Day 1
Upon arrival in Panama City, transfer to your hotel.
Day 2
Mini-hiking and aerial tram ride. We visit Soberania National Park and Gamboa Resort Depart from Panama City early in the morning for Soberania National Park and world-famous Pipeline Road, the right place for birdwatchers and ecologists. It was site of the 1985 world record Panama Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count (385 species of birds were identified in 24 hours). During World War II, a pipeline was built to transport fuel from one ocean to the other. Fortunately, it was never used. Today, the road built to maintain the pipeline provides excellent access to primary forest within Soberania National Park with the comfort and safety of vehicle support. After this short hike, we will head to Gamboa Rainforest Resort. There you will ride in an aerial tram from the shadowy rainforest floor through the understory and into the sun-drenched canopy. You will enjoy a bird’s eye view of a thousand hues of green interspersed with the fluorescent exclamation points of flowering trees. The aerial tram is located in 100 hectares of rainforest licensed to Gamboa Rainforest Resort. Here you find exuberant flora and fauna typical of Panama’s neo-tropical forests. The resort has built five exhibits that showcase local flora and fauna as well as a replica of an Embera Indian village. Afterwards you will be transferred back to your hotel. The tour includes transportation and entrance fee to Soberania National Park. Overnight at Gamboa Resort.
Day 3
Pick-up from Gamboa for a partial Canal Transit (operates only on Saturdays).
Your trip departs from the Flamenco Marina, and you will travel from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean. You will be able to admire the Bay of Panama and Panama City’s splendorous skyline, and later you will pass under the Bridge of the Americas. At Miraflores Locks, the vessel will ascend 54 feet in two distinct steps. You will then enter Miraflores Lake, which is a small artificial body of fresh water that separates Pedro Miguel from Miraflores Locks. Next, the Pacific Queen will enter Pedro Miguel Locks, which is one of the two sets of locks on the Pacific side, and here the vessel will be raised the last 27 feet to get into Gatun Lake. Once at Gatun Lake, you will sail through at the north end of the Gaillard Cut, where the Chagres River flows into the Canal. The Gaillard Cut is also known as Culebra Cut because its curves resemble a snake. It is one of the main points of interest for visitors because it was carved through the Continental Divide. In addition, the vessel will travel the Cut’s 13.7 kilometers on the way to the Panama Canal Dredging Division in Gamboa where passengers disembark and transfer back to Flamanco Pier.
Note: Exact itinerary may vary, depending on where the transit starts.
Panamanian Night Tour. Enjoy an oasis of flavor and folklore characteristic of the countryside and taste delicious Panamanian-style dishes in comfortable and elegant surroundings at Las Tinajas Restaurant, located in the center of Panama City. Includes transfer to and from hotel, typical Panamanian dinner, cover charge, service charge and dance show. Available only on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Day 4
Transfer to the airport to take the flight to San José, Costa Rica. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.
Day 5
La Paz Waterfalls, Poas Volcano and coffee plantation private tour. First stop is at a local cafe where you will enjoy an authentic Costa Rican-style breakfast. Then visit a third-generation coffee plantation and learn how coffee is picked, milled, ground and roasted. We then continue to Poas Volcano. This crater volcano is one of four active volcanoes in Costa Rica. The crystal-blue sulfur pools will amaze you along with the steam rising from the various volcanic vents. Last stop is La Paz Waterfall Gardens. As you wander the trails of La Paz Waterfall Gardens, your senses will delight at the five waterfalls that line the trail. Originally, the only way you could view the falls was by literally hanging over the side of the mountain, looking through trees and ferns. With the construction of Waterfall Gardens, you have amazing views from platforms above, below and in front of the falls for great photo opportunities. The butterfly observatory is the largest in the world. Spanning the length of a football field and reaching heights of 50 feet, this enclosed structure allows butterflies to soar freely. Your personal tour guide will take you through the butterfly observatory, the hummingbird garden and the waterfall trails. After you hike, you will enjoy a Costa Rican buffet lunch. Entrance fees, transportation and lunch are included. In the afternoon, transfer to your hotel in the Arenal area.
