There are over 1,000 species of birds recorded in Panama. The Panama Audubon Society holds the world record for over 18 years in their annual Christmas Bird Counts. For this experience, we will leave Panama city at 6:30 am to visit the Soberania National park, stopping at places that are characterized by a high diversity of birds. Soberania National Park is one of the parks that protects the Panama Canal watershed and is located at 30 minutes drive from Panama City. Arrival to Panama City is estimated at 10:30 am.

Leaving Panama City at 5:00 pm, we will travel to Pedasi, staying at a picturesque hotel with folkloric architecture. Breakfast will be served at 6:30 am in the hotel. We will then navigate to Iguana Island where we will spend the second day. We will walk along the tropical forest of the island in the morning, observing marine birds, green and black iguanas, and other species in their natural habitat. We will spend the afternoon snorkeling in the biggest (37 acres), oldest (500 year), best studied, and uniquely protected coral reef in the Gulf of Panama (GoP). It houses biggest and oldest coral colonies of the GoP, is blessed with more than 200 fish species and 13 of the 20 coral species that inhabit the Eastern Pacific. This shallow reef will let even the inexperienced snorkeler enjoy its beauty. If you don't know snorkeling, don't worry, we will teach you in a safe bay. Those not seeking adventures on the reef can enjoy the beautiful white sandy beach El Cirial inhabited by thousands of hermit crabs and other invertebrates.  At the end of the afternoon we will visit the mangrove forest of Pocri estuary, where we will appreciate the reach diversity in flora and fauna of this community. At sunset we will return to Pedasi to enjoy a delicious dinner at the hotel. The third day we will visit Cerro Juan Diaz, where the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute manages an archaeological excavation 2,000 years old. The archeologists will teach you about the customs, fishing and hunting techniques, commercial exchange and style of life of the first inhabitants of the Isthmus of Panama. Our last stop will be in Sarigua National Park, a salt marsh surrounded by mangroves and archaeological sites. Arrival in Panama City is estimated at 7:00 pm.

A complete tour, starting at 8:00 a.m. We will visit the most important sites of Panama city, including the Miraflores Locks on the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal, where from a tall pavilion we can observe the locks operations during a ship transit, while a Panama Canal Tour Guide explains how the Canal operates and a topographical model of the Canal, where most of the historical and operational tips are covered. We continue by car to the small town of Gamboa, where a boat trip awaits us to cruise along Gatun Lake and part of the Panama Canal where we will be able appreciate the rich flora and fauna of the region.

After our boat trip adventure, we continue to "Mi Pueblito" (My Little Town), which is a curious representation of a typical town from the country side, afroantillian and aborigine towns. The "Casco Antiguo", a colonial area that represents the second Panama City, characterized by a very special architecture. Afterwards, we will drive along "the Modern Panama", with its modern architecture, tall buildings and a very important commercial and banking center. We will have the opportunity to taste a delicious Panamanian typical meal at "The Trapiche Restaurant".

Finally we will visit the Panama Viejo (Old Panama) Museum" and the topographical model of the city, we will walk through the ruins of this "Old Panama City", capital of "Castilla de Oro" and center of operations for the conquest of South America. This city was built during the 16^th century, and was destroyed by the pirate Henry Morgan in 1671.

We will visit the Miraflores Locks, on the pacific entrance to the Panama Canal. From a tall pavilion we will be able to see the locks operations during a ship transit, while a Panama Canal Tour Guide explains how the Canal operates. Then we will appreciate a topographical model of the Canal, where more historical and operational tip are covered. We will continue a car trip through tropical rainforest to the small town of Gamboa, where a boat trip awaits us. We will cruise along Gatun Lake and part of the Panama Canal, following the ships on their way to the other ocean. Finally, we will return to Panama City.