Upon arrival in Panama City, private transfer to the hotel.

Depart from Panama City early in the morning for Soberania National Park and world-famous Pipeline Road, the right place for birdwatchers and ecologists. It was site of the 1985 world record Panama Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count (385 species of birds were identified in 24 hours). During World War II, a pipeline was built to transport fuel from one ocean to the other. Fortunately, it was never used. Today, the road built to maintain the pipeline provides excellent access to primary forest within Soberania National Park with the comfort and safety of vehicle support. After this short hike, head to Gamboa Rainforest Resort. Travelers will get on an aerial tram, which takes one from the shadowy rainforest floor through the understory and into the sun-drenched canopy. Enjoy a bird’s-eye view of a thousand hues of green interspersed with the fluorescent exclamation points of flowering trees. The aerial tram is located in 100 hectares of rainforest licensed to Gamboa Rainforest Resort. Here, find exuberant flora and fauna typical of Panama’s neo-tropical forests. The resort has built five exhibits that showcase local flora and fauna, as well as a replica of an Embera Indian village. Afterwards, be transferred back to the hotel. The tour includes transportation and entrance fee to Soberania National Park. Overnight at Gamboa Resort. ...read less

Pick up from Gamboa for a Partial Canal Transit (operates only on Saturdays)
The trip departs from the Flamenco Marina, traveling from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean. Admire the Bay of Panama and Panama City’s splendorous skyline then pass under the Bridge of the Americas. At Miraflores Locks, the vessel will ascend 54 feet in two distinct steps. Enter Miraflores Lake, which is a small artificial body of fresh water that separates Pedro Miguel from Miraflores Locks. Next, the Pacific Queen will enter Pedro Miguel Locks, which is one of the two sets of locks on the Pacific side, and here the vessel will be raised the last 27 feet to get into Gatun Lake. Once at Gatun Lake, sail through at the north end of the Gaillard Cut, where the Chagres River flows into the Canal. The Gaillard Cut is also known as Culebra Cut because its curves resemble a snake. This is one of the main points of interest for visitors because it was carved through the Continental Divide. In addition, the vessel will travel the Cut’s 13.7 kilometers on the way to the Panama Canal Dredging Division in Gamboa. There, passengers disembark and transfer back to Flamenco Marina.
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Tour to Anton Valley in the province of Cocle, 600 meters above sea level and believed to be the crater of an ancient volcano. Visit the residential area, the Macho Waterfall, the thermal poles and the Nispero Farm where one can watch the famous golden frogs. Afterward enjoy a typical lunch (included) at a local restaurant. El Valle de Anton is one of the most colorful areas of Panama.


The tour will take travelers to the Indian market where local artisans and Indians bring their handicrafts, plants and vegetable products to sell. There, one can find fine and wonderful hand-made woodcarvings, soapstone sculptures, seashells, souvenirs, leather goodies and much more.


Later, visit the Indian petroglyphs, where ancient inhabitants left their messages—still a mystery for our modern culture. Also, admire the India Dormida Mountan, so called because of its resemblance to a sleeping Indian woman. Finally, visit El Nispero, a zoo that cares for some of the endemic species after they were found injured in the forest. This zoo also has a unique collection of orchids. Here, admire the golden frogs and the squared trees, both endangered species. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. Return to Panama late in the afternoon.


Optional: At El Valle one can take the Canopy Tour, which consists on a steel cable system that runs through the canopy of the forest, above Chorro del Macho (waterfall). There, using special harnesses, go through the forest, safely jumping from tree to tree. This activity costs an additional $40. This is an outdoor activity in the tropics, so light clothes, swimming suit, insect repellent, hat, sunscreen and comfortable shoes are recommended.
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Early morning transfer to the airport to take a short flight to the tropical islands of San Blas, also known as Kuna Yala. San Blas is one of the most fascinating places in Panama. It is an archipelago of 356 islands in the Caribbean Sea, of which 51 are inhabited by an indigenous Kuna tribe. This territory includes a wide trip of virgin tropical forest, as well as beautiful coral reefs teeming with marine life. The most impressive part of the islands are the Kuna people, who only recently opened their home to tourism and live true to their colorful traditions. Spend a night on the islands in a Kuna operated lodge, with daily activities such as snorkeling, fishing, visiting the local communities, diving, canoe trips, hikes in the forest, and beach time! All activities and meals are included. ...read less

Return to Panama City. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel.


