Panama, Wildlife Tours

A Gentle Family Journey Through Beautiful Panama

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Family Holiday
12 Days
From 3392
Beach
Snorkelling and Diving

Tour Introduction

12 Days from  3392 per adult & 2925 per child.

A marvellously varied itinerary for families of all ages. Spot numerous monkeys and birds in the canal zone and learn about one of the world’s engineering wonders at the lock. See plenty of wildlife at close quarters and visit an Embera Amerindian village. Venture into verdant cloud forests for fantastic birdlife, zip-lining through the canopy and the story of coffee. Finally, relax or take part in plenty of activities on a Caribbean archipelago.You and your family will return home full of the wonders of Panama.

Full Itinerary

Price from  3392 per adult & 2925 per child. Child price £2925. Based on sharing double / twin rooms
Day 1
Arrive in Panama City

Arrive Panama City, capital of Panama in the early evening. You will be met on your arrival and transfer to your accommodation.

Staying at Gamboa Rainforest Resort. Includes In-flight Meals.

Day 2
Panama Canal

Board an expedition boat and explore Gatun Lake, passing by gigantic cargo ships transiting the Panama Canal. Along the way spot green iguana, three-toed sloth, caiman, osprey, snail kite and keel-billed toucan, and look out for white-faced capuchin, mantled howler monkey, Central American spider monkey, and Geoffroy’s tamarind. Then visit the Miraflores Lock visitor centre.

Staying at Gamboa Rainforest Resort. Includes Breakfast and Lunch.

Day 3
Embera Drua Village

After breakfast transfer to El Corotu on the shores of Madden Lake. Board a motorised canoe and travel up the Chagres River, through the rainforest of Chagres National Park, to the Embera indigenous village of Embera Drua. En route look out for herons, kingfishers, cormorants, anhingas, ospreys and toucans. Learn about Embera customs, including a chance to be painted with the natural dye the Embera use to adorn their bodies, and after a traditional lunch return to Panama City.

Staying at Gamboa Rainforest Resort. Includes Breakfast and Lunch.

Day 4
Boquete

Transfer to Albrook domestic airport

Met on arrival and transfer to your accommodation close to Boquete in the cloud-forested Chiriqui Highlands.

Staying at Boquete Mountain Resort. Includes Breakfast and Dinner.

Day 5
Boquete

In the morning enjoy the Tree Trek zipline. The Tree Trek starts with a short drive up to1,853 metres in Los Quetzales National Park, and a 200 metre walk down to the first platform. From here there are a series of 12 zip lines which traverse the lush cloud forest over a rushing mountain stream. The longest line is 410 metres.

In the afternoon enjoy a coffee tour at one of the main coffee growers in the region. Visit the coffee fields to learn about harvesting, the processing plant where the beans are washed, dried and selected, and the factory where the beans are roasted and bagged, or ground for sale. The tour finishes with a tasting of some of the coffee varieties.

Staying at Boquete Mountain Resort. Includes Breakfast and Dinner.

Day 6
Boquete

After breakfast hike the Sendero La Cascada (The Waterfall Trail). At an altitude of 2,286 metres this trail passes through the lush cloud forest of Baru Volcano National Park. Birdlife is plentiful and includes the elusive resplendent quetzal and three-wattled bellbird. Spend the afternoon relaxing in the town.

Staying at Boquete Mountain Resort. Includes Breakfast and Dinner.

Day 7
Bocas del Toro

In the morning drive up through the cloud forest and across the Continental Divide, leaving the Pacific behind and descending through the forest to the pineapple fields and banana plantations of the Caribbean.

En route visit Fortuna Dam, and the indigenous community of Silico Creek where the villagers will show the whole chocolate making process from tree to finished product.

Arriving at Almirante in the afternoon it is a short boat transfer to Bocas del Toro on Colon Island in the Bocas del Toro Archipelago.

Staying at Playa Tortuga Hotel and Beach Resort. Includes Breakfast.

Day 8
Bocas del Toro

In the early morning take a boat to Boca del Drago and weather permitting visit Swan’s Cay, a rookery for red-billed tropic birds (the only location in Panama where they can be found) and brown boobies.

