Costa Rica - Panama with Canal Transit Tour

Combine this tour with our Costa Rica Variety Tour
(January 18-24 and February 21-27)
Contact us for a private tour on your preferred dates.

Highlights:

• Full-time Panamanian Guide and U.S. Escort
• Full ocean-to-ocean transit of the Panama Canal
• Cross the Isthmus on the historic Panama Canal Railway
• Colonial Spanish fort and port in Portobelo
• City Tour of old and new Panama City and Miraflores Locks and Visitors Center in the former U.S.Canal Zone
• Dinner and Folklore Dance Show
• Full-day visit to Embera Indian Village in the rainforest, OR full-day visit to El Valle de Anton crafts market, zoo and rainforest walk
• See Tour Preview Video!

Daily Itinerary: (January 13-18, 2010 Tour)

Day 1: Arrival and orientation session and dinner in Panama

Day 2: Train Ride & Historic Portobelo
Enjoy an unforgettable experience as you travel by train along the Panama Canal Railway. Recreate the experience of the '49ers who crossed Panama during the California Gold Rush while enjoying the view of the rainforest and the heart of the canal. Upon your arrival in Colon City you will be transferred to Portobelo, the site of the 17th-19th century Spanish colonial port and fortress. You will learn of the recurring pirate attacks and of Panama's importance in the Colonial era. Before your return to Panama City you will have lunch at a typical restaurant and visit a famous local church, home of the Black Christ. In the evening you'll enjoy a dinner and folk dance show at Las Tinajas Restaurant in Panama City.

Day 3: Panama City Tour
You will have a full-day tour of historic Panama City. You begin the day by visiting the Visitor Center and the 16th century ruins of Old Panama (Panama La Vieja). Next, you visit Colonial Panama (Casco Viejo), stopping at the San Jose Church to see its gold-altar and to have lunch at Manolo Caracol Restaurant. Afterwards, you continue on to the former U.S. Canal Zone for a visit to the Miraflores Locks and Visitor Center.

Day 4: Panama Canal Transit
Today is your full ocean-to-ocean transit through the Panama Canal. Your eight-hour transit will take you through three sets of locks, the Gaillard Cut and Gatun Lake. You will be able to appreciate Panama City's soaring skyline and have a spectacular view of the Bridge of the Americas as you pass beneath. Your 90-minute return to Panama City is on a motor coach. Your transit on a small ship provides the opportunity to appreciate the enormity of the locks and to experience the process of the filling of the chambers and the rising of your ship.

Day 5: Choose one of the following 2 full-day tours:

1) Visit an Embera Village which is like a scene from National Geographic. Situated on the banks of the Chagres River in the heart of a tropical rainforest, the village is reached only by sturdy canoes (with motors). You meet the gentle Embera villagers, learn about their culture, and see their ceremonial dances. You can purchase woven baskets and carved tagua nut figurines of jungle wildlife and visit the nearby herbal garden where your guide shows you plants from which many known pharmaceuticals are made.

2) Spend the day in the mountain town of El Valle de Anton. Visit the Sunday Craft Market where Ngobe Bugle and Kuna artisans display their crafts including the famous mola fabrics. You will also enjoy walking on a local rainforest trail, visiting El Nispero Zoo and having lunch at a local restaurant.

In the evening passengers from both tours will come together to enjoy a farewell dinner at a popular restaurant on the Amador causeway.

Day 6: Transfer to Tocumen International Airport for your return home, or continue on to Costa Rica for our Variety Tour. Alternatively, you may extend your Panama vacation with a stay at a five-star beach resort on the Pacific Coast, or at a five-star rainforest resort in Gamboa.

Daily Itinerary: (February 17-21, 2010 Tour)

Days 1-4: Same as above.

Day 5: Transfer to Tocumen International Airport for your return home, or you can continue on to Costa Rica for our Variety Tour (February 21-27). Alternatively, you may extend your Panama stay by a day with a full day visit to the Embera Village or El Valle de Anton, as described on Day 5 of the January tour (above). You can also extend your stay at a five-star beach resort on the Pacific Coast, or at a five-star rainforest resort in Gamboa.

Passenger Comments:

"We had a great time on the Panama trip and hope you will continue the tour so others will be able to have the same opportunity we all had this year. It was so educational but also enjoyable." Lonny & Ann B, retired business systems consultant, NC

"Your tour was exactly what I was looking for. It was a terrific trip. I have had no problem speaking highly about the schedule, the people, and the opportunity to be pioneers in Panama before the world finds out what a great place it is." Jerry G, retired educator (CA). Read Jerry's full review in International Travel News, February 2009 (PDF).

COST:

January 13-18, 2010 (6D/5N land tour):
$1695 per person in double occupancy (+$265 for single occupancy). Tour cost includes 5 hotel nights, airport transfers and airport tips, 12 meals, ground transportation itinerary activities including the Panama Canal transit and train trip, customized newsletter, full-time Panamanian guide, driver, and U.S. Escort.

February 17-21, 2010 (5D/4N land tour):
$1545 per person in double occupancy (+$215 for single occupancy). Tour cost includes 4 hotel nights, airport transfers and airport tips, 7 meals, ground transportation itinerary activities including the Panama Canal transit and train trip, customized newsletter, full-time Panamanian guide, driver, and U.S. Escort. Add $200 (per person in double occupancy) for optional one-day Embera Village or El Valle de Anton tour (includes transfers, guide, admission fees, hotel with breakfast and airport transfer).

Contact us for a complete tour description and registration information.

COSTA RICA TOURS, LTD Specialists in Costa Rica & Panama info@costaricatoursltd.com www.costaricatoursltd.com (704) 541- 8680 We can arrange private tours on your preferred dates throughout the year.