Rainforest Explorers: The Best of Panama With Your Grandchild

6:00 p.m. Orientation at the hotel. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Meals will feature local cuisine. Travel and transfers will be via air-conditioned bus unless specified otherwise. The bus does not have a restroom on board; however, there will be stops at least every two hours for program activities, meals, and/or basic rest stops to break up longer travel times. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. This is a Road Scholar Grandparent program. Grandparents are responsible for their grandchildren. If/when separate age group activities are conducted concurrently, program staff will supervise. Minors are never to be left unsupervised. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

At the hotel, we'll have a welcome meal.

At leisure. Get a good night's rest in preparation for our morning activities.

At the hotel.

We'll learn about the importance of water conservation in Panama during an expert presentation at the hotel. Then we'll board the bus and ride to Casco Viejo, the historic colonial center of the city of Panama, in preparation for a walking field trip led by our Group Leader. A visit to the Panama Canal Museum will cap the experience as we learn about the history of the canal through permanent and visiting exhibits. Casco Viejo showcases the multicultural history of Panama dating back to the 1670s: parks and narrow streets are lined with colorful buildings in a mix of Spanish, French, and early American architectural styles, including the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Municipal Palace and the National Theater. This eclectic display reflects the city's role as an international trade center and cultural melting pot.

At a restaurant in Casco Viejo.

Returning to the bus, we will ride to the Miraflores Visitor Center at the Panama Canal. Once there, we'll accompany our Group Leader on an interpretive walk to experience the center's interactive displays and see the canal locks at work from an observation deck. Concluding our activities we'll ride back to the hotel and have a bit of downtime to cool off at the pool, catch up on your reading, or perhaps rest up before meeting for dinner.

At the hotel.

At leisure. Get a good night's rest in preparation for tomorrow's early start.

At the hotel.

After an early morning pick up at our hotel we will ride to the Flamenco Marina, located near the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal. The Group Leader will then direct us to our boat and assist with embarkation procedures. Once we're comfortably settled aboard, the boat will begin a 4.5-hour-long partial transit from Panama City to Gamboa. Our transit will be led by a Canal Commission pilot who will narrate the experience and point out relevant features along the way. In order to conserve precious water resources, our smaller vessel will follow a companion ship through the locks. The transit will take us through Miraflores Lake and Locks, Pedro Miguel Locks, and Gailard/Culebra Cut, before disembarking at Gamboa.

On board the boat.

Our bus will waiting to pick us up at Gamboa at the end of the cruise. From the port we will ride to Summit Gardens to visit its Harpy Eagle Center. Our Group Leader will offer expert commentary as we set off on foot to view exhibits showcasing Panama's endangered Harpy Eagle as well as other native wildlife. Before becoming a public park in 1957, Summit Gardens was a tropical botany and horticulture research garden administered by the US Government. Since then, Summit has evolved into a wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and education center as well as a botanical garden. In fact, one of the park's star attractions is its Harpy Eagle Center devoted to Panama's national bird. The Harpy (Harpia harpyja) is one of the largest raptors in the world, with wingspans measuring up to 6.5 feet and strong claws that can grab and carry prey weighing as much as its own body weight! It has been suggested that a Harpy Eagle served as inspiration for the feisty hippogriff featured in the popular Harry Potter films. After seeing the exhibit, what do you think? After concluding our activities at Summit, we will board the bus and ride back to our hotel for free time. This might be a good time to relax by the pool, take a stroll along the water front, or do some independent explorations.

At the hotel.

At leisure. Prepare luggage for check out and transfer the following day.

At the hotel.

