409 Ringaskiddy Cr,
Floresville, TX 78114
Phone: 210.232.7527
Fax: 830.393.4895
travel@journeysunique.com
Creating Journeys as unique as you are!
Specializing in Central/South America, Australia, New Zealand,
All Inclusives and Honeymoons
Panama, an Odyssey
14 Days / 13 Nights
From $3018.75 per person Double Occupancy
Like Odysseus in ancient Greece, you will explore unspoiled spots in Panama; all of an outstanding gorgeousness: from the historic city to the stunning San Blas Islands and the tropical rainforest of Gamboa. The most varied selection of Panamanian destinations has been combined in this package |
Day 1 - Arrival in Panama City Upon arriving to Panama, you will be greeted at the airport and transferred to a city hotel by one of our representatives. |
Day 2 - Metropolitan Park Hike & Historic City Tour After breakfast, today's program will take you to a guided tour through a nature trail at the Metropolitan Natural Park. Afterwards, you will visit The Old Panama, founded in 1519. This city was attacked and looted by an English buccaneer, Henry Morgan. Following the history of the city, the tour continues at the once walled city called Old Quarter or Casco Antiguo. The second Panama City was founded 10 kilometers away from The Old Panama in 1673. Nowadays, the Old Quarter is known for its Spanish fortifications, colonial buildings and several churches, plus several boutique hotels and good restaurants. |
Day 3 - Trans-isthmus train ride and Caribbean Forts* In the morning, you will get to the Atlantic coastline in Colon by train. It will be an ocean-to-ocean route along the Panama Canal, with scenic views of this engineering masterpiece. The railroad passes through the water over causeways that connect small islands in the artificial lake, with amazing views. You will have the chance to catch a glimpse of monkeys, crocodiles and toucans during the way. Upon arriving to Colon, you will stopover at San Lorenzo and Portobelo fortresses. At the end of the tour, you will return to Panama City by train. |
Day 4 - San Blas Islands The day starts early in the morning. You will take a 30-minute flight to the San Blas Archipelago on the Caribbean coast. After your arrival, you will be taken by a motorized dugout canoe to a charming lodge owned by the Kuna Indians. You will have the chance to get to know the principal Kuna community and how the live. Fresh seafood will be served on both lunch and dinner. |
Day 5 - San Blas Islands Today you will enjoy a visit to the adjacent islands of the Kuna community. The Kuna traditions and culture have been kept almost untouched by Western influences. Later, in the afternoon, you will have the opportunity to get a beautiful suntan on the enchanting beaches or you may go snorkeling to the coral reefs nearby, and observe the magnificent marine world. |
Day 6 - San Blas to Chiriquí Highlands You will fly back to Panama City early in the morning; followed by a connecting flight to David, the second biggest city of the country, located in the western province of Chiriqui. Upon arriving, you will be transferred to the picturesque mountain town of Cerro Punta, your temporary home for the next two nights. |
Day 7 - Barilles The program for today starts at Barriles, an archaeologist site with a collection of pre-Columbian petroglyphs (cave pictures similar to logograms). You may visit the small museum and the exhibits located in the flower filled garden, dotted with boulders and several carved stones. Later, you will enjoy a pleasing drive through racehorse lands to stopover at the Latin America's best orchid farms, featuring more than 2000 different types from all over the world. |
Day 8 - Los Quetzales Trail to Boquete Early in the morning, you will be taken on a guided tour to the first part of Los Quetzales Trail, up to the initial ranger station, where you will have lovely view. Possibly, you may have the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the amazing Quetzal and some other species of birds and mammals. Soon after, you will be taken by road to Boquete. In case you want to do the full hike, you may do so. Your baggage will be sent to the Panamonte Hotel, where you will be spending the next two nights. |
Day 9 - Boquete Get to know Boquete, stopover at a coffee farm and the rock formations in Los Ladrillos. Here you will find one of the best places in the world for coffee grown. You will learn about the procedure for growing, harvesting and roasting the coffee bean. You may observe rock formations of the Baru Volcano last eruption, an amazing experience for an amateur geologist. The inactive Baru Volcano is the highest mountain in Panama, with 3,474 meters of elevation. |
Day 10 - Boquete to Gamboa Take advantage of the morning at leisure. Relax yourself with the tranquil ambiance of the hotel's garden before your departure flight to Panama City. After your arrival to the city, you will be transferred by road to Gamboa Rainforest Resort, which will be your base for the next three nights. |
Day 11 - Gatún Lake & Chagres River You will experience a boat ride on the artificial Gatun Lake, where you can observe the flora and fauna on the various small islands of the lake. You may see species like caimans, terrestrial turtles, green iguanas, capuchin monkeys, two-toed sloths and several species of birds. Spend the afternoon at leisure. Later, during the evening, you will start an adventure through the Chagres River, where you may catch a glimpse of caimans, two-toed sloths and capybaras (the largest rodent in the world). |
Day 12 - Soberanía National Park, Pipeline Road & Miraflores Locks Early in the morning, you will visit the Rainforest Discovery Center, where you will enjoy a panoramic view from a canopy tower, of a semi-deciduous forest right in the middle of the Soberania National Park. You may see different varieties of birds high up in the canopy. There is also a good chance to observe wildlife on the Pipeline Road. Later, you will stopover the Panama Canal Visitors Center, a unique place to see the enormous vessels while they are lifted or lowered a total of 16 meters through the Miraflores Locks, plus the exhibits in the museum, showing the history of the Canal. |
Day 13 - Partial Canal Transit & El Valle de Antón A day full of adventure! You will experience a partial transit of the extraordinary Panama Canal, and will submerge into history. Observe huge cargo ships, while cruising through scenic nature, and get information about the Canal history, operation and the current expansion process. Enjoy the stunning views of lush and the tropical rainforest along the way. At the end of the tour, you will be driven by road to the charming village of El Valle, a popular tranquil retreat on the crater of an extinct volcano. |
Day 14 - El Valle de Antón to Panama City, Departure In the morning, you will start the day exploring the local attractions by foot: the lovely waterfalls, the petroglyphs (cave pictures similar to logograms) and the handcraft market. Later, you will enjoy a farewell lunch (included) at La Casa de Lourdes, a charming restaurant with striking views of the Gaital Mountain. Soon after, you will be transferred back to Panama City, to either continue with additional journeys in Panama or fly back home. |
| Prices Include: | Prices don’t include: | Notes: |
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| Pricing: | Single: | Double: | Triple | Child |
01 Nov, 2009 to 31 Oct, 2010 |
$3,818.75 | $3,018.75 p/p | $1,518.75 p/p |