 per person (regardless of age).

Booking Details
To reserve this tour, a deposit of $250 per person plus insurance (if purchasing) must be provided by November 1, 2011. Bookings made after this date are subject to availability and change in price. Balances are due January 1, 2012.

Please Note: For this tour, deposits are fully refundable up until January 1, 2012 minus $20 pp admin fee. There are no refunds after this date. Cancellation insurance is highly recommended for all participants on this tour.

Itinerary

DAY 1 - Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Panama City, Panama - Tour begins
Welcome to Panama, a country of lush rainforests, rich history, diverse wildlife and spectacular coastlines. Your tour begins in cosmopolitan Panama City.

DAY 2 - Thursday, March 1, 2012
Panama City
Meet your fellow travellers for a welcome breakfast before embarking on a city tour. Visit Panama Viejo Visitors’ Centre and Cathedral Tower, exploring the ruins of the oldest Spanish settlement on the Pacific. Next, stop at two local markets specializing in fresh produce and seafood for an introduction to the specialty foods of Panama. Continue to Casco Antiguo, the Old Quartre – a UNESCO World Heritage site. A short walking tour down its cobblestoned streets showcases the Plaza de la Independencia, the Presidential Palace, the National Theatre, and restored colonial churches and monuments. After lunch at leisure, head to Miraflores Locks Visitor Centre to view the Panama Canal and learn about its rich past, present and future. Tonight, experience a private culinary demonstration with a local chef and learn how typical Panamanian dishes are prepared. Then, enjoy a dinner overlooking the Miraflores Locks. Today, breakfast and dinner will be included.

DAY 3 - Friday, March 2, 2012
Monkey Island - Galeta Marine Laboratory - Panama Canal Railway - Gamboa
Follow the canal north into the rainforest for your first glimpse of Panama’s wildlife during a morning cruise to Monkey Island. Spot iguanas, toucans, crocodiles and more. Enjoy a relaxing lunch overlooking the marina, listening to birds and howler monkeys in the distance. Learn more about Panama’s delicate ecosystems at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute’s Galeta Marine Laboratory as a staff biologist brings this breathtaking setting to life during an in-depth discussion. Stroll through mangrove boardwalks, spot species of indigenous birds, and learn about outreach programs for local children. At the train station in Colon, climb aboard the historic Panama Canal Railway and relax in elegance as you are whisked past stunning scenery in perfectly restored cars. Continue to the Gamboa Rainforest Resort – your home for the next four nights. Today, breakfast and lunch will be included.

DAY 4 - Saturday, March 3, 2012
Panama Canal Cruise
This morning your guide leads a nature walk through your resort’s forest and gardens to spot its abundant birdlife. Next, board the Pacific Queen for a partial transit through the Panama Canal. Enjoy lunch on board and pass through two locks as you revel in a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see this incredible engineering feat first hand and learn all about its construction and operation. Disembark at Flamenco Marina. This afternoon visit the Bridge of Life Museum, the only Frank Ghery-designed structure in Latin America*. Discover the unique role that Panama plays in the world’s ecosystem and incredible biodiversity that abounds in this great country. Visit a local handicraft market and peruse artisan souvenirs made by indigenous peoples, including the “mola” embroidery of the Kuna Yala. Then, soak up the ambiance at the oceanfront Amador Causeway where you will relish a delicious seafood dinner. Today, breakfast, lunch and dinner will be included.

DAY 5 - Sunday, March 4, 2012
Gamboa
With a day at leisure, perhpas enjoy the resort's pool and spa; soak in the sights and sounds from a hammock on your balcony; take an aerial tram ride; kayak in the Panama Canal or embark on an optional day trip to Smithsonian's Tropical Research institute at Barro Colorado Island Nature Monument for a guided trail walk. Today, breakfast will be included.

DAY 6 - Monday, March 5, 2012
Emberá Indigenous Village
Set off for an excursion to an Emberá indigenous village. Board dugout canoes for a scenic ride up the Chagres River to a settlement of Emberá, known as the “Keepers of the Rainforest.” The Emberá strive to preserve their heritage and love to share their traditional techniques of homebuilding and handicrafts with visitors. Join in their dances and partake in a simple lunch cooked traditionally before returning to the mainland. This evening, enjoy a private salsa lesson where you move to the rhythm of Panama and learn about its rich folkloric tradition. Today, breakfast, lunch and dinner will be included.

DAY 7 - Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Gamboa - Playa Bonita
Your morning is at leisure to relax or perhaps participate in a nature walk, visiting the butterfly house and orchid nursery. Or, embark on an optional tour to Gatún Locks and the Portobelo Fort. Depart Gamboa this afternoon for Playa Bonita and your luxurious five-star beachfront resort. En route, ascend to Cerro Ancon’s peak for a captivating view of Panama City. Today, breakfast will be included.

DAY 8 - Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Playa Bonita
Today you enjoy free time for relaxing on the beach, enjoying the spa or amenities at your hotel, kayaking, or taking a nature walk in the adjacent Punta Bruja Reserve. You may also opt to take a tour to a pineapple farm or an excursion to the enchanting Anton Valley, nestled inside the second largest volcanic crater in the world. This evening, celebrate your unforgettable journey to Panama at a farewell dinner overlooking the Pacific. Today, breakfast and dinner will be included.

DAY 9 - Thursday, March 8, 2012
Playa Bonita - Tour Ends
Retunr flight home from Panama. Today, breakfast will be included.