After breakfast we'll take a short ride to a local bike shop, select our gear and accompany the Group Leader on a biking field trip to Punta Culebra via the Amador Causeway. This raised road passes in front of our hotel and connects the mainland to three small islands in the Bay of Panama: Naos, Perico, and Flamenco. The causeway serves as a breakwater that helps to break and deflect waves entering the Panama Canal from the Pacific. An interesting historical fact: during WW II, the U.S. military used the causeway's strategic location to stage anti-aircraft artillery and fend off potential enemy attacks on the Canal. Once we reach Punta Culebra we will head to the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI), park our bikes, then set off on foot with our Group Leader and a Smithsonian staff member on an interpretive walk through the research station exhibits. During our visit we'll become familiar with the marine environments found in Panama and learn about the migration of species between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. We'll also stop to check out remnants of U.S. military installations left behind on Punta Culebra after WW II. At the end of our visit we'll trade in our bicycles for an air conditioned bus and drive back to the hotel to freshen up. Then we'll check out of our hotel, load the bus, and ride to our lunch location.

At a local restaurant.

We'll return to the bus and ride to the BioMuseo in preparation for our next field trip. Under our Group Leader's direction we'll explore the museum's interactive and multi-media exhibits to uncover the science behind the formation of the Isthmus of Panama and its crucial role in facilitating biodiversity throughout the Americas. The colorful, eye-catching architecture of the museum is the creation of internationally acclaimed architect Frank Gehry. In addition to permanent and temporary exhibits, the museum also features a public atrium and a botanical park. Concluding our activities, we'll return to the bus and transfer to Punta Chame. On the way to the hotel, our Group Leader will provide a short bus orientation of Punta Chame so we can familiarize ourselves with the area.Then we'll proceed to the hotel for check in and enjoy a bit of time to settle into our rooms before meeting for dinner.

At the hotel.

After dinner we'll meet our Group Leader outside, on hotel grounds, to practice our stargazing skills with the help of an astronomy app.

At the hotel.

Early at the hotel, we'll meet our Group Leader and a member of a local conservation group then walk together to the nearby beach. Once there we'll learn about sea turtle ecology and ongoing efforts to protect olive ridley turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) that annually nest at Punta Chame. Then we'll head back to the hotel for breakfast and to get ready for our next field trip. Following a short ride to a nearby fishing village, we will meet a resident who practices artisanal fishing for a living. During our visit we will learn about the best practices of small-scale fishing plus get some hands-on net casting lessons at the water’s edge. Depending on weather conditions in the area, our activity might include a short boat ride off the coast and a wet landing (stepping in water to embark/disembark). Participants will be asked to wear life vests upon boarding the covered motorboat.

At a restaurant in the village.

Ride the bus back to the hotel or return on foot along the beach. Free time.

At the hotel.

We'll accompany a local conservationist on a short walk from the hotel to the beach in preparation for a nighttime beach patrol in search of nesting sea turtles. No flashlights and flash photography allowed during this activity. Olive ridley turtles generally nest at Punta Chame from early May through December. However, the nesting season can fluctuate from year to year due to major weather events such as hurricanes and El Niño as well as from human interference. Every year, olive ridleys come ashore en masse to nest along the beach in an event called an arribada (ah-ree-BAH-dah). Females lay about 110 eggs per clutch (nest) and the incubation period can take anywhere from 45 to 60 days. Despite being protected by Panamanian law, sea turtles face continuous threats from illegal hunting, pollution, and loss of habitat due to urban development.

At the hotel.

From the hotel we will ride to a nearby beach, disembark, and make our way on foot to the docked motorboat for embarkation. Once settled aboard, we will begin our cruise into the Gulf of Panama. We'll navigate around Isla Bona and Isla Estiva to view Brown Pelicans, Blue-footed Boobies, frigates and other sea birds that inhabit the wildlife refuge. We'll also remain vigilant for dolphin pods, stingrays, sea turtles, and other marine life in the area (humpback whales migrate in July-September). Next, we'll sail to Isla Otoque and disembark at the beach. We will explore local trails with our Group Leader and snorkel from the beach before heading into the fishing village to learn about life on the island during a leisurely stroll through the community, including a visit to its small school.

At Otoque community.

We'll return to the boat and begin navigating back to Punta Chame, remaining vigilant for possible sightings of dolphins and pelagic birds. Following our disembarkation at the beach at Punta Chame, we'll board our bus and ride back to hotel. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to do whatever interests you most.

