Related Sponsors

Panama Vacation - Day 1 Itinerary

Home » Panama » Panama Vacations: A One to 3 Day Itinerary » Panama Vacation - Day 1 Itinerary

Even the seasoned Kayaker will be pleasantly surprised to discover the beauty of Gatun Lake. This important waterway, in combination with the lust forest that surrounds it, makes this kayaking adventure exceptional. Your journey will begin by traveling to Gamboa in the Soberania National Park. You will board a fast boat and head north in the Panama Canal to Monkey Island near the middle of Gatun Lake. Along the way you will have an opportunity to see large ships as they pass through the isthmus. Wildlife is abundant and chances are great for catch a glimpse of monkeys, Snail Kites and Ospreys. The lake also has a few manatees and on occasion sightings of large crocodiles sunning themselves on banks adds to this extraordinary quest.

Gatun Lake forms a major component of the Panama Canal. The lake, including the flooded arm extending up the Chagres River makes up 20 miles of the raised part of the waterway. The lake is important as a reservoir of water for the operation of the canal locks. Each time a ship transits the canal, 53 million gallons of water is passed from the lake into the sea, with over 14,000 vessel transits per year. Since rainfall is seasonal in Panama the lake acts as a water store, allowing the canal to continue operation through the dry season.

Next Page: Panama Vacation - Day 2 Itinerary

Related Panama Vacations: A One to 3 Day Itinerary Articles