Our staff will provide you with an extraordinary rainforest adventure
We are available to make recommendations on things to do and to assist with arranging all tours, activities and excursions.
Earth
Wounaan Community
In Panama, there exist seven distinct indigenous groups, among them are the Wounaan, known for their prowers as warriors and artists. For centuries, the Wounaan people have inhabited the Darien region, located in close proximity to Colombia. Over time, some members of the community have migrated to other regions surrounding the Chagres River. As a result, you now have a unique opportunity, just minutes away from the hotel, to visit their settlements and immerse yourself in their rich customs and traditions that have endured through the ages.
Duration: 2 - 3 hours
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
What to bring: Comfortable clothing, walking shoes, insect repellent, water and camera. Optional cash to buy some tribal souvenirs.
This tour includes lunch (please notify if you have any food allergies)
* Minimum of 4 people required.
Hiking Trails
La Laguna trail is an easy 5 minute walk from the reserve, it is a gentil trail and good for meditation. La Chunga is located between the sanctuary and aerial tram, it is more advanced and goes deeper into the rainforest. Large tropical trees, monkeys in their branches, much wildlife is prevalent, so bring your camera. Depending on the time of day and the season you may be fortunate to meet some of the capybaras, agoutis and iguanas that run freely between the leaves. No tour reservation required.
Duration: 20 minutes to 1 hour
Level of Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
What to bring: Hiking shoes, comfortable clothing, sunblock, water
The Pipeline Road
Reccomenden for bird watching beginners, enthusiasts, and hikers. Received its name in the 1940’s as the Allies carved out this trail from the wilderness to accommodate a petroleum pipeline that was never finished. Today it is famous for hosting over 350 species of birds and is a favorite of the Audubon Society members. Here you are guaranteed to connect with nature and from the depths of the rainforest, you will discover its best-kept secrets on its 17 kilometers long: butterflies, amphibians, monkeys and dozens of other wild creatures. Bird watching and nature walk tour requires reservations. Located 3.6 Km / 2.2 Miles from Gamboa Rainforest Reserve.
Duration: 3 hours
Level of Difficulty: Moderate to heavy
What to bring: Comfortable clothing, hiking shoes, binoculars, water, insect repellent, and camera.
*Transportation from hotel is $ 20 round trip per person.
Birdwatching
A veritable ¨Birders Heaven¨. Panama offers some of the best bird watching in the world and is home to nearly 1,000 species of birds. This beautiful and very accessible country offers a great diversity of neotropical bird species. Excellent bird and animal watching locations can be easily accessed and a difficult and arduous hike is not necessary to find the animals. Choose from any of our three options for Birding tours: along the Pipeline Rd., in the Gamboa Reserve Grounds or by boat in the Chagres River and Gatun Lake.
Duration: Depending on the tour
Level of Difficulty: Easy to moderate
What to bring: Comfortable clothing, camera, binoculars, sunblock, insect repellent.
Sloth Sanctuary & Nature Labs
There are three exhibits included in the sanctuary and nature labs tour.
Sloth Sanctuary – Start your visit in Gamboa at the first official sloth sanctuary in Panama! You will learn about the Conservation Program run by the Pan American Conservation Association with one of our knowledgeable guides.
Frog Pond – Our protected frog pond contains two species of poisonous frogs called the Oophaga Pumilio and the Dendrobates Auratus. Along the way, learn about native orchids!
Butterfly Garden – Appreciate more than 15 species of butterflies while learning about their life cycle and the flora that feeds them.
Duration: 45 minutes - 1 hour
Level of Difficulty: Easy
What to bring: Comfortable cloth and shoes, sunblock, water, and camera.
Night Safari Ride
Step aboard our “Chiva” truck for a safari-style ride around the reserve as a naturalist guide explains the nocturnal inhabitants and activities of the rainforest. This activity is complimentary with your stay. Activity is included, we recommend scheduling in advance.
Duration: 30 minutes
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Bike Park
Whether you are a beginner or enthusiast, our cycling park was designed for mountain bike lovers! Mountain biking, downhill, pump track, and cycling for adults and children of all ages. Develop your skills and abilities with rentals available. Choose from a variety of trails located around the resort including the Panama Canal! Trails are listed as easy, intermediate, expert, or advanced.
