Description:
13 Days / 12 Nights $1,990
• Habitat for Humanity service project in Santiago
• Panama Canal tour of the Miraflores Lock and museum
• Boquete highlands service project
• Adventure in the jungle highlands including: river rafting, birding, canopy
Zip-line, orchid hunting, hiking and coffee tours
• Understand the history, the environment and the people
• Find the real Panama on a path less traveled
TRAVEL ITINERARY
Day 1 Saturday, Oct.13
Fly to Panama. Arrive early in the evening and transfer to our wonderful hotel located on the water at the entrance to the Panama Canal. Relax from a long day and watch as ships float under the Bridge of the America\'s and up the canal.
Day 2 Sunday, Oct. 14
Tour the Miraflores Locks on the Panama Canal and visit the museum to learn the history and engineering marvels of the canal. Enjoy a walking tour more... of Colonial Panama historic city center.
Day 3 Monday, Oct. 15
This morning we travel west along the Panamerican Road to the small city of Santiago. Here we stay in our favorite parador (small hotel) while helping locals construct a home. This afternoon we tour the project site and learn what to expect. There are job descriptions to meet everyone’s physical abilities and experience. At the evening meal our Habitat for Humanity leaders give us background on our project and the community.
Day 4 Tuesday, Oct. 16
Work day at Habitat for Humanity site. Relax in the evening.
Day 5 Wednesday, Oct. 17
Work day at Habitat for Humanity site. Relax in the evening.
Day 6 Thursday, Oct. 18
Today we travel to the Boquete Highlands area where we stay at Hector and Linda Sanchez’s lodge outside of town set amid coffee plantations. Here a view of the mountains and Linda’s home cooking is a private slice of heaven. This afternoon join your leader for a walking tour of the community. This evening is a welcoming barbeque hosted by the Boquete Rotary Club.
Day 7 Friday, Oct. 19
This morning choose from various activities such a zip line through the jungle or a visit to a nearby orchid farm. This afternoon relax or explore the Sanchez Farm. Dinner tonight is at our (and the local’s) favorite restaurant in Boquete.
Day 8 Saturday, Oct. 20
Today we put our work togs back on again; our project is to help the Rotarian Club construct a water storage facility for a school. Tonight is a chance to experience the Boquete nightlife.
Day 9 Sunday, Oct. 21
Today is another service day with the Rotarians. This afternoon they will join us for a walking tour of town.
Day 10 Monday, Oct. 22
This morning: some soft adventure paddling down the class II Chiriqui River, or perhaps birding in the Volcan Baru National park is more your style.
Day 11 Tuesday, Oct. 23
We finish the water storage project this morning, then a
possible trip to an indigenous village. Tonight is our last
dinner and picnic with our Boquete friends.
Day 12 Wednesday, Oct. 24
Beach time! Relax on a pristine white sand beach with plenty of time to swim in the ocean and soak up the sun. We return to our hotel on the Panama Canal for our final evening. Much of our time has been spent getting to know the local people in Panama, but we inevitably form strong friendships with our fellow travelers, tonight we enjoy a farewell dinner together. This is a time to consider the impact we have made in these communities, and the impact they have made on us.
Day 13 Thursday, Oct. 25
Transfer to the airport for the flight home. Not just a travel day, this is a time to prepare for the great leap back into our own culture.
~Contact us for full trip details~
Responsible Action:
JourneyWays Provides Volunteer Vacations to primarily US residents. During a two week trip we will spend one week working on a project in a small rural community. The cost of the project is paid by us. We have local contact on the ground to help the community decide on a project that will benefit the whole (thus providing that our presence does not distrupt the status quo). We ask that members of the local community work alongside of us to ensure local ownership and a true cultural connection.
The other week we spend touring the country doing traditonal ecoturism activites. I always ensure that we are working with reputable local operators.
Website:
www.journeyways.org
Telephone:
814-667-2130
