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Our Tour Experts 
Heroes and Heroines Darien Jungle
Journey to the Darien Jungle and spend a day with a thriving community of Embera Indians.
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![Amy Waters snow biking]()
Our Team Steppes Travel is made by the people who work here. Incredible holidays are made possible because of their vast travel experience and the great enthusiasm they bring to their work.
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![William Dalrymple]()
Our Tour Experts We carefully select our experts based on their knowledge, companionship and influence, ensuring that you can travel with the most knowledgeable leaders in the field.
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![Liz Bonnin]()
Heroes and Heroines The people who lead the way when it comes to those things which matter to us: exploration, the environment, women’s empowerment and education.
Panama Canal Between the Seas
Utilising a nimble 24-passenger catamaran to travel between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans via the Panama Canal, this beyond the ordinary cruise offers an in-depth insight to the waterway, its endemic wildlife and traditional cultures. When not sailing between the homeland of the Embera Indians to historic sites of the Spanish conquistadors, spend time in a lodge in the verdant foothills of a fertile volcanic valley.
Key Highlights of this Itinerary
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2Wildlife of the Jungle
Discover the phenomenal wildlife of Panama, including crocodiles, sloths to exotic birds.
3Sail the Panama Canal
Sail a daylight transit of the Panama Canal and visit sites of the Spanish conquistadors.
4Kayak & Snorkel
Snorkel amongst the spectacular marine life of the Pearl Islands and kayak unspoiled water.
Why we like it
Suited to wildlife enthusiasts and those who endeavour to spend time with local communities, this expeditionary voyage is bolstered by world-class guiding and thrilling experiences. In addition to the luxury of travelling from place to place without packing and unpacking, cruising is a great means to cover a huge area in a relatively short amount of time. To travel by boat is to access lesser-visited areas such as the Darien Jungle and the Pearl Islands, and to have the opportunity to make a full transit of the Panama Canal. What’s more, with each traveller we send to the Darien Embera Village, a donation is made to community school in the form of materials, supplies and toys.
Day 1
Panama City
Day 2
Chagres River and Gatun Locks
Days 3
Gatun Lake Exploration
Day 4
Daylight transit of the Panama Canal
Day 5
Sail to the Darien Jungle
Day 6
Pearl Islands
Day 7
Panama City
Day 1
Panama City
Day 2
Chagres River and Gatun Locks
Days 3
Gatun Lake Exploration
Day 4
Daylight transit of the Panama Canal
Day 5
Sail to the Darien Jungle
Journey to the Darien Jungle and spend a day with the community of Embera Indians who thrive here.
Day 6
Pearl Islands
Snorkel amongst the spectacular marine life of the Pearl Islands and kayak alongside unspoiled beaches.
Day 7
Panama City
Skyscrapers & Mountains
Spend time in Panama City, the cosmopolitan capital of great contrasts where sparkling skyscrapers hover over the archaeological remains of ancient Panama Viejo. Explore this fascinating city on foot, wandering the narrow streets of the old quarter in the company of a local guide or perhaps taking a trip out to Amador Quays. Then escape from the lowland heat of Panama City to the golden frogs and bright flowers of El Valle de Anton, the traditional highland town surrounded by virgin forests teeming with exotic birdlife. Simply driving into the valley, formed by the crater of an extinct volcano, is a breath-taking journey flanked by majestic mountains swathed in blues and greens. From an upmarket lodge, embark on expertly guided tours of the cloud forest and birding expeditions.
All Aboard the Discovery
In the company of on-board specialist guides, travel through a variety of landscapes that include the Pearl Islands and the Panama Canal on-board a nimble 24-passenger catamaran named Discovery, complete with an upper deck observation platform, delicious indigenous dining and a barbeque. During the six-night sailing, discover the plethora of wildlife, history and culture of this tiny but diverse isthmus and witness the extraordinary construction of the canal during a guaranteed daylight transit. The vessel also navigates the length of Chagres River from Gatun Lake, a unique experience that allows you to explore the wildlife of the area and better understand its role in the trade routes of the 16th century.
Darien Jungle & Embera Indians
Journeying by boat grants access to the revered Darien Jungle, a feat not easily organised when travelling overland, to visit the homeland of the local community of Embera Indians. Skilled weavers and carpenters, these are people that few intrepid travellers have had the privilege of meeting. Discover their proud traditions and lifestyle, still intact since long before the Spaniards colonised the region, and observe as they create cocobolo wood carvings and basketry. A colourful community with authentic artisan wares to sell, this is an enchanting place where chickens run wild and thatch-roofed homes rest on stilts.
Snorkel the Pearl Islands & Scout for Wildlife
This navigation passes by the Pearl Islands, the namesake archipelago of an earlier abundance of pearl oysters, where it is possible to swim and snorkel through rich fishing grounds or while away the hours on their pristine and unspoiled beaches. Later, while sailing through the Panama Canal, revel in the abundance of wildlife during small boat disembarkations that move through lush rainforests and secluded lakes. Scout for lurking crocodiles, chattering monkeys, slow-moving sloths and singing birds while moving through little-visited landscapes with camera in hand. By its very nature, cruising offers the best of both worlds – after adventurous excursions, return to the comfort of the vessel to take in the views with a cooling drink in hand.
Let’s chat
Why Choose Steppes?
Our knowledge and expertise set us apart. So too our curiosity. A curiosity of the world and of you, and your passions. It is this that drives us to create a journey that is really bespoke to you, all the while ensuring we travel and operate sustainably.
Are you ready to discover extraordinary once again?
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