Return to Bocas del Toro, stopping at mangrove isles and coral reefs to snorkel. The afternoon is at leisure to relax and enjoy the facilities at the resort.

Staying at Playa Tortuga Hotel and Beach Resort. Includes Breakfast and Lunch.

Day 9
Bocas del Toro

Head by boat to the eastern side of Bastimentos Island which is part of the Bastimentos National Marine Park. Visit the indigenous community of Salt Creek where the villagers have created a number of rainforest trails. Wildlife includes the golden-collared manakin, night monkeys, white-faced capuchins, three-toed sloth, spectacled caiman, slider turtle, and the flaming poison dart frog.

After the hike visit the community, perhaps purchase some handicrafts, and enjoy a simple lunch.

In the afternoon snorkel among mangroves and coral reefs before returning to Bocas del Toro.

Staying at Playa Tortuga Hotel and Beach Resort. Includes Breakfast.

Day 10
Panama City

Enjoy a morning at leisure to relax or explore on your own.

In the afternoon transfer to the airport and fly to Albrook domestic airport, Panama City and on to your hotel.

Staying at Country Inn and Suites. Includes Breakfast.

Day 11
Depart Panama City

The morning is at leisure to relax, do any last minute shopping, or perhaps Panama City’s Casco Viejo old town or the Amador Causeway on your own.

In the afternoon transfer to Tocumen International Airport for the flight home

Fly home

Includes Breakfast.

Tour Accommodation

Panama Chiriqui Highlands Region

Boquete Tree Trek Mountain Resort

Overview

Boquete Tree Trek Mountain Resort is a rustic alpine-style resort tucked away in the lush forests of the Chiriqui Mountains in western Panama.

Accommodation is split between four comfortable log cabins and ten en suite rooms – four are doubles and six are twins. All of the rooms and cabins have satellite televisions, safety deposit box, free Wi-Fi and a balcony for enjoyment of the forest. The main building has a dining room where continental breakfast buffets and hearty meals made with local ingredients are offered. There is also a reasonably priced bar and comfortable communal lounge area with an open fireplace.

The resort is a great base for zip-lining tours offered nearby, hiking and birding. The La Amistad International Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site shared between Costa Rica and Panama) is close by and offers fantastic birdwatching. Sloths, howler monkeys, cats and a great diversity of reptile, amphibian and butterfly species also reside in the area, but the most famous cloud forest denizen is the spectacular resplendent quetzal.

Swimming Pool
No
Air Conditioning
No
Rooms
14
Facilities

Private bathrooms, restaurant, bar, lounge, satellite TV, safety deposit box, free Wi-Fi, balcony, laundry service and conference room.

Local Wildlife

The avian highlights include the dazzling resplendent quetzal, three-wattled bellbird, toucans, parakeets, woodpeckers and owls among the many cloud forest specialties. Sloths, howler monkeys and large-eyed tree frogs are also frequently seen.

Optional Activities

Bird and wildlife watching in the cloud forest, hiking and zip-lining tours.

Panama Canal Zone

Gamboa Rainforest Resort

Overview

Gamboa Rainforest Resort is a mid-sized, modern hotel with extensive grounds, many on-site activities and an enviable location by the rainforest-lined Chagres River close to the Panama Canal. It is a short drive from Panama City yet feels completely in the wild – the previous owners of the Canal Zone, the USA, ensured the rainforest around the canal remained intact to prevent too much silting and maintain natural precipitation, since the canal uses up huge amounts of fresh water every time a ship passes through.

Accommodation varies between converted, historic ex-US canal staff quarters to deluxe river rooms and junior suites. The modern rooms are large and spacious with views over the Chagres River and Soberania National Park. Each has a private bathroom and large private balcony, complete with hammock. The resort offers a choice of three restaurants, two bars and a café and boasts a spa and large swimming pool by the river.

There are many excellent tours and activities available nearby and on-site. It is a good option in the area for general wildlife enthusiasts. For keen birders, though, nearby Canopy Tower Lodge is certainly the better bet.

