Pan Am's Golden Age: Panama Canal Vintage Rail Journey & Agua Clara Locks (Standard Car)
-
Port
Colon, Panama
-
Activity Level
Moderate
-
Excursion Type
All
-
Wheelchair Accessible
No
-
Starting At
$259
-
Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
-
Duration
Approximately 6 Hours
-
Meals Included
Meals not included
The Golden Age of travel revolved around Pan Am's Clippers — magnificent "flying boats" connecting adventurous people to exotic destinations, inevitably followed by luxury rail journeys inland. This dawn of access to World Wonders, quiet corners, and unexplored gems enabled the intrepid to discover the mind-boggling Panama Canal.
Today, you'll reach back in time and recapture this glamorous era, traveling the length of the Canal in the deluxe surroundings of a vintage 1938 executive rail carriage with air conditioning and restrooms.
Transfer to the railway station at Colón and board a restored standard executive passenger car featuring beautiful wood paneling, tables, carpeted floors, soft lamplight, wooden blinds, and large windows from which to appreciate the picturesque journey. Open-air viewing decks allow travelers to step outside and view the tropical rainforest.
The train leaves Colón station at the Atlantic end of the Panama Canal on an approximately one-hour train trip to its Pacific terminus. You will pass Gatún Lake and travel through the isthmus' dense rainforest. Your guide provides commentary on the railroad, Panamanian history, and the canal. Enjoy a light snack and beverage on board.
The rainforests along the Panama Canal are among the most accessible green zones in the world. Covering more than 50,000 acres, this natural gem is home to an incredible 105 mammal species, 525 bird species, and 124 reptile and amphibian species. The Panama Canal requires this vast watershed to feed water to its lock system, using millions of gallons each day.
Upon arrival in Panama City, leave the station and transfer to the Agua Clara Locks Observation Center for a close-up view of any passing ships and the functioning of the locks. From the moment the vessels enter the locks, it takes approximately ten minutes to complete the lock transit. Fascinatingly, the water enters and leaves the locks solely by gravity; there are no pumps to assist in this process.
Notes:
The train portion of this tour is identical to Panama Canal Railway & Agua Clara Locks (Dome Car), except that participants are seated in a standard rail car. You may or may not see ships transiting the locks. Wildlife sightings are likely but are not guaranteed.