THE ITINERARY

Day 1:  Arrive Panama City

Upon arrival in Panama City, you will be met at the airport and taken to your hotel in Panama City.

Day 2:  Kayaking

What a wonderful way to see the Panama Canal at a different pace.  This incredible kayaking adventure puts you in the heart of The Panama Canal.  Your adventure begins by traveling to Gamboa in The Soberania National Park.  Here you will board your kayak and head towards the channel and see ships as they pass by.  After a few breathtaking photos, we continue east on the Chagres River to The Ruins of Venta De Cruces.  These ruins are the least seen in Panama due to the nature of its location.  The ruins are known as a haven for Howler & White faced monkeys.  After exploring the area and walking a few meters on the famed road, Camino de Cruces, we get back in our kayaks and head northeast to a pueblo of Embera.  Along the way we can witness the abundant wildlife and chances are great for spotting Toucans, Snail Kites and Ospreys.  Some days we see more wildlife on this kayaking adventure than our nature trips.  On rare occasions sightings of manatees add to the show Mother Nature puts on.  Of course no show would be complete without the heart pumping moments seeing large crocodiles sunning themselves on the banks.  Accommodations Panama City (L)

Day 3:  Mountain Biking

This mountain bike adventure should be called jungle biking.  Soberania National Park and is only 30 minutes from Panama City.  It is a single track type of trail, deep inside the Panamanian rainforest.  You will be riding over different kinds of surfaces like hard packed sand, dirt, pieces of asphalt (from the old road), rocks, mud, and everything in between.  Ninety percent of the trail runs under the shadows of giant tropical trees and it contains its fair share of streams.  This trail is full of wildlife that you will see, hear and enjoy.  This ride is 14 kilometers roundtrip and most light riders only go 4-6 kilometers one-way so they can spend more time looking for wildlife.  Accommodations Panama City  (L)

Day 4:  The Jungle Challenge

Today you embark on a challenging trek through dense jungle growth, along a narrow trail with many steep inclines and treacherous descents.  One by one, you face the first of the falls in the Heart of Darkness.  After rappelling the slippery, 15-meter waterfall, you disengage and swim through the cool pool to await your fellow explorers.  After this first challenge, you continue downstream to a 30-meter waterfall.  You scramble along the winding riverbed.  You'll continue to trek through unpredictable jungle terrain until you reach the final fall.  After a 3 meter roped descent, you finally return to the Chagres River, where your canoe awaits.  You'll enjoy the canoe transfer back to the Embera community where you can change clothes, warm up, relax and a have a quick lunch before heading back to Panama City. Accommodations Panama City  (L)

Day 5:  Caving

There are numerous caves along the Southern shore of Lake Alajuela.  Once at the caves we begin a series of passages where one of the most intrepid spelunking experiences awaits.  Here you will crawl through several small spaces which lead to several large rooms.  The sensation of being in the belly of Mother Earth is in-describable.  Your heart begins to pound as you realize you're several meters below ground and all you have is your trusty headlamp.  The formations are classical yet being there gives you a satisfied feeling knowing very few have dared to enter.  After exploring several caves we take a much needed break and have a box lunch on-site before exploring a few more caves.  After about 3-4 hours we hike back laughing most of the time as we decide who was the braves in the group and who got the most mud on them.  Of course pictures say a thousand words so bring your camera!  Accommodations Panama City  (L)

Day 6:  Canopy Adventure

Originally developed by scientists to study the bio diversity found in the canopy of trees, the method involved rigging large trees with climbing gear, cables, ladders, etc.  By means of this gear, biologists were able to swing from on tree to another, over chasms and water, to study larger areas of the forest.  They also discovered it was a LOT of fun!  Once at the Canopy site a knowledgeable guide will assist you in donning the harness and safety equipment.  Your guide will give you a thorough briefing and what to expect to make the most of your experience.  Once you're ready, hook your harness to the cable and look out!  YOU ARE FLYING!  The series of platforms are sometimes located over 100 feet high and up to 450 feet apart, enough to wake you up!  Accommodations Panama City  (L)

