Join Kosher X as we explore the wonders of Panama.  Experience from the comfort of our Rainforest Resort, a unique and in-depth travel adventure exploring the regions locks, lakes, indigenous cultures, wildlife, ocean and surrounding rainforests.

 

Panama: Eons ago a thin strip of land emerged from the sea, uniting the Americas. The recently formed bridge turned into the path of an ongoing natural pilgrimage. At that moment, Panama defined its vocation to be a place of transit and travel. Thousands of years later, other men arrived by sea and crossed the narrow strip from one ocean to the other. Centuries later, the same path was covered by the natives, the Conquistadors, the Inca gold followers, pirates, slaves, the railway builders, the California gold hunters and the incoming ships from coasts and seas all over the world.  Today, the Panama Canal stands as a living monument to this land of transit, this crossroads, stretching over a historic path trodden by those who opened the way and by the footsteps of those who remained.

 

ITINERARY

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Day 1 (Th):  Arrive Panama City:

Airport meet and greet, transfer to hotel, orientation & dinner

 

Day 2 (Fr): Rainforest Adventure

Spend the day in nature on an exciting day beginning with a morning visit to Soberania National Park, a biodiverse swatch of rainforest just outside your front door. Spanning 55,000 acres, the park is known for its abundance of birds, with over 525 species identified here. Soberania National Park is also part of an ecotourism and environmental education project whose main objective is to conserve the area’s birds through environmental sustainability projects. At the park, enjoy a walk on the trails to take in the rainforest scenery and discover its great variety of bird and mammal species. Howler monkeys, sloths, anteaters, coatis and white-faced capuchin monkeys all call the park home. We climb Soberania’s 40 meter (131-ft) observation tower to observe the famous blue cotinga and toucans, and visit the viewing platform by the lake.  

 

After lunch, continue to Gatun Lake for an amazing ecological boat ride. Gatun Lake is located within an immensely diverse tropical ecological zone and is surrounded by untouched exotic rainforest. Barro Colorado Island, the largest island on the lake, has been protected as a nature reserve by the U.S. Government since 1923 and is the one of the most important sites of scientific study on tropical forests in the world. A boat ride on the lake will reveal the area’s many different species of birds, monkeys, iguanas and sloths, among others. You will also have the opportunity to navigate close to massive ships as they wait to cross the Canal.

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Day 3 (Sa): Shabbat In the Rainforest,  Day at leisure, Evening Boat Night Safari

Experience a special Shabbat in the Rainforest with Kosher X.  After Kiddush return to your rooml for a day at leisure or explore the property and rainforest on your own. Evening we experience the tropical forest at night and, by the reflection of the moon on the Chagres River, navigate through calm waters in search of birds and nocturnal animals. With the help of reflectors and flashlights, our guides will point out the places where caimans and crocodiles of all sizes usually hunt their prey.

 

Day 4 (Su): Private Sailing Trip to Taboga Island & Whale Watching

Sail away to the beautiful Island of Taboga located only 45 minutes away from Panama City’s Bay. This is the perfect choice for those who are looking to relax in style and escape the crowds while enjoying the ocean life of Panama. Live a memorable day on board our private 56 foot long catamaran searching for whales, dolphins, swimming, or simply relaxing at secluded beaches.

 

Day 5 (Mo): Highlights of Jewish Panama, Old Panama & VIP Canal Tour

On this full-day tour of Panama City, your guide will illuminate some of the highlights of this tropical metropolis. Start with a visit to some of the most important venues and insides of the Panamanian Jewish community in which we will have a key speaker explaining the history and day-to-day lives of people.

 

Then continue to the picturesque Casco Viejo, commonly called the walled city. Casco Viejo was founded by the Spaniards in 1673 after the First City of Panama (Old Panama) was destroyed. Together with Old Panama, the Casco Viejo is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is appreciated worldwide for its unique historical and artistic value. The neighborhood’s character comes alive with a walk through its narrow cobblestoned streets. You will have the opportunity to appreciate this area’s beautiful colonial and neoclassical architecture, squares and monuments, while learning more about the history and culture of the city. After some shopping in the local boutiques and lunch at a local kosher restaurant, you will continue to the Miraflores Locks of the Panama Canal.  Here you will learn about the history and construction of the Canal at the Visitor’s Center and Museum, and will have the opportunity to watch massive vessels transit through the locks. In addition, you will also have a special access to some restricted areas usually closed to the general public with the unique opportunity to be closer to the locks and the ships transiting the canal. 

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Day 6 (Tu): Kayaks or Air Tram Adventure, Shabbat in the Rainforest

 

Option 1 - Kayak Adventure: In pre-Columbian times, natives of the region traveled the Chagres River in their wood canoes, and later, those who built the Panama Canal navigate it in small boats. Now, you can do the same on one of our modern kayaks, either navigating the Chagres River, full with spectacular wild tropical flora departing and returning to the hotel dock.

 

Option 2 - Air Tram: This adventure offers a unique perspective of wildlife, a journey of 600 meters aboard a gondola that rises above the rainforest to appreciating view points otherwise unachievable on the ground. At a height almost touching the treetops you will have the possibility to see a wide variety of birds that nest there, sloths, and several species of monkeys. At the end of the Aerial Tram, you will find an impressive 30-meter high observation tower made with ramps for easy wheelchair access. From the top, you can appreciate the privileged 360 degree-view of the Soberania National Park, the Embera indigenous communities nearby, and the famous intersection where the Chagres River feeds the Panama Canal and subsequently filling the Gatun Lake to ensure the passage of ships.

 

Day 7 (We): Day at Leisure or Optional Adventures, Farewell Dinner

Today enjoy your last day in Panama at leisure enjoying many of the resorts amenities.  Those interested in additional touring and adventures, can be arranged (for an additional fee) from our onsite tour desk.

 

Day 8 (Th): Depart

 

 

ACTIVITIES

 

• Rainforest & Wildlife Adventures

• Historical & Indigenous Tours

• River & Canal Cruising

• Ocean cruising 

• Whale watching

• Beach Adventures 

• Plus so much more!