OPTIONAL TOURS FROM PANAMA CITY

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OPTIONAL TOURS FROM PANAMA CITY 2012 RATES

All rates per person. Minimun 2 passengers

CITY TOUR OF PANAMA & CANAL: Half day

Panama City is a vibrant, cosmopolitan and beautiful city, Capital of the Republic of Panama, and located at the Pacific side of the American Continent. Built in 1519 by Pedro Arias Davila, a Spanish Governor, it has been considered as on of the most important cities of the Americas. You will visit the oldest sector of modern Panama, known as the Casco Viejo. Other points of interest are the famed flat arch or Santo Domingo Church, the beautiful gold- plated altar of the San Jose Church, the Panama Canal Museum, the National Theater, the National Cathedral, the Presidential Palace and other numerous colonial churches and monuments. Then your tour will continue to see modern Panama and The Banking District and its beautiful Skyscrapers .The city is and important center of international finance and is home to more than 120 banks. Continue to visit Miraflores Locks & Panama Canal: Participants will be able to witness the magnificent Miraflores Locks and most probably, its operation. An expert canal guide will take us back in time to be part of it. What a way to experience this magnificent architectural masterpiece and to have a breathtaking view of the 8^th wonder of the World .....COST PER PERSON US$70

GAMBOA RAINFOREST: Half day

You will be able to take a ride of 1.2 km in the only cable car of Panama, a “gondola,” learning about the flora and fauna of this tropical rain forest. After 20 minutes of ascent from the first station ,you will have arrived at the top of the hill where you will walk an small path that leads to the Observation tower ,which has 10 levels on a spiral ramp. Then you will see part of the Panama Canal, the Emberá Indian Village and the Town of Gamboa surrounded by abundant vegetation and the vivid sky t hat frames the majestic landscape. Then visit the Ecological Exhibits..... COST PER PERSON: US$133

Colon: Full day

This tour will take you to visit the free zone in the Panama Canal (on the Atlantic side). Per person..US$62

PORTOBELLO: Full day

This tour will start with a land transit from the breaking waves of the Pacific Ocean to the calm waters of the Caribbean. Once we turn off the main road between Panama City and Colon and head towards Portobelo, we will enter a green landscape with dramatic hills where the “campesinos” (Spanish for farmers) ride their horses and tend their cattle. Portobelo is a sleepy bayside town full of colonial history where you will feel transported back in time (the port was used by the spaniards to take all the treasures from the Inka Empire to Spain) . Here, you will encounter no less than 5 colonial fortifications where the canons are still pointing their mouths towards the bay they once protected. Portobelo is also home to the statue of the Black Christ, which according to the legend possesses divine powers, that has several times prevented the statue from being removed from here. Other monuments of interest are: The Custom House (counting house) built in 1640 and the Hospital Chapel built in the year 1597. Includes lunch at a local restaurant.....$142

FOLKLORIC SHOW & DINNER
Departure: Tuesday to Saturday Approx. 7:00 p.m.

Panama has been a melting pot of several cultures for quite a long time now. Originally, the native Indian groups created acoustic instruments using parts of plants and shells of different animals. Before then the Spanish conquerors brought their influences from the Old World. The Afro-Caribbean’s also contributed to the Panamanian culture when they came for the Canal construction. Also other small groups contributed to what is today, one the most attractive and folkloric heritages of Latin America.
Experience all these elements at "Las Tinajas Restaurant" where you can enjoy a delicious Panamanian dinner, and move to the rhythms of the Panamanian “repicadores, pujadores & guiro” (Panamanian folkloric instruments) while dancers display their beautiful and elegant “Polleras”, Panama's national dress.
Cost per person...............US$88 (Single pay double)

CONTADORA ISLAND : Full day

Full day excursion with air transportation and transfers..$299.00

TABOGA ISLAND:

Full day excursion including lunch, boat transportation..$99.00

DAY TOURS THRU PANAMA CANAL:

- Half a day excursion by boat thru the Panama Canal:

For many, this tour is a once in a lifetime experience. Transiting by ferry through 2 sets of locks. This feat is accomplished on gravity alone, no water pumps are used. You will cross the Continental divide and thru the narrowest part of the Panama Canal. You viewing thesites and towns such as: the infamous dredging división of Gamboa, under the new Centennial Bridge, Pedro Miguel and also view the first bridge, That brought together, the east and west banks of the the Panama Canal, The Bridge of the Americas. Transfers to/from hotel are also included.