Day 6
Arenal Hanging Bridges. Located within the corridor followed by birds migrating between North and South America, the trails and bridges of this project will bring you as close as you could ever hope to get to the birds, the flowers and the lush vegetation of the primary rain forest. You will be able to walk right into the forest, thanks to the imposing hanging bridges and the beautiful trails that are safe and easy to walk on. In the afternoon, return to your hotel to rest. Around 4 p.m., we will pick you up from the hotel to observe the activities of the great Arenal Volcano: its constant emissions of gases, vapors of water and explosions. We will then go to Tabacon Hot Springs for a fabulous and healing bath. Dinner at Tabacon included.
Day 7
Transfer to San José to take the flight to Managua, Nicaragua. Upon arrival, transfer to Granada. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.
Day 8
Excursion to Granada, one of the oldest cities in the Americas. Granada was founded in 1524 by Spanish captain Francisco Hernandez de Cordoba. Although Granada has been overwhelmed by pirates, destroyed during civil wars and set on fire by the American filibuster William Walker in 1856, it remains one of Nicaragua’s most beautiful cities. You can take a carriage to visit interesting places and appreciate the beautiful architecture of Granada. We will end our trip with a boat ride on the beautiful islands of Lake Nicaragua. Lunch included. Overnight in Granada.
Day 9
Early departure and transfer to San Jorge port. Ferry and excursion on Ometepe Island, for an unforgettable journey to one of the most beautiful places of Nicaragua. The excursion starts by heading toward the southern part of the country, getting to San Jorge where we will take a ferry to Ometepe to enjoy a spectacular view. We will visit places like the pre-Columbian Museum, the Green Puddles lagoon, Volcano Conception and the green Volcano Madera. Lunch will be taken in Santo Domingo beach. Back to the port to take the ferry and transfer to San Juan del Sur.
Day 10
Day of leisure to relax or visit on your own the small fishing town of San Juan del Sur or relax on the beach. Afternoon, transfer to Managua and then to your hotel.
Day 11
Transfer to the airport to take the flight to San Pedro Sula. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.
Day 12
Transfer to Copán, an artistic city during the Mayan age. Visit the Copán Ruins Archaeological Park, with its monumental Hieroglyphic Stairway; the Ball Court (the social center of the Mayan city); the Great Plaza, famous for its estelae and altars, and the tunnels. After the visit to the Museum of Mayan Sculpture, lunch will be served at Nia Lola’s Restaurant (included). Overnight in Copán.
Day 13
In the morning, visit the Copán Museum in the town. In the afternoon, we will go to Hacienda San Lucas, with a magnificent view of the valley. We will then enjoy a delightful and unique dinner with typical Copán flavor (included). Overnight in Copán.
Day 14
Transfer to Antigua Guatemala. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Afternoon, private tour of Antigua Guatemala, known more commonly as La Antigua or just Antigua. It was the Spaniards’ military capital city of Central America for more than 200 years. You will be met at your hotel by a private guide to begin your half-day walking tour of Antigua. It will cover the architectural and historical highlights of this colonial city with a behind-the-scenes look at some of the ruined churches, convents and cathedrals. Entrance fees to the Iglesia San Francisco, the Cathedral, Central Park, and La Merced Church are included. This tour is flexible, and if you have specific sites that you wish to see please let us know.
Day 15
Half-day tour to Santiago Atitlán. You will be picked up from your hotel for a scenic boat ride across the lake, passing by the three impressive volcanoes of Toliman, Atitlán and San Pedro. Upon arrival in Santiago, you will walk with your guide to find the house where the Maya God Maximon resides. Each year, a different “brotherhood” has the privilege of taking care of their God, so his location changes. Once with Maximon, you may see a local shaman performing rituals for local people. If you wish, you can ask your guide to help you hire the services of a shaman to perform a personal ceremony. After visiting Maximon, you will visit the local church and learn about the history of this very traditional town. You will also see the market and learn about the distinctive textiles and primitive art for which the town is famous. Take a ride in a local “flete” (a pickup truck in which passengers stand in the bed) to get to Hotel Posada Santiago for lunch. After lunch, transfer to Antigua for overnight.
