Extreme Ecological Expedition

  Panama

• Other Cities in Panama: 
Panama Canal Area

Description: Come and discover Panama´s unique diversity by surrounding yourself in the amazing neotropical enviroment. Hiking, flora & fauna observation, rafting, canopy and much more all in an unforgettable one week adventure. Be one of the pioneers on the path less traveled!

Day One - Arrival to Panama City
Upon your arrival to Tocumen International Airport an EcoCircuitos representative will be waiting for you to assist and transfer you to your hotel in Panama City. The drive is approximately 45 minutes from the airport to the town's center. Check in and overnight.

Day Two - Plantation Road
Early in the morning you will be met by an EcoCircuitos guide in the lobby of the hotel to go over a brief overview of the day's tour to Plantation Road.
Plantation Road was created around 1913 in the Panama Canal Watershed in an area that is known as Soberania National Park. Also it was an area where cacao was grown and the road that was constructed during this time was the first paved road that went into the interior of the country. This trail is approximately 4.8 kilometers and connects with the famous Camino de las Cruces Trail that was used to transport riches from South America. Here the visitors will have great chances to observe the unique ecology of the Canal Watershed:
Agouti, Two-toed Sloth, White-throated Capuchin, Mantled Howler Monkey, White-nosed Coati, Green and Brown Vine Snake, Central American Whiptail, Emerald Basilisk, Blue Morpho Butterfly, Leaf-cutting Ant, Rhinoceros Beetle, Walking Stick, Litter Toad, Rufous Motmot, Keel-billed Toucan, Green Parakeets, and Slated-tailed Trogon are just a few names of animals that can be observed on this hike.
Trees: Wild Cashew Tree, Ear Monkey Tree, Silk Cotton Tree, Rubber Tree, Tropical palms, epiphytes, orchids, fichus, different species of ferns and more.
Afterwards you will be transferred back to your hotel and will have the afternoon to explore the city and get ready for dinner.

At approximately 7:30 PM you will be met in the lobby of your hotel and transferred to Tinajas Typical Restaurant. Here you will have the opportunity to eat Panamanian food, made of corn, plantains, yucca, fish, tamale, sancocho (typical Panamanian chicken soup), pork, seafood, beef and more. After dinner you will watch a folkloric show where they will be able to see the diverse national dances with their elegant costumes. The name of these dances are the Punta, Travesado, Diablos Sucios and are preformed with live music performed using the typical instruments of Panama. Afterwards you will be transferred back to your hotel to get ready for your next adventure. (B, L)

Day Three El Valle
In the morning after breakfast you will be met by an EcoCircuitos guide to begin your adventure to El Valle. It is approximately two hours to El Valle de Anton, along the Pan American Highway. This drive will take you into the Cocle Province west of Panama City.
El Valle, according to geologists is the crater of a dormant volcano and possibly the largest in Central America. Also El Valle attracts visitors for its cool and pleasant climate, the valley where El Valle town (over 600m above sea level) is located there are a number of attractions such as petroglyphs of pre-Colombian art, hot springs, waterfalls, rock climbing and a variety of hikes for all levels. El Valle is also know for the Golden Frog that is close to extinction and can only be found in two different areas in Panama.
During the day you will go canopying, there are four platforms and one practice. The Canopy Adventure is located in a private refuge in the cloud forest above El Valle. Close to el Chorro Macho, the waterfall in the center of the refuge. The wildlife, birdlife, and the flora are very diverse because it has been a protected area has been a wildlife refuge for many years. Lunch will be at a typical local restaurant in the area. You will return back to the city in the early evening. (B, L)

Day Four Hike El Valle to Posada del Cerro La Vieja
In the morning after breakfast you will be met by an EcoCircuitos guide in the lobby, where a brief explanation of the hiking tour will be given. Then you will hike from El Valle to Chiguiri Arriba. During this hike you will be able to observe secondary forest and agricultural areas of the country. This is the trail that our local campesinos used to bring the vegetables and goods to the Sunday Market. The hike is mild and lasts approximately 3 hours (15Km). Check in at Posada del Cerro la Vieja. Dinner will be in the restaurant overlooking the mountains of the region. (B, Box Lunch, D)

Day Five - Chiriqui Highlands
In the morning after breakfast you will be transferred back to Panama City for your flight to the Chiriqui Highlands. The driver will drop you off at the Albrook Domestic Airport for your flight to David, the capital of Chiriqui. This plane ride is approximately one hour. Upon your arrival to David you will be met by our local host who will transfer you to the picturesque town of Boquete, located on the western slope of Baru Volcano and is know for its spring like weather year round. Check in your hotel and overnight. (B)

Day Six - Free Day
Today you have a free day to explore the area. There are many optional tours available such as rafting,canopy coffee, hiking and flower garden tours. Enjoy the day at your leisure in the Highlands of Chiriqui. (B)

Day Seven - Los Quetzales Trail
In the morning after breakfast you will be met by our local guide in the lobby. Then you will have an approximately 25 minute drive to the ANAM Ranger Station located on the western side of Baru Volcano where you will begin your hike.
The hike is approximately 4-6 hours, depending on the hikers' physical condition and the trail. This is one of the most beautiful hikes in Central America.
In the Baru National Park the visitors will be in low montane rainforest, premontane rainforest and cloud forest with the ability to observe animals such as the Quetzal, Bell bird, some trogons, Black and White Hawk, a variety of humming birds such as Brown Violet Ear and Black-bellied Hummingbird, wildcats, porcupines, Coati Mundi, nutria, bats.

Trees: Huge oaks, magnolias, orchids Stelis montana, Hoffmania areolata and Anthurium chriquense among others.
You will stop to have a box lunch in the field before continuing on to Cerro Punta. From Cerro Punta you will have an approximately one hour and a half transfer to Boquete. On this drive you will have the opportunity enjoy the scenic landscape of the Chirqui Highlands, on this side of the volcano you will also see more agriculture and farming. The majority of Panama´s vegetables are grown in this area due to its cool and sunny climate. Overnight in Boquete. ( B, Box Lunch)

Day Eight - Return to Panama City
Today you will return to Panama City, at the appropriate time you will be transferred to David International Airport for your flight. Upon your arrival you will be met by an EcoCircuitos and transferred to your hotel. You will have the remaining of the day to relax and enjoy the city. Overnight in a hotel in the city.

Day Nine Transfer Out
At the appropriate time you will be transferred to Tocumen International Airport for your flight back home.

Highlights: Enjoy some of Panama´s most picturesque areas and adventures in the diverse provinces of the country. From the Panama Canal Watershed to cool spring like temperatures of the Chiriqui Highlands, Panama continues to surprise its visitors. You will glide down canopy lines with breath taking views of forests and waterfalls and hike through tropical forests identifying unique flora and fauna. Come and discover Panama´s natural wonders!

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Panama Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups of no more than 10 people

Post-Program Services Include:

• Job and Internship Network

EcoCircuitos Panama's Mission Statement: EcoCircuitos is Tour Operator committed to the development of ecotourism and the preservation of the environment. Our philosophy is to approach each destination carefully, considering the impact that tours will have on the flora and fauna of the area. Guides are chosen, based not only on their knowledge of a region, but also on their ability to respect the environment and share their knowledge with visitors in an engaging and enjoyable manner. We specialize in hiking, bird watching, educational, cultural tours, volunteer vacations and nature tours for small groups, individuals and couples.

Year Founded: 1999