Panama: A Family Adventure

An 8-Day Thomson Adventures tour starting from $3,990

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Starting Price:	$3,990
Tour Length:	8 Days
Countries Visited:	Panama

Triple Discount for Children
Groups of 6 or more traveling together save money

More Information About This Tour:

Tour Type:

Family Tours

Tour Category:

Latin America Family Travel

Tour Operator:

Thomson Adventures

Tour Code:

THPANAMA

Cities Visited:
El Valle de Anton, Pedasi, Panama City,

Panama—land of colorful contrasts and mind-boggling eco-diversity! It’s where you can stand beside the world’s most impressive engineering marvel and visit with indigenous tribes-people whose way of life has remained unchanged for centuries. Where you can snap a photo of your kids ziplining through the rainforest canopy in the morning and shoot an underwater movie of them snorkeling in the afternoon. It’s where you can lounge on a beach in the company of sunbathing iguanas, look for impish capuchin monkeys (or are they looking at you?) along a forest trail, and witness a brilliant flash of red against the blue sky as a scarlet macaw streaks by.

Thomson’s exciting, well-balanced itinerary is designed to showcase the country’s cultural and natural wonders and, of course, the amazing Panama Canal. From multiple vantage points—including a boat ride on Gatun Lake where you gaze vertically up to the bow of gigantic freighters, to a fascinating tour of the intricate workings of the Miraflores Locks—your kids will come away with an understanding of the importance of this 51-mile engineering miracle (and, for once, put the word “awesome” in proper context!).

In addition to hiking through the rainforest in search of wildlife, swimming in clear waterfall-fed pools, painting your own ceremonial diabolico mask, investigating coral wonderlands teeming with marine life, visiting an important amphibian conservation center, and sampling delicious foods, you’ll have the rare opportunity to meet the Embera people in a village along the banks of the Chagres River. This personal interaction is sure to be a trip highlight and you’ll be moved by the Embera’s dignified determination to keep their traditional cultural beliefs intact.

One of the Americas' last undiscovered destinations, Panama truly honors the “something for everyone” promise. This relatively close-to-home destination is perfect for a family vacation, grandparents and grandkids traveling together, or even a multi-generational gathering for active families who share a love of exploration.

• All entrance fees

• Accommodations based on double and triple occupancy at comfortable and distinctive tourist level hotels

• Most meals; we leave off a couple so your family can explore on your own.

• Travel in groups of 15 to 25 people

• Services of a bilingual guide who will accompany you throughout your trip

• Land transportation, airport transfers and internal air

• All excursions

• Bottled water and snacks

• Travel insurance – Travel Insured International policy

• Groups of 8 or more will be accompanied by a mentor whose primary jobs will be to provide kid-friendly enrichment activities for up to an hour each day that enhance the overall trip experience; to provide organized fun for kids that helps them get to know each other; to provide things for kids to do during delays, flights and long bus trips (our teen trips don’t include mentors)

• Ages 6 to 16 will be matched with pen pals with whom they can correspond and then meet in country (our cruises of Inside Passage of Alaska and our teen trips don’t include penpals)

• There may be slight variations to this listing for certain adventures

Day 1 – Depart home / Arrive Panama City
Welcome to Panama, home to the Panama Canal and countless natural wonders! From lush rainforests to magnificent beaches, from cosmopolitan Panama City to the tidy villages of the Embera indigenous people, discover magical hidden worlds on this exciting family adventure.

Day 2 – The Panama Canal
One of the wonders of the modern world, the Panama Canal offers safe passage to more than 14,000 ships a year. Explore the Miraflores Lock and enjoy the chance to view the Canal from several unique vantage points.
Welcome breakfast
Meet your guide over breakfast; a trip briefing outlines the details of the itinerary.
Take a jungle boat adventure
A boat ride across Gatun Lake provides awesome views of gigantic cargo and passenger ships enroute to the sea. There’s plenty of wildlife to see, too— watch for iguanas, crocodiles, monkeys and peacocks, to name just a few.
Tour the Miraflores Locks
Marvel at the Miraflores Locks—a mind-boggling engineering phenomenon. After observing a ship pass through the locks, explore the visitor center and museum. The views from all three floors are fantastic!

Day 3 – Panama City
Despite Panama’s small size, indigenous ethnic tribes proudly manage to sustain their traditional lifestyle. Spend time with the lovely Embera indigenous people in a riverside village and learn about their history, customs, dances, and foods.
Voyage up the Chagres River
Travel aboard a motorized piragua (dugout canoe) up the Chagres River and through the rainforest of Chagres National Park.
Meet the Embera (indigenous people)
Step ashore in a lively village built by indigenous Embera people. Keep your camera at the ready... wonderful photographic opportunities abound, including the colorful native dances. Maybe your or your kids will want to try out a tattoo—temporary, of course!
Friends Across Borders – Meet your pen pals
As part of our Friends Across Borders program —a Thompson family favorite—we’ve arranged for a pen pal meeting today for the children who exchanged letters with a local student before leaving on their adventure. Through playing a game, or sharing in a mutual activity, the kids all enjoy the eye-opening, and truly rewarding, experience of making a new friend from a culture very different from their own.
Swim in a waterfall pool
Take a hike on the wild side to a nearby waterfall for a dip in the crystal-clear waters of the Chagres River.

