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| Daily Itinerary: |
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| Day 1 | Thursday, 4/15/2010 - Fly to Panama City
Fly to Panama City. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel for a 2 night stay. Meet for a Welcome Briefing at 6:00pm. |
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| Day 2 | Friday, 4/16/2010 - Miraflores Locks
Morning visit to the ruins of Panama Viejo (Old Panama) a UNESCO World Heritage site, the city founded by the Spanish in 1519 as a gateway for gold from the Inca Empire. The Isthmus of Panama links North and South America. Drive along Panama City’s bayfront with a photostop at Balboa statue. After lunch visit Miraflores Locks and learn about the Canal construction and operation. | Breakfast
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| Day 3 | Saturday, 4/17/2010 - Portobello / Colon
Enjoy views of the Caribbean Coast on your morning drive to visit the sleepy fishing village of Portobello, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Stroll the restored Portobello Fort, built by the Spaniards in the 16th century to guard their treasure fleets against pirate attacks. Visit Portobello’s old Custom House and see the famous Black Christ statue at nearby San Felipe Church. Arrive in Colon for a two night stay.
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| Day 4 | Sunday, 4/18/2010 - Indians / Gatun Locks
This morning cruise the Piedras River deep into the jungle to visit an Embera Indian Village. Along the way look for different species of colorful birds and playful monkeys. The Embera inhabit the rainforests of Panama and live in simple thatched huts and make exotic handicrafts from tagua nuts and palm fibers. Watch native dancers as they perform in traditional clothing. After lunch, visit Gatun Locks, the Atlantic entrance to the Panama Canal. Here you can see all three adjoining locks raise ships 87 feet above sea level onto Gatun Lake.
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| Day 5 | Monday, 4/19/2010 - Pipeline Rd / Playa Blanca
This morning take a birdwatching hike at the “Pipeline Road,” the old service road for the Panama Canal. The Audubon Society rated this trail as one of the best birding sites in the world. Next, cross over the Bridge of the Americas en route to Playa Blanca for a relaxing two night stay on the Pacific Coast. Afternoon at leisure to enjoy your resort’s white sand beach & swimming pools. | Breakfast
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| Day 6 | Tuesday, 4/20/2010 - Playa Blanca / El Valle
Morning visit to picturesque El Valle, a town situated in the crater of a dormant volcano. Enjoy a scenic drive of the village’s charming homes and a visit to the local artisan marketplace. Enjoy another leisurely afternoon at your resort. | Breakfast
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| Day 7 | Wednesday, 4/21/2010 - Panama Canal Cruise
Today enjoy an unforgettable six hour adventure as you cruise the Panama Canal with an included lunch. Your small vessel allows for close- up views of the opening and closing of the enormous six foot thick steel gates of both the Miraflores and Pedro Miguel Locks. See at eye-level how transiting vessels are guided by small tugboats and pulled by small trains. Enter the Gaillard Cut and cross the Continental Divide. Disembark at Gamboa on Gatun Lake. Return to Panama City for two nights in this lively cosmopolitan city. Free time. | Breakfast
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| Day 8 | Thursday, 4/22/2010 - Casco Viejo / Handicrafts
Morning visit to Casco Viejo, the old French Quarter. See the wide brick streets and ornate wood balconies. Visit the Canal Museum and learn Panama’s prominent role as the major transit route between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. See the Gold Altar at San José Cathedral. Enjoy views from French Park, a tribute to the early French canal workers. Travel to Amador Island for lunch. This afternoon visit a Kuna Indian marketplace to shop for colorful mola embroidery depicting rainforest animals and marine life. After dinner depart for a night lights drive of this dazzling city. | Breakfast
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| Day 9 | Friday, 4/23/2010 - Panama City / Fly Home
After breakfast transfer to Panama’s Tocumen airport for your return flights home. Home shuttle is again provided. | Breakfast |
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