Begin with pickup at your hotel in select areas of Panama City, then make the 2-hour trip into the mountains in an air-conditioned minivan or minibus. Enjoy views of the countryside as you leave the city, winding up into the high altitude jungle.
Make the first stop of the day at El Nispero Zoo and Botanical Garden (entrance fees not included), where you can spot native plants and wildlife, including the rare golden frog from the forests surrounding El Valle. After time to purchase lunch in the village, see the mountains up close on a hike to a set of mysterious petroglyphs and a waterfall that’s perfect for swimming.
You’ll also have the option to choose a more challenging hike to the top of the Sleeping Indian, a distinctive feature on the rim of the volcano. When you’re back at the trailhead, soak your hiking muscles at the town’s natural thermal pools (own expense), and if desired, visit the local handicraft market for indigenous crafts from around the country. At the end of the afternoon, meet the vehicle for the return trip to your Panama City hotel, where this tour concludes.
