Highlights

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Itinerary

Day 1:  Welcome Pana Folks

Today arrive into Panama City. Upon arrival, your Private Vehicle will be awaiting for your pick-up and transfer to your metropolitan hotel, and assistance with check in if needed. First rendezvous is a dinner to celebrate your arrival into Panama and the chance to meet and break the ice with your fellow Pana folks. (D)

Day 2: The Indigenous Folks and the Panama Canal

It is better to start reading a book from the first page than the last one, therefore, you will discover the natives first, who live right in the middle of the Jungle, a secondary national park, putting the focus on their origin, culture, custom, traditions and life styles. Top it off with the lake, waterfall, museum, their empirical method of transportation, traditional homes, school and their fascinating traditional cuisine.  It’s a day that you will forever remember.

The Panama Canal marked the beginning of a new era. The first ships sailed through the Panama Canal in 1914, shaving nearly 9,000 miles off what was otherwise a very long sailing trip around South America. The engineering marvel transformed global trade, and today, 100 years after it was first installed, the canal has once again been expanded with new locks and widened existing ones, modernizing Panama Canal transit by allowing larger ships to pass from Panama City on the Pacific Ocean side to Colon on the Atlantic Ocean side. Enjoy a visit to the Visitor center of the Panama Canal including its
museum, locks systems and watch possible ships going through the canal, ending their journeys.  (B,L,D)

Day 3:  The Inhabited Old Crater/Anton Valley

Today after breakfast, board your motorcoach for Anton Valley. Located 2 hours away from Panama City, and is over 600 meters above sea levels, it is surrounded by a big wall of mountains that once were part of Cerro El Gaital, the extinct volcano, which later erupted to give life to the beautiful crater. A visit to Anton valley will be embraced by the simplicity of the town, and the joyful locals.

The origin of the old crater is unknown to so many, most people just repeat the same thing over and over, this is a more in-depth experience, focusing on the origin or creation of Anton Valley, forge in volcanic fire, how did all start and when. Who were the first inhabitants of this beautiful destination, their life styles, what can we find there today to explore? Its flora and fauna, waterfalls, national park, hot springs. This is a complete chapter of El Valle de Anton, the old crater.

This a breath-taking experience to explore the most important and attractions of El Valle de Anton, the climate and warmth of the people make you want to never leave this destination. Attractions like the Nispero zoo, El Macho (waterfall), the Petroglyph carve with history, all inside of Tropical rain forest national park.  (B.L.D)

Day 4: The Venas Azules Beaches

Located an hour and forty-five minutes away from Panama City, on the Atlantic coast, a sight with a lot of history to tell and a lot more to do, offers one of the most beautiful white sand beach experiences worth exploring. The white sands and crystal-clear beaches will have you wishing you could go there every weekend. This is a great opportunity to spend time on the Atlantic coast and to experience the Atlantic Ocean. You will drive through Portobelo National Park to the town, and take a boat ride to make it to the destination, the gorgeous, white sands beaches. (B.L.D)

Day 5: Panama City Free Day

This is the day where you decide to sleep a bit longer, chill and enjoy the hotel amenities or to do the city discovery at your pace or shopping for souvenirs. (B.L.D)

Day 6: Fortresses of Gold and Ashes

The ruins of El Castillo de San Lorenzo and those of Portobelo, once formed the strategic points of defenses of San Lorenzo at the Mouth of the Chagres River and the two fortifications of Portobelo. Narrate silently and vividly the prosperity of Panama in that era and its important geographical position to the benefits of the Spanish crown and the opportunities presented to the world maritime commerce.
This journey answers many historical questions, emphasizing on the people, culture, wealth and historical facts pertaining to Portobelo, San Lorenzo and Panama in general. It also emphasizes the importance of the Panama Canal and its expansion of both 20th and 21st century. The now World Heritage sites (UNESCO) in Panama dated from the 16th century to protect the Spanish crown interests and to assure a safe transfer of gold and silver from one city to another and ocean to ocean, were attacked countless time and witnessed the bloody wars of the Caribbean against the Spaniards by the buccaneers, mercenaries, corsairs, privateers and pirates. The claim of the discovery of the Pacific Ocean back in the early 16th century had brought forth the Dry canal where the Spaniards and travelers around the world were using the Camino Reales from Portobelo, the Caminos de Cruces from San Lorenzo along with Panama Viejo to form the Historical Triangle Routes. This also led to the construction of the first interoceanic railway in the region in the 19th century and the construction of the Panama Canal in the early 20th century.

Besides of the abundance of wealth that were accumulated in Panama Viejo, Portobelo and San Lorenzo, it is worth mentioning the courage and contribution of the enslaved persons, the Cimarrons and how they brought freedom to their fellowmen and how they shaped the future and culture for many generations. (B,L,D)

Day 7: City Escape Nature Exploration

This is an exotic destination known to locals.  Full of wonders, green is all your see. Those who know the place either don´t want to leave or come back more frequently. The inner town of Capira transforms souls with its natural beautiful, mountains and waterfall. Find yourself surrounded by all kinds of trees, plants, birds singing, rivers and indulge in the waterfalls, and an optional visit to the coffee plantation in its season. Meanwhile this experience is to provide you with an Upbeat Journey, at the same time it renews our commitment to support small local communities to showcase the best of their community and people. (B,L,D)

Day 8: Monkey and Sloth Adventures

This is the most complete eco-friendly experience in the Panama Canal Rain Forest.  Not only do you get to appreciate the wildlife in the surroundings, you will also get to experience a great ride in the Panama Canal Lake alongside other ships cruising the canal, including Cruise Ships, and that alone is gold.  Visit the different monkey’s islands, and take pictures of them in their natural habitat. There are some special ingredients added to upgrade your experience from an Ordinary experience to an Extra-Ordinary ecological experience. Visit the exhibitions center where many species can be observed, and of course the Sloth Sanctuary visit. You learn highly important ecological knowledge that are imparted by the local guides on the site.  A planned visit of the one and only Bio Museum and Land Mark and Frank Gehry are the masterpieces in the region. It’s a museum that is focused on the natural history of Panama, whose isthmus was formed very recently in geologic time, with major impact on the ecology of the Western Hemisphere.

Tonight you will be treated to a special farewell dinner.  This is a great opportunity to share one last time with the group over dinner and be grateful for the upbeat journey shared and you officially becoming a Pana Folks, with unbeatable local moments and unforgettable memories and a stronger bond with the destination. (B,L,D)

Day 9:  Chao Pana

You have officially become a Pana Folks and understand the true meaning of the words, and there is nothing more inspiring than that. They say good things come to an end, and we say it does not have to be, all this is a farewell!  We will still be connected through those unforgettable memories and moments. A local guide will be available at your hotel lobby to assist with Checkout if needed and provide you transfers back to the Panama City Airport.