Wonders of Panama
13 Days / 12 Nights

From $1,950 per person Double Occupancy

In June 2009, the people of Panama have elected 10 wonders of their country – one in each of the nine provinces plus the indigenous people which are considered wonder number 10. This itinerary combines nine of the ten natural and cultural wonders and takes you to those places the Panamanians want you to see. Off the beaten path, this program is a true and authentic Panama experience.

Day 2 - Bayano Lake Caving Tour

After breakfast your English speaking guide will pick you up at your hotel and drive with you to the Kuna village of Madugandi on the shores of Lake Bayano, the elected wonder of the Panama Province. The indigenous people of Panama, among them the Kuna, are also considered one of the ten wonders, as they enrich the country’s cultural diversity.

Lake Bayano is an artificial lake built in 1979. For its construction, wide areas - among them several Kuna villages – have been flooded. However, today the Kuna live around the lake and live on fishing. The highlight of Lake Bayano are its impressive caves.

Upon arrival to Lake Bayano you will step into a small boat and navigate to the entrance of the caves on the other side of the lake. Once at the caves the adventure begins. You will immediately feel the adrenaline rushing as you walk deep into the heart of Mother Earth. The underground river in combination with spectacular Limestone formations makes this adventure unique and fun for everybody. After a couple of hours of caving excitement, you will go back to the daylight and break for lunch. In the afternoon you can relax in an open area surrounded by huge formations, gorgeous forests and a lagoon, where everyone is invited for a swim.

Overnight at the Country Inn & Suites Amador, breakfast included.

Day 4 - Panama City – Rental Car – Pedasi

A representative of Panama Trails will visit you at your hotel to give you a briefing on how to drive in Panama. Afterwards, your rental car, a Hyundai Elantra (or similar) will be delivered directly to your hotel.

You now start your self-drive adventure in Panama. Cross the famous Bridge of the Americas and drive on the Panamerican Highway along the Pacific Ocean. Your destination for today is Pedasi, a small village on the Azuero Peninsula. On the way there, you will be able to visit three more wonders of Panama. The population of the central provinces of Panama is very traditional and religious. So it doesn’t surprise, they voted churches as wonders of their Province.

In Nata, Cocle Province, you will stop to visit the “Basilica de Santiago Apostol”, the oldest church on the American continent. Built in 1522, the basilica is considered Panama’s most important religious building from Colonial times.

As you continue towards the Azuero Peninsula, you will pass through the village of Parita. The village’s church, wonder of the Herrera Province, is considered a great example of baroque architecture in Panama.

Just a short drive further down the peninsula, you can visit a third church: “Santa Librada de Las Tablas”, the wonder of the Los Santos province. This church has also been declared a National Monument thanks to its long history and its precious baroque architecture.

From Las Tablas its just a few more minutes to the village of Pedasi on the southeastern tip of the Azuero Peninsula. This region is the folkloric heart of Panama. The locals have a passion for what they call, "cultura tipica". Here they stitch the national costume - brightly colored, multi-layered, ruffled skirts, "pollera" and make the myriad hued papier-mache masks worn at festivals. This is an arid cowboy ranching region edged by empty Pacific beaches.

Overnight at Casita Margarita, breakfast included.

Day 6 - Pedasi - Boquete

Today you will visit the next two wonders of Panama. In the Province of Veraguas you will visit the quaint village of San Francisco, just above Santiago. The local church is another great example of Central American Baroque architecture. The series of altars have been beautifully restored just a few years ago so churchgoers and tourists alike can enjoy the magical place.

Continuing on the Panamerican Highway towards David is one of the most picturesque drives in the entire country. Beautiful landscapes, cattle farms, quaint villages – this road offers it all. In the Chiriqui Province you will visit the natural wonder “Los Cangilones de Gualaca”. This special rock formation in the Esti River forms big pools that look as if they were manmade. The formations resulted from the last eruption of Baru Volcano – thousands of years ago. The perfect shapes and the crystal clear water of the Esti River invite you to have a swim at this special place.

From Gualaca you will continue towards Boquete, one of the country’s major outdoor and active destination.

Overnight at the Panamonte Inn & Spa, breakfast included.

Day 8 - Boquete – David – Bocas del Toro

After breakfast, drive down to David where you will return your rental car at the domestic airport. Then, you will enjoy a spectacular transfer over the continental divide to Panama’s Caribbean Coast. A short boat ride will bring you to the archipelago of Bocas del Toro.

Overnight at the Bocas Inn, breakfast included.

Day 10 - Bocas del Toro

Free day in Bocas del Toro. Visit one of the beaches of the archipelago, enjoy the laid-back atmosphere of the town or book an optional tour.

Overnight at the Bocas Inn, breakfast included.

Day 12 - Panama City - Departure

After breakfast you will be transferred to the Tocumen Airport for your international flight back home.

• Meet & Greet at the airport
• 5 Nts at Country Inn & Suites Amador (B)
• 2 Nts at Casita Margarita (B)
• 2 Nts at Panamonte (B)
• 3 Nts at Bocas Inn (B)
• Bayano Lake Caving Tour
• Panama Canal Railway & San Lorenzo Fort Tour
• Bird Island Tour
• Embera Indian Village Tour
• 5 days of car rental (Hyundai Elantra or similar)
• Basic mandatory car insurances
• One-way rental fee
• Local flight in economy class
• Ground transfers on A/C motor coaches.

• Airport Departure Tax (US$ 20.00 per person - usually included in airfare

• Tourist Card (US$ 5.00 for certain nationalities)

• Optional tours

• Room upgrades

• Meals not mentioned

• Beverages

• All extras in the hotels

• Voluntary tips & gratuities

• All rates are in USD per person in the indicated occupancy.
• Prices are per person double occupancy
• A minimum of 2 Persons is required to book this package.
• Domestic flights & boat transfers have a luggage restriction of 25 pounds per person.
• Children rate applies for children under the age of 12 sharing a room with 2 paying adults. Rates are subject to change.

01 Nov, 2009 to 31 Oct, 2010

$1950 p/p

$600 p/p