8 Days/7 Nights

Panama & the Panama Canal

See all Panama has to offer. Cruise through the world-famous Panama Canal…explore lush, tropical rain forests…stroll sandy Pacific beaches…visit mountain villages…and meet native people. Nobody shows you the real Panama like we do!

Tour Highlights

• Relax and learn on an unforgettable daytime voyage through the Panama Canal.
• Watch on land as ships transit through Miraflores Locks with just inches to spare.
• Take a dugout canoe along the Chagres River and visit a primitive Embera Indian village.
• Experience life on a sugarcane farm, where harvest and pressing are still done as they were centuries ago.

Itinerary

Day 1—Atlanta/Panama City: Meet your friendly World Wide Country Tours representative in Atlanta before boarding your flight to Panama City. On arrival, you’ll be escorted to our inviting hotel, Country Inn and Suites on the Panama Canal. From your hotel, you’ll enjoy spectacular views of the giant cargo ships and the Bridge of the Americas that links North and Central America with South America.

Day 2—Panama City: We have a fun, activity-filled day in store for you! We’ll explore the Canal Zone, which housed the now vacant U.S. Army and Naval bases. Then it’s on to the Panama Canal Administration Building where you’ll marvel at the magnificent 360-degree murals depicting the monumental effort to build the canal.

Next, we’ll visit Old Panama, founded in 1519 by a Spanish conquistador. This original city of Panama was the gateway for Peru’s gold and silver and the silks of the Orient. Our guide will lead us on an exploration of the ruins. You’ll then have time to stroll through the ­artisan shops.

Later, enjoy a special presentation on the canal’s history at Miraflores Locks’ diorama. From the observation platform, you’ll watch in awe as ocean-going ships are tendered through huge locks with only inches to spare.

Be sure to get a good night’s sleep as tomorrow we have an early start to another exciting day!

Day 3—The Panama Canal: Get set for a once-in-a-lifetime thrill! At Flamenco Island Marina on the Pacific Ocean side of Panama, our boat awaits us for a memorable full-day, full-length crossing of the Panama Canal.

World Wide Country Tours guarantees a daytime crossing, so you won’t miss this spectacular event! It will be an unforgettable experience as our boat is raised and lowered through each of the locks along the canal on our way to the Atlantic.

Ships from all over the world pass through the canal each day. In fact, more than 14,000 vessels pass through the canal annually, carrying over 205 million tons of cargo—roughly 5% of the world’s commercial trade!

During our cruise, you’ll be treated to a tasty breakfast and lunch as well as ­fascinating stories about the canal’s long history, unique geography and worldwide importance—flanked on all sides by Panama’s beautiful rainforest.

Day 4—San Lorenzo: Today we’ll depart for the lower Chagres River and some great wildlife viewing! From our excursion boats you might see keel-billed toucans, three-toed sloths and howler monkeys in the rainforest along the river. On the Caribbean coast, we’ll explore Fort San Lorenzo, a stone Spanish fortress that overlooks the mouth of the Chagres and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Later, explore Fort Sherman Forest Reserve, where the U.S. military once conducted jungle training.

Later, you’ll be treated to a special presentation by the Kuna Indians on making molas. They’ll entertain you with flute music, dancing and a special gift just for you!

Day 5—Portobelo/Panama Rail: Today we’ll drive along the coast to Portobelo for a tour of the preserved Spanish forts and churches. During colonial times, Portobelo was one of Spain’s most important strongholds in the Americas. We’ll explore Fort San Geronimo and Fort Santiago de la Gloria, and then the Church of San Felipe. This 19th-Century Spanish church’s most famous relic is a carving of Jesus which, because of its dark wood, is known as “The Black Christ.”

We’ll enjoy a tasty Caribbean-­inspired lunch and then head for the railway station in Colon for an unforgettable train ride. Enjoy the scenery along canal locks and through the ­Gaillard Cut as you relax in your elegant and comfortable passenger coach.

Day 6—Anton: Today you’re in for two taste-tempting treats, with visits to a sugarcane plantation and a pineapple farm! During our tour we will sample homemade sweets and juicy pineapple fresh from the field.

We’ll savor dinner at a local restaurant in the Casco Viejo (Old Quarter), where you can enjoy a walk along charming cobblestone streets.

Day 7—Chagres River: A full day of adventure awaits! This morning we’ll be transported to the shores of Madden Lake where we’ll board motorized dugout canoes for a ride along the Chagres River and ­Alajuela Lake.

We’ll meet some special local residents—the Embera Indians. Amazingly, their customs and crafts have remained unchanged for centuries. These delightful people live un­­der thatched roofs, cook their meals over open fires and sleep in hammocks.

Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner and entertainment.

Day 8—Panama City/Atlanta: Today we’ll say goodbye to this enchanting country and return home, where you’ll be eager to share your incredible Panama and the Panama Canal experiences.

Accommodations

• Days 1-2 & 5-7: Country Inn & Suites, Panama City
• Days 3 & 4: Melia Panama Canal, Colon
• Pre/Post-Tour: Holiday Inn Atlanta Airport South, Atlanta