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central america: panama

Panama Adventure Cruise

Three million years ago a thin strip of land emerged from the sea, uniting the Americas. For eons, this land bridge has been a path for an ongoing natural pilgrimage. Thousands of years later, the same path was covered by the natives, the Conquistadors, pirates, slaves, railway builders, and ships from coasts and seas all over the world. Today, the Panama Canal stands as a living monument to this land of transit, this crossroads, stretching over a historic path trodden by those who opened the way and by the footsteps of those who remained.

Our Panama small ship cruise travels from tropical rainforests to isolated beaches, from remote Native villages to the Panama Canal. It is a journey that will astound lovers of nature, culture, birdlife, wildlife and activity. Cruise to Panama up close and in style aboard the 24 passenger Discovery catamaran. Each day offers new opportunities for off vessel explorations. Expert naturalist guides lead nature hikes, visits to remote villages, kayaking excursions, or snorkeling among unspoiled reef. Each evening rest comfortably and enjoy delicious cuisine aboard the Discovery.

Day 1 - Panama City - Flamenco Marina

Sail the tropical waters of the Pacific Ocean towards Contadora, where the Discovery will stay the first night before navigating to the Darien Jungle. Take this opportunity to meet your expedition leaders, the crew and your fellow travelers while you savor our tempting native cuisine.

Accommodations: M/V Discovery
Included Meals: dinner

Day 2 - Darien Jungle

Step aboard a time machine and travel back more than 600 years to a place that not many have had the privilege of experiencing. More than an excursion, this is a journey into the lives of the Embera Indians. A proud people who have been able to maintain their traditions and lifestyle as they were before the Spaniards colonized the region. These natives are also master crafters of cocobolo wood carvings and basketry. After motoring up river you will see the village emerging from the jungle, as if by magic. Keep your eyes open along the way as the region offers abundant wildlife that is particularly active along the rivers edge.

Accommodations: M/V Discovery
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3 - Pearl Islands – San Telmo

Snorkel and swim on the waters of the Pearl Islands. The archipelago owes its name to the abundance of Pearl Oysters which supported a substantial fishery in the early 1900`s. On the outer portion of the archipelago, the islands of San Telmo and Galera are home to some pristine beaches and fertile fishing grounds. Join the divers from Esmeralda in their search for pearls and kayak along beautiful and unspoiled beaches. View the remains of the submarine Explorer built in 1865 during the Civil War and which sunk off the coast of San Telmo during the oyster fishery of the late 1800´s.

Accommodations: M/V Discovery
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4 - Panama Canal Transit – Gatun Lake

Wake up at the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal and join the morning’s ship convoy for our northbound canal passage traversing Miraflores Locks and Pedro Miguel Locks. The Discovery will be raised 85 feet above sea level to Gatun Lake. You will have a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience up close the history and operation of this engineering marvel. Navigate the Gaillard Cut, the narrowest section of the Panama Canal, bisecting the Continental Divide. This section of the canal is full of history and geological value and you will be able to appreciate the continuous maintenance that this area requires, because it is very susceptible to landslides. Spend the night in Gatun Lake on Panama Canal waters.

Accommodations: M/V Discovery
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5 - Panama Canal – Barro Colorado

Prior to the construction of the Panama Canal, the vast jungle area that is now the Gatun Lake was teeming with an overwhelming abundance of wildlife. As the region was flooded to create the lake, animals took refuge in the mountain peaks, which are now the many islands that dot the renowned lake. Explore Barro Colorado Island where the Smithsonian´s Tropical Research Center is located. Your expedition leader will take you on board small crafts past lush rainforests to secluded areas of the lake to witness first-hand the splendor and excitement of the jungle. Exotic birds, monkeys, sloths, iguanas, and crocodiles are just a few of the animals that you could see in their native surroundings. The sights, sounds and scents that make up this beautiful, tropical jungle will engulf you. Cameras are a must as this is considered the world’s premier location for viewing monkeys and other animals in the wild. The Discovery will exit the Panama Canal in the afternoon on its way to the mouth of the Chagres River.

