Day 1
Thursday
Upon arrival in Panama City, private transfer to your hotel.
Day 2
Friday
Mini-hiking and aerial tram ride: 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 bird watchers 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 be taken into an aerial tram that takes you 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 one finds an 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. Afterward, you will be transferred back to your hotel. The tour includes transportation, entrance fee to Soberania National Park and water. Overnight at Gamboa Resort.
Day 3
Pick up from Gamboa for a Partial Canal Transit
Your trip departs from the Flamenco Marina, and you will travel from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic. You will be able to admire the Bay of Panama and Panama City's 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 Locks 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 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 ("culebra" in Spanish) and is one of the main points of interest for visitors because it was carved through the Continental Divide. 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 Flamenco Pier.
Note: Exact itinerary may vary depending on where the transit starts.
Day 4
Sunday
Tour to Anton Valley
Tour to Anton Valley in the province of Cocle, 600 meters above sea level and believed to be the crater of an ancient volcano. Visit the residential area, the Macho Waterfall, the thermal poles and the Nispero Farm where you can watch the famous golden frogs. Afterward we will have a typical lunch (included) at a local restaurant. El Valle de Anton is one of the most colorful areas of Panama.
The tour will take you to the Indian market where local artisans and Indians bring their handicrafts, plants and vegetable products to sell. There, you can find fine and wonderful hand-made woodcarvings, soapstone sculptures, seashells, souvenirs, leather goodies and much more.
Later, visit the Indian petroglyphs, where ancient inhabitants left their messages—still a mystery for our modern culture. Also, admire the India Dormida Mountan, so called because of its resemblance to a sleeping Indian woman. Finally, visit El Nispero, a zoo that cares for some of the endemic species after they were found injured in the forest. This zoo also has a unique collection of orchids. Here, you will admire the golden frogs and the squared trees, both endangered species. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. Return to Panama late in the afternoon.
Optional: At El Valle you can take the Canopy Tour, which consists on a steel cable system that runs through the canopy of the forest, above Chorro del Macho (waterfall). There, using special harnesses you go through the forest, safely jumping from tree to tree. This activity costs an additional $40. This is an outdoor activity in the tropics, so light clothes, swimming suit, insect repellent, hat, sunscreen and comfortable shoes are recommended.
Day 5
Monday
Early morning transfer to the airport to take a short flight to the tropical islands of San Blas, also known as Kuna Yala. San Blas is one of the most fascinating places in Panama. It is an archipelago of 356 islands in the Caribbean Sea, of which 51 are inhabited by an indigenous Kuna tribe.
This territory includes a wide trip of virgin tropical forest, as well as beautiful coral reefs teeming with marine life. The most impressive part of the islands are the Kuna people, who only recently opened their home to tourism and live true to their colorful traditions. You will spend a night on the islands in a Kuna operated lodge, with daily activities such as snorkeling, fishing, visiting the local communities, diving, canoe trips, hikes in the forest, and beach time! All activities and meals are included.
Day 6
Tuesday
Return to Panama City. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.
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 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 7
Wednesday
Historic Portobelo tour
Between the 17th and 19th centuries, the Port of Portobelo served as a Spanish fortress and Caribbean terminal. Products such as species, gold and silver coming from Peru and other Spanish colonies passed through to the Pacific side by way of a trail called the Royal Path across the isthmus, to await ships to transport them to Spain. Portobelo was the victim of various pirate attacks, the best known being that by Henry Morgan. In 1671, Morgan and his men routed 1,500 poorly trained Spanish soldiers, took more than 100,000 pounds of stolen goods and treasures, and then burned Panama City to the ground. The small island of Drake, where his remains are located, is another attraction. We will visit all the ruins of the colonial port, the customhouse where the treasures and gold were stored and Portobelo Church, where the famous Black Christ statue rests, before taking a boat tour around the bay. A celebration to commemorate the Black Christ, which is venerated throughout the country, is held every October 21. Lunch included (with no drinks).
Day 8
Thursday
Transfer to the airport to take the flight to Cartagena. Upon arrival, transfer to you hotel. Cartagena is the fifth largest city in Colombia and an important port city on the Caribbean coast. After numerous pirate attacks during the colonial era, a wall was built to surround the historic city center and protect its inhabitants. Cartagena is now a popular tourist destination that retains its colonial architecture and charm. Afternoon Old Town Walk Guided walk along the walled old town, watching the streets, churches, colonial houses with their balconies, the Museum that was the residence of the five times president of the Republic, Rafael Nuñez; the Santa Catalina bastion, the craftsmanship place at Las Bovedas (The Dungeons) where you will find handmade souvenirs.
Day 9
Friday
Day at leisure in Cartagena. We recommend a full day tour to Rosario Island (South of the Bay of Cartagena). These Islands are a National Natural Park with a group of coral islands surrounded by a crystal clear sea, the habitat of a great variety of marine fauna.
Day 10
Saturday
After breakfast, private transfer to Tayrona National Park in Santa Marta and check-in to the Ecohabs (5 hours). Afternoon at leisure to enjoy Tayrona National Park. Tayrona National Park is located on Colombia's northern Atlantic coast near Santa Marta. It is an idyllic expanse of land and sea that is well-known for the wide variety of wildlife that can be seen throughout this stunning part of the country.
Day 11
Sunday
Day at leisure to relax on the beach or for optional excursions in the area such as a walk to Pueblito, snorkeling and horseback riding. An excellent representation of the Tayrona's ingenuity is in Pueblito which contains many bridges, canals, terraces and ceramics that were created by the Tayrona.
Day 12
Monday
Morning transfer to Santa Marta airport to take the flight back to Bogota. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Bogota has a combination of influences: Spanish, Indian and African, which create a diverse and rich culture heritage. With an intense and vibrant intellectual and social life, this modern city provides travelers with a unique look in the heart of Colombian culture.
Day 13
Tuesday
Visit to the famous Gold Museum, the Museo del Oro which houses 30,000 gold objects and 20,000 in stone, ceramic, textiles and precious stones of the Quimbaya, Calima, Tairona, Sinu, Muisca, Tolima, Tumaco and Magdalena cultures. The Museo del Oro has the most important collection of its kind worldwide. Our tour continues to the historic center known as La Candelaria where the center square is Plaza Bolivar. The square named for the statue in the center of Simón Bolívar. La Candelaria, the oldest part of the city, boasts grand houses of profound Spanish influence with iron windows, thick wooden doors, balconies and internal patios that hide beautiful gardens. Once we leave this area we will continue on to Quinta de Bolivar, the country house of Simon Bolivar. Set at the foot of Cerro de Monserrate, with magnificent surrounding gardens, the museum is filled with documents, letters, maps, uniforms and personal possessions that help to piece together events in his life. We travel by cable car up to 10,500 feet, top of the Mountain that looks over Bogotá.
Note: Museums closed on Monday.
Day 14
Wednesday
We take the Pan American highway north towards Zipaquirá, traveling across the central region of the savanna, passing some typical villages villages to reach Zipaquirá where the Salt Cathedral is located. The Salt Cathedral is an impressive work of engineering. The visit begins in a tunnel that exhibits the fourteen stations of the Way of the Cross and leads to the dome where you can observe the great cross sculpted in low relief. You finally arrive at the three naves of the cathedral joined by openings that represent the birth and death of Christ. The central nave houses the main altar, a 16 meter cross, and the Creation of Man, a marble statue by the sculptor Carlos Enrique Rodríguez.
Day 15
After the breakfast, transfer to the airport to take your flight home.
Mexico, Central, South America Combined
Panama Canal
The Walled City in Cartagena
Tayrona National Park
