Independent Panama
Independent Panama
Independent Panama
6 Days Starting in Panama City, Panama and ending in Gamboa, Panama
Visiting: Panama City, Gamboa, South America
Tour operator:
Tour code:
ILP1-2025
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Discover the vibrant culture and natural wonders of Panama on the Independent Panama tour. Begin your journey in the colorful Panama City, exploring the historic Casco Antiguo and witnessing the engineering marvel of the Miraflores Locks at the Panama Canal. Experience a partial transit of the canal, navigating through the Gailard Cut and Pedro Miguel Locks. Stay at the luxurious Le Meridien Panama and the serene Gamboa Rainforest Resort. Venture into the heart of the jungle with a river cruise to the Emberá Indian village, where you'll immerse in ancient cultural dances, music, and learn about traditional medicinal plants. This tour offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and nature, providing an unforgettable Panamanian adventure.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive In Panama City,Panama
Location: Panama City
Accommodation Name: Le Meridien Panama
• Arrive in beautiful, colorful, and vibrant Panama City. Built in 1519 by Pedro Arias de Avila, a Spanish conquistador who made it his base for plundering Peru’s riches, Panama today remains one of the central hubs for commerce and trade in the Americas. Panama offers diverse natural wonders, a melting pot of cultures and historical as well as modern cityscapes.
Day 2: Panama City
Location: Panama City
Accommodation Name: Le Meridien Panama
Meals Included: Breakfast
PANAMA CITY • After breakfast, your private city tour visits Casco Antiguo, the colonial area and oldest sector of modern Panama City, founded in 1673 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This historic district was built as a protected walled city after Panama City was burned down in a pirate attack in 1671. Here, see the restored colonial buildings, churches, and historical monuments. • Next, visit the Miraflores Locks at the Panama Canal to witness this engineering genius in operation. During your guided tour, learn about the history of the canal and its construction, and observe transiting vessels navigating the locks from just a few feet away. (B)
Day 3: Panama City,Gamboa Rainforest Resort
Location: Panama City
Accommodation Name: Gamboa Rainforest Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
PANAMA CITY–GAMBOA RAINFOREST RESORT • Today, a special treat is in store when you board a vessel for a Panama Canal partial transit. Your boat will enter the canal at the Gailard Cut, where the Chagres River flows into the canal and where the canal was carved through the Continental Divide. Enter the Pedro Miguel Locks, where your vessel will be lowered approximately 30 feet into Miraflores Lake. Continue to the Miraflores Locks to be lowered almost 60 feet to the Pacific Ocean. Please note: the day of operation for the Panama Canal transit may vary based on seasonality, weather conditions, and availability. When the transit is not available as scheduled on day 3, it will be confirmed on an alternate day.• Disembark your ship and head to Gamboa Rainforest Resort within Soberania National Park. (B,L)
Day 4: Gamboa Rainforest Resort
Location: Gamboa
Accommodation Name: Gamboa Rainforest Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
GAMBOA RAINFOREST RESORT • Enjoy a free day to take advantage of the resort’s many activities. (B)TODAY’S I-TIME TIPSPerhaps take an aerial tram tour above the canopy, go fishing, birding or visit the sloth sanctuary. Alternatively, simply relax by the pool or at the spa.
Day 5: Gamboa Rainforest Resort
Location: Gamboa
Accommodation Name: Gamboa Rainforest Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast
GAMBOA RAINFOREST RESORT • An enchanting journey takes you deep into the dense jungles of the Chagres, where the Emberá Indians have lived for centuries. The adventure begins with a river cruise up the Chagres in dugout canoes, the Emberá traditional hand-carved boats.• Upon arrival at the Indian village, you will be taken back in time as you are immersed in ancient Emberá cultural dances and music that have not changed much since Columbus arrived in the 1500s. The Emberás will give you a glimpse into their mystical rituals and amazing knowledge of medicinal plants and other natural remedies. The Indians will invite you to explore the area’s abundant variety of birds and wildlife during a trek that takes you through the untouched jungle and past sparkling waterfalls.• Top off your visit with a typical lunch in the village. (B,L)
Day 6: Gamboa Rainforest Resort
Location: Gamboa
Accommodation Name: Gamboa Rainforest Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast
GAMBOA RAINFOREST RESORTYour vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
What's Included
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Accommodation
Accommodation in Panama City at Le Meridien Panama and in Gamboa at Gamboa Rainforest Resort.
