BEST OF PANAMA WITH BOCAS DEL TORO (ILPE2012)

Day 1:
Arrive Panama City, Panama. Arrive in Panama City, a beautiful, colorful, and vibrant city. Built in 1519 by Pedro Arias de Avila, a Spanish conquistador who made it his base for plundering Peru’s riches, today, Panama remains one of the central hubs for commerce and trade in the Americas. Panama offers diverse natural wonders, a melting pot of ethnicities and cultures, and historical as well as modern cityscapes.

Day 2:
Panama City. After breakfast, your Panama City TOUR visits Casco Antiguo or the colonial area of the city, which is the oldest sector of modern Panama City, founded in 1673 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This historic district was built as a protected walled city after Panama City was burned down in a pirate attack in 1671. Here, see the restored colonial buildings, churches, and historical monuments. Next, visit the MIRAFLORES LOCKS at the Panama Canal to witness this engineering genius in operation. During your guided tour, learn about the history of the canal and its construction and observe transiting vessels navigate the locks from just a few feet away. (B)

Day 3:
Panama City–Gamboa Rainforest Resort. Today a special treat is in store when you board a vessel for a Panama Canal PARTIAL TRANSIT. Your boat will enter the canal at the Gailard Cut, where the Chagres River flows into the canal and where the canal was carved through the Continental Divide. Enter the Pedro Miguel Locks, where your vessel will be lowered approximately 30 feet into Miraflores Lake. Continue to the Miraflores Locks to be lowered almost 60 feet to the Pacific Ocean. Disembark your ship and head to Gamboa Rainforest Resort within Soberania National Park. (B,L)

Day 4:
Gamboa Rainforest Resort. An enchanting journey takes you deep into the dense jungles of the Chagres, where the Emberá Indians have lived for centuries. The adventure begins with a CRUISE up the river in dugout canoes, the Emberá traditional hand-carved boats. Upon arrival at the INDIAN VILLAGE, you will be taken back in time as you are immersed in ancient Emberá cultural dances and music that have not changed much since Columbus arrived in the 1500s. The Emberás will give you a glimpse into their mystical rituals and amazing knowledge of medicinal plants and other natural remedies. The Indians will invite you to explore the area’s abundant variety of birds and wildlife during a trek that takes you through the untouched jungle and past sparkling waterfalls. Top off your visit with a typical lunch in the village. (B,L)

Day 5:
Gamboa Rainforest Resort. Enjoy a free day to take advantage of the resort’s many activities, like an aerial tram tour, kayaking, fishing, or birding and monkey tours. Alternatively, simply relax by the pool or at the spa. (B)

Day 6:
Gamboa Rainforest Resort–Panama City–Bocas Del Toro. Fly to Bocas Del Toro, a Caribbean archipelago offering lush rainforests and jungle excursions, crystal-clear waters that are perfect for snorkeling or diving the nearby coral reefs, amazing bird-watching opportunities, and much more. Enjoy three nights here to discover these beautiful islands at your own pace. (B)

Day 7:
Bocas Del Toro. Enjoy two free days to relax and explore Bocas Del Toro. Perhaps take an optional excursion to Bird Island, a small, rocky island in the middle of the ocean that serves as a migratory rest stop for birds traveling from North to South and back again. Or, take an excursion to Bastimentos National Park, Panama’s first national park. Here you will discover mangroves, lowland forests, rainforests, and lagoons teeming with birds, monkeys, sloths, reptiles, and much more. You will also visit a nearby indigenous community to meet some locals. These are just a sampling of activities during your time here—the choice is yours! (B daily)

Day 8:
Bocas Del Toro. Enjoy two free days to relax and explore Bocas Del Toro. Perhaps take an optional excursion to Bird Island, a small, rocky island in the middle of the ocean that serves as a migratory rest stop for birds traveling from North to South and back again. Or, take an excursion to Bastimentos National Park, Panama’s first national park. Here you will discover mangroves, lowland forests, rainforests, and lagoons teeming with birds, monkeys, sloths, reptiles, and much more. You will also visit a nearby indigenous community to meet some locals. These are just a sampling of activities during your time here—the choice is yours! (B daily)

Day 9:
Bocas Del Toro–Panama City. After a morning free to explore some more, transfer to the airport for your flight to Panama City and your final night in Panama. (B)

Day 10:
Panama City. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
5/24/2012 - 6/2/2012	$1,739
5/31/2012 - 6/9/2012	$1,739
6/7/2012 - 6/16/2012	$1,739
6/14/2012 - 6/23/2012	$1,739
6/21/2012 - 6/30/2012	$1,739
6/28/2012 - 7/7/2012	$1,739
7/5/2012 - 7/14/2012	$1,739
7/12/2012 - 7/21/2012	$1,739
7/19/2012 - 7/28/2012	$1,739
7/26/2012 - 8/4/2012	$1,739
8/2/2012 - 8/11/2012	$1,739
8/9/2012 - 8/18/2012	$1,739
8/16/2012 - 8/25/2012	$1,739
8/23/2012 - 9/1/2012	$1,739
8/30/2012 - 9/8/2012	$1,739
9/6/2012 - 9/15/2012	$1,739
9/13/2012 - 9/22/2012	$1,739
9/20/2012 - 9/29/2012	$1,739
9/27/2012 - 10/6/2012	$1,739
10/4/2012 - 10/13/2012	$1,739
10/11/2012 - 10/20/2012	$1,739
10/18/2012 - 10/27/2012	$1,739
10/25/2012 - 11/3/2012	$1,739
11/1/2012 - 11/10/2012	$1,739
11/8/2012 - 11/17/2012	$1,739
11/15/2012 - 11/24/2012	$1,739
11/22/2012 - 12/1/2012	$1,739
11/29/2012 - 12/8/2012	$1,739
12/6/2012 - 12/15/2012	$1,739
12/13/2012 - 12/22/2012	$1,739
12/20/2012 - 12/29/2012	$2,039
12/27/2012 - 1/5/2013	$2,079
Note: Departures appearing above in green are guaranteed to operate by the tour operator.
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

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