Treasures of Panama

After breakfast in the hotel, we will head to the ruins of Panama Vieja, on the edge of the city, dating back to the 17th century. We will then head off to visit the famous Panama Canal, an incredible feat of engineering, one of the greatest and most expensive in history. We will stop at the Visitor’s Centre of the Miraflores Locks, where we can appreciate the ships sailing along the canal. We will head to the Amador Causeway, offering one of the city’s most impressive panoramic views of the canal. We will then stop off at the Mercado de Abasto market, which the city’s largest fruit and vegetable market and where the countries best products arrive. We will then enjoy lunch in a typical restaurant of the seafood market, where of course, the menu is the catch of the day. We will then head to the Old Quarter of Panama City, the UNESCO World Heritage site of San Felipe. In the evening, we will head out on an alternative tour run by a group of former gangsters from the Ciudad de Dios (City of God) gang. They relate their stories during a walk around the streets of the historic centre, starting at the Plaza Herrera, in front of the luxurious American Trade Hotel. Previously this hotel was a base for this criminal group and from where gangsters used to monitor tourists to rob them later. They will tell you anecdotes from the previous violent years while describing important buildings and walking over forgotten footways that have not been restructured between 9th Street and 13th Street. The walk ends on 11th Street, renamed as Fortaleza Alley, a dead-end street where the criminal group used to escape from the police. 

After Breakfast, we will head to the pier on the Gatún River, near Buena Vista, to board a motorized canoe, which will take us to the community of Emberá Quera. The Chief of the community will greet us on our arrival and will explain the history of the Tribe. Discover the roots of Embera and Wuanaan ethnic groups, two of the indigenous people who inhabit the isthmus of Panama, on the banks of the Chagres River.  Just minutes away are the communities Ella Puru and Katuma, whose inhabitants will warmly welcome you, explain about their customs, lifestyle and culture. The Emberá are native people of the Darien jungle region, close to the Colombian border.  In the afternoon, take a classic train to Panama City along the Panama’s railroad, built during the California Gold Rush to transport goods and gold from the Atlantic to The Pacific. The railway follows the course of the canal and passes along the historic Culebra Cut and the spectacular Gatún Lake. We will then head to the Gamboa Nature resort, where we will spend the evening.

The tour starts at the Gamboa Rainforest Resort, where a guide will take you on a boat tour through the Panama Canal into secret waterways to find hidden islands where the Capuchin and Howler Monkeys can be seen leaping in the trees above. We will pass through lush green rainforest and hopefully spot these inhabitants as well as butterflies, herons and turtles.

Today, we will leave the Gamboa reserve for a flight to David.  From here, we will be taken to the small mountain town of Boquete. Hiking the area is spectacular and is the launching spot to climb the Baru volcano or hike The Quetzal Trail. If we are lucky, we could actually see the national bird in its natural habitat. If you prefer a more "cultural" activity, you can visit a coffee plantation, or if you are looking for an adrenalin-filled adventure, there are rafting trips abound on the Chiriqui Viejo River. In the afternoon, we will enjoy one of Boquete's best exports – its coffee!  Boquete’s weather is the reason that the coffee in this region is as incredible as it is. The fertile soil, the precise altitude combine to provide one of the world's best coffees. We will visit the La Finca coffee Farm, where one of the country’s best biological coffees is produced. We will then walk through the plantations to see the different coffee plant varieties, including the prestigious Geisha coffee. We will enjoy a coffee tasting where the scent, aroma and character merge for the perfect balance between sweet and bitter.

After breakfast, we will hike the famous Quetzal Trail. The adventure starts at the Cerro Punta, where we will start to hike.  Along the trails of this impressive rainforest, we can see more than 250 bird species, making it perfect for bird watching, especially because of the rare species, of which the quetzal stands out. The Mayans and Aztecs revered this magical bird as it represented the god of their heaven.  During the hike, we can appreciate the lush flora with interlaced trees where ancient bromeliads, a large number of orchids and millenary forests, with tree branches filled with moss and epiphytes. When vegetation splits up, you will be able to marvel at the mountains' beautiful views and particularly on a clear day, you can even see the Caribbean Sea. We will continue along the course of Caldera River until we reach the forest ranger base of Alto Chiquero. We will then head back to the hotel for well- earned rest!

After breakfast,  we will be driven to the Gulf of Chiriquí. Chiquirí Gulf is one of Panama's best-kept secrets and a fundamental part of the National Marine Park. The park is also famous for its remote, pristine, white sandy beaches surrounded by crystal-clear water, where you may swim amongst a variety of tropical fish. The perfect destination for snorkelling and other water sports.

Today is a free day to explore this incredible pristine beachside paradise. Take it as relaxed or as active as you like with numerous water sports on offer.

Today is another free day in paradise. The national park covers 150 km2 of transparent ocean, with 20 stunning islands of lush tropical rainforest and many palm tree lined white sandy beaches. The islands are a treasure of water and nature, where pirates once raided the Spanish galleons.

 Free day

Today is the final day of this incredible luxury tour. After breakfast, we will head back to the airport in David for our flight to Panama City, for your international flight back home or on to your next exciting destination!