Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Panama Marine Adventures, Flamenco Marina, Amador Causeway, Panama City 0812 Panama
Our check in point is at Flamenco Marina, located on the last island of the Amador Causeway. It is right next to the Panama sign and behind the Duty Free Shop.
Duration: 30 minutes
Pass By: Bridge of the Americas, Balboa, Panama City Panama
The Bridge of the Americas is a road bridge in Panama, which spans the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal. Designed by Sverdrup & Parcel, it was completed in 1962 at a cost of US$20 million, connecting the north and south American land masses.
Pass By: Panama Canal, Panama City Panama
The vessel will then transit through the first set of locks, the Miraflores Locks, where it will ascend 18 meters in two distinct steps. Next, the Pacific Queen will enter Miraflores Lake, which is a small artificial body of fresh water that separates Pedro Miguel Locks from Miraflores Locks. The vessel will transit through Pedro Miguel Locks, which is one of the two sets of locks on the Pacific side, and here the vessel ascends 9 meters in one-step.
After exiting Pedro Miguel locks, the Pacific Queen will travel through the Gaillard Cut, where the Chagres River flows into the canal. The Gaillard Cut (also known as Culebra Cut because its curves resemble a snake) is one of the main points of interest for visitors because it was carved through the Continental Divide and this section of the Canal is full of history and geological value. As you transit the Cut you will be able to appreciate the continuous maintenance that this area requires, because it is very susceptible to landslides.
During your Panama Canal full transit tour you will enjoy a trip through Gatun Lake, which was formed by erecting the Gatun Dam across the Chagres River. As you transit through Gatun Lake you will pass the Smithsonian Research Station at Barro Colorado. You will also experience the Gatun Locks, which are the only set of locks in the Atlantic sector. In Gatun Locks, the vessel will be lowered a total of 26 meters in three distinct chambers. Upon arriving at Colon, you will disembark at Colon 2000, where transportation back to Panama City will be provided.
Pass By: Centennial Bridge, Pan-American Highway, Panama City Panama
Panama's Centennial Bridge is a major bridge crossing the Panama Canal. It was built to supplement the overcrowded Bridge of the Americas and to replace it as the carrier of the Pan-American Highway. Upon its opening in 2004, it became the second permanent crossing of the canal.
Pass By: Chagres River, Gamboa Panama
The Chagres River in central Panama, is the largest river in the Panama Canal’s watershed. In the past, this river was an important means of communication between one coast and the other, as it was part of the famous colonial road “Cruces”, originally built by the Spanish crown during the 16th century and of massive use by adventurers and explorers during the following centuries until the creation of the Panama Canal. During the 20th Century the river was dammed twice, and the resulting reservoirs – Gatun Lake and Lake Alajuela – formed an integral part of the canal and its water system.
Pass By: Barro Colorado Island, Panama
Prior to the construction of the Panama Canal, the vast jungle area that is now the Gatun Lake was teeming with an overwhelming abundance of wildlife. As the region was flooded to create the lake, animals took refuge in the mountain peaks, which are now the many islands that dot the renowned lake. Barro Colorado Island is the biggest island formed where the Smithsonian Research Institute has established the most important research center in Panama due to its biodiversity.
Pass By: Gatun Lake, Panama City Panama
Gatun Lake forms a major part of the Panama Canal and it was created between 1907 and 1913 by the construction of the Gatun Dam across the Chagres River. The lake is situated in the Valley of the Chagres River and the geography was ideal for the creation of a large lake. The damming of the river flooded the originally wooded valley and hills although many hilltops became islands. At the time it was created, Gatun Lake was the largest man-made lake in the world.
See Availability.
Panama Marine Adventures Tour Office, WF6H+JM3 Flamenco Island, Panamá, Panama
05:30 AM
12 hours(approx.)
Returns to original departure point
Not wheelchair accessible
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Stroller accessible
Near public transportation
Infants must sit on laps
Most travelers can participate
Please Note: The exact check-in or pick-up time will be confirmed the day before your tour via email. Please make sure you check your inbox.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 180 travelers
Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Posted By : TrailBlazer434991
Excellent trip - very interesting making the full canal transit. Food was surprisingly good for a tour. Would recommend to others.
