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Tour Itinerary

Hold onto your Sombrero Pintao as you embark on a nine-day adventure through the pearls of Panama. Start in the lively capital of Panama City and see how past and present merge, then head upriver to visit the Indigenous Embera people. Spend a morning learning about their sustainable way of life and village traditions, before travelling west to the artisan hubs of Penonome and Chitre. Sample favourites from Panamanian cuisine and visit workshops and museums that highlight local pottery and the real Panama hat. Finish your journey back in the capital with a cruise along the Panama Canal and toast to an incredible adventure.

Countries Visited

Panama

Cities Visited

Chitre , Panama City

Day 1

Panama City

Bienvenidos! Welcome to Panama. Your adventure begins in Panama City, Central America's glitziest capital, with a welcome meeting at 6 pm at your hotel. If you arrive early, you might like to take a stroll through the rainforest in the Metropolitan Nature Park. After the meeting, join your fellow travellers and leader for an included dinner at a local restaurant.
Meals: Dinner
Day 2

Panama City

Today, uncover more of Panama City as you embark on a leader-led sightseeing tour of the capital. Start with a visit to Panama La Vieja – a UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site dating back to 1519. See the remaining sections of the Old Panama Cathedral and climb to the top of the bell tower for views back to the Panama City skyline. Then, stroll through the historic Casco Antiguo (Old Town). While you're there, stop in at the Panama Canal Museum for a look at the history of one of the world’s greatest engineering feats. In the afternoon, you’ll visit the Museo de Mola which celebrates mola – an intricately detailed decoration that forms part of traditional woman’s clothing – as well as Plaza Francia, which highlights the role the French played in the Panama Canal’s construction. The evening is yours to spend how you like – be sure to ask your leader for dinner recommendations, as they will always know the best spots.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3

Panama City / Embera community visit

After an early breakfast, drive north from Panama City on your way to visit the Embera people – a nearby Indigenous community. To get there, you’ll board dugout canoes and sail upriver with members of the Embera community. When you arrive, the village leader will give you a traditional warm welcome. Learn about the local lifestyle and traditions through music and dance performances, while lunch gives you a new appreciation for the community’s food sourcing and traditions. After lunch, you’ll be taken on a garden tour and taught about medicinal plants and herbs. After, be welcomed into a local’s home to see their living spaces. Don’t miss the opportunity to purchase some handmade crafts and support the community, too! Say your farewells and travel back downriver by canoe, before driving back to your accommodation. You have a free evening to cap off a hugely rewarding day.
Meals: Breakfast Dinner
Day 4

Penonome

Depart Panama City after breakfast, hitting the road toward Penonome. There’ll be an optional stop along the way for a batido (fruit shake), before arriving in Penonome around lunchtime. Located right in the centre of the country, the town will be your base for the next two nights. Your leader will take you on an orientation walk, then for lunch you’ll be shown all the tips and tricks of Panamanian food at a local eatery before tucking into a delicious meal. The rest of the day is then free for to you explore as you please. You might like to take a tour to the relaxing Playa Santa Clara beach, the hidden Yayas Falls or a nearby organic farm. For dinner, maybe sample some more local delicacies with your fellow travellers.
Meals: Breakfast Dinner
Day 5

Penonome

This morning, enjoy a relaxed breakfast, then make you way to a workshop to learn all about Sombrero Pintao (the iconic and original Panama hat). Unlike the ‘Panama hats’ that are originally from Ecuador, the Sombrero Pintao are woven through with black and white designs that almost look painted on. A local artisan will teach you all about their craft – don’t miss the chance to try one on for size! The rest of the day is free for you to enjoy the town and surrounding area, giving you the chance to explore anything you may have missed yesterday.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6

Chitre

Say goodbye to Penonome and head south to the city of Chitre. Arrive around lunchtime, then head out for an orientation walk with your leader (who will also be able to point you in the right direction for a good lunch spot). After a bite to eat, rejoin your fellow travellers and visit Museo de Herrera Fabio Rodriquez. Like Penonome, Chitre is also known for its artisanal crafts – though here the speciality is pottery. Museo de Herrera Fabio Rodriquez contains an extensive collection of artifacts dating back to 5000 BC, while also providing context about Panama’s natural history. Head to a mask workshop for a glimpse at the country’s cultural heritage – elaborate masks and costumes are a feature of many festivals in Panama. The afternoon is free for you to continue exploring Chitre.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7