Swimming Pool
Yes
Air Conditioning
Yes
Rooms
166
Facilities

Full spa with various treatments, three restaurants, two bars, large swimming pool, gift shop.

Local Wildlife

Howler, squirrel, spider and white-faced capuchin monkeys, three-toed sloth, capybara, caiman, Baird’s tapir, many different bird species (especially on Pipeline Road).

Optional Activities

Aerial tram ride, Monkey Island visit, birdwatching on Pipeline Rd, wildlife safari boat tour, kayaking on the Canal, table games, cycling tour, night bus in the forest, partial canal transit, visit Embera Amerindian village.

Panama Bocas del Toro Region

Playa Tortuga Hotel and Beach Resort

Overview

The large, modern Playa Tortuga Hotel and Beach Resort sits on its own private stretch of beach just outside Bocas Town on Colon, the main island of Bocas del Toro off Panama’s western Caribbean coast.

Playa Tortuga is a good choice for parents wanting plenty of distractions for their children and for those who require a certain standard of comfort. Many of the other hotels on Colon are small and simple, situated in the town and lack facilities like a swimming pool or beachfront.

There are 117 en suite rooms with modern facilities and contemporary décor. All of the rooms are spacious and light and have flat-screen TV, mini-bar, free Wi-Fi and a balcony or terrace with sea views.

The restaurant serves a variety of tasty local and international cuisine and there is a terrace bar for drinks and snacks. Other facilities include a large outdoor pool, gym and table tennis court.

The hotel offers canoeing, kayaking, snorkelling and safe swimming in the beautiful clear waters just off the beach.

Swimming Pool
Yes
Air Conditioning
Yes
Rooms
117
Facilities

Restaurant, adult and children’s swimming pools, bar, lounge, free Wi-Fi, room service, TV, fridge, laundry service, luggage storage, shuttle service and 24 hour reception.

Optional Activities

Snorkelling, diving, fishing, canoeing, sea kayaking and boat tours.

Panama Canal Zone

Radisson Hotel Panama Canal

Overview

This large 4-star hotel offers the best views to the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal. All of the 254 rooms have air-conditioning, LCD satellite TV, security safe, minibar, ironing board, balcony, Garden or Panama Canal view and wireless internet access is complimentary.

In addition to the onsite restaurants, bar and cafe it is a 5-minute taxi ride to the lively bars and restaurants of Amador Causeway. The domestic airport is also within a short drive.

Swimming Pool
Yes
Air Conditioning
Yes
Rooms
254
Facilities

Bridge View restaurant serving breakfast and lunch, 24 hour Cafe 1914, lobby bar, TGI Fridays, swimming pool, fitness centre, air-conditioning, TV, safety deposit box, free Wi-Fi, minibar and business centre.

Local Wildlife

The nearby Panama Canal is home to an astonishing diversity of wildlife that includes 546 bird species, 112 species of reptile and 80 species of amphibian. Brown-throated three toed sloths, white fronted capuchins, Geoffrey’s spider monkeys, mantled howler monkeys and caiman are all regularly spotted.

Optional Activities

The hotel is well positioned for exploring the Panama Canal and other attractions nearby include the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, the Frank Gehry-designed Biodiversity Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Route Map

Departure Dates

This tour has no set departure date and can be tailored to suit your travel requirements. Contact us for more details.

Travel Information

Are International Flights Included?

No. Please contact us for a quote if required.

Flight Info:

Fly from London and certain regional airports to Panama City on KLM via Amsterdam, on Iberia via Madrid, or via the USA on Delta, American or United.

Best Visited:

April to December

Are you ATOL Registered?

Yes. This means we are legally able to book your international flights in conjunction with your ground arrangements so you can book with us with complete confidence. Read more about our ATOL license here.

John Melton

Area Specialist

If you have any questions regarding this Tour, please feel free to contact me on +44 (0)1803 866965

Excellent and very enjoyable holiday. Panama definitely offers plenty to occupy a three-week trip (and more).

Mr & Mrs M - Edinburgh