Travel to Panama Canal; Tours Are All-Inclusive Vacations and Fully Escorted

Itinerary

Day 1 – Panama City, Panama

Welcome to fun, vibrant Panama, home to the Panama Canal, the most important waterway in the world. Take two daytime cruises on the Panama Canal: one through the canal locks and another cruise on Gatun Lake. The Isthmus of Panama links North and South America. See both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. With Caravan you explore rainforests and sandy beaches. Meet friendly native Indians living in the jungle. Caravan provides transfers from Panama’s Tocumen Airport to your hotel for a two night stay. Rooms are available for check in after 4:00 p.m. Join Caravan for an 8:00 p.m. welcome briefing. Dinner is at your hotel. D

Day 2 – Panama Viejo, Miraflores Locks

Morning visit to the ruins of Panama Viejo (Old Panama), the city founded by the Spanish in 1519, as a gateway for gold from the Inca Empire. Next, drive into Casco Viejo for a photo stop at San Jose Church. See the famous Gold Altar, saved from the pirate, Henry Morgan. Both Panama Viejo and Casco Viejo are UNESCO World Heritage sites. Lunch overlooking the Panama Canal Locks. Visit Miraflores Locks and the Canal Museum. Learn about the Canal construction and operation. From Pre-Columbian times to the present day, Panama had a prominent role as the major transit route between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Drive along Panama City’s bay front. See the statue of Vasco Balboa, the first European explorer to cross the Isthmus and view the Pacific Ocean. Enjoy dinner. BLD

Day 3 – Panama Canal Cruise - Gatun Lake

This morning cross the Isthmus to Colon, the Caribbean port at the north end of the Panama Canal. Your short drive of Colon goes by the Free Trade Zone, the largest in the Americas and the Panama Canal Railway Station. Visit Gatun Locks. Gatun is the Atlantic entrance to the Panama Canal. At the visitor center you will learn about the three adjoining locks which raise ships 87 feet above the Caribbean Sea on to the Panama Canal. Lunch. This afternoon enjoy a boat ride on Gatun Lake, the artificial lake which forms part of the Panama Canal. See the lush jungle watershed region of the Panama Canal. Cruise through jungle canals and by hilltop islands, home to a variety of wildlife. See Monkey Island. Enjoy a relaxing two night stay at your resort located in the rainforest. Dinner. BLD

Day 4 – Panama Canal Cruise - Locks Transit

Today an unforgettable adventure as you cruise another portion of the Panama Canal. Cruise by the Bridge of the Americas, pass through Miraflores and Pedro Miguel Locks, cross the Continental Divide. Then wind through the Gaillard Cut to the town of Gamboa. Your small passenger vessel allows for close-up views of the opening and closing of the huge six foot thick steel gates of both the Miraflores and Pedro Miguel Locks. See, at eye-level, how transiting vessels are guided by tugboats and pulled by small trains. (Please note: route may be reversed.) Return to your rainforest resort. This afternoon enjoy a short rainforest hike. Dinner. BLD

Day 5 – Embera Indians, Playa Blanca

This morning, cruise on the Chagres River to visit an Embera Indian village. The Embera inhabit the rainforests of Panama. Look for exotic Embera handicrafts, such as tightly woven palm fiber baskets and carvings made form tagua nuts and the cocobolo tree. Next, cross over the Panama Canal on the Centenario Bridge en route to Playa Blanca. Lunch. Then, a relaxing two night stay on the Pacific Coast. Dinner. BLD

Day 6 – Playa Blanca, El Valle

Morning visit to picturesque El Valle, a town situated in the crater of an immense dormant volcano. Scenic drive of the village’s charming homes. Next, visit a tropical zoo, home to a variety of exotic birds and wildlife. including Panama’s golden frog. Then stop at the local artisan marketplace. Return to your resort for lunch. Afternoon at leisure, enjoy the resort’s sandy beach and swimming pools. Dinner. BLD

Day 7 – Handicrafts, Panama City

This morning return to Panama City via the Bridge of the Americas. Drive the spectacular Amador Causeway which connects Perico, Naos and Flamenco Islands. Enjoy views of Casco Viejo and the stunningly modern Panama City skyline. Panama City is a combination of Manhattan, Miami, and Las Vegas blended with Latin American flavor and style. Lunch on the Causeway. This afternoon visit a Kuna Indian marketplace. Shop for colorful Kuna mola embroidery depicting rainforest animals and marine life. Enjoy a farewell dinner. BLD

Day 8 – Panama City

Your tour ends after breakfast this morning at your hotel. Breakfast begins at 7:00 a.m. Caravan provides transfers to Panama’s Tocumen airport, arriving at 5:30 a.m., 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Thanks for vacationing with Caravan. ¡Hasta la vista! B

Two Daytime Cruises on the Panama Canal
With Caravan, you enjoy two daytime cruises on the Panama Canal. Your Panama Canal Gatun Lake Cruise is one hour by small watercraft. Your Panama Canal Locks Transit Cruise is usually three hours, depending on canal schedules. This is a public vessel so you may be joined by other tourists. The smaller size of the ship allows for unique close-up views of the opening and closing of the six foot thick steel gates of both the Miraflores and Pedro Miguel Locks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is included in the tour price?

Virtually everything! Hotels, all meals, all of the activities described in the itinerary pages, airport transfers, gratuities to hotel porters, restaurant staff and local guides. Caravan’s professional Tour Directors conduct every land tour from start to finish. They are fluent in English, experienced and fun, ensuring a worry free vacation.

What is not included in the tour price?

Prices do not include air travel, country entry or departure fees, airport porters, visas, phone calls, valet, laundry, all items of a personal nature, extra food and beverages not on the regular menu, and tips to the Caravan Tour Director and Driver. General fees and taxes are additional and listed separately beneath each tour’s price.

Can your tours be enjoyed by all age groups?

Usually, you find a mix of different age adult travelers on a Caravan Tour. Most tours will be joined by adults of all ages. Children age five (5) and over are welcome, and children usually join tours offered during Christmas holidays, summer vacation and spring break vacation.

How long will each day be?

A well paced and unhurried itinerary is our goal, after all, you are on vacation! Touring days begin and end at reasonable hours and include frequent stops. While the occasional early morning departure is necessary, we do our best to ensure a leisurely vacation and you will arrive at your hotels between 1:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. each day.

How large will my group be?

Group sizes will vary depending on the reserved rooms at the hotels and lodges and the capacity of the boats and motorcoaches used. Usually, group sizes range from 30 to 44 passengers.

Are meals included?

All meals are included on your Panama tour. Included meals for each tour are listed at the end of each day. Meals are shown by B (breakfast), L (lunch) and D (dinner). Full, buffet, or deluxe continental breakfasts are included everywhere. Bottled water is provided free on the motorcoach and purified water is provided at the meals. Alcoholic beverages are not included unless specified.

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Itinerary

Day 1 – Panama City, Panama

Day 2 – Panama Viejo, Miraflores Locks

Day 3 – Panama Canal Cruise - Gatun Lake

Day 4 – Panama Canal Cruise - Locks Transit

Day 5 – Embera Indians, Playa Blanca

Day 6 – Playa Blanca, El Valle

Day 7 – Handicrafts, Panama City

Day 8 – Panama City