Experience the full wonder of crossing the Panama Canal by ferry boat on this daylong adventure. You’ll travel by ship's tender to the Gatun Yacht Club to board your transportation for the narrated drive through the isthmus to the small village of Gamboa. Here, you’ll board your ferry for your canal transit through two sets of locks.

You’ll cross the Gaillard Cut and enter the Pedro Miguel Locks, which will lower your vessel 28 feet on its way to the Pacific. Your boat will settle on Miraflores Lake and then you’ll sail over to the Miraflores Locks. Enjoy a light lunch during your scenic cruise of the lake and locks. Your canal experience ends at the port of Balboa where you'll board your transportation back to the ship.

Hop aboard the hemisphere's first transcontinental railroad and see the Panama Canal from the comfort of a deluxe 1938 vintage car. During your journey you’ll travel across the isthmus and see Gatun Lake. Then, visit Agua Clara Locks Observation Center (Expansion Locks) for an up close look at this engineering marvel.

You’ll board your transportation for a short drive to Colon and board this unique train. Reminiscent of the golden age of railway travel, the passenger cars feature luxurious wood paneling, tables, carpeted floors, air conditioning, large windows and open-air viewing decks. You’ll ride in a restored executive rail car with booth seating on one side and rows of two seats with small tables on the other. Your car has a restroom and shares a small open-air observation deck with the dome car and glass dome viewing area.

You’ll leave the Colon station on an approximately one-hour train ride to the Pacific terminus of the Panama Canal, passing Gatun Lake and the dense rainforest. During your railroad journey, your guide will provide commentary on the railroad, history and the canal, as you enjoy a light snack and beverage. Upon arrival in Panama City, you’ll transfer to the Agua Clara Locks Observation Center (Expansion Locks) where you’ll have the opportunity for a close up view.

The image conjured by Panama is generally that of the spectacular Canal, considered by many as one of the eighth wonder of the world, and rightly so. The Panama Canal cuts through one of the narrowest saddles of the Isthmus of Panama approximately 80 kilometers long, joining North & South America with the Atlantic & Pacific Oceans.

Today you will have a unique opportunity to travel on board a comfortable air conditioned motor coach and travel from Atlantic to Pacific on a similar route once used by the Spanish Conquistadors and the 49ers seeking a short cut in search of Gold in the West.

Your first stop will be Miraflores Locks, take this opportunity to pause and view the gargantuan ships that make their way through the Panama Canal and visit the four exhibition halls, organized by themes that constitute the heart of the Miraflores Visitors Center.

Continuing with the Panama Canal informative tour, you will visit the Panama Canal Expansion the largest project at the Canal since its original construction that created a new lane of traffic along the Canal through the construction of a new set of locks, doubling the waterway’s capacity, be a witness of this major undertaking by visiting the New Observation Center of the Canal Expansion.

The new Observation Center of the Canal Expansion, located in Colon Panama, is a park style concept based on open platforms and roofed terraces, built in an area of four hectares, 400 visitors, simultaneously, will be able to enjoy in this new center, the construction of the new locks of the Panama Canal in the Atlantic, at the same time, from its privileged location, visitors see the majestic Gatun Lake, where ships continue their transit through the waterway.

Hop aboard the hemisphere's first transcontinental railroad and see the Panama Canal from the comfort of a deluxe 1938 vintage dome car. During your journey you’ll travel across the isthmus and see Gatun Lake. Then, visit Agua Clara Locks Observation Center (Expansion Locks) for an up close look at this engineering marvel.

You’ll board your transportation for a short drive to Colon and board this unique train. Reminiscent of the golden age of railway travel, the passenger cars feature luxurious wood paneling, tables, carpeted floors, air conditioning, large windows and open-air viewing decks.

You’ll ride in a restored executive dome car which has an upper deck with full-length observation windows and booth seating, as well as two restrooms and a bar.

Then, you’ll leave the Colon station on an approximately one-hour train ride to the Pacific terminus of the Panama Canal, passing Gatun Lake and the dense rainforest. During your railroad journey, your guide will provide commentary on the railroad, history and the canal, as you enjoy a light snack and beverage. Upon arrival in Panama City, you’ll transfer to the Agua Clara Locks Observation Center (Expansion Locks) where you’ll have the opportunity for a close up view.

Discover beautiful Gatun Lake and keep your eye out for the plentiful wildlife here. Meet the Embera tribe who still live in traditional villages within Panama’s rainforest, in harmony with nature. Visit Agua Clara Locks Observation Center (Expansion Locks) for an up close view. You’ll take a 45-minute drive through the rainforest on your way to the Jungle Eco Marina on Gatun Lake. Upon arrival, board you motor launch for your one-hour ride, during which your guide will explain the rainforest ecosystem and point out sights of interest. Keep an eye out for monkeys, toucans, sloths and exotic birds. The lake was formed as a result of the damming of the Chagres River during the construction of the Panama Canal. Step back in time and visit the Embera tribe who still live in traditional villages within Panama’s rainforest, in harmony with nature. Witness their traditional song and dance along with music performed on handmade instruments. The Embera are very talented craftsmen and have produced some beautiful items which are available for purchase as souvenirs. Continue to Agua Clara Locks Observation Center (Expansion Locks), on the Atlantic entrance of the Panama Canal for approximately one hour to observe them and learn how they work. Your guide will explain the engineering feat required to move ships over a continental divide that separates two oceans. After viewing the locks, board your transportation for the return your ship.

