Explore the Panama Canal on an Unforgettable Alternative Tour

 

Experience the Panama Canal from a unique perspective on our Alternative Transit tour! This exciting adventure is perfect for travelers who are unable to participate in our partial or full transit tours through the locks.

Unforgettable Alternative Transit Tour Highlights:

 

• Navigate alongside massive ships on the Panama Canal.
• Cruise through Gatun Lake, the canal’s vital freshwater reservoir surrounded by rainforest.
• Encounter diverse wildlife on Monkey Island, including friendly monkeys.
• Witness the engineering marvel of the Miraflores Locks in action.
• Enjoy breathtaking panoramic views from the canal bridges.
• Explore the Chagres River, the canal’s freshwater source.
• Dip your hands in the canal waters (on smaller boat tours).
• Convenient hotel or airport pick-up and drop-off.
• Knowledgeable bilingual guide throughout the tour.
• Tour Duration Time: 5 hrs.

 

Rates

• 1 person: $320 USD.
• 2 people and more: $ 295 USD per person.
• Children 2-6 years old: $ 200 USD per person.
• +7 % tax.
• Duration: 5 hours approximately.
• Availability: Daily.
• Start time: 07:30 am. and 12:00 pm. Approximately.

 

The Tour Includes:

• Narrator guide in Spanish / English.
• Bottled water.
• Round trip transfers.
• Land vehicle travel
• Aquatic travel aboard a small boat.
• Navigation Rights along the Canal.
• National Park entrance fees.
• Taxes

 

What to bring

• Light clothing, comfortable shoes (tennis)
• Hat
• sunscreen
• camera
• umbrella or raincoat (rainy season from May to December).
• Sun protection eyewear.

 

Does not include Meals, Miraflores Locks tickets.

 

Phase 1: Embark on Your Aquatic Adventure

 

• Convenient Pick-up: Our tour begins with a convenient pick-up from your Panama City hotel or the airport. We offer two departure times daily to accommodate your schedule, with the flexibility to adjust them based on your arrival, layover, or departure flight times.
• Parallel Route to the Canal: After meeting your guide, we’ll travel by land for approximately 50 minutes, following a route that runs parallel to the canal from south to north (Pacific Ocean to Caribbean/Atlantic). During this scenic journey, you’ll witness captivating landscapes, lush forests, and sparkling lakes.
• Board Your Vessel and Explore the Chagres River: Upon arrival at the Chagres River, the canal’s freshwater source, you’ll board a comfortable boat with a capacity of 6 to 10 passengers. We’ll navigate the river for roughly 1 kilometer before entering the main canal waterway. The natural beauty along this route is truly breathtaking.
• Unparalleled Access: A distinct advantage of traveling on these smaller boats is the ability to dip your hands into the canal’s refreshing waters, an experience unavailable on our larger transit tours.

 

Phase 2: Unveiling the Secrets of the Canal

• Traverse Gatun Lake: As we journey along the canal from south to north, you’ll witness enormous tankers, cruise ships, and cargo vessels navigating alongside us. We’ll sail across the vast Gatun Lake, a vital freshwater reservoir that sustains the canal’s operations. This expansive lake, surrounded by lush forests and numerous islands within Soberania National Park, represents the canal’s most vibrant and natural section.
• A Haven for Biodiversity: Within Gatun Lake, you’ll encounter a rich tapestry of nature, including numerous islands of varying sizes. Witness ships traversing this immense 436-square-kilometer lake, the canal’s widest section, stretching 33 kilometers in length.
• Monkey Island Encounter: As part of our adventure, we’ll visit Monkey Island, home to four distinct monkey species: Mantled Howler, White-Faced Capuchin, Geoffroy’s Tamarin, and Lemurine Owl Monkeys. Be prepared for a delightful surprise, as some monkeys might even hop aboard our boat! Keep your cameras ready to capture these friendly creatures. Our knowledgeable guides will also point out other fascinating wildlife in the nearby islands, such as crocodiles, toucans, sloths, iguanas, and a variety of exotic birds.
• Panoramic Vistas: Following our visit to Monkey Island, we’ll head back to the pier, where you can capture unforgettable photos using the massive ships, breathtaking scenery, and the canal waters as your backdrop.

 

Phase 3: Exploring the Canal by Land and Witnessing the Miraflores Locks

• Land Exploration: While we bid farewell to our boat, you’ll undoubtedly carry cherished memories of this extraordinary experience. We’ll board comfortable coaches or minivans to embark on the land portion of the tour, traveling from north to south.
• Witness the Miraflores Locks in Action: One of the highlights of this phase is a visit to the world-famous Miraflores Locks! Here, you’ll have the opportunity to observe firsthand the marvel of engineering as massive ships are raised and lowered through the locks, enabling their passage between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.
• Pacific Ocean Entrance/Exit: At this captivating location, you’ll witness not only the scenic beauty but also how ships enter and depart the canal. This is the canal’s mouth, where the canal’s freshwater meets the ocean. The views back towards Panama City from this vantage point are truly unmatched.

 

Please visit our Blog on Facebook to view photos and videos of our tours. https://www.panamacanaltours.travel 

 

 

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