Excursion Grand tour of panama tour at Colon

Experience the Panama Canal, its rainforest and native Indian denizens during this panoramic, half-day sightseeing excursion.

Colon, Melia Hotel, Gatun Lake, Panama Canal Rainforest, Canal Zone

Depart the pier for the short drive to the Melia Hotel, located on Lago Gatún (Gatun Lake), the largest manmade lake in the world. The Panama Canal rainforests are some of the most accessible green zones in the world. With over 50,000 acres (about 20,234 hectares) of pristine rainforest, this natural gem hosts an incredible 105 species of mammals, 525 species of birds, and 124 species of reptiles and amphibians. The canal requires a vast rainforest watershed to feed water to its lock system, which uses millions of gallons each day. Since the rainforests are so important to the national economy, the Canal Zone has had to actively preserve its natural resources, providing pristine green areas and excellent photo opportunities.

Gatun Lake Eco-Cruise, Rainforest Ecosystem, Monkeys, Toucans, Sloths

Upon arrival at the Melia Hotel, a comfort stop is made before embarking your boat for a scenic, approximately one-hour eco-cruise on Gatun Lake. Along the way, look for monkey, toucans and sloths whilst your guide explains the rainforest ecosystem and points out sights-of-interest. Gatun Lake is a large, artificial lake that forms a major part of the Panama Canal, carrying ships during their transit across the Isthmus of Panama. The lake was created between 1907 and 1913 by the building of the Gatun Dam across the Chagres River. The geography of the area was ideal for the creation of a large lake.

Embera Indians, Traditional Songs and Dances, Native Handicrafts

Following your lake-cruise, discover paradise in its purest form during an encounter with the Embera Indians. The Embera are a unique and beautiful people, and this tribe still lives in harmony with their natural surroundings in the rainforest. During your visit, witness traditional songs and dances, along with music performed on handmade instruments. The Embera possess an amazing botanical knowledge, and they are a warm and friendly people. After meeting the Embera and observing their performances, you can browse the native handicrafts for a souvenir of your visit.

Agua Clara Locks, Agua Clara Visitors Centre, Expansion Observation Platform, New Traffic Lane

Leaving Embera Village, re-board your coach and head to the new Panama Canal locks, the Agua Clara Locks. The Panama Canal expansion is currently the largest engineering project in the world. Upon arrival at the Agua Clara Visitor Centre, head to the Expansion Observation Platform. Here, you can see and learn about how the canal has been expanded through the addition of a new traffic lane. This new lane created two new sets of locks, one on the Pacific and one on the Atlantic, which doubles the canal's capacity, and enables longer and wider vessels to transit. At the conclusion of your tour, re-board your coach and commence the approximately 30-minute drive back to the pier.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: Colon, Gatun Lake Eco-Cruise, Rainforest, Embera Indians, Traditional Songs & Dances, Agua Clara Locks, Expansion Observation Platform, New Traffic Lane

Note

Please note: This tour involves an extensive amount of activity and a moderate amount of walking, at times over uneven and natural surfaces and inclines, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach and embark/disembark the boat, and ten steps at the Melia Hotel. This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Guests are advised to wear lightweight, comfortable clothing with flat, closed-toe walking shoes, and bring sun protection, bottled water and a camera from the ship. Guests must be at least four years old to participate on this tour. Guests must be at least 18 years old to be served alcoholic beverages. Guests weighing more than 200 pounds (about 90 kilograms) cannot participate on this tour. Although frequently encountered on this type of tour, wildlife, fish and marine life sightings are not guaranteed. Operation of this tour is subject to weather conditions. The tour sequence may vary.