Highlights:
- Discovering that
Panama is way more than a canal
- Sea kayaking the
San Blas Archipelago and learning about the Kuna
inhabitants
- Hiking in
Panama's highlands in the Boquete area
- Looking for the
Resplendent Quetzal
- Sampling
Panamanian culture and cuisine
Panama is rapidly
emerging as a popular Central American destination.
Combining a stable government and an incredible variety of
ecosystems that receive fewer visitors than neighboring
countries, it is possible to feel that you have gotten off
the beaten track here. We'll spend ten days exploring this
beautiful country from one end to the other as we journey
from the Pacific Ocean to the Caribbean to the Chiriqui
highlands.
This trip is for: any
woman in good physical condition who enjoys being
active. No previous sea kayaking or hiking experience is
needed.
Accommodations:
- Six nights lodging
in tourist class hotels
- Three nights in a
tented camp
Maximum group
size: 10 / Women Exclusive
Trip price: $2561-2740
-- There is a $100 deduction for registration prior
to 10/21/08 and 3% of the trip fee if the balance is
paid by check. $400 deposit. E-mail Travlgrrl@aol.com
for more information.
Trip price
includes:
- meals as specified
on the itinerary, basically from Saturday dinner
through the following Sunday dinner
- nine
nights double occupancy lodging
- all activities
specified on the itnerary
- all
transportation within Panama, including internal
flights
- experienced
guides
Trip starts:
at 5 pm February 21 at our hotel in Panama City
Trip ends: anytime
on March 2
More information: will
be posted as it is available
Itinerary
As is true for any adventure,
this itierary is meant to be illustrative rather than definitive
and the final itinerary may vary.
February 21 (Saturday)
Arrival in Panama. Our trip officially begins at 5pm at our
hotel in Panama City. We will have group introductions, a trip
orientation, and then go out for a welcome dinner. Whenever you
arrive, you will be met at the airport by one of our Panamanian
representatives and transferred to our hotel. Panama City is
quite safe and if you get here early, its an interesting city to
walk around. Overnight Hotel Marbella (D)
February 22 (Sunday) Today we will have a guided
tour of Panama City and the Panama Canal (of course we have to
see the Canal!). Panama City is rapidly changing, and we will
visit the colonial Panama, “Panama Viejo”, the old Panama,
“Casco Viejo” , and the modern Panama City. The Panama Canal
is still an engineering marvel! Taking over a decade to build a
100 years ago, it is still an important waterway that cuts down
transfer time significantly. Dinner is on your own tonight so
you can explore the various culinary options here. Overnight
Hotel Marbella (B, L)
February 23 (Monday). Monday morning we depart for the
extraordinary San Blas Archipelago. With more than 350 islands
spreading out along the isthmus, the archipelago is a Kuna
Native Reservation. The Kunas are known for their handicrafts
and their unique culture. A nation within Panama, The Kuna have
their own language, culture, laws and territory. The Kunas'
efforts to preserve their own identity and control over San Blas
has made it possible to keep this region the pristine paradise
it is today.
We will catch an early
domestic flight to El Porvenir, San Blas and from there we are
transported by boat to the tent camp. After setting up camp and
having lunch, we will have an introduction to the kayaks and
take a short paddle. Lodging at Tent Camp (B, L, D)
February 24 - 26 (Tuesday - Thursday) Over the next three
days, we will enjoy this paradise of sea kayaking and
snorkeling. Where we go exactly will depend on wind and weather
conditions, but with endless nearby islands and reefs to
explore, the options are truly endless.
Thursday is our final day in
San Blas. We will pack up, spend one last day exploring the reef
and islands, and then transfer to our lodge at Ukuptupu, near
the local airport. B, L, D
February 27 (Friday) Another early morning as we transfer
to the opposite end of Panama: the pristine western highlands.
We will fly early in the morning from El Porvenir to Panama City
and from there we connect to a flight to David, the capital of
Panama. Upon arrival in David we transfer to Boquete, a small
and charming mountain village tucked away on the eastern slopes
of the Baru Volcano. After lunch, we will go on a Tree Trek, a
thrilling (and safe) zip line through the canopy. If there is
time we will also visit a small, private coffee plantation.
Lodging at Isla Verde (B, D)
February 28 (Saturday) Today we hike the magnificent Los
Quetzales trail in Baru Volcano National Park, home to
Panama’s tallest peak (11,400’). This hike takes us through
an enchanting cloud forest, under some of the tallest trees in
the hemisphere and home to 5,000 species of plants found nowhere
else on earth. This hike will last 5 – 6 hours, with time to
stop and admire the views, and end in Cerro Punta where a driver
will take us to our lodging. Tonight we'll stay at Kucikas
Cabins on the shores of the Chiriqui River. (B, L, D)
March 1 (Sunday) Today we spend rafting on the Chiriqui
Viejo River. With most rapids being Class III, the river is
eminently suitable for beginners. The river passes through a
canyon and spectacular waterfalls characterize it. Depending on
the water level and section used we will be rafting about 3-4
hours. In later afternoon we will return to David Airport to
take our flight back to Panama City, where we will check into
our hotel, clean up, and then go out for a final farewell
dinner. (B, L, D)
March 2 (Monday) This morning we are transferred to the
International Airport for our flight home or on to other
adventures.
E-mail Travlgrrl@aol.com
or Call 1-800-842-4753
http://www.GAYTRAVELPROS.com
E-mail: Travlgrrl@aol.com or Call
Toll-Free 1-800-842-4753