Day 4 – Panama City / El Valle de Anton
The beautiful town of El Valle de Anton lies inside the crater of the world's second largest extinct volcano. Get ready to “soar” across this magnificent expanse on an exhilarating zipline tour!
Travel to El Valle de Anton
Drive to the beautiful town of El Valle de Anton for a fun-filled day of local activities.
Stop at Quesos Chela
Stop for breakfast at the renowned local cheese maker, Queso Chela. The authentic empanadas and homemade pastries are legendary!
Zipline through the rain forest
Prepare for an adrenaline-filled afternoon as you take to the rainforest canopy for a thrilling ziplining tree-to-tree trek—a picture-perfect Panama experience!
Jump into a swimming hole
After your airborne journey cool off in a swimming hole fed by the waters from the Chorro Macho de Monte waterfall.
Tour the El Valle Amphibian Conservation Center
Learn about the efforts to save Panama's national symbol—the Golden Frog—and other amphibians from extinction at this fascinating science center.

Days 5 and 6 – Azueros Peninsula
The Azueros Peninsula is a collage of rolling hills, beautiful beaches bordered by colorful corals, and Spanish-flavored towns. Discover the fascinating wildlife of the region—above and below the warm tropical waters!
Drive to the Azueros Peninsula
Drive along the scenic Pan-American Highway through the heart of the countryside to the Azueros Peninsula.
Visit a mask-making workshop
In the town of Parrita stop to visit the workshop of a diabolico artisan. These fantastical papier-maché masks are used in fiesta parades and holiday ceremonies. You’ll get to paint your own mask here—what a wonderful souvenir!
Enjoy a seaside BBQ
A seaside barbecue comes complete with live music typical of the region.
Explore Isla Iguana
A boat ride takes us to the National Wildlife Refuge of Isla Iguana. Relax on the white sand beach, photograph the iguanas that love lo laze about in the sunshine, or follow the short trails for a close-up look at the rookery of magnificent frigatebirds. Isla Iguana is also the nesting site for other sea birds such as the brown booby and brown pelican (weather permitting).

Day 7 – Azueros Peninsula / Panama City
Free morning
Enjoy a free morning relaxing on the balcony of your private loft, lounging poolside, or strolling along the beach.
Flight to Panama City
A short flight from the Azueros Peninsula brings us back to Panama City.
Stroll through Casco Antiguo
Discover the long history and beguiling charms of Panama as you stroll its historic streets.
Farewell dinner
Bid a fond farewell to your guide and fellow travelers this evening. Bring your travel journals and share your favorite memories of your Panama family vacation!

Day 8 – Depart Panama City / Arrive home
After breakfast a Thomson Family Adventures representative will assist with your transfer to the airport for your international flight home. Hasta luego...



Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
12/22/2012 - 12/29/2012	$4,390
12/24/2012 - 12/31/2012	$4,390
Note: Departures appearing above in green are guaranteed to operate by the tour operator.

Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

You know about its miraculous canal, that stunning marvel of modern engineering. But what about its misty mountains and brilliantly colored orchids? Its exotic wildlife, staggering eco- diversity, amazing snorkeling and warm, welcoming people? Panama is one of the last undiscovered destinations available to travelers today, and we have created an itinerary that specializes in activities that are fun and informative for all. Panama is home to a largely tourist-free system of national parks, an abundance of plants and wildlife to rival neighboring Costa Rica, and easy access to both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts. And Panama is just a short plane ride away from the US!

There something very moving, for children and adults, about seeing the Panama Canal for the first time. The enormity of this engineering marvel boggles the mind. There’s the vast jungle that had to be divided, the massive locks that had to be constructed, and then there are the 40 ships that pass through the Canal every day. History books can supply the amazing facts about this monumental achievement, but the seeing Canal itself brings its story palpably and eloquently to life in a way no book can match — and in a way your kids will never forget. In Panama, history is one cool adventure.

RECOMMENDED FOR AGES 8+

All tour prices are per person, in US dollars, based on double occupancy.

Teen Price (12-17) 2012: $3890-$4290

Child Price (<12)2012: $3790-$4190

Triple discount $300 for child under 12 sharing with 2 adults.

Please call 1-800-942-3301 for teen and child rates

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All prices are per person, double occupancy, subject to availability. These pages are not endorsed or supported by the tour operator in any way. All information presented is based on promotional material provided by the tour operator. All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates are subject to change without notice and at any time by the tour operators. Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. The prices on this website are not guaranteed. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in pricing. Please call us toll free at 1-800-942-3301 to confirm availability and pricing.

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All prices are per person, double occupancy, subject to availability.All rates in U.S. dollars. Prices, savings offers, and other terms subject to change without notice. Images, logos, photographs etc. on this page is copyrighted by the company listed on this page. All such copyright material is acknowledged. These pages are not endorsed or supported by this company in any way. All information presented is based on promotional material provided by this travel company. It is presumed to be accurate and is subject to change without notice. Call 1-800-942-3301 for more details and to book.