The Panama Canal

Upon arrival in Panama, a representative will pick you up at the airport and transfer you to your city hotel for your first night in Panama. Panama City is the capital and largest city in the country. It is home to a diverse blend of cultures and an enormous historical sector in the Old City. The lively and vibrant banking district on the other hand is very modern and often compared to Miami. Panama City is a thrilling location you will surely enjoy during your visit to this gorgeous country.

Hotels: Overnight at the hotel

Meals: NA

In the morning, your guide will pick you up at the hotel to take you to the impressive Agua Clara Visitor Center located on the Atlantic side of the Panama Canal. The Agua Clara Visitor Center is a place where the Panama Canal has made it clear that both its legacy and its grandeur will continue to bear fruit for the world. With an unparalleled view, this place is waiting for you and all those who want to enjoy a pleasant experience enriched with interesting facts, especially by being part of the history of the route that unites the world. The center offers a breathtaking panoramic view that contrasts two particular scenarios that generate mixed feelings. On one side you will find the famous Gatun Lake, where cargo ships or other vessels transit every day, while on the other side, but from a different perspective, you will be amazed by the view of the expansion works. Beyond its surprising technology or colossal machinery, you will be astonished by the work of thousands of people, who with discipline and determination head towards the same goal to make Panama stronger and Panamá worthy of admiration. After the impressive viewpoint, pamper yourself and be captivated by all those things that the Agua Clara visitor center has to offer. Throughout your visit, watch for the walls and exhibits with interesting information that will amaze you. Walk through the ecological path, with a variety of plants and species that makes the trail an adventure with great scenery and breathtaking views; identify the different species gathered there indigenous of the area of the Canal watershed. Continue your tour to the San Lorenzo Fort, located at the entrance of the Chagres River close to Colon. It was through this river that the notorious pirate Henry Morgan arrived at the Old Panama, to burn and loot the city. To get to San Lorenzo, it is necessary to cross the Gatun Locks and get into Sherman Fort, a former military base, surrounded by a rich jungle with a wide diversity of species. It is a special place for bird watching. The tour continues towards Portobelo, one of the Spanish Empire’s most important ports. This port was the gathering point of the Peruvian treasures in the 15th century. These were shipped there towards the metropolis of the empire, and in addition, it was the center of control and inspection of the goods, which arrived from Spain. The ruin complex is built and set up in the middle of the tropical jungle and covers a set of fortresses, castles, and military bases. A picnic lunch will be served under one of the leafy trees of the San Lorenzo Park, afterwards, you will be driven to Miraflores Locks. Once at the Miraflores visitor’s center, a professional representative from the Panama Canal Authority will take you on an exclusive tour through the 4 exhibition rooms of the Miraflores Visitor Center, to discover its operational details up close. With the use of hearing aids, you will be provided with detailed Tour for the World 2022 explanations of how this engineering marvel functions. As part of this private visit, you will have access to areas where regular customers usually are not allowed to enter, such as canal platforms and control cabins where you can take a picture for a memorable moment. At the end of the guided tour, you will return to your hotel in the city. *This tour is only operated from Tuesday to Sunday*

Hotels: Overnight at the hotel

Meals: Breakfast

Today you will enjoy a partial crossing of the historical Panama Canal. After a transfer from your hotel to Flamenco Marina, the partial transit starts with a motor coach ride for 45 minutes to the town of Gamboa where the Panama Canal Dredging Division is located. Once in Gamboa, you will board the cruise ship to start the water portion of the tour. You will enter the canal at the north end of the Gaillard Cut, where the Chagres River flows into the Canal. The Gaillard Cut (also known as Culebra Cut because its curves resemble a snake) is one of the main points of interest for visitors because it was carved through the Continental Divide and this section of the Canal is full of history and geological value. Your boat will travel the Cut’s 13.7 kilometers on the way to Pedro Miguel Locks. As you transit the Cut you will be able to appreciate the continuous maintenance that this area requires, because it is very susceptible to landslides. In this area, you will also be able to observe the work in process for the Panama Canal expansion project. Before reaching the Pedro Miguel Locks at the southern end of the Cut, you will be able to view the new Centennial Bridge which crosses over the Canal. Next, your ship will enter Pedro Miguel Locks, which is one of the two sets of locks on the Pacific side, and here the vessel is lowered 9 meters in one step. You will then enter Miraflores Lake, which is a small artificial body of fresh water that separates Pedro Miguel from Miraflores Locks, the latter being the final set of locks before reaching the Pacific Ocean. At Miraflores Locks, the vessel is lowered 16 meters in two distinct steps. Once in the Pacific Ocean, the vessel will sail to the beautiful Flamenco Marina where you disembark. On the way to Flamenco, you will pass under the Bridge of the Americas, and later, you will be able to admire the Bay of Panama and Panama City’s splendorous skyline. Upon arrival at Flamenco, you will be transferred back to your city hotel. The tour includes transportation from and to your hotel, English speaking tour guide, lunch, soft drinks, and water. Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes and don’t forget to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and your camera. Important Note: Every first and third Saturday of the month you can upgrade to a Complete Canal Transit (Pacific to Atlantic) for an additional price of $60 per person. *This tour is only operated from Friday to Sunday*

Hotels: Overnight at the hotel

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the Tocumen Airport for your international flight

Hotels: NA

Meals: Breakfast