Day 1 – Panama City, Panama
Welcome to fun, vibrant Panama, home to the Panama Canal, the most important waterway in the world. Take two daytime cruises on the Panama Canal: one through the canal locks and another cruise on Gatun Lake. The Isthmus of Panama links North and South America. See both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. With Caravan you explore rainforests and sandy beaches. Meet friendly native Indians living in the jungle. Caravan provides transfers from Panama’s Tocumen Airport to your hotel for a two night stay. Rooms are available for check in after 4:00 p.m. Join Caravan for an 8:00 p.m. welcome briefing. Dinner is at your hotel. D

Day 2 – Panama Viejo, Miraflores Locks
Morning visit to the ruins of Panama Viejo (Old Panama), the city founded by the Spanish in 1519, as a gateway for gold from the Inca Empire. Next, drive into Casco Viejo for a photo stop at San Jose Church. See the famous Gold Altar, saved from the pirate, Henry Morgan. Both Panama Viejo and Casco Viejo are UNESCO World Heritage sites. Lunch overlooking the Panama Canal Locks. Visit Miraflores Locks and the Canal Museum. Learn about the Canal construction and operation. From Pre-Columbian times to the present day, Panama had a prominent role as the major transit route between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Drive along Panama City’s bay front. See the statue of Vasco Balboa, the first European explorer to cross the Isthmus and view the Pacific Ocean. Enjoy dinner. BLD

Day 3 – Panama Canal Cruise - Gatun Lake
This morning cross the Isthmus to Colon, the Caribbean port at the north end of the Panama Canal. Your short drive of Colon goes by the Free Trade Zone, the largest in the Americas and the Panama Canal Railway Station. Visit Gatun Locks. Gatun is the Atlantic entrance to the Panama Canal. At the visitor center you will learn about the three adjoining locks which raise ships 87 feet above the Caribbean Sea on to the Panama Canal. Lunch. This afternoon enjoy a boat ride on Gatun Lake, the artificial lake which forms part of the Panama Canal. See the lush jungle watershed region of the Panama Canal. Cruise through jungle canals and by hilltop islands, home to a variety of wildlife. See Monkey Island. Enjoy a relaxing two night stay at your resort located in the rainforest. Dinner. BLD

Day 4 – Panama Canal Cruise - Locks Transit
Today an unforgettable adventure as you cruise another portion of the Panama Canal. Cruise by the Bridge of the Americas, pass through Miraflores and Pedro Miguel Locks, cross the Continental Divide. Then wind through the Gaillard Cut to the town of Gamboa. Your small passenger vessel allows for close-up views of the opening and closing of the huge six foot thick steel gates of both the Miraflores and Pedro Miguel Locks. See, at eye-level, how transiting vessels are guided by tugboats and pulled by small trains. (Please note: route may be reversed.) Return to your rainforest resort. This afternoon enjoy a short rainforest hike. Dinner. BLD

Day 5 – Embera Indians, Playa Blanca
This morning, cruise on the Chagres River to visit an Embera Indian village. The Embera inhabit the rainforests of Panama. Look for exotic Embera handicrafts, such as tightly woven palm fiber baskets and carvings made form tagua nuts and the cocobolo tree. Next, cross over the Panama Canal on the Centenario Bridge en route to Playa Blanca. Lunch. Then, a relaxing two night stay on the Pacific Coast. Dinner. BLD


Day 6 – Playa Blanca, El Valle

Morning visit to picturesque El Valle, a town situated in the crater of an immense dormant volcano. Scenic drive of the village’s charming homes. Next, visit a tropical zoo, home to a variety of exotic birds and wildlife. including Panama’s golden frog. Then stop at the local artisan marketplace. Return to your resort for lunch. Afternoon at leisure, enjoy the resort’s sandy beach and swimming pools. Dinner. BLD


Day 7 – Handicrafts, Panama City
This morning return to Panama City via the Bridge of the Americas. Visit a Kuna Indian marketplace. Shop for colorful Kuna mola embroidery depicting rainforest animals and marine life. Next, drive the spectacular Amador Causeway which connects Perico, Naos and Flamenco Islands. Lunch. Enjoy views of Casco Viejo and the stunningly modern Panama City skyline. Panama City is a combination of Manhattan, Miami, and Las Vegas blended with Latin American flavor and style. Enjoy a farewell dinner. BLD

Day 8 – Panama City
Your tour ends after breakfast this morning at your hotel. Breakfast begins at 7:00 a.m. Caravan provides transfers to Panama’s Tocumen airport, arriving at 5:30 a.m., 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Thanks for vacationing with Caravan. ¡Hasta la vista! B