Panamanian Night Tour
Enjoy an oasis of flavor and folklore characteristic of the countryside and taste delicious Panamanian-style dishes in comfortable and elegant surroundings at Las Tinajas Restaurant in the center of Panama City. Includes transfer to and from the hotel, typical Panamanian dinner, cover charge, service charge and dance show. Available only on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

This morning, be picked up at the hotel lobby. Be transferred across the Isthmus of Panama to the Caribbean province of Colon. Once in Colon, drive over the Panama Canal at Gatun Locks and reach the Castle of San Lorenzo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built at the mouth of the Chagres River, this Spanish bastion served to fortify and protect the river entrance to Las Cruces Trail that led to Panama City on the Pacific Ocean and was later also used as the port of entry for gold diggers on their way to California during the second half of the 19th century. Visitors will be traveling through lush rainforest within San Lorenzo National Park, where one might have the opportunity to see monkeys, Two and Three-toed sloths, Coatimundi, toucans and other wildlife. Continue for lunch at the Shelter Bay Marina before continuing to the current Panama Canal Expansion project on the Atlantic which can be admired from the observation deck of the Gatun Observation center. Have the opportunity of viewing the assembly of one the new sets of locks being built as part of the project. The route will allow larger ships to transit through the canal. The most important aspect of the project, however, is the building of two new sets of locks, one at each terminus of the canal, which will increase the waterway's capacity to move cargo from one ocean to the other by 50 percent within the next 15 years. An astonishing 4.2 billion cubic meters of structural concrete is currently being poured in the excavations where the new locks will be operating soon. Experience history in the making as the Panama Canal projections call for another 100 years of successful operation using the new technology that will be implemented. The return to Panama City will be aboard the Panama Canal Railroad train. The railway follows a similar route as the original train built to transport gold prospectors, the 49ers, in the mid to late 1800s coming from the east coast of the United States across the Isthmus of Panama to continue their journey by steamboat to California. The route was diverted when Gatun Lake was formed to give way to the Panama Canal. The train will take along the magnificent waterway, flanked by the exuberant rainforests of Soberania National Park. After a one-hour train ride, arrive at Corozal Station in Panama City and transfer to the hotel in the city. ...read less

Transfer to the airport to take the flight to Cartagena. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel. Cartagena is the fifth largest city in Colombia and an important port city on the Caribbean coast. After numerous pirate attacks during the colonial era, a wall was built to surround the historic city center and protect its inhabitants. Cartagena is now a popular tourist destination that retains its colonial architecture and charm. This afternoon, enjoy a guided walk along the walled old town, watching the streets, churches, colonial houses with their balconies, the Museum that was the residence of the five times president of the Republic, Rafael Nunez; the Santa Catalina bastion, the craftsmanship place at Las Bovedas (The Dungeons) to find handmade souvenirs. ...read less

Day at leisure in Cartagena. Yampu recommends a full day tour to Rosario Island (South of the Bay of Cartagena). These Islands are a National Natural Park with a group of coral islands surrounded by a crystal clear sea, a habitat with a great variety of marine fauna.

After breakfast, private transfer to Tayrona National Park in Santa Marta and check-in to the Ecohabs (5 hours). Afternoon at leisure to enjoy Tayrona National Park. Tayrona National Park is located on Colombia's northern Atlantic coast near Santa Marta. It is an idyllic expanse of land and sea that is well-known for the wide variety of wildlife that can be seen throughout this stunning part of the country.

Day at leisure to relax on the beach or for optional excursions in the area such as a walk to Pueblito, snorkeling and horseback riding. An excellent representation of the Tayrona's ingenuity is in Pueblito which contains many bridges, canals, terraces and ceramics that were created by the Tayrona.

Morning transfer to Santa Marta airport to take the flight back to Bogota. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel. Bogota has a combination of influences: Spanish, Indian and African, which create a diverse and rich culture heritage. With an intense and vibrant intellectual and social life, this modern city provides travelers with a unique look in the heart of Colombian culture.

Visit to the famous Gold Museum, the Museo del Oro which houses 30,000 gold objects and 20,000 in stone, ceramic, textiles and precious stones of the Quimbaya, Calima, Tairona, Sinu, Muisca, Tolima, Tumaco and Magdalena cultures. The Museo del Oro has the most important collection of its kind worldwide. The tour continues to the historic center known as La Candelaria where the center square is Plaza Bolivar. The square named for the statue in the center of Simon Bolivar. La Candelaria, the oldest part of the city, boasts grand houses of profound Spanish influence with iron windows, thick wooden doors, balconies and internal patios that hide beautiful gardens. Continue on to Quinta de Bolivar, the country house of Simon Bolivar. Set at the foot of Cerro de Monserrate, with magnificent surrounding gardens, the museum is filled with documents, letters, maps, uniforms and personal possessions that help to piece together events in his life. Travel by cable car up to 10,500 feet, top of the Mountain that looks over Bogota. Note: Museums closed on Monday. ...read less

Today, take the Pan American highway north towards Zipaquira, traveling across the central region of the savanna, passing some typical villages to reach Zipaquira where the Salt Cathedral is located. The Salt Cathedral is an impressive work of engineering. The visit begins in a tunnel that exhibits the fourteen stations of the Way of the Cross and leads to the dome where one can observe the great cross sculpted in low relief. Finally, arrive at the three naves of the cathedral joined by openings that represent the birth and death of Christ. The central nave houses the main altar, a 16 meter cross, and the Creation of Man, a marble statue by the sculptor Carlos Enrique Rodríguez. ...read less

After the breakfast, transfer to the airport to take the flight home.