Panama Pilgrims
Thanksgiving With the Kuna Indians
November 20 – 28, 2004

CELEBRATING DIVERSITY

One of the first history lessons that American schoolchildren learn is that the first Thanksgiving occurred in 1621. European settlers at Plymouth Rock, Massachusetts, held an elaborate feast to celebrate a successful harvest after a difficult first year, and their peace treaty with the local Wampanoag Indian tribe. While Thanksgiving in our culture conjures up specific visions of Pilgrims and Native Americans, mankind has always celebrated bountiful harvests throughout the ages, although customs vary greatly from one culture to the next. In the spirit of diversity, Toto Tours invites you to experience a different kind of Thanksgiving in Panama, celebrating our shared humanity with one of its indigenous peoples—the Kuna Indians.
     Panama is a destination with an incredible variety of attractions. It boasts exotic tropical rainforests, cool gorgeous mountain refuges, Caribbean-style beaches, seven living Indian cultures, a pretty, Miami-style capital city, historic venues (Columbus and Balboa both came to Panama), adventure tours, diving, rafting, kayaking—not to mention one of the world’s engineering marvels: The Panama Canal.
     There are many good reasons to visit Panama. The country is safe, with a first-world (not third-world) infrastructure of roads, medical care, communications, and business services. It is tourist friendly, with English spoken as a second language. It is just a short plane ride away, with several major U.S. cities offering direct daily flights.
     Panama is one of the best places in the world for eco-tourism today, positioned as a narrow land bridge connecting two continents and several diverse and pristine rainforest preserves. It is an exotic destination with great beauty but not a hefty price. It has world-class adventure with river running, whitewater rafting, kayaking, canyoning, trekking, rappelling, surfing, deep-sea fishing, scuba diving, and snorkeling. It has a wide selection of beaches, with a long twisting coast and hundreds of islands on both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
     Sample a bountiful portion of some of the best that Panama has to offer during this special Thanksgiving tour! During this incredible adventure you’ll celebrate Thanksgiving with the Kuna Indians and explore the beautiful, white sand beaches of San Blas, the secrets of the rainforest jungles in Chagres National Park with the Emberá Indians, and the greatest engineering tribute to man—the Panama Canal. You’ll be thankful you came.

ITINERARY

Saturday, November 20, 2004
Arrival in Panama City

Arrange your international flight to arrive in Panama City, the capital of Panama, by 6pm today if possible. You will be met at the airport and transferred to our downtown hotel. Tonight Toto Tours hosts a Welcome Dinner at our hotel with a brief orientation about the week ahead as well as introductions all around. Overnight at Hotel Las Huacas.     (Dinner Included)

Sunday, November 21, 2004
Old Panama / The Canal

After breakfast, depart for a tour of the major sights of Panama City, including the Panama Canal. Begin with a walking tour of Panama Viejo (Old Panama) destroyed by pirate Henry Morgan in 1671. Explore the narrow streets, plazas and public parks of Casco Viejo, the Colonial area. The tour continues to the commercial and banking area of the modern city. Afterwards, travel to the country’s engineering marvel—the Panama Canal to learn about its operation and history. With luck we will get to watch vessels as they transit through the Miraflores Locks.     (Breakfast)

Monday, November 22, 2004
Canal Railroad

Journey across the isthmus via the Panama Canal Railroad. This elegant train ride runs along the Panama Canal to its terminus in Colon, where we visit the Gatun Locks, the largest and most active set on the entire length of the Canal. Continue by motorcoach to Portobelo, stopping midway to enjoy a classic Caribbean lunch in Buena Ventura Bay with a spectacular view.
     Board a boat to Fort San Fernando on the furthest side of Portobelo Bay, where we hike up to the upper battery which offers an incredible view of the Caribbean Sea and nearby islands. Take the boat back across the bay to Fort Santiago, where we begin our walking tour of the town of Portobelo, a UNESCO World Heritage site of Spanish ruins dating back to 1601. Return to Panama City in late afternoon, and the evening is free.     (Breakfast / Lunch)

Tuesday, November 23, 2004
Chagres River / Soberania National Park

Soberania National Park is one of the country’s best wildlife viewing areas. This morning we enjoy a three-hour boat tour of the Watershed of the Panama Canal. Along the brackish and freshwater canals are lowland tropical rainforests, where we are likely to see monkeys (spider, howler, and white-faced capucin varieties), crocodiles, tree sloths, and an amazing assortment of birds. Arriving at our resort in early afternoon, the remainder of the day is free.     (Breakfast / Lunch)

Wednesday, November 24, 2004
Emberá Indian Village

This morning visit Chagres National Park, traveling up the Chagres River by dugout canoe. A short jungle trek takes us to one of the park’s most beautiful waterfalls. Enjoy lunch at an Emberá community, followed by a dance performance during which our hosts invite us to join them. Following our visit to this unique community we return to the resort in the late afternoon. The remainder of the day is free.     (Breakfast / Lunch)

Thursday, November 25, 2004
Thanksgiving on the San Blas Islands

Early this morning take a short flight from Panama City to the San Blas Islands. Upon arrival at the airstrip in Playon Chico, journey by boat towards the unpopulated island of Kuanidup in the middle of a tropical paradise. This beautiful island has a lovely beach for swimming and sunbathing, with hammocks hung between palm trees. After checking into your beachfront, thatched roof hut, visit a nearby populated island and learn more about the mysterious culture of the Kuna Indians. Tonight enjoy a typical Kuna feast for Thanksgiving.     (All Meals)

Friday, November 26, 2004
San Blas Islands

After a leisurely breakfast, boat to a nearby unpopulated island for some snorkeling and beach fun, including nude sunbathing if you wish. This afternoon we head back to our island lodge for lunch and a free evening.     (All Meals)

Saturday, November 27, 2004
Return Panama City / Farewell Dinner

Early this morning fly back to Panama City. Upon arrival, check into our hotel and the rest of the day is free for sightseeing or souvenir shopping. This evening Toto Tours hosts a Farewell Dinner to celebrate the conclusion of our Thanksgiving holiday in Panama, followed by an evening enjoying the city’s nightlife.     (Breakfast / Dinner)

Sunday, November 28, 2004
Departure

The tour officially ends after breakfast. Arrange your return flight home for any convenient time today. Toto Tours has arranged one group transfer from our hotel to the airport.     (Breakfast)