The Panama Canal, nearing its 100th year anniversary, is
Panama’s most popular tourist attraction. The best way to
experience the canal is in a cruise onboard the Pacific Queen.
During your transit, you will have the unique opportunity to see
the Canal up close in operation. You will transit with the big
ships and see the tug boats in operation and of course, the
locks themselves. You can feel the sensation of going up or down
to get from one ocean to the other. A once in a lifetime
adventure and experience, whether it be a partial or full
transit, Panama Marine Adventures looks forward to transiting
you through the Panama Canal.
Tour operators offer both partial and full transits through the
Panama Canal. Depending on your time schedule, you can select the
most appropriate option.
PARTIAL TRANSIT
Tour description (4 –5 hrs):
Our tour starts at the Panama Canal Dredging Division in Gamboa
which is located at the north end of the Gaillard Cut, where the
Chagres River flows into the Canal. The Gaillard Cut (also known
as Culebra Cut because its curves resemble a snake) is one of the
main points of interest for visitors because it was carved through
the Continental Divide and this section of the Canal is full of
history and geological value. The PACIFIC QUEEN will travel the
Cut's 13.7 kilometers on the way to Pedro Miguel Locks. As you
transit the Cut you will be able to appreciate the continuous
maintenance that this area requires, because it is very
susceptible to landslides.
Before reaching the Pedro Miguel Locks at the southern end of
the Cut, you will be able to view the new Centennial Bridge which
crosses over the Canal. Next, the Pacific Queen will enter Pedro
Miguel Locks, which is one of the two sets of locks on the Pacific
side, and here the vessel is lowered 9 meters in one step. You
will then enter Miraflores Lake, which is a small artificial body
of fresh water that separates Pedro Miguel from Miraflores Locks,
the latter being the final set of locks before reaching the
Pacific Ocean. At Miraflores Locks the vessel is lowered 18 meters
in two distinct steps.
Once in the Pacific Ocean the vessel will sail to the beautiful
Flamenco Marina where passengers disembark. On the way to
Flamenco, you will pass under the Bridge of the Americas, and
later, you will be able to admire the Bay of Panama and Panama
City's splendorous skyline.
Tour includes:
Bilingual guide/narrator
Lunch is served on the boat and includes various Panamanian
dishes.
Soft drinks and water (all you can drink)
Transportation by bus from Panama City (Flamenco Resort & Marina)
to Gamboa where the tour starts.