Panama City

After breakfast, visit a local leather workshop to gain an understanding of another of Chitre’s many crafts. Then, it’s back on the road to Panama City. There’ll be a stop for lunch on the way before you arrive back in the capital in the early afternoon. Enjoy free time for the rest of the day – after the drive, you might like to stretch your legs on a walk along the city’s gorgeous waterfront promenade, the Cinta Costera (causeway).
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8

Panama City / Panama Canal

Get ready for a special day cruising along a section of the Panama Canal. The iconic, artificial waterway connects the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, allowing for an easier trade route than the Drake Passage at South America’s southernmost tip. As you sail, you’ll learn about the process required to either lift ships above sea level, or lower them to sea level, as well as the geography of the area. This is a chance to get up close to an impressive piece of human engineering. Once the tour’s complete, head back to your accommodation in the late afternoon. In the evening, join your leader and travel companions for a final farewell dinner.
Meals: Breakfast Dinner
Day 9

Panama City

With no planned activities today, you can depart at any time. If you would like to spend some more time in Panama City, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.
Meals: Breakfast

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Inclusions

Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
Panama City - Leader-led walk in Panama La Vieja and Casco Viejo
Panama City - Panama Canal Museum (entrance fee)
Panama City - Mola Museum (entrance fee)
Panama City - Embera community visit
Penonome - Cooking demonstration and lunch
Penonome - Hat maker visit
Penonome - Handicraft workshop visit
Chitre - Traditional mask workshop
Chitre - Herrera Museum
Chitre - Leather workshop
Panama City - Panama Canal partial transit

Meals
8 Breakfast(s) Included
3 Lunch(es) Included
2 Dinner(s) Included

Style: Comfort

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Accommodations

Hotel (8 nights)

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Questions & Answers

Question: How many suitcases can I take with me on my trip?

Each person is allowed one "check-in," and one "carry-on." Remember to take all valuables with you as "carry-on", because electronic equipment, cameras, laptops, jewelry, business documents and money are not covered by the airlines' liability, so always carry them aboard with you.

Question: Is Airfare Included in the Price?

Airfare from your point of origin to and from the trip is not included in the land price.

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Intrepid Tours Customer Reviews

Overall Rating

Accommodations

3.6

Itinerary

4.2

Professional Staff

4.4

Repeat with Operator

4.1

Value for Money

3.7

Ratings based off 211 reviews about Intrepid Tours - currently showing 9 reviews with comments only

MJ Marian on Sep 23, 2023

Intrepid is awesome. Our guide was superb. Everything went smoothly!

DM Danielle on Oct 01, 2022

Our tour guide was wonderful. She was knowledgeable, fun, energetic, and made our week run very smoothly. The trip itself was fantastic! We saw a lot and the islands are absolutely beautiful. Great food, great new friends made on the tour, and would absolutely book with Intrepid again.

VW Viraseni on Jan 31, 2020

Intrepid tour is great company. Will use this company again.

SW Sabera on Aug 19, 2019

The trip was both both educational and exciting. I very much enjoyed the sights and culture.

LT Laurie on Jan 19, 2019

The itinerary was just as I expected! The guide was very good as were the accomodations

JF Justine on Aug 18, 2018

Intrepid did such a great job. I never had to worry about where I was supposed to be and it felt so good not to worry about a thing but just to enjoy myself. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable about culture and history.

PP Patricia on Mar 15, 2018

Taiwan people very friendly. Accommodation were centrally located and easily accessible. Did extra activities then in brochure which was greatly.

IA Ian on Feb 20, 2018

Larus our tour guide did an excellent job and was very attentive to our needs. He is very knowledgeable and has a great sense of humor.

MW Michelle on Jan 26, 2018

Our guide Tarang chandola was exceptional. Courteous, knowledgeable, organized, polite, professional and went above and beyond taking care of our needs and requests offen anticipating what that might be. He made sure we all had the best possible time and offered suggestions to meet the needs of everyone on the tour. This made the trip even more enjoyable.

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Questions & Answers

Question: How many suitcases can I take with me on my trip?

Question: Is Airfare Included in the Price?

Intrepid Tours Customer Reviews

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