Accommodations: M/V Discovery
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6 - Chagres River - Fort San Lorenzo

Experience the magnificent Chagres River which was used by the conquistadors to move their gold across the Isthmus of Panama en-route from Peru to Spain and by the gold prospectors who attempted a "short cut" from the US East coast to the gold fields of California. The river was the center piece of the colonial inter-oceanic route and is now the lifeline of the Panama Canal full of wildlife and tropical jungle. Explore Fort San Lorenzo which is located on a cliff at the mouth of the Chagres on the Atlantic side where your leader will offer details of the immense amount of history found on this area. The fort was built by the Spaniards in the 16th century to defend their well known gold trail.

Accommodations: M/V Discovery
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7 - Portobelo – Caribbean

Wake up to a farewell breakfast before you disembark the Discovery. Travel by motor coach to Portobelo and enjoy this town located on Caribbean waters which was founded by Christopher Columbus on his fourth voyage to the new continent in 1597. This quaint town is rich in history as it was the site of many sea and land battles between the Spanish colonials and the pirates and corsairs raiding the Spanish Main. Explore the fortifications built by the Spaniards to protect their treasures and visit the Church of San Felipe, the sanctuary of the Black Christ. Later in the afternoon, board the Panama Canal Railway train back to Panama City. This one hour railroad trip will allow you to traverse the picturesque trans-isthmian route from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. The line flanks the Panama Canal passing through lush rainforests, cruising alongside the Canal’s locks, through the historic Gaillard Cut and gliding over slender causeways in Gatun Lake.

Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals: breakfast and lunch



Extend Your Trip: Call AdventureSmith Explorations about the possibilities of combining this trip with our Panama trips.

Itinerary Notes: This Panama small ship cruise operates year-round. We may occasionally alter itineraries slightly for safety, or to take advantage of weather, wildlife, and unplanned discoveries. Our ability to be flexible makes our style of cruising unique.

Included: Transfers to and from the ship, Transportation, shore excursions,use of equipment. All meals and Beverages aboard the ship. Taxes and port charges.

Exclusions: International Airfare; excess baggage charges; Panama Tourist card(5$); Lodging in Panama City, persoanl gear, gratuities, laundry fees and insurance of any kind.

Room Configurations: The M/V Discovery offer single occupancy at an 50% supplement.

Arrival & Departure: If boarding in Panama City boarding is at 2pm on day 1. Transfers from hotels (only in the city) to the ship are included, with pick-up usually starting at 1:00 pm. If boarding in Portobelo boarding is between 2 and 5pm, but hotel pick-up starts at 6am. Passengers will take the train from Panama to Colon early morning. We recommend that passengers arrive in Panama City the day before the cruise departs to avoid any flight delays. If you arrive on the day of the cruise for the northbound itinerary, please schedule your flights to arrive no later than noon. Disembarkation for the northbound itinerary is in Portobelo at 11am. Passengers will arrive to Panama at 6:15pm by train; a hotel (only in the city) transfer is included. Disembarkation for the southbound itinerary is in Panama City between 8:30-9am; a hotel transfer is included. From the train station in Panama and from the Flamenco Marina it might take you about 45 minutes to get to the 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.



Qualifications: This trip will be enjoyed by anyone who is in good health and leads an active life. Daily excursions from the boat will be made in a smaller skiff. Trip members will hike from the landing point to specific areas for wildlife observation. Hiking time for most landings will be a couple of hours round trip with lots of time to stop to study, photograph and enjoy the flora and fauna. Most landings are dry but some may be "wet", requiring cautious footing on slippery rocks. The boat staff will be on hand to assist.

For additional information and reservations, please contact us:

800-728-2875 | 530-583-1775 | fax 530-583-1711 | travel@AdventureSmithExplorations.com