Panama Adventure in the Neotropics

Itinerary

November 18 - 26, 2023

Day 1: Arrival Panama City

Upon arrival you will be met by a company representative and transferred to a comfortable hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore Panama City. In the evening, we'll go over the itinerary discussing the adventure that lies ahead.

Day 2: Soberania National Park – Pipeline Trail (Biking)

This morning we head to Gamboa and the Soberania National Park to bike along the Pipeline Trail. We’ll spend approximately 4 hours cycling along steamy jungle trails that are shaded under giant tropical trees. This area is renowned for some of the best biking and bird watching in all of Panama, so keep your eyes peeled for the many exotic species. We’ll make it back to the van in time for a picnic lunch and then head to the Panama Canal in the afternoon to watch the steady stream of big ships passing through the locks. Overnight in Panama City. (B,L)

Day 3: Embera Village – Boquete (Hiking)

We start early this morning. From the hotel, we'll drive for 1.5 hours to the port of El Corotu on Lake Alajuela. From here our Embera guides from the village of Tusipono, will pick us up in their handmade dug out canoes. Our journey by canoe travels through the rainforest of Chagres National Park, which is the largest of the National Parks protecting the Panama Canal Watershed. Upon arrival at the Embera village we will be greeted with dancing and music. We’ll learn about the Embera customs and their relationship with nature. There will be handicrafts available for sale and we’ll have a chance to be painted with the traditional jagua, a natural dye the Embera use to adorn their bodies. After a traditional lunch of fish, plantain, and fresh fruit, we’ll hike for about three hours to a nearby waterfall where we can take a dip in the crystal-clear waters of the Chagres River before heading back to Panama City. We will then transfer to the domestic airport for a flight to David. Upon arrival we’ll transfer to a comfortable hotel in Boquete. (B,L)

Day 4: Boquete (Biking & Zip-Lining)

We start the morning with a good breakfast and then hit the trails for a short hike into the forest for a dose of adrenaline on a canopy tour. We'll glide through the treetops of century-old forests, high above the pristine rivers and waterfalls that make up the incredible collection of natural landscapes bordering the National Park La Amistad and the famous Baru Volcano. After a picnic lunch, we will get on our bikes for a short downhill ride to Boquete. We’ll pass by coffee farms, rivers, waterfalls and plantation fields. Overnight at same hotel in Boquete. (B,L)

Days 5 & 6: Gulf of Chiriqui (Sea Kayaking & Snorkelling)

After an early morning breakfast we drive to Pedregal to begin our 2-day sea kayak adventure. We start by covered motorboat first, for a one-hour journey to the Golfo de Chiriqui. We'll motor past twisted mangroves, coral reefs, white sand beaches and uninhabited islands. If we're lucky we'll encounter playful dolphins along the way. These protected waters of Panama are teeming with marine life! Upon arrival on our deserted island we'll have lunch and take a bit of time to relax in hammocks while our guides set up camp. In the afternoon we'll head out for a group paddle and also have plenty of time for snorkeling in the turquoise seas. For those interested in fishing, there will be dusk and dawn opportunities. On day 5, we'll spend the night in tents, camping beneath brilliant skies filled with stars. We'll return to Boquete around 5pm on Day 6 and check back into our same Boquete hotel. (B,L,D on Day 5 and B,L on Day 6)

Day 7: Quetzal Trail - Cerro Punta (Hiking)

Considered one of the most gorgeous paths in Central America, the Quetzals Trail is one of the most popular hikes in Panama's western highlands. Located within the Volcan Baru National Park, the “Sendero de los Quetzales” links the towns of Guadalupe, which is near Cerro Punta on the west side of the Volcano, with the town of Boquete which is on its east. Hiking the 9.6 kms/6 miles of this trail will take us from 5 to 7 hours. The park is abundant with native wildlife including over a hundred species of birds, including the Resplendent Quetzal, howler and white face monkeys and sloths. Overnight at hotel in Cerro Punta. (B,L)

Day 8: Amistad National Park - Panama City (Hiking)

This morning we’ll transfer to La Amistad National Park. We’ll hike along the trails of Las Nubes. There are over 100 species of mammals, including many primates like the howler monkey and black handed spider monkeys, tapir, olingo and shrew. We’ll hike for three hours wandering through secondary forest, crossing rustic bridges that wind through bamboo groves. We’ll stop at a 45 meter waterfall and refresh in its natural swimming hole. Late afternoon, we'll transfer back to David to catch a domestic flight back to Panama City. Upon arrival, we'll be met and transferred back to our comfortable hotel in Panama City. The remainder of the night is free to enjoy the city nightlife. (B,L)

Day 9: Panama City - Departure

You'll be transferred to the international airport for your flight back home. (B)

Per person pricing based on twin share: $ 4,470 CAD / $ 3,199 USD

Additional Information

Trip Includes

• All accommodation (twin shared), 8 nights hotel, 1 night tent
• Airport transfers
• Bikes, rafting gear, snorkel equipment
• Internal transportation including two internal flights
• Meals as indicated (b-breakfast, l-lunch d-dinner)
• Veteran guides

Not Included

• Departure taxes
• Gratuities
• Items of personal nature