Experience nature at its finest on this eco-cruise of Gatun Lake, surrounded by lush rainforest and teaming with wildlife. You’ll also visit Agua Clara Locks Observation Center (Expansion Locks) to learn about the engineering feat of the Panama Canal. Board your transportation for a drive to the rainforest area where you’ll board your tour boat for your eco-cruise adventure out on Gatun Lake. The lake was formed as a result of the damming of the Chagres River during the construction of the Panama Canal. Glide past lush rainforest to a secluded region of the lake and witness first-hand the natural beauty of the jungle. Exotic birds, monkeys, sloths, iguanas and crocodiles are just a few of the animals that you may see in their native surroundings. This sampling of wildlife, is part of a much larger population that live and breed in the rainforest. Your naturalist guide will point out any wildlife and also share details about the animals and their habitat with you.

Next, continue to Agua Clara Locks Observation Center (Expansion Locks) – the newest set of locks situated on the Atlantic entrance of the Panama Canal. Here you’ll spend approximately one hour observing the locks and listening to your guide explain the engineering feat required to move ships over a continental divide that separates two oceans. After, board your transportation for the drive back to your ship.

While the ingenuity of the Panama Canal is world renowned, few know about the amazing history that shaped Panama and this tour invites you to discover it. Enjoy a scenic view of the skyline while traveling to the old Panama City, founded in 1519 and destroyed by the infamous Welsh Captain Henry Morgan in 1671. This scenic excursion takes you to see the ruins of the churches and convents, colonial palaces, bridges and military buildings that attest to the city’s history and grand past.

As you make your way along the coastline, take the opportunity to discover the tales of gallantry and piracy that wait in the narrow streets of Colonial Panama. You’ll walk through the old French Quarter, founded in in 1673 by French colonists. On a leisurely 45 minute walk, you’ll appreciate the many changes of the city by viewing its unique architecture, influenced by a combination of French, Spanish and Italian styles.

OVERVIEW

See the Panama Canal’s newest, most innovative set of locks and enjoy a panoramic tour of the surrounding area. The Aqua Clara locks were built to provide an alternative lane for ships that are too long and too wide to pass through the canal’s original locks. The guide will explain their complex operation in easy-to-understand terms so you can truly appreciate this marvel of engineering. You will also learn some the fascinating history of the land bordering the canal, an area known as the Canal Zone until Panama assumed control of it in 1999. The Amador Islands that you will see just offshore are manmade with rock excavated from the canal when it was dug. Driving through Panama City will present a glimpse into its pre-canal history, as the oldest section was founded in 1519. For centuries, it was the starting point for pack animals to carry cargo across the isthmus to the Caribbean Sea.

HIGHLIGHTS
• View the Aqua Clara locks and learn about their cutting-edge engineering.
• See the attractions in the surrounding area, which Panama didn’t govern until 1999.
• Drive through Panama City for an understanding of its past and vision for the future.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Glide through the jungle on an Aerial Tram and see the rainforest from the same perspective as the monkeys and birds do. You’ll travel to the Gamboa Rainforest Resort located within the Soberania National Park for your tram adventure.

Your gondola will take you from the shadowy forest floor, through the under story and high into the sun-drenched canopy. Keep an eye out for the monkeys and exotic birds that make their home here. You’ll also have an opportunity to explore the various resort exhibits, including a butterfly farm, aquarium and orchid garden.

Explore the ruins of a massive fortress built centuries ago to protect transatlantic trade and view a modern set of locks that have greatly expanded the Panama Canal and increased shipping. San Lorenzo Fort is considered such an extraordinary example of Spanish military architecture that UNESCO deemed it a World Heritage site. While walking through the ruins, you will see old cannons aimed over the sea, earthwork battlements, underground tunnels and rooms that were prisons. All the while, the guide will describe the history of the fort, dating back to 1595 when King Phillip II ordered its construction to protect the mouth of the Chagres River. Visiting the Aqua Clara Visitor Center will be equally enlightening as you will learn how the newest locks there enable much larger ships to pass through the Panama Canal. The three-chambered Aqua Clara locks are marvels of engineering and look especially impressive when seen from the center’s observation deck.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Walk through the ruins of a Spanish-built colonial fort that is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• Admire the sweeping views of the Chagres River from the strategically located fort.
• See the Panama Canal’s newest locks, which were built to accommodate much larger ships.
• Learn about the cutting-edge engineering behind the Aqua Clara locks.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Please note this tour starts in Gatun Yacht Club and ends in Colon

Step back in time and visit the Embera tribe who still live in traditional villages within Panama’s rainforest. The tribe is proud to share their culture and traditions with you. Your expedition starts with a transfer by coach to the jungle, while your guide provides you with an overview of Panama and prepares you for your visit with the Embera people. You’ll travel to the village aboard traditional dugout canoes, which were critical in establishing supply lifelines.

As your motor up the river, keep your eyes open for wildlife which is abundant along the water’s edge. Upon arrival at the village, the chief will welcome you with traditional Embera hospitality and a series of dances will be performed for you. The Embera are very talented craftsmen and have produced some beautiful items which are available for purchase as souvenirs of your unique experience. A light lunch is included.

Unwind and enjoy a relaxing boat trip on the Gatun Lake. The lake was formed as a result of the damming of the Chagres River during the construction of the Panama Canal. Wild life abounds in this area, including various species of monkeys, sloths, anteaters, iguanas and exotic birds.

You and your interpretive guide will slowly cruise the back channels, island and bays that make up this unique ecosystem where you’ll discover many of the wildlife residents of the area in their natural habitat. Cameras are a must, as this is considered a premier location for viewing monkeys in the wild. National Geographic, the Discovery Channel and Animal Planet all have filmed documentaries on these islands.