At the hotel.

We'll celebrate our last evening at Punta Chame with a beach bonfire. Prepare luggage for check out.

At the hotel.

Following our late-morning check out, we'll board the bus and begin our transfer to Gamboa. En route we'll stop at La Chorrera city and walk around its commercial center for some cultural exploration. Our Group Leader will point out areas of interest and provide context to what is happening around us as we observe residents going about their daily lives. La Chorrera city is located about 20 miles southwest of Panama City. The vibrant community is becoming increasingly popular among middle/working class families seeking more affordable living conditions outside of Panama City.

At a local home, we will enjoy comida typica. During the visit we’ll help to prepare one of the local dishes that will accompany our meal. *Optional Host Gift: participants are welcome to bring a small refrigerator magnet (city/state souvenir or other) to contribute to the host's collection. Please note this is not mandatory; participation is completely voluntary.

Reboard the bus and continue the transfer to our hotel. Once we reach the hotel we will check in and settle into our rooms to relax until our next activity. Late afternoon we'll regroup at the hotel for an expert presentation on the ethnic background and cultural traditions of Panama's people.

At the hotel.

At leisure.

At the hotel.

We’ll ride the bus to a local dock then board motorized dugout canoes that will take us on a scenic journey up the Chagres River to an Embera village. After being welcomed ashore by members of the community we'll meet the village chief who will talk to us about the history of the Embera people, their way of life, culture, and handicraft traditions. We will walk through the village to learn about their homes, school, communal spaces, and botanical garden.

At the village, traditional lunch prepared by the Emberá women.

We will have a bit of independent time to see Emberá handicrafts such as woodcarvings and woven baskets. The sale of their products benefits the village and helps to pay the school fees for the children. Those who like can also get a temporary Emberá tattoo painted on their arm or leg (lasts about 2 weeks). The blue-black stain used to create the traditional geometric tatoos is made from unripe jagua fruit (Genipa americana) that grows in abundance in the area. We'll say farewell to the village as we board the canoes and make our way back to where the bus awaits to take us to the hotel. Later in the afternoon we'll join our Group Leader in the hotel gardens to practice using binoculars and a scope in preparation for tomorrow's nature field trip at Pipeline Road.

At the hotel.

After dinner we'll join our Group Leader in a sensory experience on the hotel grounds as we try to identify nature sounds. When night falls, the surrounding rainforest comes alive with sound as nocturnal insects, frogs, birds, and other creatures become active.

At the hotel.

After boarding the bus we'll take a short ride to Pipeline Road, disembark, then set off on foot with our Group Leader in search of resident wildlife. Our walk will take us as far as the Rainforest Discovery Center where we'll stop to view the variety of hummingbirds that visit the feeders. Then we'll walk to the park's 104-foot tall Discovery Tower and climb the steps to its various levels to get a different perspective of the forest and its inhabitants. At the end of our explorations we'll hop on our waiting bus and ride back to the hotel.

At the hotel.

We'll ride to the Gamboa Sloth Sanctuary to learn about sloths and the sanctuary's work as a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center during an interpretive walk led by our Group Leader. Best of all, we'll be able to get some close up views of the rescued two-toed and three-toed that are currently in residence! The Sloth Sanctuary is a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation project run by the Asociacion Panamericana Para La Conservacion (APPC). The sanctuary aims to treat and rehabilitate rescued animals in preparation for their release back into the wild. Loss of habitat and urban development expose sloths to all kinds of dangers including car traffic, power lines, illegal pet trade, and even dogs. Once we conclude our activities we will ride back to the hotel and enjoy some independent time to relax and enjoy the hotel amenities or perhaps get started on our packing.

At the hotel, we’ll enjoy a farewell meal. Share your favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends.

At leisure. Say farewells and prepare for departure in the morning.

At the hotel (dependent on flight times). This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on another rewarding program in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!