trip specifics

price

Experience the best places in Panama with your family! From the Pacific coast and the Panama Canal to the western highlands of the Caribbean coast. On this adventure explore the Panama Canal and the Chagres River, go on an adventurous white river rafting or canopy zip-lining trip in the Chiriqui highlands, snorkel in the Caribbean waters of Bocas del Toro and end it all with a historical journey through the old parts of Panama City.

Day 1 - Arrival in Panama

On arrival to Tocumen International Airport you will be met by an Ancon Expeditions of Panama representative and transferred to the Gamboa Rainforest Resort, your lodge for the next three nights, located along the shores of the Panama Canal.

Accommodations: Gamboa Rainforest Resort
Included Meals: n/a

Day 2 - Panama Canal Jungle Boat Adventure

Early in the morning you are picked up by your Naturalist Guide and transferred to the marina, where you board a specially equipped expedition boat. The voyage takes you across Gatun Lake in the Panama Canal passing by gigantic cargo ships transiting the waterway and making contrast with the natural surroundings. Along the way, you will have the opportunity to spot green iguana and three-toed sloth resting on tree branches, crocodile, osprey in the hunt for peacock bass, snail kite and keel-billed toucan among other species. The expedition boat will allow for close approximations to rainforest covered islands in Gatun Lake to search for white-faced capuchin, howler monkey, spider monkey and the endemic red-napped tamarin. You will have a picnic lunch on an island with extraordinary views of the Panama Canal and the natural surroundings. Early afternoon return to Gamboa. This afternoon is to yourselves to enjoy Gamboa.

Accommodations: Gamboa Rainforest Resort
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3 - Chagres River to Embera Drua

Early morning drive to El Corotu on the shores of Madden Lake. The main reservoir of drinking water for the cities of Panama and Colon, Madden Lake also supplies 40 percent of the water required for the operation of the Panama Canal. Here, board a motorized piragua (dugout canoe) and travel up the Chagres River to the Embera indigenous village. The boat journey takes you through the rainforest of the 320,000-acre Chagres National Park, which is the largest of the National Parks protecting the Panama Canal Watershed. Along the Chagres River, you may be able to spot little blue and green heron, great egret, anhingas, neotropical cormorant, Amazon, ringed and green Kingfishers, along with keel-billed toucans and ospreys flying above. At the Embera village you will be greeted with dancing and music. You will learn about Embera customs and their relationship with nature. There will be handcrafts available for sale and youwill have a chance to be painted with the traditional jagua, a natural dye the Embera use to adorn their bodies. After a picnic lunch you visit the nearby waterfall where you can take a dip in the crystal-clear waters of the Chagres River before heading back to Gamboa.

Accommodations: Gamboa Rainforest Resort
Included Meals: breakfast and lunch

Day 4 - Miraflores Locks & Chiriqui Highlands

This morning start off with an adventurous kayaking excursion on the Chagres River and the edge of the Panama Canal. Afterwards, enjoy a relaxing and quiet rainforest nature walk on La Chunga Trail that leads you to the beautiful shore of the Chagres River. Eat lunch at a local restaurant and continue to the Miraflores Locks in the Panama Canal. Learn about its history and marvel at this engineering accomplishment. The canal still operates pretty much as it did when it was inaugurated in 1914 the SS Ancon steamer was the first ship to transit the Panama Canal.

Late this afternoon, catch a flight from Albrook domestic airport to David, the capital of the Chiriqui province. Chiriqui is known as “Panama’s breadbasket” and contains some of the most breathtaking highland scenery in Central America. Transfer by van to the eastern side of the dormant Baru Volcano to the quaint town of Boquete with its countryside dotted with flower, fruit and vegetable farms, coffee plantations and extraordinary cloud forest.

Accommodations: Finca Lerida Lodge
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5 - Cloud Forest Canopy Trek

This morning, experience the world from a new perspective with a canopy tree trek on a zip line that that allows you to contemplate the rainforest from fourteen different canopy platforms while smoothly soaring in the heights of the cloud forest from one treetop to another. Glide through the trees and encounter a world unknown; discover a fascinating perspective of wildlife that you had never appreciated; and marvel at the sight of a great variety of orchids, trees and wildflowers that are found throughout the area. Opt to go on a river floating tour down the Chiriqui River for those who don’t go zip lining today. This optional tour has an additional cost and must be arranged in advance.

