The Transisthmian Route
From Spanish Conquistadors to Gold Rush Adventurers.
Find yourself in the most interesting historical journey in Panama
2009 Departure Dates: Scheduled on request.
2009 Rates: $165 per person plus 5% Panama tax with minimum of 4 people; $235 per person plus tax for private tour with only two people.
Early in the morning you are picked up at the lobby of your hotel by our Naturalist Guide for a drive across the isthmus of Panama to the Caribbean province of Colon. Along the way we will stop at a site where remnants of Las Cruces Trail, the 400 year old colonial trail used by the Spaniards to transport gold across the isthmus, are still found.
Once in Colon we drive over the Panama Canal at Gatun Locks and reach the Castle of San Lorenzo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built at the mouth of the Chagres River, this Spanish bastion served to fortify and protect the river entrance to Las Cruces Trail that led to Panama City on the Pacific Ocean and was later also used as the port of entry for gold diggers on their way to California during the second half of the 19th century. We will be traveling through lush rainforest within San Lorenzo National Park, where we might have the opportunity to see monkeys, Two and Three-toed Sloths, Coatimundi, toucans and other wildlife. We return through Colon City on our way to the historic town of Portobelo where we have lunch. Famous for its trade fairs during the 17th century, Portobelo is another World Heritage Site. During colonial times it was one of the most important strongholds of the Spanish Main in the Americas. We will visit Forts San Geronimo and Santiago de la Gloria as well as the Church of San Felipe.
The return to Panama City will be on the Trans-isthmian train. The railway follows a similar route as the original train built to transport 49’ers coming from the east coast of the United States across the Isthmus to continue their journey by boat to California. The route was diverted when Gatun Lake was formed to give way to the Panama Canal. The train will take us along the magnificent waterway, flanked by the exuberant rainforests of Soberania National Park. We arrive at Corozal Station and from there be transferred to our hotel
WHAT TO BRING: Binoculars, camera, cap or hat, sunscreen lotion, insect repellant, light clothing, light raincoat, good traction footwear.