Grand tour of Panama

18 days
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USTOA

Private Guided
Panama’s capital is the only city in Central America to have real heft on the global stage, and its mighty canal is undoubtedly an engineering tour de force. Comparatively few visitors venture farther afield, but our specialists have explored Panama’s remoter areas, from rainforests to coastal mangroves. They’ll tell you that other treasures lie in store on t...
From$8,822
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Overview

Trip type
Private Guided
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

What's this trip about?

    Panama’s capital is the only city in Central America to have real heft on the global stage, and its mighty canal is undoubtedly an engineering tour de force. Comparatively few visitors venture farther afield, but our specialists have explored Panama’s remoter areas, from rainforests to coastal mangroves. They’ll tell you that other treasures lie in store on this twisting strip of land. They can suggest experiences beyond the city for your holiday to Panama, such as birdwatching around Gatún Lake (home to 385 species), exploring botany with the indigenous Emberá, and snorkeling with turtles in Bocas del Toro. Elsewhere, as part of a Panama itinerary, you can embrace the cafe culture and tropical forests of El Valle, and wander among coffee plantations in highland Boquete. Or, escape into another world entirely on the isolated San Blas Islands, home to crystalline waters swimming with eagle rays and nurse sharks.

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Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeIntimate group - 12 max
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportAll internal transport included (including local flights)
Start CityPanama City
End CityPanama City

Travel Themes

  • Nature & Wildlife
  • National Parks

Destinations

Activities

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Itinerary

Day 1 : Panama City

Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Panama City. Arrive in Panama City today. You will be met at the airport and driven to your hotel in a private vehicle.

Day 2 : Panama City

Today you will explore Panama City, taking in the colossal Miraflores Locks at the Panama Canal, the remains of the original capital Panama Viejo which was sacked by Henry Morgan in the 1600's and the beautiful colonial quarter of Casco Antiguo.

Day 3 : Panama City

Today enjoy a partial transit of the Panama Canal, travelling from the Pacific through the Miraflores and Pedro Miguel Locks to Gatun Lake, the canal's watershed.

Day 4 : Coral Lodge

An early start this morning for your light aircraft flight to the San Blas Islands. Spend the day meeting the Kuna people, snorkel on pristine islets and enjoy a picnic lunch before you travel by boat onto Coral Lodge. All meals are included in your stay.

Day 5 : Coral Lodge

Day at leisure at Coral Lodge.

Day 6 : Panama City

This morning enjoy a short boat trip to the jetty at Miramar where you will be met and driven to Portobello to see the old Spanish fortifications used to defend against marauding pirates in colonial times. After lunch you continue back to Panama City.

Day 7 : Panama City

This morning you will visit the beautiful Soberania National Park for an easy hike along one of its famous birdwatching roads. After the walk you then take a boat ride on Gatun Lake, which was created for the Panama Canal in 1913 and is now a haven for wildlife as well as a transit for shipping.

Day 8 : Tranquilo Bay

Transfer to Panama City's domestic airport for your short flight to Bocas del Toro where you will be met and transferred by boat to the lodge.

Day 9 : Tranquilo Bay

Enjoy the wide range of inclusive activities on offer at Tranquilo Bay.

Day 10 : Tranquilo Bay

Activities at Tranquilo Bay.

Day 11 : Boquete

Enjoy a scenic journey by boat and road across the continental divide to the Pacific slope and the town of Boquete.

Day 12 : Boquete

Enjoy an easy trek on one of Central America's most beautiful trails today. You should see a variety of different landscapes and numerous bird species, perhaps even the elusive Quetzal.

Day 13 : Boquete

Day at leisure in Boquete.

Day 14 : Cala Mia

Transfer down from the cool highlands to the tropical plains surrounding David. From here you will be driven onto sleepy Boca Chica, where you travel by boat to Cala Mia.

Day 15 : Cala Mia

At leisure at Cala Mia.

Day 16 : Cala Mia

At leisure at Cala Mia.

Day 17 : International return flight

Travel back to Boca Chica by boat and then onto David airport by road for your short flight back to Panama City. Transfer to the international airport in time for your onward flight.

Day 18 : International return flight

Arrive home today to complete your journey.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $8,822
Price per day$490
Last Updated: 0/12/2022

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Audley Travel.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Our trips don’t come off the shelf. There’s no set recipe. Each itinerary is tailor-made down to the finest detail, built around your tastes and interests. Quite simply, we listen to what you want and then carefully design an individual trip to match, working to your budget and with an absolute commitment to quality.

We have experts for each and every one of our destinations, with the knowledge that comes from having visited many times or even lived there. Our specialists will design a trip around you, show you the highlights from a different angle, and introduce you to places and experiences that others might miss.

Our flexibility promise

As the world adjusts to travel in times of uncertainty, we want you to be able to look ahead to your next trip knowing you can change your plans if needed. And, with specialists who are experts in their destinations and remain your single point of contact before and while you travel, we promise you can book with us in absolute confidence.

Our flexibility promise

Change your plans free of charge up to 30 days before departure

We’ll move your travel dates or switch the value of your booked trip to another destination at no expense to you up to 30 days before you’re due to depart. You’ll receive a 100% travel credit equivalent to the amount you paid toward your original booking.

Valid for new bookings made on or before October 31, 2020, for travel by Dec. 31, 2021. Travel dates may be moved to departures up to December 31, 2022. Excludes select cruises and airfare. Additional charges may be incurred based on changes to your trip such as accommodation and/or seasonality.

Full-refund guarantee on trips close to home

14-day cancellation policy for trips to the US, Canada or Caribbean

We want to help you navigate the uncertainty that remains around travel by giving you the flexibility to book a trip to any of our destinations in the United States, Canada or the Caribbean this year in complete confidence. With our 14-day cancellation policy, you can cancel your trip up to two weeks before you’re due to depart for any reason and receive a full refund, when you book your trip on or before October 31, 2020 for travel before December 14, 2021**.

Valid on new bookings within the US, Canada or Caribbean made on or before October 31, 2020 for travel by December 14, 2021. Certain policy variations may apply dependent on property selection and dates. Specific details will be provided by your specialist. Any portion of a new booking paid with an existing travel credit will be refunded in the form of a travel credit. Excludes flights and select properties.

 

Set your travel plans in motion with a video appointment

 

Talking face to face with your specialist can be an invaluable starting point for sharing thoughts and ideas as you begin to imagine your next trip. You can take as much time as you need to speak to your specialist and discuss all your plans with one of our video appointments. Just think of it as your own personal webinar — your specialist will share a wealth of insight, aided by images, maps and other visuals, to inspire you and provide advice for your trip, based on what you want to experience.

It's easy to arrange

  • Book a video appointment (we’ll ask you for a few details about your travel plans).
  • One of our specialists, who’s an expert in your chosen destination, will get in touch to arrange a time and date to suit you. If your travel companions are in different households, we’ll invite them to join, too, so you can all chat together.
  • Your specialist will send you a link to your video appointment by email. We suggest using a computer or laptop, which means there’s no software to download.
  • Settle down with a drink, click on the link to join the appointment and your specialist will be there to welcome you.
 

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Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
Trip ID
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