The Wonders of Panama

Morning               Board our Flight for Panama

Afternoon           Afternoon: and get settled in for the evening. In the afternoon, head to the Biomuseo, a unique museum dedicated to the biodiversity and natural history of Panama.

At the Biomuseo, students can explore interactive exhibits that showcase the incredible ecological diversity of Panama, its unique ecosystems, and the impact of biodiversity on the planet. They can learn about the country’s role as a bridge between North and South America and its significance in the field of conservation.

After visiting the Biomuseo, take a stroll along the nearby Cinta Costera, a waterfront promenade that offers beautiful views of the Panama Bay and skyline. This leisurely walk provides a chance for students to relax, enjoy the scenery, and engage in conversations about their learnings from the museum.

Evening Eat Dinner as group

Transfer to our hotel by private bus, and get settled in for the evening.

Morning               Visit the Panama Canal: we will make our way to the Miraflores Visitor Center, which offers a number of exhibits and movies introducing and explaining the incredible engineering marvel that is the Panama Canal. Most importantly, the Visitor Center offers observation decks, where we can watch mammoth ocean liners maneuver the narrow waterways of the canal as gates open, close, and fill up along the way. We will also have time here to eat lunch at the restaurant and/or snack bar while overlooking the canal.

Afternoon           Tour of the old city, Casco Antiguo, also known as Casco Viejo, or the ‘old quarter,” is Panama City’s historic district. Considered a UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site, the district dates back to 1673, and features vibrant plazas and picturesque brick-paved streets surrounded by colorful buildings.

Evening Enjoy Dinner as a group

Return to hotel and lights out

Morning               Board our flight for Enrique Malek International Airport (DAV) in David, Panama.

Arrive in David Panama

We will make our way towards the district of Chiriqui and the community of Cerro Punta through the long country of Panama. Our destination for the next few days is Los Quetzales Eco Lodge. Tucked away in the highland cloud forest, we will be staying at a beautiful eco-lodge accommodation inside the primary cloud forest of Volcan Baru National Park. Our eco lodge offers all the beauty of the cloud forest, with the added bonus of the area having no biting insects nor venomous snakes. Get comfortable and situated in our new home after our travel day.

Afternoon           In the afternoon, after we meet our hosts, we will debrief on the community projects that we will be participating in through-out our time here.

Our focus is primarily on our community service project(s), these will be coordinated in conjunction with the local community, and Evolve Tours.

Take a walk around the immediate vicinity to get familiar with the area. This will allow students to get their bearings, observe the local surroundings, and th ecommunity.

Participate in the strawberry growing tour, which is popular among the students. This provides an opportunity to learn about sustainable agriculture and the process of growing strawberries. Students can engage in hands-on activities such as harvesting strawberries, learning about organic farming practices, and gaining insights into the local agricultural industry.

Evening Welcome Dinner as a group at the Eco-lodge with our amazing hosts!

The focus over these 3 days will be on community service, environmental education, and cultural exchange in the local community of Guadalupe. We will visit a local school, participate in recycling and nature conservation workshops, and work with the women in the community. In addition, we will engage in activities that promote environmental awareness and sustainability, comparing local practices with those back home.

Morning and Early Afternoon:

Work on a local farm, learning sustainable farming practices and gaining insights into agricultural sustainability.

Participate in permaculture practices at the eco-lodge, understanding the principles of sustainable food production and consumption.

Take part in natural food processing workshops, exploring methods of preserving and utilizing locally sourced ingredients.

Engage in environmental construction and sustainable development workshops, learning about eco-friendly building techniques.

Contribute to the construction of greenhouses, promoting sustainable food production in the community.

Work in the Sustainable Reserve of 106 hectares in Guadalupe, building benches, signs, and collaborating with park rangers to identify plant species.

Late Afternoon:

Enjoy a moderate 1.5-hour rainforest hike, witnessing the beauty of waterfalls and birdwatching. Keep an eye out for local species such as the Wilson’s Warbler, Striped-tailed Hummingbird, Bathing Red Start, and Female White-throated Mountain-gem.

Participate in cultural activities planned before dinner, such as a hike at a local farm, exploring the surrounding natural beauty.

Visit a hummingbird garden to observe and learn about these fascinating creatures.

Take a trip to a nearby city to experience the local culture and immerse ourselves in the community.

Enjoy a cooking lesson, learning to prepare traditional Panamanian dishes.

Evening:

Engage in salsa classes, embracing the vibrant rhythms of Latin American dance.

Morning:             Depart from the eco-lodge after breakfast, embarking on a scenic drive to a renowned coffee plantation located in the region. Enjoy the stunning views and learn about the history and process of coffee production in Panama.

Arrive at the coffee plantation and immerse yourselves in the world of coffee. Engage in a guided tour of the plantation, where you will witness the cultivation, harvesting, and processing of coffee beans. Gain insights into the intricacies of coffee production and appreciate the dedication and expertise of the local farmers.

Participate in a coffee tasting session, where you can savor the rich flavors and aromas of freshly brewed coffee. Learn about the different characteristics of various coffee blends and develop a deeper understanding of the art of coffee appreciation.

Afternoon           A visit to the hot springs will be arranged. Enjoy the therapeutic benefits of natural hot springs, relax in the warm waters, and unwind amidst the beautiful surroundings. The hot springs offer a soothing and rejuvenating experience, allowing you to connect with nature and take a well-deserved break from the day’s activities.

Evening Return to the eco-lodge, reflecting on the day’s experiences and enjoying a delicious dinner.

Today, we will participate in a workshop with the women of the community who are dedicated to making small green houses. They will teach us how to prepare the land, how natural products are made to combat plant diseases and how to organize the space in the greenhouses.

The students will start to oversee the construction of the warehouses being prepared for a local school. After participating in a few environmental and conservation workshops with the women of the community, sustainable agriculture and natural food processing, the students will be equipped to work side by side in building and efficiently organizing a greenhouse.

In the afternoons, we will spend a good portion of our day in the reserve building benches along the trails, identifying and branding plants and helping the park rangers with re-locating and fixing the signage in the park.

This day the green houses will be delivered to the school, cleaning will be done together with the kids, and at the end we will enjoy a cultural exchange in their conservation workshops with the theme of guardians of the forests. We will be working in the school garden, developing with them conservation, recycling and healthy food knowledge.

Morning               After breakfast, say goodbye to our friends at the community and the eco lodge. We will travel by bus to the District of David.

Board our flight for Panama City

Afternoon           Arrive in Panama, spend a few hours in Panama City, with some time for some souvenir shopping at a local market

Depart for Toronto

Arrive in Toronto, End trip.