Itinerary
Panama's Natural and Cultural History
7-night, All-Inclusive Tour
Day 1
Arrival, Orientation & Canopy Tower Observation Deck
Upon arrival at the airport, you will be met by our driver who will transfer you to the Canopy Tower, located at the top of Semaphore Hill in the rainforest of Soberanía National Park. A member of our staff will greet you as you arrive at the Tower, and you will be provided with an orientation on the use of the facilities. At this time we will answer any questions you may have. As your luggage is being ferried to your room, you may visit the dining/bar area and enjoy a refreshing drink. We highly recommend that you spend some time on the Observation Deck. The view from the platform is incredible! Here, you get a unique eye-level perspective of the rainforest canopy. Many birds, including Toucans, parrots, tanagers of various types, hawks, and dozens of others, as well as 2 species of sloths, monkeys and other mammals are commonly seen. From this vantage point you can also see ships transiting the Panama Canal, the majestic Centennial Bridge and miles of rainforest! You may also want to watch the hummingbird feeders at the base of the Tower for Long-billed Hermit, White-necked Jacobin, Violet-bellied & Blue-chested Hummingbirds and White-vented Plumeleteer. Occasionally, a Snowy-bellied Hummingbird is spotted! Dinner at CANOPY TOWER.
Day 2
AM: Birding Canopy Tower & Old Panamá
At 6:30 am your guide will be waiting for you at the Observation Deck for early morning birding. Sunrise is the most active period of the day for birds, so you will not want to miss the impressive show! While you look for birds you can enjoy hot coffee and orange juice. Some of the bird species that we are likely to see from the observation deck are Green & Red-legged Honeycreepers, Green Shrike-Vireo, Blue Cotinga, Scaled Pigeon, Mealy & Red-lored Parrot, Keel-billed Toucan, Collared Araçari, flycatchers and many others. After breakfast you will depart for a tour of the major historical sights of Old Panamá City. The old city, Panamá La Vieja, was founded in 1519 by Pedro Arias Davila and burned in 1671 by the infamous pirate, Henry Morgan. You’ll visit the ruins and the museum, which contains exhibits of the pre-Hispanic and Colonial times. There is also a scale model of Old Panama City as it looked during this time. It was the largest and most important city on the entire Pacific Coast of the Americas. For lunch, we will enjoy typical Panamanian fare at a local restaurant.
PM: Colonial Panamá City & Interoceanic Museum
After lunch, you continue to the newly designated (2003) World Heritage Site, Casco Antiguo, which was originally built and settled in 1671 after the destruction of Panama Viejo by Morgan. Casco Antiguo, also called San Felipe, was constructed as a walled city on a peninsula to protect its settlers against another siege such as that suffered in Panama Viejo. We also visit beautiful historical churches, the Heron's Palace (Palacio de las Garzas, the home of the President of Panamá), Plaza de Francia, Independence Plaza, National Theater and others. You’ll take some time to visit the Museo Interoceanico. This old building was once the Grand Hotel and later the French Canal headquarters. The museum gives you a good understanding why the isthmus is the center of world trade. It also explains the effect the isthmus and the canal have on Panamanian identity, as well as information on the construction of the Canal. Dinner at CANOPY TOWER.
Day 3
AM: Panama Rainforest Discovery Center
The Panama Rainforest Discovery Center is an ecotourism and environmental education facility created and administered by Fundación Avifauna Eugene Eisenmann. It is located on Pipeline Road in the tropical forests surrounding the Panama Canal, in Soberanía National Park. The center contains several attractions:, including a 100-foot tall observation tower, with 4 rest platforms, each stopping at a different layer of the rainforest. There is also a 1.1 kilometer circuit of well-maintained forest trails. The Visitor Center has several hummingbird feeders—attracting species that may be photographed easily—, bathrooms and a small gift shop. Afterward, we return to the Canopy Tower to enjoy lunch.
PM: Summit Nature Park & Harpy Eagle Exhibit
Summit Nature Park-Panama is a center for recreation, education, conservation and investigation dedicated to reflect and enhance Panama’s tropical and cultural diversity. There is a small zoo where you can get a better look at King Vultures, Great Curassows and four species of macaws, as well as Jaguar, Spider Monkeys, and a host of other mammals. The botanical gardens are great for migratory warblers and other forest-edge species, and Blue Cotingas have been found here too. The Harpy Eagle is Panama's national bird, and this park is the site of the Harpy Eagle Exhibit, sponsored by SONY Corp. You may view a video about this magnificent raptor. A life-size nest and several interpretive panels, which trace the importance of the Harpy Eagle in Panamanian history and culture dating back to Pre-Columbian times, are on display. There are also two Harpys in a gigantic aviary. Dinner at CANOPY TOWER
Day 4
AM: Amador Causeway/BioMuseo/Punta Culebra Nature Ctr.
