Day 3. Gatun Locks/Rainforest.

Travel the Isthmus of Panama.

Travel across the Isthmus of Panama and visit the impressive Gatún Locks on the Caribbean side.

See the famous Chagres River, Lake Gatun and cross the Continental Divide.

Henry Morgan travelled the Chagres River to attack Panama in 1671. The river has transported wealth of the world for more than 450 years and it is still today one of the most important rivers in the world.

Gatun is the most important lake for the operation of the Panama Canal, providing the water for the locks on both Caribbean and Pacific. It was created between 1907 and 1913 by building the Dam of Gatun and the flooding of a valley and it was considered then, the largest man made lake in the world. The rainforest around the lake, is home for native species and Colorado Island, the largest in the lake has been and important center for scientific research.

You will pass the entrance to the city of Colon, the second largest free zone in the world after Hong Kong. Founded with the name of Aspinwall in 1852 with the beginning of the railway construction, Colon adquired its actual name after Christopher Columbus (Cristóbal Colón).

Most of the city population are descendants of Antillean workers who participated in the construction of the Panama Canal.

Arrive to Gatun Locks, where 2 parallel set of locks lift the ships 26 meters in 3 stages. The lock gates measure 2 meters, thick, 20 meters hight and 19.5 meters in length.

The observation terraces give you the unique opportunity to see the ships passing through just a few feet from you. This is one of the most impressive views of the Canal operation.

At Gatun you will also have some time to see old machinery used in the canal locks in the pass years.

Leave Gatun Locks and head to the rainforest. Enjoy lunch and get ready for a boat adventure on Lake Gatun. You will take a trip to the Monkey Island and explore a fascinating region where there is an important population of capuchin monkeys. You might spot howler monkeys, sloths, crocodiles, tropical birds and other species. This is a great chance for pictures.

Besides Monkey island there are many other small islands that were once the peaks of hills of the original wooded valley. Still today, the stumps of old mahogany trees can still be seen rising from the water. Discover exotic flora at get some close up views of large container ships as they cruise next to you on the Panama Canal.

 After this cruise adventure in the jungles of Panama, head to the Summit Hotel in the Rainforest and enjoy a two night stay at this beautiful site.
Enjoy dinner!