*Only open on weekends
Wind
Aerial Tram
The aerial tram offers a unique perspective of wildlife in Gamboa. It includes a 600-meter-long, 130-meter-hogh ride aboard a gondola that soars above the rainforest, enabling views that would otherwise be unseeable at lower-levels. At a height close enough to touch the treetops, you will have the chance to see a wide variety of nesting birds, sloths, and several species of monkeys.
At the top station, disembark for a 5-10 minute walk up the observation tower (30m high) providing a scenic 360° view of the Chagres River, Gamboa, Soberania National Park, and Panama Canal.
Duration: 90 minutes
Level of Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
What to bring: Comfortable clothes and shoes, insect repellent, water and camera.
Aerial tram is closed for maintenance on Mondays
Tree Trek
Glide over the treetops of the tropical forest; admire the most incredible collection of natural landscapes that border the Panama Canal and the Soberanía National Park. Enjoy a different view of the Panama Canal and the Chagres River 1.4 kilometers from the extension divided into 10 cables. Appreciate the rich biodiversity of Panama among the treetops, being possible to experience with a little luck: monkeys, ñeques and birds like the Toucan Picoiris.
Canopy Zipline of 12 stations.
Water
Gatun Lake and Panama Canal Expedition
If you consider yourself an adventurer looking for a wonderful memory, this boat journey into the heart of Lake Gatun will be perfect for you! Gatun lake is the world's second-largest artificial lake and the heart of the Panama Canal. In a tour that combines history and ecology, you will navigate aroung passing ships in the widest part of the Panama Canal to hidden islands where, should conditions be favorable, you will see families of capuchin, howler and Titi monkeys.
Duration: 1 Hour and 15 minutes
Level of Difficulty: Easy
What to bring: Sunglasses, sunblock, water, and camera.
Freshwater Fishing
According to local legends, native language in Panama means "abundance of fish and butterflies", so you will not want to miss the opportunity to fish on its waters. The Gamboa Tarpon Club, strategically located at the point where the Chagres River connects Lake Gatun, is recognized for organizing fishing expeditions tailored to the Panama Canal, allowing you to choose between quiet locations in the middle of the rainforest and sectors where the passage of the giant ships passing through the waterway is appreciated. This lush area is home to species like the Sergeant, tarpon, snook, among others.
This tour includes: Tackle, bait, rods for each person, snacks and refreshments.
Duration: 3 or 6 hours. (2 options)
Level of Difficulty: Easy to moderate
What to bring: Sunblock, hat, camera
*Please advise any alergies.
Chagres River Boat Tour
This ride is an entertaining way to quickly learn many of the features of the Chagres River, one of the most important in the country, because it feeds the artificial lakes that allow the passage of ships through the Panama Canal. Its banks are central to the local ecosystem, harboring lush trees and beautiful flowers, hundreds of species of animals, insects and various indigenous communities of different ethnicities.
Duration: 40 minutes
Level of Difficulty: Easy
What to bring: Comfortable clothing, sunglasses, sunblock, and camera.
* Dry season may affect operations and tour times if river levels are too low.
Night Safari Boat Ride
Indulge in the calm offered by the tropical forest at night and, by the reflection of the moon on the Chagres River, navigate through calm waters in search of birds and nocturnal animals. With the help of reflectors and flashlights, our guide will point out the places where caimans and crocodiles of all sizes usually hunt their prey. If you're lucky you can see their eyes shine with the reflection of the headlights and follow them as they swim down the river.
Duration: 1 hour
Level of Difficulty: Easy to moderate
What to bring: Comfortable clothing, insect repellent and flashlight.
* Dry season may affect operations and tour times if river levels are too low.
Sunset Boat Tour
The earthen colors of the sunset on the Chagres River will provide an unforgettable closing to your day in the Rainforest. Here you will awaken your senses as you smoothly enter the tributary that feeds water to the Panama Canal, and which is home to many plants, animals and some indigenous communities. As the sun goes down, the pleasant golden light will allow you to witness the evening ritual of some of the many birds that nest in nearby trees and flock to lower levels in search of food. If you are lucky, you may find some sloths or agoutis looking for their lair before dark.
Duration: 1 hour
Level of Difficulty: Easy
What to bring: Comfortable clothing, repellent, camera.
* Dry season may affect operations and tour times if river levels are too low.
Cancellation Policy:
Includes Emberá, Pipeline Road tours, Gatun Lake Expedition, and Freshwater Fishing.
*We kindly ask you to provide a card number, expiration date, and phone number in case of no show.
*If there is a no show, you will be charged with a 50% fee. Please cancel 24 hours before the tour time to avoid the fee.
