Panama Family Adventure

br />It all comes together in Panama. The Atlantic meets the Pacific. Bustling cities surround Spanish ruins. Rainforests cradle luxury resorts. Venture to this cultural crossroads and share a once-in-a-lifetime partial transit through the Panama Canal. Travel via dugout canoe to visit an Emberá Indian village. Savor the taste of pineapple fresh from the field. Choose your adventure as you cruise to Monkey Island or ride the aerial tram for up-close encounters with wildlife. Climb aboard the historic Panama Canal Railway and enjoy a day with your family at a luxury beach resort. Folklore, fruit drinks and “hands-on” encounters with marine life make this a journey your family will treasure forever.

Day 1: Panama City, Panama - Gamboa - Tour Begins
Welcome to Panama - an exciting country full of lush rain forests, rich history, diverse wildlife, and spectacular coastlines. Arrive in cosmopolitan Panama City and head straight to the tropical Gamboa Rainforest Resort, situated inside Soberanía National Park and your home for the next three nights. Enjoy the pool, explore the forest and gardens at your leisure, or soak up the sights and sounds from the hammock on your balcony.

Day 2: Panama Canal Cruise - Punta Culebra - Gamboa
This morning, meet your fellow traveling families at a welcome breakfast. Your tour manager will brief you on the excitement ahead. Then, board the Pacific Queen for a partial transit through the amazing Panama Canal. Enjoy lunch on board and pass through two locks. Begun in 1904 and completed in 1914, the canal replaced a dangerous voyage around the tip of South America, cutting a trip for New York to San Francisco by more than half. Learn all about its construction and operation. Disembark at Flamenco Marina. Now it’s time to get “hands-on.” Touch stingrays, sea cucumbers and more as you discover marine life at the Smithsonian Punta Culebra Nature Center while a staff biologist brings this breathtaking setting to life. Learn about the Collette Foundation’s support* of outreach programs for local children. Return to Gamboa for a private salsa lesson that’ll have your family moving to the rhythms of Panama. A welcome dinner follows.

Day 3: Emberá Indigenous Village - Gamboa
Board dugout canoes and venture up the Chagres River to a settlement of Emberá, the “Keepers of the Rainforest.” The indigenous Emberá strive to preserve their heritage and love to share their traditional techniques of homebuilding and handicrafts with visitors. Join in their dances and partake in a simple traditional lunch. Meet the children and perhaps share a friendly game of soccer; then get a temporary tattoo just like the Emberá, drawn with the black ink of the “jagua” fruit. You’ll return to the mainland with a true sense of their culture. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure in Gamboa and perhaps you will choose to cap off your day with a sunset safari to spot crocodiles, bats and other nocturnal wildlife!

Day 4: Monkey Island or Rainforest Aerial Tram-Panama Canal Railway-Panama
Choose how to spend your morning! Get an up-close glimpse of Panama’s wildlife during a cruise to Monkey Island or ride the aerial tram for canopy level views of the rain forest. Spot iguanas, toucans, sloths, and more. Enjoy lunch overlooking the Gamboa marina. Then head to the train station in Colon to climb aboard the historic Panama Canal Railway. Relax as the stunning scenery passes by as you journey to Panama City.

Day 5: Panama City - Miraflores Locks
Embark on a tour of Panama City. First you’ll stop at a bustling local market specializing in fresh produce or seafood and explore the region’s delicacies. Ascend to Cerro Ancon’s peak for a captivating view of the booming capital. Snap a few photos at the picturesque Amador Causeway at the Pacific entrance to the canal. After lunch at leisure, investigate a vibrant handicraft market and peruse crafts made by indigenous peoples, including the “mola” embroidery of the Kuna Yala. Head to Miraflores Locks Visitor Center to learn about the Panama Canal’s rich past, present and future. From the observation deck, marvel at the huge ships transiting the locks. Tonight, enjoy a special folkloric dance presentation and a chance to make your own Panamanian tropical juice drink. Experience a private culinary demonstration with a local chef, discover how Panamanian dishes are prepared and savor a traditional dinner.

Day 6: Panama City - Playa Bonita
Journey this morning to Playa Bonita and your luxurious beachfront resort. Enjoy a full day with your family to relax on the beach, unwind at the spa or use the hotel’s other amenities. Perhaps you’ll grab a kayak or take a nature walk in the adjacent Punta Bruja Reserve.

Day 7: Pineapple Plantation - Playa Bonita
Your adventure in Panama continues with a tour of a pineapple farm. Savor the taste of fruit fresh from the field while you learn about the cultivation process. This evening, celebrate your unforgettable journey at a farewell dinner overlooking the rolling Pacific.

Day 8: Playa Bonita - Panama City - Tour Ends
Transfer to the Panama City airport for your flight home.

Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
8/10/2012 - 8/18/2012	$1,799
2/22/2013 - 3/2/2013	$2,099
4/12/2013 - 4/20/2013	$1,799
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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