Guests are collected for this tour in the morning in order to cross the Isthmus on the Trans-Isthmian Highway. En-route you visit the Gatun Locks on the Atlantic side of the Panama Canal. Much less visited than their counterparts on the Pacific side, these locks do not have the exhibits of the Miraflores Locks but you will be able to get very close to the transiting cargo ships from the viewing platform.
After crossing the canal over one of the lock gates you continue to Fort San Lorenzo, which was constructed by the Spaniards in 16th century to defend against the constant threat of pirates seeking to interrupt the transporting of Inca gold. The fort is very isolated and accessed via a bumpy road, but the drive is worth it with stunning views out across the Caribbean Sea and the mouth of the Chagres River.
From here you back-track to Gatun Locks and continue on to Portobello, another location of Spanish fortresses. Products such as spices, gold and silver coming from the southern Spanish colonies passed through Portobello on the way back to Spain. Portobello was subject to numerous pirate attacks, the most famous being from Henry Morgan who went on to ransack Panama City after capturing the fortified town. The present day ruins are forts built after the pirate attacks.
In the afternoon you return to the train station in Colon to take the only Trans-Oceanic train journey in the world. The journey lasts about one hour and takes you across Lake Gatun and through the Soberania National Park to points where the road cannot take you.
Start planning your tailor-made trip by contacting one of our Panama specialists
These activities are designed to give you the most authentic experiences around where you're staying. We work with local guides, who use their knowledge and often a resident's eye to show you the main sights and more out-of-the-way attractions. Our specialists can suggest tours and activities that will introduce you to the local ways of life.
Emberá Indian Village
This tour goes up into the hills outside Panama City to the Chagres River where you transfer with your guide onto an open-top Emberá motorised canoe. You zip along the clear river waters by boat through beautiful scenery to visit the small indigenous community of Emberá Indians in the Chagres National Park.
Gatún Lake Boat Tour & Rainforest Hike
Travel along the scenic Gamboa Road to the Soberania National Park for a walk along the Pipeline Road, Plantation Road or El Charco Trail, all of which are fantastic for viewing the unique ecology of the canal watershed.
Panama City & Canal Tour
The tour of Panama City takes in the Miraflores Locks on the Panama Canal, Panama Viejo and Casco Antiguo. The tour begins with a visit to the impressive Miraflores Locks on the Panama Canal.
The Discovery Catamaran
The Discovery is owned and operated by Panama Marine Adventures (PMA) and is a 33-metre purpose built catamaran capable of travelling up to a speed of 18 knots.
You can enjoy this activity as part of the suggested tours below, or we can weave it into a trip shaped entirely around you.
