Panama Rainforest Experience (Pre)

Itinerary for your Pre-Programme

Day 1: Arrive at Gamboa 

Your Panama rainforest tour begins with a night at Gamboa Rainforest Resort or a similar lodge within the Soberanía National Park. 

Day 2: Rainforest Discovery Center and night river safari 

In the morning, you'll visit the Rainforest Discovery Center, an educational facility that offers excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. Watch for rare animals from the 105 ft observation tower, or follow hiking trails and seek out butterflies, monkeys and around 350 bird species. After lunch and a relaxing afternoon at your lodge, when darkness falls you'll join a night safari boat tour on the Chagres River to spot nocturnal animals such as caimans and two-toed sloths. 

Day 3: Sloth sanctuary and jungle cable car 

In the morning, you'll visit Panama’s only sloth sanctuary, where conservationists work to reintroduce these endearing creatures into the wild. After lunch back at the lodge, you'll enjoy an exhilarating 20-minute cable car ride above the tree canopy, watching for toucans, monkeys and other wildlife. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Panama Canal, Chagres River, Gamboa village and across the vast jungle canopy. 

Day 4: Encounter with the Embera people, and transfer to Colón 

Today you’ll transfer to the Chagres National Park. Here we´ll board a motorized canoe that will take us on the Lake Gatun and River Chagres to an Embera community in their village of wooden houses with thatch roofs. The Embera people are one of the seven ethnic groups of pre-Columbian Indians who live in Panama.  

Upon arrival, and before enjoying a traditional lunch prepared by village woman, we’ll be welcomed by the tribe´s chief. In the afternoon you’ll be offered the chance to learn about local medicinal plants, walk around the village and visit the school, or see a demonstration of arts and crafts. Before saying goodbye to our hosts there will be a performance of traditional dance and music.   

Afterwards, return by canoe to your transfer bus and continue to Colón where your expedition ship awaits you. 

Please note that we may visit sites in a different order. 

Practical information 

Included: 

• 3 hotel nights at Gamboa Rainforest Resort or similar 
• Excursions and transportation with an English-speaking guide 
• 3 x lunch with a beverage 

Not included: 

• Dinner and gratuities 

Remarks/requirements: 

• This tour starts four days before embarkation from Gamboa and involves walking on unpaved terrain. 
• Not suitable for guests with limited mobility. 
• If the minimum number of participants is not reached, we reserve the right to cancel the land adventure up to 6 weeks before departure.