Day 7:  Hiking Las Cruces Trail

This legendary trail was the route used by Henry Morgan to sack Panama City in 1671.  Completed around 1550, this is one of the first roads built by the Spanish Conquistadors.  The Camino de Cruces lies within Soberania National Park.  This tropical rainforest offers excellent opportunities for nature enthusiasts.  The area is well known for Howler monkeys, Coati, Collared Anteaters, Iguana, and Agouties.  Birding is also exceptional.  Attentive explorers are likely to see species such as Motmot, Crimson-crested Woodpecker, Yellow-Billed Cacique, Crested Oropendola and Trogon.  Accommodations Panama City  (L)  
   
Day 8:  Departure

Transfer to the international airport at least two hours before your flight's scheduled departure time.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

ACCOMMODATIONS
Quoted in 4 STAR Superior category accommodations, 5 STAR Deluxe Accommodations or 3 STAR budget accommodations available at different pricing
Superior add $160 PP IN Double or $970 single supplement
Budget credit $79 PP IN Double, $492 single supplement

TOUR MINIMUMS
Minimum number required, you will be fit in with others to make the minimum.  Date flexibility may be necessary.

MEALS
As indicated in the itinerary B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner.

TRANSFERS
On arrival and departure from airports/docks to hotels and return.

SIGHTSEEING
All sightseeing excursions as detailed in your itinerary.  Entrance fees for scheduled sightseeing and National Parks.

SURFACE TRANSPORTATION
Surface transportation for all transfers and scheduled sightseeing.

GUIDES
The services of local English-speaking guides for scheduled sightseeing excursions within Panama.

TAXES, SERVICE CHARGES
Included in pricing

The price of your travel program DOES NOT INCLUDE

• Cost of obtaining passports or visas
• Cost of any required or recommended vaccinations or other health precautions
• Any international or internal scheduled airfares (unless specified in "Inclusions")
• Panama Tourist Card Currently $5 pp purchase on arrival
• Airport departure taxes (unless specified in "Inclusions")
• Excess baggage or shipping charges
• Storage and/or transportation of excess baggage
• Meals (other than those stated in "Inclusions") or room service charges
• Personal items such as drinks, laundry, telephone or fax charges, traveler's ins., equipment rental
• Excess mileage carried out at the request of the participants
• Tipping is encouraged for good service to porters, guides, drivers, maids
• ANY ITEMS NOT SPECIFIED UNDER "INCLUSIONS"

OPTIONAL EXPENSES
Charges for extra meals, transport, sightseeing services or other optional additions to your established itinerary are your responsibility and must be paid locally.

GRATUITIES
Gratuities are not included in your tour price.

Booking Conditions

PAYMENT
Condor Tours and Travel must receive a deposit of 35% before reservations for your independent travel program can be initiated.  The balance of payment is due 90 days prior to departure.

CANCELLATION
When a written cancellation is received by Condor Outfitters more than 90 days prior to departure.  Full trip payment less deposit is refunded less 15% processing fee.

Written cancellations received less than 90 days prior to departure are subject to the following forfeit of tour cost:

• 90-61 days, 75% Full trip payment less deposit and 15% processing fee is refunded
• 60-31 days, 50% Full trip payment less deposit and 15% processing fee is refunded
• 30 days or less, No refund is given

PRICES AND ARRANGEMENTS
Once an itinerary is finalized and deposit has been received, a $25 revision fee will be charged if the itinerary is changed.

The tour price includes planning, handling and operational charges.  Rates are quoted in US Dollars.  Condor Tours & Travel is under no obligation to give breakdown costs involved in any custom made program.

Additional expenses incurred due to change, delay or cancellation of any flights, or any delays or events beyond Condor Tours & Travel control, will be the responsibility of the client.