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Meals
Buffet breakfast daily; 2 lunches.
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Private City Tour
Private city tour of Casco Antiguo, the colonial area and oldest sector of modern Panama City, and visit to the Miraflores Locks at the Panama Canal.
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Panama Canal Partial Transit
Board a vessel for a Panama Canal partial transit, including entry at the Gailard Cut and passage through the Pedro Miguel and Miraflores Locks.
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Emberá Indian Village Visit
River cruise up the Chagres in dugout canoes to visit the Emberá Indian village, including cultural dances, music, and a typical lunch.
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Transportation
Transportation includes a private city tour in Panama City and a river cruise up the Chagres in traditional hand-carved canoes.
What's Not Included
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International Flights
International flights to and from Panama are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended to be purchased separately.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and beverages are not included.
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Optional Activities
Any optional activities or excursions not mentioned in the itinerary are not included.
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Gratuities
Gratuities for guides, drivers, and hotel staff are not included.
Meals
Buffet breakfast daily; 2 lunches
Notes
Transportation is as outlined in the day-by-day itinerary. Local guide service is provied in Panama City.The day of operation for the Panama Canal Partial Transit may vary based on seasonality, weather conditions, and availability. When the transit is not available as scheduled on day 3, it will be confirmed on an alternate day.
Accommodation
In Panama City, stay at the luxurious Le Meridien Panama, and in Gamboa, enjoy the serene Gamboa Rainforest Resort.
Mode of Transport
Transportation includes a private city tour in Panama City and a river cruise up the Chagres in traditional hand-carved canoes.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of transportation is included in the tour?
The tour includes a private city tour in Panama City and a river cruise up the Chagres in traditional hand-carved canoes.
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What kind of accommodation can I expect during the tour?
In Panama City, you will stay at the luxurious Le Meridien Panama, and in Gamboa, you will enjoy the serene Gamboa Rainforest Resort.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
Yes, the tour includes a buffet breakfast daily and 2 lunches.
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What activities are included in the private city tour of Panama City?
The private city tour includes a visit to Casco Antiguo, the colonial area and oldest sector of modern Panama City, and a visit to the Miraflores Locks at the Panama Canal.
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What can I expect during the Panama Canal partial transit?
During the Panama Canal partial transit, you will board a vessel that enters the canal at the Gailard Cut, passes through the Pedro Miguel and Miraflores Locks, and navigates through the canal's engineering marvels.
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What will I experience during the visit to the Emberá Indian village?
You will take a river cruise up the Chagres in dugout canoes to visit the Emberá Indian village, where you will be immersed in ancient cultural dances and music, learn about their medicinal plants and natural remedies, and enjoy a typical lunch.
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Are international flights included in the tour package?
No, international flights to and from Panama are not included in the tour package.
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Is travel insurance included in the tour package?
No, travel insurance is not included and is recommended to be purchased separately.
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Are personal expenses covered in the tour package?
No, personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and beverages are not included.
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Are gratuities included in the tour package?
No, gratuities for guides, drivers, and hotel staff are not included.
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What happens if the Panama Canal Partial Transit is not available on the scheduled day?
The day of operation for the Panama Canal Partial Transit may vary based on seasonality, weather conditions, and availability. If it is not available as scheduled on day 3, it will be confirmed on an alternate day.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
For over 90 years.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest Covid-19 policies
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Travel documents, including any air tickets, itineraries, and other information, are available approximately two to three weeks prior to departure provided full payment has been received.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
The Globus Lighthouse Project - an illuminating initiative where we can all come together to tread lightly and give generously for the globe's greater good. Globus, along with sister companies Avalon Waterways and Cosmos, invite our travellers and partners to help us in supporting causes that provide for a more sustainable planet and a brighter tomorrow.
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Low Deposit
Barrhead Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 98 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of barrhead travel charges.
Up to 98 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 97 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions
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