9 Days Boquete and the Beautiful Panamanian Highland

The Boquete & the Beautiful Panamanian Highlands vacation package includes 4 nights at the lovely Panamonte Inn & Spa Resort located in Boquete, on the Chiriquí Province, 4 nights at the Sheraton Panama Five Star Hotel in Panama City, a partial Transit through the Panama Canal, a visit to the Chagres River and the Embera Indians Community, a Boquete Panorama Tour, a Baru Volcano expedition, a Birdwatching Tour, the “Mines” Tour, White Water River Rafting Tour (available at request), local airfare and transportation.

Day 1: Arrive at Panama

Airport pickup and transfer to the Sheraton Panama Hotel will be arranged for you. Check in and get ready for your Panama adventure.

Day 2: Partial Panama Canal Transit

The Panama Canal partial tour starts with an early morning pick up at your hotel in Panama City for a 15 minute drive to the Port of Balboa in the Pacific side of the canal, where you will board a comfortable passenger ferry where breakfast will be available buffet style. You will first sail under the bridge of the Americas. Northbound on the Panama Canal, the first stop is at Miraflores locks and later Pedro Miguel locks. The boat will be raised a total of 26 meters and sail below the centennial bridge before entering Gatun Lake and the famous Gailard Cut. The tour includes bilingual guide/narrator and transfer back to the Sheraton Panama Hotel. (B)

Day 3: Transfer and Airfare to Chiriqui and the Boquete Panorama tour

In the morning, you will be transferred to Albrook local airport for your short flight to Chiriqui. Representatives of Panamonte Inn & Spa Resort will be greeting you at the airport for transfer and check in.

Take the Boquete Panorama Tour for a beautiful scenic drive through the quaint village of Boquete, founded by foreigners of different nationalities (English, French, German, Swedish, American, etc.). Some were on their way to the gold rush in California around 1850’s but found the beauty and climate of the “Valley of the Rainbows” to their liking and therefore, this was as far as they traveled. You’ll start climbing the foothills of the “Baru” Volcano on your way to some coffee farms, where you will also see the variety of vegetation in the area. This is the best way to get familiarized with the town of Boquete. Overnight at Panamonte Inn & Spa Resort. (B)

Day 4 : Baru Volcano Tour

The tours to the peak of the Barú Volcano depart from the Panamonte Inn & Spa Resort at 6:00 a.m. for an interesting drive up on a clear day for an unforgettable sunrise; you’ll feel like you’re on top of the world. The tours include a continental breakfast in our restaurant, and, when you are on the top of the volcano, you will have a delicious box lunch. For your convenience, binoculars are provided at no extra cost.

The volcano is the highest peak in the entire country, rising to an elevation of 11,490 feet or 3,474 meters above sea level at the heart of the National Park which holds its same name, were you may appreciate many bird species, including the Resplendent Quetzal and the Emerald Toucan. Overnight at Panamonte Inn & Spa Resort. (B,L)

Day 5: The Mines Tour / White Water River Rafting Tour (available at request)

Trails of beautiful landscapes, crossing a rustic suspended foot bridge, we walk along the river and on to trails that reach an incline up to 45°, during the trip which takes approximately 5 hours round trip on the trail, one can observe deer, Panthers, Wild Pigs, Wild Cats, Monkeys, Birds, types of land crabs, Mushrooms, Lichen, moss, ancient trees, simply put, a flora and fauna paradise. Overnight at Panamonte Inn & Spa Resort. (B,L)

Day 6: Birdwatching Tour over the Quetzales Trail

This is an ideal jaunt for naturalists, botanists, birdwatchers, biologists, or anyone who enjoys the marvels of nature. The beautiful creeks furrowing the dense subtropical forest, the incredible variety of birds, epiphytes, and some orchids growing under the immense Encino tree are waiting to be discovered.

Don’t lose the opportunity to observe the great variety of birds and to listen to the singing nature along this trip, enjoying the most breathtaking highland sceneries with cloudy humid forest. Don’t miss the opportunity to taste the most delicious wild blackberries either. Overnight at Panamonte Inn & Spa Resort. (B,L)

Day 7: Transfer to Panama City

After your noon checkout, you will be ready for your transfer and flight back to Panama City, where someone will greet you for transfer back to the Sheraton Panama Hotel. Take the rest of the day free for relaxing or shopping. (B)

Day 8: Chagres River and the Embera Indians

After breakfast visit a tropical rainforest in its purest form. This tour leaves Panama City at 8:00 AM and begins with a ride in a "piragua" (a native boat) following the route commonly used by the Indians for their daily transport along the Chagres River. Then hike through the forest with a local indigenous guide and an expert guide who will explain the botanical aspects of the trail and the culture of this authentic Chocoe-Embera village. In the village members of the tribe will share their culture through dances, rituals, food, etc. You will have the opportunity to partake in "jagua" body painting with vegetable ink. Arrival back to Panama City and the Sheraton Panama Hotel is estimated at 4:30 PM. (B,L)