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Day 1: Welcome To Panama
Arrival at Panama International Airport, where you will be met by a representative and transferred to your hotel in Panama City. Overnight at the Hotel County Inn Panama Canal.

Day 2: El Valle Indian Market
This excursion begins early with a two and a half-hour drive along the Pan-American Highway to the beautiful mountain town of El Valle de Anton in the province of Cocle. According to geologists, El Valle is the crater of a dormant volcano, probably the largest in Central America. With a cool and pleasant climate, this picturesque valley rises 600 meters above sea level. This small town has a great variety of attractions such as a mountain called the "India Dormida" (the Sleeping Indian) upon arrival; visit the picturesque Sunday Indian market where large selections of native handicrafts are on sale. The tour continues with a visit to the ancient petroglyphs of the El Chorro Macho Waterfall and a trip to the Nispero Garden and Zoo take a look at Panama's famous the golden frogs and tropical animals. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Return to Panama City in the afternoon. (B, L) Overnight at the Hotel Country Inn Panama Canal.

Day 3: Historic Portobello
During the 17th and 19th centuries, the Port of Portobelo served as a Spanish Fortress and Caribbean terminal. Products such as species, gold and silver coming from Peru and other Spanish Colonies passed through to the Pacific side to await ships to transport them to Spain. Portobelo was the victim of various pirate attacks, the most well known being the attack by Henry Morgan. The small island of Drake, where his remains are located, is another attraction. We will visit all the ruins of the colonial port, the customhouse where the treasures and gold were stored and the Portobelo church, where the famous Black Christ statue rests. Overnight at the Hotel County Inn Panama Canal.

Day 4: Embera Indigeous Encounter
Our driver / guide will meet you for a Embera Indians Tour. This adventure takes us to the indigenous community in the National Park Chagres. We will get to know the culture of the Embera Indians and witness their artisans and enjoy the knowledge of botanical plants. Their cultural dances and music will take you back centuries. If you would like you can also paint your body as they do with the fruit known as Jagua, We can also observe the grand variety of birds found in these areas. Walk in the jungle, explore waterfalls, and learn from a magical culture, all this in one day. Overnight at the Hotel County Inn Panama Canal

Day 5: Full City Tour
Breakfast at the Hotel. Our guide will meet you for a City and Canal Tour. Visit to Panama Viejo, the first city founded in the isthmus by Spanish conquerors at the beginning of colonization. The remaining ruins are the vestiges left by Pirate Henry Morgan, who sacked the town in 1671. The second colonial city of Panama, Casco Viejo, was built in 1673. The architecture of this area is exquisite including French, Italian and Spanish styles. The new Panama City, one of Latin America's most modern cities. The last stop will be at the Miraflores Locks to witness the workings of the Panama Canal. After visiting the canal, you will meet with the Panama Canal Authority to learn more details about the workings of the canal and be able to ask questions. Next will be lunch at La Rioja seafood Spanish Restaurant. Return to the Hotel in the afternoon. Overnight at Overnight at the Hotel County Inn Panama Canal(B, L)

Day 6: Pipeline Road
Pipeline Road is considered one of the best birding spots in the world. More than 500 species were spotted here in a single day during the Audubon Society's Christmas Bird Count. Located in the central area of the Panama Canal watershed, this 17 - kilometer road provides access to old growth secondary forest which is ideal for the observation of flora and fauna from the Pacific and Caribbean slopes. This tour begins early from your hotel with a drive to Soberania National Park in the town of Gamboa. Accompanied by a naturalist guide, you will walk along a bird watching trail while a vehicle proceeds at some distance behind. Depending on the road conditions, the drive will continue to the Agua Salud River, where you can walk to a waterfall and enjoy a swim. After box lunch, return to your hotel. Later this afternoon you will be transferred to the US Embassy for a conference with them.

Day 7: Full Panama Canal Transit
Our trip departs from the Flamenco Marina at 9:30 a.m., and you will travel from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean on the same day. The vessel departs through the famous Miraflores Locks, the Pedro Miguel Locks, the Corte Culebra, the Gatun Locks with the transit on the Atlantic side. In addition, you will enjoy a trip through Gatun Lake, which was formed by erecting the Gatun Dam across the Chagres River.

Day 8: Good Bye Panama
At the appropriate time transfer to Tocumen International Airport for your flight back home. Adios Panama.

Price Per Person: $2,619.00 Double Occupancy   Single Supplement: $479.00 Deposits are due no later than December 3, 2008 Final Payment is due by January 10, 2009   Information & Reservations: Martin Johnson      281-681-1315 martinj@worldaffairstexas.com Reservation Form        Pilgrim Policies      Insurance Info

Price Includes: Roundtrip Air from Corpus Christi, air taxes (currently $300.00 – subject to change), 7 nights lodging at first class hotels, breakfast daily, 3 lunches, English speaking tour escort, services of air conditioned deluxe motor coach as appears on itinerary, all guides, entrances, touring and transportation as appears on itinerary, baggage handling at hotels (one piece). Not included: Tips to driver, guides, and hotel staff ($49.00 recommended), Panama departure taxes (currently $20.00 – subject to change), 5 lunches and all dinners, optional travel insurance, optional credit card payments (additional 3% of the total bill).