Introduction
Panama, known as ‘the Bridge of the World’, is a country where man-made wonders perfectly compliment natural wonders. With its biodiversity and its captivating natural beauty, rich culture, ample recreational facilities, well-organized infrastructure and modern amenities, Deluxe Kosher Tours promises you a complete luxury leisure package. The friendly approach of Deluxe Kosher Tours will help make your vacation this winter to Panama more than you could ever dream of. Stretch yourself at the beautiful beaches of the Pacific coasts and you will have the opportunity in your leisure time to engage in watching whales and birds and butterflies. The sunset scenes are magical.
Your specially designed sightseeing program will include visits to the colonial ruins of Panamá Viejo, and Casco Antiguo. A visit to Miraflores Locks on the infamous Panama Canal will give you the best view of the locks at work. Do not forget the museum. An optional tour will allow you to roam about the dairy farms, coffee and flower plantations in the bread-basket province of Chiriqui.
As for active engagement, Deluxe Kosher Tours promises loads of activities – right from climbing, diving, fishing, hiking, rafting, and snorkeling. Undertake trips to the interiors for the mountains of El Valle or Chiriqui. Climb Panama’s highest point, the extinct volcano of VolcanBaru. There is plenty of deep-sea fishing to do. The reefs at both the coasts add to the excitement factor.
Our Panama City Tour allows you to visit the key touristic attractions in Panama City as you learn about Panama’s significance throughout history. A story of Spanish colonization, pirate attacks, independence from Spain & later Colombia and the building of the trans isthmian train on the path to the construction of the Panama Canal.
HOTELS WHERE WE’LL BE STAYING
January 20-25 Panama City InterContinental Miramar
January 25-27 Gamboa Reserve Gamboa Rainforest Resort
January 27-30 Playa Bonita InterContinental Playa Bonita Resort & Spa
TWO OPTIONS TO CHOOSE FROM
10-Day Deluxe $4,595
7-Day Deluxe $3,595
CHILDREN UNDER 12 sharing a room with two adults are entitled o a discount of $1000 each (maximum of 2 children to a room).
Rates are based on double occupancy (two to a room). For single occupancy add $1350 to the 10-day program and $1095 to the 7-day program.
Includes air fare from most cities in the Continental US. Call for details to make sure your city’s included. For LAND ONLY deduct $600 per person from above rates.
Program includes the following tours:
Friday/January 21st Tracing the Paths of the Caribbean Pirates
Sunday/January 23rd El Valle Tour
Monday/January 24th Panama City Tour (1/2 Day Tour)
Tuesday/January 25th People of the Rainforest: The Emberá
Wednesday/January 26th Gamboa Tram Tour
Thursday/January 27th OPTIONAL TOURS CAN BE ADDED INSTEAD OF JUST TRANSFER
Chiriqui, Shopping Tour, Fishing etc.)
DAY BY DAY PROGRAM
THURSDAY, JANUARY 20th
Arrive in Panama City. Upon arrival we will be met by our local Deluxe Kosher Tours representative at Tocumen International Airport who will assist us with our transfer and check-in to our hotel located in the heart of Panama City, Dinner this evening will be had at 8:00 pm followed by a brief orientation in which all questions can be answered
FRIDAY, JANUARY 21st
This morning we wake up early for shacharitand breakfast as we depart our hotel at 6:30 am for a train ride on the historical and unique railway, from Panama City to Colón. The one-hour trip takes us through the jungle and along the Panama Canal, a course that was finished in 1855. The French Panama Canal company had acquired the railway line in 1880, as assistance to build the Canal. In 1904 the Americans bought the Canal and the railway line and were operating it until 1979. In 1998, Panama privatized the railway line and renewed it completely. Since 2001, the course is again passable and has become a unique attraction. After the beautiful train ride, we will take you from Colón to the port of Portobelo where we will break for lunch. This port was the gathering point of the Peruvian treasures in the 15th century, in addition to being the center of control and inspection of the goods, which arrived from Spain. The ruin complex is built and set up in the middle of the tropical jungle and covers a set of fortresses, castles and military bases. Return to Panama City via motorcoach in time to prepare for Shabbat (program detailed below).
6:02 pm HadlakatNeirot
6:15 pm Mincha followed by Kabbalat Shabbat - SociedadIsraelitaShevetAhim
8:00 pm Shabbat Dinner at the Synagogue
9:30 pm Oneg Shabbat with Local Members of the Local Jewish Community
NOTE: Breakfast and lunch will be boxed meals.
SHABBAT, JANUARY 22nd
7:00 am Coffee and Cake in the Hotel
DafYomi: Zevahim 73
9:00 amShacharitfollowed by Kiddush at SociedadIsraelitaShevetAhim
12:00 pm Presentation: The Jews of Panama
1:00 pm Lunch with Dvar Torah at SociedadIsraelitaShevetAhim
3:00 pm Walking Tour
4:00 pm Shabbat Rest
5:45 pm Mincha
6:15 pm Seu’dahShelishit
6:55 pm Ma’ariv
7:02 pm Havdalah
9:30 pm Melaveh Malka (with Salsa Flair)
SUNDAY, JANUARY 23rd – El Valle Market
After shacharitand breakfast this morning we will visit the famous El Valle Market. The 80-mile-travel will take us from the capital Panama City to El Valle along the Pacific coast before getting to San Carlos and driving up the mountain in direction to El Valle. El Valle is a small mountain village with a very pleasant climate. At the El Valle market we can admire regional products such as fruits, vegetables, flowers, stone soaps, ceramic articles, hand-made wooden baskets, wooden furniture, etc. We then proceed to one of Panama’s Kosher restaurants for a late lunch (dependent on the number of guests the group may be split for lunch). Following lunch we take a tour of some of the Jewish institutions in Panama City and hear more about what we heard of on Shabbat. This evening we enjoy dinner with some members of the Jewish Community.
