Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Panama City
You'll land in Panama City and get picked up at the airport for the drive to your hotel in the city center. Depending on when you arrive, there's time to grab dinner or a drink either at the hotel or at one of the nearby spots.
Optional Activities
- Individual dinner or drink in the hotel or surrounding area
- Day 2
Panama City Highlights
Start by hiking through Metropolitano Natural Park to see how Panama City mixes modern skyscrapers with older villas and green hills. From there, head to the Causeway Amador for views of the city skyline and to see the Americas Bridge. Walk through Casco Antiguo, the historic old town, and stop at the fish market to try ceviche or a shrimp cocktail. By evening, drive along the Cinta Costera coastal road.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Hike in Metropolitano Natural Park
- Visit Causeway Amador
- Explore Casco Antiguo
- Visit fish market and try ceviche or shrimp cocktail
- Cinta Costera coastal road viewing
Landmarks Metropolitano Natural Park Causeway Amador Americas Bridge (Puente de Americas) Casco Antiguo Cinta Costera - Day 3
Altos de Campana National Park & Pineapple Farm
Travel west on the Panamericana to Altos de Campana, Panama's oldest national park. Visit the Caja de Agua viewpoint for views of the mountains and Pacific Ocean, then take a short hike around the area. Stop at Quesos Chela to try local cheese, empanadas, and traditional drinks. On the way back to the city, visit a pineapple farm where you'll learn how they grow and package the fruit, and you get to sample some.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Simple lunch)
Included Activities
- Hike in Altos de Campana National Park
- Visit Caja de Agua viewpoint
- Stop at Quesos Chela
- Pineapple farm tour and tasting
Landmarks Altos de Campana National Park Caja de Agua viewpoint - Day 4
Panama Canal Train & Historic Ruins
Board the historic train from Panama City to Colón, traveling through jungle areas and across Lake Gatun with views of the Panama Canal. At the Agua Clara Observation Center, learn about the newer lock system that opened in 2016. Check out the 15th-century ruins at San Lorenzo, which used to store treasures from Peru. Later, see the 16th-century ruins of Panama Viejo, destroyed in 1671 when pirate Sir Henry Morgan attacked.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Historic train ride from Panama City to Colón
- Panama Canal Expansion Observation Center tour
- Visit San Lorenzo ruins
- Explore Panama Viejo ruins
Landmarks Panama Canal Panama Canal Expansion Observation Center (Agua Clara) San Lorenzo ruins Panama Viejo - Day 5
Soberanía National Park & Miraflores Locks
Drive to Soberanía National Park and hike through tropical forest where you might see different animal species. Head to Gamboa port and take a boat onto Lake Gatun to watch the biodiversity and see cargo ships moving through the Panama Canal. Back on land, visit the Miraflores Locks with viewing terraces to watch ships pass through, and spend time at the museum learning about how the canal works.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Picnic lunch)
Included Activities
- Hike in Soberanía National Park
- Boat trip on Lake Gatun
- Visit Miraflores Locks
- Museum visit at Miraflores Locks
Optional Activities
- Noche Panamena (advance booking required)
Landmarks Soberanía National Park Lake Gatun Miraflores Locks 
- Day 6
Embera Village & Rio Chagres
Head northeast to Lake Alajuela and get into small dugout boats for a trip up the Rio Chagres through the jungle. You'll experience how the Embera people live and learn about their traditions that go back centuries. Lunch is a simple typical meal of fish and patacones (fried plantains). Return to Panama City in the afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Simple typical dish of fish and patacones (plantains))
Included Activities
- Boat trip up Rio Chagres
- Visit Embera village
- Authentic cultural experience
Landmarks Lake Alajuela Rio Chagres Embera village - Day 7
Panama Canal Partial Crossing
Take a partial crossing of the Panama Canal, one of the world's most important waterways. You'll drive through and pass the Pedro Miguel and Miraflores locks while learning about the canal's history and engineering. Watch large cargo ships work their way through the locks, have lunch on the ship, and return to your hotel by late afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch on ship)
Included Activities
- Partial crossing of Panama Canal
- Panama Canal ship experience
- Lunch on ship
Optional Activities
- Complete crossing of Panama Canal (available on select dates for additional charge)
Landmarks Pedro Miguel Locks Miraflores Locks - Day 8
Departure from Panama City
Transfer to Tocumen International Airport for your flight home. This marks the end of your Panama tour, or it could be the start of another trip if you've arranged a follow-up program.
- Meals
- Breakfast
