The Path Less Traveled

The Path Less Traveled

Overview / Highlights

5 NIGHTS / 6 DAYS

Panama City, founded in 1519, grew and prospered until pirate Henry Morgan ransacked and burned it to the ground in 1671. A new city, built nearby in Spanish colonial style, served as the city center for centuries until the Panama Canal was opened in 1914, and Panama City started to develop into one of Latin America’s most modern cities and an important banking center. Today one may visit the three cities: Vestiges of the original settlement can still be seen in Panama Vieja. The colonial district, known as Casco Viejo, has retained its charming colonial flavor and architecture, and modern Panama is composed of sleek skyscrapers, wide avenues, and modern hotels. For visitors, however, Panama City remains best known for the famous canal, and is the gateway for canal visits and day boat excursions, as well as Eco-related activities in many parks and reserves bordering the canal. Panama City offers all visitor facilities, and its intense nightlife includes casinos.

Countries

Panama

Cities

Ciudad de Panama, Gamboa, Colon
 

Tour Program Summery Outline

  • Day 1 : Arrival (Panama City)
  • Day 2 : Panama City (Gatun Lake - Portobelo - Colón)
  • Day 3 : Panama City (Show Dinner)
  • Day 4 : Panama City (Partial Canal Transit)
  • Day 5 : Panama City (Chagres River Indigenous Community)
  • Day 6 : Departure
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Features

  • Round Trip International airfare Miami/Panama City
  • 5 nights in Panama City
  • Round trip transfers
  • Panama Canal Railways tour
  • “Panama Viejo” tour

  • Panama by night, dinner and show
  • Flamenco Island tour
  • Chagres River Indigenous Community tour
  • Breakfast daily
  • Locally hosted by English speaking guides
  • All hotel tax and service charges

Interest

Adventure / Cosmopolitan Cities / Culinary / Cultural / Eco Tours / FAMILY ADVENTURES / Flora / Historical


Day 1 Wednesday, Arrival / Panama City

Upon arrival in Panama City, you will be transferred to your downtown hotel. Balance of the day at leisure. Overnight.

Day 2 Thursday, Panama City / Gatun Lake / Portobelo / Colón

In the 16th century Spain’s King Charles I established the legendary Las Cruces Trail, a route across the Panama isthmus mainly to transport plundered Inca gold from the Pacific to the Atlantic coast. Five centuries later, we retrace the trail as we head for history-drenched Portobelo, departure point for galleons bound for the Old World. We will walk in the footsteps of pirates and conquistadors as we inspect narrow colonial streets, ancient forts and the Customs House, where gold was once stacked awaiting shipment to Spain. Our guide will also recount local legends including Sir Francis Drake’s, who died offshore in 1596, and that of the revered Black Christ. In the afternoon, we return by train to Panama City for an unforgettable ride beside the Panama Canal. At the end of this eventful day we will transfer you to Panama City. (B, L)

Day 3 Friday, Panama City / Show Dinner

Panama City is mostly known for the famous Panama Canal, and its international status as one of the world’s leading financial centers. A quick glance at its tumultuous history, however, will show the city is far more than sleek skyscrapers and a canal. On a comprehensive city tour we first visit Panama La Vieja (Old Panama), the city’s original settlement founded by Spanish conquistadores in 1519 and ruthlessly ransacked and burned by the pirate Henry Morgan in 1671. We next drive to Casco Viejo, a location easier to defend where the city was moved after Morgan’s attack. Today Casco Viejo is a polyglot neighborhood of colonial forts, churches, wide cobblestone streets and Old World architecture, mostly constructed during the failed French attempt to build the canal. After touring Casco Viejo, our comprehensive tour wraps up with a visit to Miraflores Locks, where you will watch ships transiting the canal and learn about its fascinating history. As part of the tour you’ll enjoy lunch at a popular restaurant overlooking the canal. Typical show and Evening free. (B,L,D)

Day 4 Saturday, Panama City / Partial Canal Transit

Morning transfer from hotel to Port Amador in Flamenco Island. Enjoy a boat ride navigating the Panama Canal. Take a closer look at the Miraflores and Pedro Miguel Locks. Cruise beside gigantic cargo ships until we reach Gamboa where the Panama Canal Dredging Division has its headquarters and where you will be able to observe the impressive machinery used here to keep the canal in navigable condition. (B, L)

Day 5 Sunday, Panama City / Chagres River Indigenous Community

The Emberas live today much as they did when the first European set foot in Panama, five centuries ago. Some groups of Emberas have settled along the shores of the Chagres River, in the heart of a lush rainforest. An easy ride on motorized canoes will bring us to Embera Drua village, where we will be greeted with music and dance. We will spend a day with this gentle, friendly people, learning their history and customs, body painting, ritual dances and handcrafts. You may also join a boat excursion in search of wildlife or take an easy hike to a nearby waterfall where you can swim. We will have a typical Embera lunch, and then you may purchase some beautiful hand-made baskets or wood and tagua (a seed) carvings before returning to the resort.

Day 6 Tuesday, Departure

After breakfast we transfer to the International Airport for your return flight home. (B)

Remarks

Not included: