panama water and rail adventure

TOURIST TOUR

FEBRUARY 12-19, 2023

sure go

A journey through the Panama Canal never ceases to amaze and delight. In recent years new interest has been added with the opening of the expanded locks at each end. While the original canal locks still accommodate an average of 42 vessels per day, the new locks handle about 7 or 8 huge ships. Up to 15,000 containers may be aboard, compared to the smaller ships of 5,000. Other types include streamlined auto carriers, bulk freighters, refers and cruise ships. While our cruise through the six locks will surely be one of the highlights of this tour there is so much more to see and do in Panama one being riding the Panama Railroad from sea to sea.

Day 1 Sunday February 12:

Individual flights to Panama City, Panama. Once in Panama City met and transferred to the Burbayar Nature Lodge. Everyone will have their private cabin which has some great bird watching. This lodge is one hour transfer from the airport.

Day 2 Monday February 13: (B-L)

Full day to relax at the Burbayar Nature Lodge.

Day 3 Tuesday February 14: (B-L-D)

Afternoon transfer to the Panama Canal Radisson Hotel with views of the Amador Causeway and the many ships entering or departing the canal. We will spend the next 5 nights at this hotel.

PANAMA CANAL RADISSON HOTEL

THE AMADOR CAUSEWAY

Day 4 Wednesday February 15: (B-L)

Morning hours to relax and watch the ships. Late morning we go to explore Casco Antiguo and the gardens. We have lunch at a local restaurant. Other points of interest here is the National Palace, The Cathedral, and other architectural gems. Mid-afternoon we visit the Miraflores Locks.

CASCO ANTIGUO PHOTOS ABOVE AND BELOW

PHOTOS BELOW ARE THE MIRAFLORES LOCKS

Day 5 Thursday February 16: (B-L)

Today we ride the Panama Canal passenger train for the one hour ride running along the canal to Colon on the east side of the country. Try out the open decks on each car for unobstructed viewing of the canal, woods and jungles. We will have a lite breakfast onboard. While on the east coach of Panama we take in historic Fort Sdan Lorenzo, enjoy a great lunch at Shelter Bay Marina, and visit the Gatun new locks. The evening train returns us to Panama City on the west coast of the country.

GATUN LOCKS

Day 6 Friday February 17: (B-L)

For the early risers a bird and nature walk along the Pipeline Road in Soberania National Park. Or you can sleep in a bit and take a 45 minute drive to Gamboa for a jungle boat ride on Gatun Lake to observe monkeys, iguanas, sloths, turles and a lot more. Lunch at Gamboa Rainforest Resort. Rest of the afternoon at your leisure to stroll the causeway, shop, visit the Biodiversity Museum, or perhaps take a ride on the new Metro Line.

JUNGLE BOAT EXCURSION

PHOTOS BELOW IN SOBERANIA NATIONAL PARK

Day 7 Saturday February 18: (B-L)

Today we take a 8 hour cruise onboard the Pacific Queen eastbound through the Panama Canal. Upon arrival on the Atlantic side a bus will take us back to our hotel.

THE PACIFIC QUEEN

Day 8 Sunday February 19: (B)

Today marks the end of our tour. Transfer to the airport and flights home.

PRICES ALL PER PERSON