|
Morning visit to ruins of Panama Viejo (Old Panama), the city founded by the Spanish in 1519 as a getaway for gold from the Inca Empire. The Isthmus of Panama links North and South America. Panama Viejo is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Drive along Panama City's bay front. Photoshop at Balboa statue. Lunch. Visit Miraflores Locks and learn about the Canal construction and operation. Dinner. (B,L,D)
Enjoy views of the Caribbean Coast on your morning drive to visit the sleepy fishing village of Portobello. Stroll the restored Portobello Fort, built by the Spaniards in the 16th century to guard their treasure fleets against pirate attacks. Portobello is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit Portobello's old Custom House. See the famous Black Christ statue at nearby San Felipe Church. Enjoy lunch. Afternoon arrival in Colon for a two night stay on the Caribbean Coast. Enjoy dinner. (B,L,D)
This morning cruise the Piedras River deep  into the jungle to visit an Embera Indian Village. Look for different species of colorful birds and playful monkeys. The Embera inhabits the rainforests of Panama and live in simple thatched huts. Watch native dancers as they perform in their traditional clothing. Embera makes exotic handicrafts from tagua nuts and palm fibers. After lunch, visit Gatun Locks. Gatun is the Atlantic entrance to the Panama Canal. Here you can see all three adjoining locks raise ships 87 feet above sea level onto Gatun Lake. Enjoy dinner. (B,L,D)
This morning take a bird watching hike at the "Pipeline Road," the old service road for the Panama Canal. The Audubon Society rated this trail as one of the best birding sites in the world. Listen to the joyful sounds of the rainforest. Next, cross over the Bridge of the Americas en route to Playa Blanca for a relaxing two night stay on the Pacific Coast. Enjoy lunch. Your afternoon is at leisure to enjoy your resort's white sand beach and swimming pools. Dinner. (B,L,D)
 Morning visit to picturesque El Valle, a town situated in the crater of dormant volcano. Scenic drive of the village's charming homes. Visit the local artisan marketplace. Lunch. Enjoy carefree leisurely afternoon at your resort. Dinner. (B,L,D)
Today enjoy an unforgettable six hour adventure as you cruise the Panama Canal. Your small vessel allows for close-up views of the opening and closing of the enormous six foot thick steel gates of both the Miraflores and Pedro Miguel Locks. See at eye-level how transiting vessels are guided by small tugboats and pulled by small trains. Enter the Gaillard Cut and cross the Continental Divide. Enjoy lunch on board. Disembark at Gamboa on Gatun Lake. Return to Panama City for another two night stay in this lively cosmopolitan city. Enjoy free time in Panama City. Dinner. (B,L,D)
Morning visit to Casco Viejo, the old French Quarter. See  the wide brick streets and ornate wood balconies. Visit the Canal Museum. Learn Panama's prominent role as the major transit route between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, from Pre-Columbian times to present day. See the Gold Altar at San Jose Cathedral. Enjoy views from French Park, a tribute to the early French canal workers. Enjoy lunch on Amador Island. This afternoon visit a Kuna Indian marketplace. Shop for colorful mola embroidery depicting rainforest animals and marine life. Dinner. Next, a night lights drive of this dazzling city. Panama City is a combination of Manhattan, Miami and Las Vegas blended with Latin American flavor and style. (BLD)
Your tour ends after breakfast this morning at your hotel.  Caravan provides transfers to Panama's Tocumen airport, arriving at 5:00 a.m., 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. ¡Hasta la vista! (B)
Meals: B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner;
*Bottled water will be provided on motor-coach and purified water will be provided at all meals*
Hotels:
| Days 1 & 2 - Panama City: Marriott Courtyard |
| Days 3 & 4 - Colon: Radisson |
| Days 5 & 6 - Playa Blanca: Playa Blanca Resort |
| Days 7 & 8 - Panama City: Marriott Courtyard |
|
1st Day - Panama City, Panama: