Panama Discovery - Highlands to the Sea

Day 1: Arrive Panama City

On arrival to Tocumen International Airport in Panama City, you will be met by a representative and transferred to your hotel.

Day 2: Chagres River/Embera Indians

Day 3: Jungle Boat Adventure/Miraflores Locks

Early in the morning, you will be picked up at the hotel by a naturalist guide and transferred to the town of Gamboa in the Panama Canal and board a specially-equipped expedition boat. Enjoy the voyage across the Panama Canal, passing by gigantic cargo ships that contrast with the natural surroundings. Along the way, search for sloths and green iguanas resting on tree branches, ospreys, snail kites, toucans, and other bird species. Our comfortable expedition boat travels close enough to Gatun Lake's rainforest-covered islands to afford sightings of white-faced capuchins, howler monkeys, spider monkesy, and the endemic red-napped tamarin. After a picnic lunch, return to Gamboa and drive to the Miraflores Locks Visitors Center to visit multiple exhibits about the canal and to see it in operation. Transfer to the domestic airport of Albrook for the scheduled flight to David, capital of the Chiriqui province. Chiriqui is known as “Panama’s breadbasket” and contains some of the most breathtaking highland scenery in Central America. Travel along the eastern side of the dormant Baru Volcano to the quaint town of Boquete, nestled in a craggy mountain valley with a countryside dotted with flower, fruit, and vegetable farms, coffee plantations, and extraordinary cloud forest environments.

Day 4: Cloud Forest Ziplining/Coffee Tour

Day 5: Continental Divide/Bocas del Toro

Explore the cloud forest of the Baru Volcano National Parl on a morning nature walk. At an elevation of 7,500 feet above sea level, look for the elusive resplendent Quetzal, the three-wattled bellbird, the black-faced solitaire, the volcano hummingbird, the long-tailed silky-flycatcher, and the prong-billed barbet in their cool habitat of orchids, bromeliads, and wild avocados. Hike through lush vegetation and enjoy lunch before you return to your hotel and prepare for the drive to Almirante, Bocas del Toro on the Caribbean side. En route, stop to view the impressive Fortuna Dam and spectacular waterfalls along the Continental Divide. You will be crossing the Palo Seco Protected Area that serves as buffer zone to La Amistad International Park. The transition from the cloud forests to the coral reefs of Bocas del Toro is dramatic. In Almirante, you are met by boat and transferred to Colon Island. There will be ample time this afternoon to enjoy the hammocks on the upstairs deck of the hotel or mingle with the locals in this small friendly town.

Day 6: Bastimentos Marine Park & Village Visit

Depart by boat from the Bocas Inn, traversing the expanse of Bastimentos National Park, Panama’s first marine national park. Reach Salt Creek by navigating through clusters of red mangroves which provide sea creatures with a protective area during their reproductive and development stages. Upon arrival, enjoy a walk along Caiman trail, which meanders through several stages of lowland forest. Look for birds such as the red-throated ant tanager and the golden-collared manakin and mammals such as night monkeys, white-faced capuchins, and three-toed sloths. An older tract of rainforest has tall trees that provide life to birds such as the three-wattled bellbird and the green-breasted mango. A nearby lagoon is home to spectacled caimans and slider turtles. On the ground, look for the tiny endemic poison dart frog, Dendrobates Pumilio. After the hike, enjoy a visit to the indigenous community and a chance to purchase handicrafts such as painted woodcarvings and Ngobe handbags. After this, enjoy lunch. In the afternoon, snorkel among mangroves and coral reefs, searching for numerous fish species, brightly colored sea fans, sponges, and brittle starfish.

Day 7: Boca Del Drago/Panama City

Early in the morning, take a boat ride to Boca del Drago around Colon Island. Weather permitting, visit Swan's Cay, a rock protruding from the depths of the Caribbean Sea, which serves as rookery for red-billed tropic birds (the only place they are found in Panama) and brown boobies. Along the coastline on the return to the lodge, stop for snorkeling at coral reefs and mangrove isles. Back at the lodge, have lunch and prepare for the return flight to Panama City. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel with a stop on the way at the Balboa handicraft market for some last-minute shopping. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 8: Onward

Transfer to Tocumen International Airport for departure flight.