Panama Highlights

Day 1:  Upon arrival in Panama City, Panama you will be met and transferred to the Hotel Bristol for overnight.  Set in the heart of the bustling financial center, minutes from shopping, cultural attractions and nightlife, The Bristol is a rare jewel where luxurious accommodations and sumptuous dining are blended to create uncompromising quality.  Each room is elegantly decorated with custom fabrics and prints by noted Panamanian artists.  Remainder of the day free to explore Panama City.

Day 2:   Today ground transfer to the Gamboa Rain Forest Resort for overnight.  This is a spectacular resort, located inside the Soberanía National Park and just besides the Chagres River and the Panama Canal. Actually, from one of the restaurants, Los Lagartos, you may see the ships on their transit from one ocean to the other.  Exploring the rainforest has never been easier, since all of the attractions and most of the tours are found right on the property, or only minutes away from your doorstep.  For a bird's eye view of the Soberania National Park and Panama Canal, climb aboard a specially designed aerial tram and glide quietly through the rainforest canopy where you'll encounter plants and animals rarely seen by visitors on the ground. But your appreciation of this tropical environment doesn't have to stop at the forest floor. The first class marina provides tours of the Chagres River and Lake Gatun, sport fishing trips for peacock bass and other exotic freshwater species (catch and release only), kayaking trips, and tours to the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute on Barro Colorado Island.  The villas, originally built in the 1930's and 40's, are the former residences of Panama Canal administrators and their families and have been completely refurbished to capture the ambiance of the original buildings.
 
Day 3:  Monkey Island Tour: Join our naturalist guide on this lake adventure of sight and sound. First, we travel at high speed on small boats northbound (Atlantic) on the canal for 25 minutes where we might come close to some of the big ships that transit the canal daily and then we slow to a crusing speed. Slowly, we motor along the forested banks of Gatun lake, also a protected area, and we look for wildlife such as Capuchin Monkeys, 3 toed sloths, Howler Monkeys, various kinds of Toucans and other bird life. Then we dock along an old rehabilitated pier that served a top-secret US Naval radio communications center until the end of World War II. Here we walk up a series of steps and along a 300 yard trail that leads to the ruins of this hidden military installation. This is a place to observe the raw regenerative power of the forest as it struggles to claim what was once wild.  Overnight at the Gamboa Rain Forest Resort.

Day 4:   Embera Indians Guided Tour: Paradise found in its purest form. This incredible journey takes us to the jungles of Chagres, where we will encounter the Emberá Indians. Our Adventure begins with a one-hour dugout canoe transfer up the Chagres River.  Along the way, we will negotiate rapids and discover the jungle’s many splendors.  The Emberá are a unique and beautiful people. They live much as they did when Columbus arrived in the 1500's. You will soon forget the outside world as you are immersed in their cultural dance and music. Visitors are invited to explore the area’s abundant variety of birds and wildlife during a jungle trek that includes a visit to local waterfalls. During our visit, we will see that the Emberá possess amazing botanical knowledge – most will be surprised to learn of their contributions to modern pharmaceuticals. We are welcome to paint our bodies as the Emberá do, with a natural fruit dye called Jagua. We will also have the opportunity to view famed Emberá handicrafts.  A peaceful ride in a dugout canoe, a trek through the jungle, and the opportunity to learn from a magical culture, all in one day before returning to Gamboa Rain Forest Resort for overnight.
                                   
Day 5:  Today ground transfer to the Pacific Coast.  Arrive at Playa Bonita Intercontinental Beach Resort nestled on a secluded tropical beach.   Highlights of the resort include all ocean view rooms with private balconies, a 10,000 sq foot holistic spa, 3 restaurants, expansive swimming pools all located beach front for water sports and boat tours.

Day 6-7:  Free days to relax at the pool and beach or schedule spa treatments.  Optional tours available at extra cost include Pearl Island boating & sailing, sport fishing, birding and exploring Panama City’s colonial district.  Overnight at the Playa Bonita Intercontinental Beach Resort.

Day 8:  Transfer to the Panama City International Airport for departure.

INCLUDES:
Roundtrip International Airport Transfers.
1 night Hotel Bristol, deluxe double room, includes breakfast.
One-way ground transfer from Panama City to Gamboa.
3 nights Gamboa Rain Forest Resort, 1 deluxe room, includes breakfast daily.
Monkey Island Tour – Includes transfers and guide
Embera Indian Village Tour – Includes transfers, guide, entrance and lunch
One-way ground transfer from Gamboa to Playa Bonita.
3 nights Playa Bonita Intercontinental Resort, 1 deluxe room, includes breakfast daily.
ALL HOTEL TAX INCLUDED

Price valid through October 31, 2009