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Posted On : 2024-04-23
Posted By : D9772XTruthm
My husband and I took the tour on April 20, 2024. The night before the departure, the tour operator sent an email to let us know what time we would be picked up from our hotel. The driver arrived on time and the ride in the van to the ship was comfortable. When we got on the ship, we selected a table on the second deck that had a window. That is a perfect spot as the ship has airconditioned and we were not out in the hot sun. Once we were underway, we were called for breakfast based on the color of our wristbands. This prevented everyone from coming at one time. The same process was used for lunch and an afternoon snack. The food was very good! Water and soda were included also. The bathrooms were cleaned and stocked. The narrator did an excellent job of explaining all the magnificent sites along the way. The employees on the ship were very friendly also. I thoroughly enjoyed going through the locks. It was amazing! This was a bucket list adventure for me!! Once we got to Colon at the end of the cruise, buses were waiting for us and we boarded based on the color of our wristbands. The bus ride was comfortable. Once we arrived back to the port in Panama, our van driver was waiting and took us back to our hotel. It was a perfect day without rain! I highly recommend this tour to anyone who wants to experience the Panama canal up close and personal.
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Posted On : 2024-04-23
Posted By : Barbara_A
- good and well-founded information given by tour guide
- perfect service, good food and friendly staff
- transportation to and from harbour well organized and on schedule
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Posted On : 2024-04-21
Posted By : nichole_j
What can I say that someone hasn’t already mentioned in other reviews but will give my thoughts on how we spent the day. I agree with other reviews that it is a long day. Got an email day before that our pick up time was 510am. We went in mid April which was start of rainy season, hot day 93 & 85 %humidity. There are smaller 13 passenger vans that do pick ups from hotels, once you get to marina, line up. Wrist bands in various colors are given for two reasons- (meals are called by color, big bus from colon to Amador is also by wristband color). There are three main levels to the boat (there are split 1/2 levels but mainly 3). The food is level1 (some booths here with tables & a/c). Mid level (restrooms & additional seating area with a/c) and top deck with aft having a canopy and forward with bench seats in the sun. The narrator spoke both Spanish and English and filled the 11 hour full transit tour with historical facts, information. Nicely paced and well done. People complained about the food but we thought it was pretty good for an all-day excursion. Soda & water available whole trip but you have to go all the way down to level 1. Alcohol is additional cost. It would be nice if they could stock water stations on top deck. About 25-30% of people did partial transit which was 6 hours and they got off at Gamboa. The staff on board were very accommodating and helpful & polite. Restrooms were cleaned often & we were thankful for that. What I didn’t love was the giant bus back from colon. Dated and worn- but had a/c & I was exhausted . The driver of your hotel van will find you and return you to your hotel in order of how you were picked up. Our day was 15 hours long. But I can check this off my life bucket list and I really loved getting to start in one ocean and get to the “other” side - Caribbean. Fabulous day and would recommend. The engineering feat of the plan/construction is truly a marvel given the first tractor was invented the same year as the first transit through the canal. If you go on this tour, we hope that you TIP well. There is a plastic tip box that people just walked by. The crew & staff work hard and did a great job making this long day special. Gracias!
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Posted On : 2024-04-21
Posted By : David_T
Great tour guide and very informative, staff were helpful and looked after us. Easy to understand and comfortable surroundings
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Posted On : 2024-04-21
Posted By : Samantha_W
Excellent journey through the whole canal.
Picked up as expected.
Boat it self all very organised with set meal times, drinks available throughout and fantastic commentary.
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Posted On : 2024-03-17
Posted By : Gopal_K
Very interesting and informative trip. The narrator was excellent and the staff was most pleasant and helpful. Food and food service was very good.
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Posted On : 2024-03-17
Posted By : Elaine_S
The tour and pick up were well organized. The food was good. The commentary was good. The whole thing was really well run!
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Posted On : 2024-03-17
Posted By : Martin_B
Great day had by all traversing the Panama Canal from Pacific Ocean to Caribbean Sea across all three sets of Locks
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Posted On : 2024-02-18
Posted By : Adrien_R
The staff, guides and overall experience was great all around. The staff were extremely kind, organized and led a great tour. Thanks so much!
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Posted On : 2024-02-18