MONDAY, JANUARY 24th - Panama City Tour
Today following shacharitand breakfast we get to know the fascinating city of Panama City which was built in 1519. The gorgeous view on the skyscrapers, the noble mansions and the green hills will further inspire us. We first will get to see Panama Vieja dating back to the 16th Century. This will be followed with an opportunity to experience a small marketplace and see the hand-made art of the Indians. We then continue along the shore into the old part of the town called Casco Antiguo. We then walk towards the palace of the president, built in the 17th and 18th Century, the remarkable cathedral and the San José church with its splendorous altar. We continue to the Causeway, from which we have a wonderful view of the skyline of Panama City, and then onto the Miraflores Locks of the Panama Canal. We will have the opportunity to learn about this magnificent man-made structure while watching ships make their way through the Canal. We return to the hotel late in the afternoon before proceeding to dinner at the Jewish Community Center.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 25th - People of the Rainforest: The Emberá
Today, we will travel outside Panama City for a journey back in time. We will spend the day with the Embera natives living in the rainforest. With over 320,000 acres the Chagres National Park is the largest protected area in the Panama Canal Watershed.
In the morning we will cruise along the forests of the Chagres River as we search for birds, including herons, toucans, kingfishers; among others. We will certainly enjoy the spectacular scenery. However, the real highlight of this tour is the great cultural exchange. Even though they are found close to Panama City, the Embera retain most of their ancestral traditions. We will learn about the local culture as our host answers all your questions. In addition, we will have an opportunity to buy some hand crafts created by the Embera, including wood and nut carvings, as well as gorgeous baskets with bright colors.
The bullion Conquistadors took from the Inca Empire in Peru had one main destination: Spain. The natural choice to do this passage from the Pacific coast of South America to the Atlantic Ocean was Panama. The increasing presence of Spanish galleons filled with gold and silver in Panamanian ports sparked the interest of many privateers, corsairs, and pirates who constantly raided these waters between the 16th and 17th centuries.
We will start our ocean-to-ocean passage by driving some 50 miles from the Pacific shores of Panama City to the shores of the Caribbean Sea. En route, we will stop to learn about the operation of the Panama Canal at the Gatun locks. We will then drive through the recently created San Lorenzo Forest Reserve with chances of spotting some wildlife along the way. The culminating point will be visiting the impressive Spanish Fort at San Lorenzo whose purpose was to protect the mouth of the Chagres River, gateway into Panama City. From here we are transferred to our Gamboa accommodations for the coming two nights.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26th - Gamboa Tour
The aerial tram ride traverses a mile long tract of Humid Forest that lies within the Gamboa Resort boundaries. We observe the forest canopy in some areas and are likely to encounter birds and hear Howler monkeys. The tram ascends 280 feet over half a mile and ends atop a hill. From here we walk two minutes to the observation tower (which is optional) and for those with some stamina involve a climb of a 100 feet up a mildly inclined ramp which is also wheelchair accessible. Then we proceed to the exhibits area. The snake exhibit gives the opportunity of seeing live snakes from a short distance behind the safety of our terrariums. The butterfly exhibit is also a nursery where an expert in butterflies explains the complete life cycle from egg, caterpillar to the final stage the butterfly. In the aquarium we have fresh water fish from the tropical areas of America, Africa and Asia. This colorful exhibit also host reptiles such as crocodiles, caimans and turtles. We enjoy the rest of the day in the Reserve.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 27th– Transfer to Playa Bonita
Following shacharitand breakfast this morning we journey to Playa Bonita where we will stay for the coming three nights enjoying the beach and water sports (additional charges for water sports will apply). While at Playa Bonita all meals will be enjoyed at our resort.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 28th– Day at leisure at Playa Bonita
Today is enjoyed at leisure in Playa Bonita. Shabbat programming will be offered this evening at the resort.
SHABBAT, JANUARY 29th
Shabbat program to be provided at Playa Bonita.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 30th
This morning we are transferred to the airport for our return flight home
VISAS FOR PANAMA
Entry to Panama, is only possible with a valid passport (with validity for at least 6 months following date of entry) and a valid Panamanian visa. Every visitor entering the Panamanian territory is required, by rule, to carry a tourist visa or tourist card unless you are a citizen of any of these countries – Austria, Costa Rica, Denmark, Federal Republic of Germany, Finland, Great Britain, Honduras, Norway, Spain, Switzerland and Sweden. Available at the Panamanian consuls abroad, a Panama Visa grant tourists the permission to live in Panama for 30 days. A Tourist Visa can be renewed for an additional two months. The tourist card can be purchased on arrival at Tocumen International Airport as well.
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