Compare Highlights of Panama by Apple Vacations vs Mount Totumas Cloud Forest by Project Expedition

Day 1: A Gamboa Tours Representative will meet you at the airport upon arrival and guide you to your shared transfer to Crowne Plaza (or similar standard hotel), where you will stay for 2 nights. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.

Day 2: After breakfast, you will enjoy the half-day city tour. During this tour, you will visit the most interesting places in Panama City including: Casco Antiguo-the oldest sector of modern Panama City, founded in 1673 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Panama City is a beautiful, colorful and vibrant city built in 1519 by Pedro Arias Davila, a Spanish Govenor, who made it the capital of the Republic of Panama. It is considered one of the most important cities in the Americas. Miraflores Locks/Panama Canal-this classic experience brings you to the very best that Panama has to offer. Observe the magnificent Miraflores Locks and most likely witness their operation. (Breakfast included)

Day 3: Transfer from Panama City to Gamboa Rainforest Resort. Monkey Island Boat Tour-Take a boat tour through the Panama Canal into secret waterways to find hidden islands where Capuchin and Howler monkeys can be seen leaping in the trees above. This Panama Canal tour provides a unique opportunity for viewing wild monkeys in their natural habitat. Other animals you might spot on this tour includes two and three-toed sloths, crocodiles, and turtles that are native to Gatun Lake. The boat ride passes through the Panama Canal, giving you the chance to spot huge container ships during their passage across the world. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. Overnight at Gamboa Rainforest Resort. (Inclusive Plan–all meals & drinks included)

Day 4: After breakfast, enjoy a guided transfer to an Embera Community in the Chagres River. Embera Indigenous Tour–This trip is truly paradise found in its purest form! The enchanting journey takes you deep into the dense jungles of Chagres where the Emberá Indians have lived for centuries. The adventure begins with a one-hour ride up the river in dugout canoes, the Emberá traditional, hand carved boats. (Inclusive Plan–all meals & drinks included).

Day 5: Enjoy breakfast at Gamboa Resort then a transfer to The Westin Playa Bonita. Rest of day at your leisure (Inclusive Plan–all meals & drinks included).

Days 6 & 7: Days at leisure to relax at the beach (Inclusive Plan–all meals & drinks included).

Day 8: Transfer from The Westin Playa Bonita to airport (breakfast included).

Day 1 - Panama City

Early this morning you will be picked up at your hotel in Panama City for a short transfer to the domestic airport. After a 35 minute flight you arrive David Airport you meet your local bilingual Naturalist guide who takes you for another 60-90 minutes North East to the small mountain town of Volcan.Hiking. From here you continue for another 20 kilometers West, and for most part of the journey you will be on a very irregular and rough mountain road which can only be maneuvered by a good 4x4 car until you reach the mountain lodge. Enjoy a full day guided hike or bird watching (depending on your preference) at Mount Totumas, then your guide returns back to town. Birdwatching. Night at mount Totumas bellbird lodge.

Day 2 - Bocas Town - Hiking at La Amistad National Park

Hiking at La Amistad National Park. There are plenty of trails to hike and explore, some easier, some more strenuous. If you prefer having a private Naturalist or Birding guide accompany you in Totumas, let us know in advance! The mission is to protect and preserve the 400 acres of Mount Totumas Cloud Forest that represent an important buffer zone for the wilderness of La Amistad National Park. The protection of this wilderness is the dominant principal that guides the owner´s decisions when planning infrastructure and projects. The restoration and reforestation of the former upper pastures is a key component to this mission. Physical and ethical sustainable methods are practiced. The reserve has a network of 8 amazing trails that offer guests the opportunity to experience the cloud forest as an intact ecosystem. Night at mount Totumas bellbird lodge.

Day 3 - Panama City - Eco Tour

Eco Tour. Buffer zones play a critical role in providing habitat for altitudinal migrants as well as vital corridors for the few remaining apex predators that are still managing to thrive here. At Mount Totumas you will find a great variety of flora and fauna. Birders will have the opportunity to observe many of the more than 200 species of highland specialties and migrants that have been spotted on the reserve. In breeding season The Resplendent Quetzal is very common and easily observed as is the Three Wattled Bellbird, Black Guan, Crested Guan and the elusive Highland Tinamou, 15 species of hummingbird have been spotted at the feeders including the less common Magenta-Throated Woodstar, Brown-Violet Ear, Fiery-Throated Hummingbird and Long-Billed Starthroat. Entomologists will be amazed by the great variety of Lepidoptera and herpetolog y; botanists may enjoy a wide array of orchids, bromeliads, flowers and trees! Landscaping the common area around the cabins is designed to attract wildlife, specifically hummingbirds and butterflies. A green house and vegetable gardens provide organic produce guests are being offered when available. You will find about 6 acres of coffee plantations dedicated to bird friendly shade grown coffee at 1850m.Ziplining. The reserve currently counts more than 1500 trees. Do not expect any "adrenalized" nature experiences at Mount Totumas such as zip lines through the canopy. You are being offered the opportunity to unplug from the digital malaise and to reconnect spiritually to the natural world. Night at mount Totumas bellbird lodge.

Day 4 - Boquete - Birdwatching at Baru Volcano National Park

Birdwatching at Baru Volcano National Park. You will enjoy a nature hike and picnic lunch at Finca Ceriana, which forms part of a privately protected area for the conservation of flora and fauna in the region. One of its unique characteristics is the number of bird species and other animals from the upper and lower mountain areas. The property is part of the biological corridor that hosts the famous volcano lagoons and a large variety of animal and plant species. Apart from being an important migration zone for birds, the biological corridor of the lagoons and Finca Ceriana is vital for the wellbeing of the protected areas of La Amistad International Park and Baru Volcano National Park. The farm offers its visitors easy nature trails for outdoor activities and particularly bird watching. The total area counts 10 hectares of protected land and nearly 2 kilometers of nature trails, in addition to one of the most beautiful views to Costa Rica's Golfo Dulce, or sweet golf, and Osa pensinsula as well as to Punta Burica in Panama.