Day 16
Early morning, transfer to Guatemala City airport to take the flight to Flores. Upon arrival, visit the impressive and mystical Maya city of Tikal. One of its largest buildings is the Temple of the Two-headed Serpent, which measures up to 70 meters high. From its peak, you can perceive the sounds of the rain forest: more than 300 species of birds, howler monkeys, ocelots, jaguars and toucans. Due to its immense value, Tikal was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1979. Overnight in Peten. Lunch included.
Day 17
Day at leisure. Optional guided canopy tour to Ixpanpajul and sunset tour to Yaxha.
Day 18
Transfer to Palenque and overnight there. Ground transfer from Flores to Palenque takes about 8 to 9 hours.
Day 19
Enjoy a visit to the archeological site of Palenque. Walk through the same paths as the great Mayan Lords, and feel the charm and mystery of this culture. The Mayan site of Palenque is located northwest of the Maya lowlands in Chiapas, Mexico. Surrounded by the jungle, it is considered one of the most important archeological sites of Mesoamerica, a ceremonial center and home to a number of Mayan Lords. There are religious temples, plazas, open courts and a ball court, but most of the structures are palaces. Artifacts discovered at this site tell us about the Mayan Lords and in particular of Pacal, one of the best-known Lords of the Mayan civilization. Overnight in Palenque.
Day 20
We will get back on the road, winding along mountain lanes to San Cristobal de las Casas. On the way, we will visit the Agua Azul waterfalls.
Day 21
Today you will enjoy a half-day tour of the Indian villages of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan. Each village has its own distinctive highland dress as well as a weekly market and numerous festivals honoring patron saints and other special religious days. Afterwards walk through the colonial streets of San Cristobal de las Casas, a jewel right in the heart of the Chiapas highlands. The indigenous soul of the town coexists harmoniously with its colonial charm, making it an enchanting place to visit.
Day 22
Depart San Cristobal de las Casas toward the Tuxtla Gutierrez airport with a private guide. On the way, there is a visit to the enormous Sumidero Canyon where we will enjoy a boat ride. Have an unforgettable experience sailing down the Grijalva River, across a geological fault formed millions of years ago with dramatic cliffs up to one kilometer high and the river’s depth of 100 meters. Transfer to airport for flight to Mérida. Upon arrival in the “white city,” transfer to your hotel.
Day 23
You will enjoy today’s excursion to the wonderful archeological sites of Uxmal and Kabah. Uxmal was probably built around 700 A.D. The rich, green, fertile land provides a perfect setting for some of the most magnificent pyramids, buildings and temples of the ancient Mayan world. You can sense history here as you walk around and gaze at the stunning architecture and layout of this old city. The Piramide del Adivino (the Oracle’s Pyramid) stands majestically above other buildings, and a climb to its summit will reward you with spectacular views of the entire half-square-mile ancient city. Kabah is located south of Uxmal connecting both archeological sites by a grand 18-kilometer-long pedestrian causeway with monumental arches at each end. Kabah is the second largest ruin of the Puuc region, after Uxmal. The most famous structure at the Kabah ruins is the Palacio de las Mascaras (the Palace of the Masks), its facade decorated with hundreds of stone masks of the long-nosed rain god Chaac. The site also has a number of other palaces, low stone buildings, and step-pyramid temples you can discover and enjoy.
Day 24
After breakfast, leave Mérida on your way to the ancient archeological site of Chichen-Itza. The famous Mayan pyramids of Chichen-Itza are more than 1,500 years old. The site is divided into three sections. The north grouping of structures is distinctly Toltec in style. The central group appears to be from the early period. The southern group is known as “The Old Chichén.” You will find a large ball court where Mayan men played a game called pok ta pok, full of symbolism and drama. Overnight in Chichen-Itza.
Day 25
Transfer to the Cancun airport for your flight back home or stay a few nights in a hotel in Cancun or the Riviera Maya.
Mexico and Central America Combined
Ometepe
Gamboa Resort
Antigua
