Wilderness, History and the Emblematic Panama Canal

HIGHLIGHTS: AGUA CLARA LOCK GATES•SAN LORENZO FORT•MONKEY’S TRAIL

Travel where wildlife-rich rain forest thrives along your path.  Encounter nature first hand. Follow the ancient Panama Canal trail and discover the new.  Enjoy an exhilarating e-bike ride along the Monkey’s Trail and discover trees drenched with sunlight. Explore legends of pirates and conquerors.

Experience Map

Experience Overview

1. Pick up from Panama City

AM pick up from hotel, time will be confirmed 24-hour prior departure

2. Visit to the new Agua Clara Lock Gates, Panama Canal

Economic and military reasons were always considered for the construction of the Panama Canal, the transit between the Pacific and the Atlantic Oceans through the narrow isthmus of Panama. In this visit you will examine the historic Panama Canal, its fascinating history and lock system at the new Agua Clara visitor’s center.

3. San Lorenzo Fort Discovery

Join the journey to discover one of the most iconic fortresses in the Caribbean Sea. San Lorenzo Fort was built during the 1500 to protect Panama from pirates and enemies.  It is one of the most strategic places for the development of Latin America history.

4. Monkey’s Trail Exploration

Explore the wilderness first-hand, enjoy an e-bike or bus ride along the Monkey’s trail.  A path for encountering with nature and biodiversity.  Howling monkeys will lead your trail as you marvel with the spectacular untouched surroundings.

5. Shelter Bay Marina for a relaxing lunch

We will arrive to Shelter Bay Marina for a relaxing lunch at this port, located at the entrance of the Panama Canal.

6. Ground transportation to Panama City

The journey will end at Panama City with a ground transportation to your hotel.

Experience Brief Description

1. Pick up from Panama City

The experience begins with a guided pick up from your hotel in Panama City.

2. Visit to the New Agua Clara Lock Gates, Panama Canal

The Panama Canal is one of the two most strategic waterways in the world, the other being the Suez Canal. Constructed in 1914 it joined two oceans changing international trade forever. The 50-mile long pathway shortens the voyage between the Pacific and the Caribbean Sea about 8,000 nautical miles (15,000 km).   Between 13,000 and 14,000 ships use the Panama Canal every year from more than 1,700 port towns in over 160 countries.   Mostly used by ships from United States, China, Japan, Chile and North Corea the Canal transports 4 percent of world trade.  The biggest ship that cross the Panama Canal was the CMA CGM Theodore Roosevelt with a total of 14,863 containers.

The New Agua Clara Lock Gates allow the transit of bigger ships, the terms used for the size limits are Panamax (originals lock chambers) 33.53 m (110 ft) wide, 320.04 m (1,050 ft) long, and 12.56 m (41.2 ft) deep, and Neopanamax (new) 427 m (1,401 ft) in length, 55 m (180 ft) in beam, and 18.3 m (60.0 ft) in depth.  Environmentally friendly the new lock gates exceeded the traffic transportation.  LNG (Liquified natural gas carriers) begin using the waterway after the new gates opening.  This visit will transport you into the canal fascinating construction and operating system.

3. San Lorenzo Fort Discovery

Set on a cliff at the Caribbean Sea, overlooking the entrance of a harbor San Lorenzo Fort is a silent witness of Panama´s Pirates and enemies. Located at the mouth of the Chagres River it was built to protect the terminus of Las Cruces Trail, the ancient trail that connected the Pacific Port of Panama, the Caribbean Sea, the Chagres River with other ports in Panama and mostly transcontinental journeys.

Storybook legends are inspired in this site.  Buccaneers, pirates, stolen Spanish treasures, where the true Captain Henry Morgan and Joseph Bradley stories took place.  A fortification recognized by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site for its relevance as an essential link to the understanding of the history of the Americas.

Panama was part of the legendary Spanish treasure trail, tons and tons of gold and silver obtained from conquered territories were gathered in Panama City.  The buildings that remain today are the third rebuild attempt after forts were destroyed by Henry Morgan and Joseph Bradley.

Relieve history while you walk through the fortress, and spot the enemies strategies to destroy Panama.  The architecture of San Lorenzo Fort is an ancient vital masterpiece for defending treasures from pirates and buccaneers.

4. Monkey’s Trail Exploration

Head into the wilderness on an e-bike or a bus ride along the tropical rainforest. Connect with the sounds of nature, marvel with the incredible wildlife. Get immersed in this natural wonderland looking for howling monkeys and sloths.

Spark discovery the name of Panama comes from an indigenous word which means abundance of trees, fish, birds and butterflies. Find a living laboratory along Monkey’s trail. The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute is near to this site and was settled here because of its magnificent nature, isolated forests are home to fantastic creatures.  Nature trails will lead you to discover an amazing biodiversity.

5. Shelter Bay Marina for a relaxing lunch

6. Transfer back to Panama City.

From Shelter Bay our bus will pick you up to return to Panama City.

About Experience Highlights

Agua Clara Lock Gates

The new set of locks at the Panama Canal has doubled the capacity of the Canal operation. Since its inauguration most of the ships that could not cross the old Canal are currently navigating through this state of the art pathway that unites the Atlantic and the Pacific Ocean.     

San Lorenzo Fort

Set on a cliff overlooking the mouth of the Chagres River, San Lorenzo fortress was constructed between 1598 and 1601 for the main purpose of protecting the Spanish treasures and ships which exited the Chagres river in order to sail back to Europe. In 1670 Pirate Joseph Bradley took the fortress with the help of a plan crafted by famous Pirate Henry Morgan. One year later Morgan entered into the river in order to reach the First City of Panama. San Lorenzo’s fortress is a silent witness to how Panama was key for the colonization of Latin America and the legendary stories of conquerors and pirates.

Monkey’s Trail

Immerse into a fantastic tropical rainforest and witness its exuberant wildlife. Howler monkeys will let you know if it is going to start raining, you will listen to their warning miles away! Great place for bird watching. This exciting trail will take you from San Lorenzo fort to Shelter Bay Marina on an amazing e-bike or bus ride. Connect through the wonders of nature.

What else is included in this experience?

Included:

•All ground/water transportation
•Guided, English or Spanish
•Visit to Agua Clara Lock Gates Centre
•Lunch with soft drinks at Shelter Bay
•Guided discovery to San Lorenzo Fort
•Monkey’s trail guided Exploration
•Optional activities: e-bikes, walk or bus

 Not Included:

•Not specified services
•Gratuities, laundry or valet services, gifts and additional items
•ITBMS taxes 7%
•Alcoholic beverages

Important Note:
Itinerary and activities are subject to change without previous notice.

What to bring

The Essentials:

•Passport
•Travel Insurance
•Health insurance information
•Credit/debit cards
•Cash (US Dollars)
•Personal medication

The Wearables:

•Sneakers or lightweight shoes, comfortable for walking short distances
•Short-sleeve and/or t-shirts
•Light raincoat
•Sunglasses (optional: neck strap)
•White-brimmed hat or cap
•Extra clothing

The Portables:

•Binoculars
•Sun block & lip balm (waterproof + SPF50 or higher)
•Insect repellent
•Small backpack/daypack (preferably waterproof)
•Camera/video camera
•Extra memory cards and batteries
•Appliance chargers & adaptors if necessary (plugs in Panama are US-style A&B, 2 flat pins, 110V)
•Journal

Suggested Additional Services Upon Request:
Railway transportation onboard the Panama Canal Railway