Departure is from your hotel in Panama City.
Cancellation policy
- For cancellations made with more than 15 days of written notice, a full refund will be given.
- For cancellations made with less than ten days of written notice, a 50 % refund will be given.
- For cancellations made with less than five days of written notice, or in cases of no-show, there will be no refund.
Day Tour Partial Canal Transit
The best way to experience the Panama Canal is to enter the canal at the north end of 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. This section of the Canal is renowned for its historical and geological value. The Pacific Queen will travel the Cut's 13.7 kilometres 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 Pacific Queen 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 metres 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 metres in two distinct steps.
Once in the Pacific Ocean, the vessel will sail to the beautiful Flamenco Marina where passengers will disembark. On the way to Flamenco, 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 splendid skyline.
At 9.00 am: Transfer from your hotel; our tour starts at the Flamenco Resort and Marina.
At 10.00 am: 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 until 2.00 pm (lunch on board).
At 2.30 pm (depending on canal traffic, it may be even later): Transfer back to your hotel in Panama City.
Participant guidelines
What to bring:
Comfortable clothes and shoes
Hat
Sun block
Sunglasses
Camera
Umbrella
Raincoat
Money for souvenirs.
Other disclosures
This tour includes:
- Bilingual guide/narrator
- Full lunch
- Soft drinks and water (all you can drink)
- Transportation from your hotel in Panama city to Flamenco Resort & Marina
- Transportation by bus from Panama City (Flamenco Resort & Marina) to Gamboa where the tour starts.
This tour does not include:
- Guide and driver tips
- Items not mentioned in the section above.
