Friday, November 6, 2009

8 Day - Panama

ITINERARY OUTLINE

DAY 1 ARRIVE PANAMA CITY
DAY 2 PANAMA CITY TOUR, AMADOR CAUSE WAY AND PANAMA CANAL
DAY 3 PEARL ISLANDS ARCHIPELAGO SNORKELING
DAY 4 PACIFIC TO ATLANTIC COAST SAN BLAS JOURNEY
DAY 5 KUNA YALA COMMUNITY TOUR , BOAT TOUR
DAY 6 SPANISH FORT OF PORTOBELLO - SANTA RITA
DAY 7 EMBERA INDIAN TRIBE TOUR
DAY 8 DEPARTURE

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS


(ADMISSION COSTS INCLUDED)

PANAMA CANAL AND CITY : Historical Sites, Panama Viejo, Casco Viejo, Banking district. Panama Canal Visitor Center and shopping in the second largest trade zone of the world.

PEARL ISLANDS: World Class fishing / snorkeling at the Pearl Islands.
KUNA YALA: Kuanidup Private Island, Boat ride to Carti Native town and world class snorkeling

COSTA ARRIBA: Zip Line Tour , Eco Lodge overnight at 200 feet above sea level, Historical site or Portobello

CHAGRES RIVER: Embera community visit and river ride into the Chagres National Forrest

“DESCRIPTIVE ITINERARY”

DAY 1 ARRIVE PANAMA CITY (1 NIGHT)


You will be met at the airport by our tour manager/guide, where we will board our own private coach and transfer to our hotel in Panama City .

DAY 2 PANAMA - CITY TOUR & PANAMA CANAL

This morning we will leave the Panama City Hotel to enjoy an Panama City Tour through one of Panama’s most unique tourism sectors. The tour will start at Panama la Vieja founded in 1519, the first city and Spanish settlement on the Pacific Ocean. This was the capital of "Catilla de oro" and center of operations for the conquest of South America. Next the group will explore the Casco Viejo a colonial area that represent the second Panama City, characterized by its spectacular architecture. A joyful Guided Walking Tour, which will include the Paseo de las Bovedas; the Plaza de Independencia; the Catedral; the Palacio Municipal; The San Juan Church, with its stuning golden Altar; the Arco Chato; the Convenio de Santo Domingo, home of the religious artifact museum; the Plaza de Francia, and Plaza Bolivar, home to the National Theater, San Francisco de Asis Church and some newly renovated colonial homes. At 12 mid day the group will stop at a traditional Panamanian restaurant for lunch! after lunch, the group will be taken to the Panama Canal Visitor Center in order to experience the Lock System and transit of large merchant ships for that afternoon.

DAY 3 ISLA CONTADORA INTRO SNORKELING AND FISHING


After breakfast, you and your group will get privately transported to the marina in order to start the water portion of this day tour on a 30ft Sport Fishing Yacht. It takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to get to Contadora Island depending on the weather. The Republic of Panama is famous for its fishing, tropical Islands and amazing beaches. The Isthmus has more international Game Fish Association world records broken than any where in the world. There is not a bad season to fish in Panama, just different fish during each season. Since there is good sport fishing, there is good snorkeling to experience! Once done, you will be received in Panama City and taken privately to your Panama City Hotel.

DAY 4 PANAMA CITY - SAN BLAS


After breakfast a 3.5 hour private transfer to our Resort Private Island Hotel in San Blas will take place. Kuna Yala is one of the most fascinating places on the American continent. Theis autonomus indigenous region in the Republic of panama comprises an archipelago of 356 Islands in the Caribbean Sea, of which only 51 are inhabited. This territory also includes, along the archipelago, a 10-kilometer wide strip of mainland, which is covered with virgin tropical forest. The Kuna population has lived traditionally isolated from the rest of the Panamanian population. No visitor to San Blas will be able to forget the impression of being bought back into the time when Columbus discovered America. The new tourism in Kuna Yala centers its attention on eco-tourism, activities like snorkeling as well as cultural tourism. The remainder of the day will be free to relax on the beaches or at the accommodations.

Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

DAY 5 KUNA YALA

For this day, the group will get to know the differnet Kuna Communities like Playo Chico, Malatupu,. Ustupu, and Ogobsucun. In these communities we will find the Kuna Culture with all of it's splendor and purchase Kuna handicraft. The group will also taste a whole range of Kuna Food. This afternoon the group will take a boat tour deep into a natural paradise of Kuna Yala, its virgin rainforest. Tour members will find clean and clear water, natrual waterfalls and flora / fauna of the region. You will discover the natural life of the Kunas have been living in for generations.

Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

DAY 6 HISTORICAL SITE OF PORTOBELLO FORT AND ZIP LINE


After a short 20 min flight from Kuna Yala, the group will once more be met by our private coach in order to take the group on a 45 min drive to "Costa Arriba". Within 45 min by land you will reach a tropical rain forest where you will be received by a local guide. Our local guide and now companion will explain the everyday life in the treetops where 75 percent of all rain forest species dwell. The group might even come eye-to-eye with monkeys some high above the forest floor and will view an abundance of plants and animals hidden at the tops of the tall rain forest trees. During the tour you will view and learn about other botanical treasures of Panama. You will also have an opportunity to view a large number of colorful and exotic tropical bird species, as the region features over 400 species, as well as the beautiful blue morpho butterfly. Comfortable clean rooms will be waiting an Eco Lodge at 200 ft above sea level inside a tropical rain forest for this night.

DAY 7 EMBERA COMMUNITY TOUR


On the way from the Atlantic Coast, we will stop in between both oceans into the Chagres National Primary Park! Panama offers a great activities on shore as well and is home to many indigenous tribes and cultures. We will tour on a cayuco "handmade motorized canoe" up the Chagres River to the heart of the Chagres National Park to find the Indigenous village of Embera Drua. You will be greeted by colorful adorned locals singing and dancing. As we explore their market and village, we will learn about their traditions and relationship with nature.

DAY 8 DEPARTING PANAMA CITY


Our enjoyable rewarding tour will come to an end as our tour guide accompanies the group to the airport for the return flight home.