Accommodations: Finca Lerida Lodge
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6 - Bocas del Toro

Travel from the cloud forests to the coral reefs on a four-hour drive to Bocas del Toro. Stop along the way several times to stretch your legs, play some games and enjoy the scenery. On arrival to Almirante on the Caribbean coast, transfer by boat to Isla Colon for the next two nights. This afternoon, weather permitting, visit Swan's Cay - a rock protruding from the depths of the Caribbean Sea, which serves as rookery for red-billed tropic birds (the only place to be found in Panama) and brown boobies. Enjoy beach time at Boca del Drago and search for colorful starfish. Along the coastline, make stops at coral reefs and mangrove isles for snorkeling.

Accommodations: Bocas Inn
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7 - Bastimentos Marine National Park & Salt Creek Village

Depart by boat from the Bocas Inn traversing the expanse of Bastimentos National Park, Panama’s first marine national park. Reach Salt Creek by navigating through clusters of red mangroves, which provide sea creatures with a protective area during their reproductive and development stages. Upon arrival enjoy a hike along Cayman Trail. This trail takes you through several stages of lowland forest dynamics. Look for birds such as red-throated ant tanager and golden-collared manakin (Cerritus sub sp.). After the hike, enjoy a visit to the indigenous community and have a chance to purchase handicrafts such as painted woodcarvings and Ngobe handbags, followed by lunch. In the afternoon, snorkel among mangroves and coral reefs, searching for numerous fish species, as well as dynamic and brightly colored sea fans, sponges and brittle starfish.

Accommodations: Bocas Inn
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8 - Panama City

Begin with a morning flight back to Panama City where the daily activities include a visit the ruins of Old Panama and Casco Antiguo. After lunch at a local restaurant visit the Smithsonian Marine Exhibition at Culebra Point at the entrance to the Pacific side of the Panama Canal and the International Handcraft Market. Tonight enjoy a farewell dinner at your hotel.

Accommodations: Marriott Panama
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 9 - Depart Panama

Today you are picked up at the lobby of the hotel 2.5 hours prior to your scheduled departure flight and transferred to Tocumen International Airport.

Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals: breakfast



Extend Your Trip: Call AdventureSmith Explorations about the possibilities of combining trips on one of our Panama or Costa Rica expedition cruises. Also, pre- or post-trip extensions to San Blas Island are available.

Included: All lodging, land, air and water transportation within Panama, all airport/hotel transfers when arriving and departing on the stated arrival and departure dates of the group, meals as specified in the itinerary, hotel taxes, entrance fees to National Parks, museums and places of interest in effect at the time of booking, guide services as specified in the itinerary.

Exclusions: Airfare to Panama, excess baggage charges, tourist card ($5), gratuities to transfer and naturalist guides, items of a personal nature such as alcoholic beverages, snorkeling equipment (can be rented at a small fee at Bocas Inn), and insurance of any kind.

Weight restrictions apply to luggage in commercial and chartered flights within Panama. A maximum of 30 lbs (11 kg) of checked luggage and 5 lbs (2.5 kg) of carry-on per person is allowed. Arrangements can be made with your hotel or Ancon Expeditions to store luggage that will not be needed while away from the city. Excess baggage charges assessed by commercial carriers are the responsibility of the passenger.

Arrival & Departure: The Panama Family Adventure begins and ends in Panama City. Plan flights to arrive any time on day 1 and depart anytime on day 9 of the outlined itinerary from the Tocumen International Airport.

Payment & Cancellation: In order to confirm this trip, a deposit of $500 is required at the time of booking. A Reservation Form, which includes a release of liability, must be completed and signed by all travelers. The balance of the trip price is due 90 days before the departure date. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing. Cancellations are subject to the following fees, based on number of days prior to departure:
Up to 91 days - 50% of deposit
90 to 31 days - 50% of total trip cost
30 to 0 days - 100% of total trip cost

Terms & Conditions: This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A packing list and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information is sent upon confirmation.

Travel Insurance: We highly recommend our travelers protect their investment with travel insurance. Please note that you must purchase your travel insurance policy within 14 days of booking your trip for it to cover pre-existing medical conditions. Click the link below for a selection of policies from our partners at Travelex.



Activities: For the rafting excursion on day 5, minimum age restrictions will apply and depend upon the River Class and section being run. Participants are expected to listen and follow instructions given both before and during the river outing. Some river sections are tougher than others and require an honest assessment of participants’ physical fitness level and capabilities. Participants must notify of any physical conditions that may impede performance on the river in advance. Persons suspected of being under the influence of drugs, alcohol or any other mind-altering substance will not be allowed to participate on the river trip. No refunds will be issued in this event.

Qualifications: The Panama Family Adventure is available to any individuals or families with a love of nature and sense of adventure.


return to top of page

AdventureSmith Explorations

Travel Specialists  |  Contact Us