You’ll start with some early birding at the Canopy Tower Observation Deck. After breakfast, you’ll depart to the Amador Causeway, a road that connects four small islands: Naos, Culebra, Perico and Flamenco, with the mainland near the foot of the Bridge of the Americas at the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal. You will have beautiful views of the Bay of Panama and the impressive skyline of Panama City. Our first stop will be at the construction site of the BioMuseo. This museum will celebrate Panama’s extraordinary biodiversity and this visit will give you a new appreciation of Panama's natural wealth. The building was designed by world-renowned architect Frank Gehry. We next visit the Punta Culebra Nature Center. Punta Culebra Nature Center is a non-profit initiative of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI). It offers visitors an open-air museum, focusing mainly on marine science and education, conservation and interpretation of marine coastal environments. Some of the attractions include nature trails across a tropical dry forest, open-air historic and interpretative displays and sea life exhibits depicting the magnificent biodiversity of Panamanian coastal ecosystems.
PM: Miraflores Locks Museum
We enjoy lunch at the museum restaurant with a chance of seeing huge tanker ships negotiate the locks at Miraflores! The Miraflores Locks Museum features an ample, fully equipped theater, three observation terraces and four exhibition halls. The exhibits include historic pieces, video presentations, models of plants & animals encountered & fossils unearthed, models of the Panama Canal, and objects used in Canal operations.
•The History Hall portrays the background, technological innovations and sanitary initiatives that went hand in hand with the construction of the Canal. This exhibition hall honors the men and women who made this achievement possible.
•The Hall of Water emphasizes the importance of water, conservation of the environment, biodiversity and protection of the Canal Watershed.
•The Canal in Action depicts how the Canal operates and allows us the experience of being inside a navigation simulator at one of the lock culverts. A virtual ocean-to-ocean transit is also made possible through the use of a topographical model. This exhibition showcases Canal improvement, modernization and maintenance projects.
•The Canal in the World provides information on the importance of the Canal to world trade; describes the trade routes it serves; and identifies its main users, the various types of vessels that transit the waterway and the commodities they carry. In addition, it presents an overview of studies conducted in order to guarantee the future competitiveness of the Canal and the benefits to the Republic of Panamá. Dinner at the Canopy Tower.
Day 5
Barro Colorado Island FULL DAY
After an express breakfast we drive to the marina where you board a boat to Barro Colorado Island (BCI). BCI is a 1,500-hectare island sanctuary administered by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) and is the primary site for visiting scientists from around the world to study the dynamics of a Neotropical lowland moist tropical forest! Together with five adjacent peninsulas, BCI forms the 5,400-hectare Barro Colorado Natural Monument, which is located in the middle of the Panama Canal. Established in April 17, 1923, BCI has been administered by the Smithsonian since 1946. Lunch at BCI. You’ll return to the CANOPY TOWER around 4:30 pm, well before dinner time.
Day 6
Panamá Canal Partial Transit FULL DAY
You’ll start with early morning birding at the Canopy Tower observation deck. After breakfast we proceed to the Marina in Gamboa to board the Pacific Queen for your partial transit of the Panama Canal, which includes transiting Pedro Miguel and Miraflores Locks. You’ll experience at first hand the operation of the canal itself. Lunch on board! We return to the tower around 4:00 pm. Dinner at the CANOPY TOWER.
Day 7
Fort San Lorenzo/Panamá Canal Railway FULL DAY
Today we have an early morning departure to the Caribbean coast of Panama, with a quick stop at the Gatun Locks. Once at Fort San Lorenzo you immediately realize why the fort was built by the Spanish: It sits high on a cliff overlooking both the Atlantic Ocean and the entrance to the Chagres River, a perfect defensive position. The fort was captured in 1671 by Privateersman Henry Morgan for access to get to Panama City! You’ll enjoy a picnic lunch amidst the ancient ruins of Fort San Lorenzo. In the afternoon, we’ll drive back to Colón to the Panama Canal Railroad Station. In 1855 the Panama Canal Railroad became the first transcontinental railroad and was built to accommodate the vast number of "49ers" heading to California during the California Gold Rush of 1849. Additionally, the Panama Canal would have been impossible to build without the Panama Railroad; also the railroad was instrumental in helping Panamá gain independence from Colombia. We embark on the historic Panamá Canal Railroad, and during our 47-mile, 1-hour return, we look for Snail Kites (often 10 or more!), Limpkins & others from our luxury, air-conditioned railway car. Dinner at CANOPY TOWER.
Day 8
Breakfast & Good-byes
After breakfast, and after one last look from the Observation deck for lasting memories, we take you to the airport for your international flight home.
