Traverse the Path between the Seas,
The Panama Canal, an engineering feat of all time
and the 8th wonder of the world.
Whatever you want to call it, it is quickly becoming
Central America's newest tourism destination. Of all the wondrous things
Panama has to offer, the Panama Canal is probably the single best known
among Americans. This, of course, is primarily because Panama and the United
States have one thing in common - history.
There is probably not a single person in the United States
who isn't aware that Teddy Roosevelt played a major part in the construction
of the Panama Canal. Since the opening of the canal in 1914, millions of
people have passed from ocean to ocean enroute to countless destinations.
Many have returned to that beautiful and mysterious place called Panama'
that they had once only viewed from a passing freighter, tanker, passenger
ship or military vessel.
Although Panama is not just a canal, the Panama Canal
seems to be a major attraction bringing visitors from around the globe
to see what is sometimes called, "The eighth wonder of the world".
With that in mind, most of Panama Discovery Tours' packages treats our
travelers to a full or partial Panama Canal transit. If they are not included
in the package you desire, they can easily be added.
On full Panama Canal transits the vessel
leaves Pier 18 in Balboa at 7:30 a.m., then makes her way up to Miraflores
Locks, the first of the Panama Canal's three sets of locks. After transiting
the Miraflores Locks, our vessel cruises through the famous Gailliard Cut,
a nine-mile excavation through Panama's back bone and into Gatun Lake.
During our transit, we will pass the Smithsonian Institute's Barro Colorado
Island and witness beautiful jungle scenery and wildlife.
The vessel arrives at Cristobal, on the Atlantic (Caribbean) side of the Canal at about 3:30 p.m.,
(depending on Canal traffic) where
an air conditioned bus will be awaiting us for our return to Balboa. We
will return to Balboa at about 5:30 p.m. in time for an evening on the
town.
On Partial Transits the vessel leaves Pier 18 in Balboa at 7:30 a.m. If time permits, prior to begining the transit, our vessel will travel into the Bay of Panama. In Panama Bay you will get a great view of Panama City's skyline, a bird sanctuary on Flamenco Island, and ships awaiting transit. Next the ship cruises up Balboa Reach to transit Miraflores Locks' two chambers; through Pedro Miguel Locks and into the Gaillard Cut then return back through Pedro Miguel and Miraflores Locks and to Balboa. Return time can vary depending on lockage availability.
The partial transit itinerary is subject to change.
Do not make additional plans on this day.
Panama Canal Video
Included with each of our exciting tour packages is an informative 50 minute color documentary on the history of the Panama Canal which will be mailed to you about two weeks prior to your departure date. See the reality of your trip unfold before you as you view scenes and hear the names of the places you will soon visit.