4 Hrs...US$223.00 (Children under 11 years old $115)

Departure dates: Every Saturday

- Full day transit Panama Canal by boat thru the Panama Canal (Two Oceans)

Scheduled one Saturday per month and departing from pier 18 at Balboa at 7:30 a.m

Enjoy a day cruise through the Panama Canal from Pacific to Atlantic. This option takes you through all three sets of Panama Canal locks, plus Miraflores and Gatun Lakes. You will also pass through the Gaillard Cut, where dynamite, steam shovel, and manpower dug out a waterway through the Continental Divide. During the three-hour passage through Gatun Lake you will have opportunity to see the Gamboa homeport of the Dredging Division of the Panama Canal, and some of their interesting floating equipment, such as floating cranes "Herman the German" and "Hercules", dredges "Rialto Christensen" and "Mindi", in addition to the lush jungle scenery and wildlife on the shoreline. Throughout the transit you will see the Canal at work in a way the one cannot see from a large cruise ship; tugs assisting in maneuvers, locks locomotive operators and seamen, canal boatmen making wires fast from ship to locomotive. On arrival at Cristobal, the Panama Canal's Atlantic terminus, we will have buses to take you back across the Isthmus to the starting point.

Included:Transfer from hotel in Panama City (GT- 1050) or from Gamboa Rainforest Resort (GT- 1051)/ round trip, Panama Canal Ocean to Ocean Transit on the Isla Morada or Fantasia del Mar vessel and bilingual commentary on the vessel's PA throughout the transit

Only once a month...please call... $295.00 (Children under 11 years old $124) (10-11 hours)

Includes: 2012 FULL TRANSIT DATES:
Jan. 14 & 21, Feb. 11 & 18, Mar. 10 & 17, Apr. 21, May 19, Jun. 16, Jul. 21, Aug. 21, Sep. 15, Oct. 20, Nov. 17, Dec. 15

EMBERA-PURU INDIANS :

Depart Panama by car, then by boat across the Lake and the Chagres River to the Embera Indian village. Here you will learn about their indigenous culture and traditions. Lunch at the Village in one of their Indian huts.(Aprox.times 8.30am to 4.30pm)Recommendations: You should wear short pants, sneakers or Tevas, T-shirt, cap or hat, sunblock, insect repellent and dont forget a bathing suit. Full day excursion to visit the Village (Full day by car and by boat)..........$196

Transcontinental Train:

Full day excursion. We will board the Transcontinental Train at the in Corozal train station in Panama City for a historical ride alongside the Panama Canal. This 8^th wonder of the world is famous for its breathtaking beauty and drama of its construction. Originally completed in 1855, The Panama Railroad became the first transcontinental railroad. The French Panama Canal Company purchased the railroad in 1880 to assist in their attempt to build the Panama Canal. In 1904, the United States purchased the New Panama Canal Company’s assets from the French, including the railroad. The United States rebuilt and operated the railroad until 1979, when it was transferred to Panama under the terms of the Panama Canal Treaty. In 1998, Panama privatized the railroad and awarded a 50-year concession to the Panama Canal Company, a joint venture of Kansas City Southern and Mi-Jack Products, to rebuild and operate the line. The new "reborn" railroad began operations in 2000. The spectacular views of this train ride will make this an unforgettable trip. Also visit the City of Colon including lunch at local restaurant. Cost per person..$199

BARRO COLORADO (6 Hrs approx., Mo, Tu, We, Sa, Su, departures at 6:30 a.m. min 2)

Barro Colorado Island (BCI) is located in the center of Gatun Lake. It was in 1923 when this area was declared a Biological Reserve and in 1943 the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute established its laboratories for Neotropical Research. With a specialized nature tour guide navigate in the Panama Canal and experience the big ships transiting the waterway. Once in BCI, explore its coves to look for monkeys, sloth, and other mammals. The avian life is outstanding. Admire countless species of tropical birds in their natural habitat……………….Cost per person $ 160 / reservation in advance…limit number of visitors are allowed per day.

EL VALLE DE ANTON CANOPY TOUR 8 Hours

You begin this adventure at El Chorro Del Macho Waterfall in El Valle de Anton where you begin your hike up to the steel-cable system distributed along the canopy of the forest. You travel safely from tree to tree, descending the mountain where El Macho Waterfalls starts. Cost per person $250.00

Recommendations: long pants, hiking boots or sneakers, insect repellent, hat, dry clothes in case of rain. Lunch Inc.

MONKEY ISLAND BOAT TOUR 4 hours

Take a boat tour through the Panama Canal into secret waterways to find hidden islands that are the monkeys’ favorites. Capuchin and howler monkeys can be seen jumping on the trees above. Occasionally, they become curious of the visitors and venture down to take a closer look. The Monkey Island adventure tour begins on the edge of Gamboa, crossing the Chagres River, up to the Gatun Lake in the Panama Canal, one of the biggest artificial lakes of the world with an area of 425 square kilometers. In this great adventure you will have the opportunity to visit several islands, where you will see the flora and fauna, watch up close friendly capuchins and howling monkeys, as well as observe numerous bird species. This tour is ideal for nature lovers who will be charmed with the aquatic life, while at the same time enjoying the wonderful rainforest.
Private tours................Cost per person US$88 (minimum 2 passengers travelling together)

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