Friday, February 3, 2023 - Wednesday, February 15, 2023
Panama,
International,
Panama
Panama, the isthmus between the Americas, melds together an awe-inspiring collection of both natural and cultural treasures. Our trip to this fascinating country encompasses the sites of Panama City, exploration of Caribbean coastal water areas, and hiking in an extraordinarily biodiverse rainforest. Panama's biodiversity is staggering: the country is home to 220 mammal species, 226 species of reptile, 164 amphibian species and 125 animal species found nowhere else in the world. Panama also boasts 978 avian species, which is the largest number in Central America. Our adventure begins with a visit to Panama City and the famed Panama Canal. The Panama Canal, a famous feat of human engineering, stretches 48 miles long linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans serving as an essential shipping route. During our stay in Panama City, we'll also tour the historic Casco Viejo district (literally meaning old quarter) which is an UNESCO World Heritage Site. This charismatic neighborhood is known for its unique architectural styles including Spanish colonial, neo-classical, art deco, and Caribbean. We'll have the opportunity to try out the flavor of local restaurants, shop for Panama hats, and take in the sites of this vibrant city. Our next stop on our adventure will be to remote Isla Bastimentos located in the Caribbean coastal area of Bocas del Toro. Here we'll be immersed in the essence of the Panamanian Caribbean. This tropical destination provides us opportunities for snorkeling coral reefs, meeting indigenous villagers, and observing the astonishing biodiversity. Following our Caribbean stay, our voyage continues to the Mount Totumas Cloud Forest eco-resort located in the province of Chiriquí outside of Volcán. This majestic preserve has a network of well- marked trails teeming with flora and fauna like monkeys, jungle cats, wild orchids, and birds ranging from quetzals and red-headed barbets to black guans and blue-crowned motmots. The knowledgeable owners have dedicated their lives to preserving this fragile habitat and La Amistad National Park, which it borders. After visiting Mount Totumas eco-resort, we return to Panama City for a special dinner and stay until our flights the next day. Participants should be comfortable engaging in various water activities. Coast walks/hikes are short with little elevation change. There are several trail options at Mount Totumas Cloud Forest which range from 2 to 5 miles in length. Most trails are rated easy to moderate and a more challenging hike to Totumas Peak (2200' elevation gain) is available as well. Very careful consideration has been made for choosing our adventure packed itinerary and breathtaking eco-resorts. This trip is a first time offering, so we recommend you contact us early if interested in joining us.
