Panama Canal Partial Transit

HIGHLIGHTS

ITINERARY

Our 4-5 hours tour starts at operating pier at Coastway Amador . Passengers board motor coaches for a 45 minute ride to the town of Gamboa where the Panama Canal Dredging Division is located. Once in Gamboa, passengers board the Pacific Queen to start the water portion of the tour. We enter the canal at the north end of the Gailard 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. The vessel will travel the Cut's 13.7 kilometers on the way to Pedro Miguel Locks. 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. In this area you will also be able to observe the work in process for the Panama Canal expansion project.

Before reaching the Pedro Miguel Locks at the southern end of the Cut, you will be able to view the new Centennial Bridge which crosses over the Canal. Next, the vessel will enter Pedro Miguel Locks, which is one of the two sets of locks on the Pacific side, and here the vessel is lowered 9 meters in one step. You will then enter Miraflores Lake, which is a small artificial body of fresh water that separates Pedro Miguel from Miraflores Locks, the latter being the final set of locks before reaching the Pacific Ocean. At Miraflores Locks the vessel is lowered 18 meters in two distinct steps.

Then, it will continue its journey toward the Pacific Ocean  to the beautiful  islands at the end of the Coastway Amador where passengers disembark. On the way to Coastway Amador, you will pass under the Bridge of the Americas, and later, you will be able to admire the Bay of Panama and Panama City's splendorous skyline.

This itinerary might also be done the other way around, navigating from Coastway Amador and getting back from Gamboa by bus.  It will depend on where is the vessel.  For you, it will always starts and ends by operating pier in Amador. 

FREQUENT ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT DOES IT INCLUDE ? Bilingual guide/narrator, full lunch, soft drinks and water (all you can drink). transportation by bus from Panama City (operating pier) to Gamboa where the tour starts. 

It does not include hotel pick up or drop off.  It interested on it we would happy to quote you on it. Coastway Amador  is about 20-30 minutes from most Panama City hotels in downtown and we advise to procure a taxi ride with hotel concierge from the day before your trip.

WHO CAN GO ? Everyone. Minors must travel with a responsible adult.

WHAT SHOULD YOU TAKE ALONG ? Sun protection and comfortable clothing.  

WHAT SHOULD NOT BE BROUGHT ? Travel light and avoid carrying what you wont use.

PRICE: 

Group leader will go free for a group of more than ten persons.

WARNING:

- This is not an exclusive trip.  You will be one more person in a small boat that could take around 200 persons.

- *** Given itinerary is temptative and subjected to final decision of the Panama Canal Authority which can change it (earlier or later, usually up to a couple of hours).  If that happens we will notify you by email as soon as we get notice of a change so PLEASE check your email.

SEASON:

Partial transit of the Panama Canal cruise is a year-round activity
The best way to experience the canal is onboard a cruise. During your transit, you will have the unique opportunity to see the Canal up close in operation. 

Website about The Panama Canal Panama