New Locks & Former Canal Zone
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Port
Gatun Lake, Panama
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Activity Level
Moderate
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$79.95
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 4¼ Hours
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Meals Included
Meals included
Today, you will visit the New Locks of the Panama Canal, which will directly impact the economies of scale associated with international maritime trade. The Observation Center is a park-style concept based on open platforms and roofed terraces built over an area of 10 acres. If you're lucky, you may see new neo-Panamax vessels crossing. Look out across majestic Gatún Lake, where ships continue their transit through the waterway.
A panoramic drive through the former Panama Canal Zone, with its American military installations, is a gentle reminder of the area's strategic importance.
You will visit Fort Sherman -- a former US Army base at the Caribbean (north) end of the Panama Canal. It was both a defensive base and the center of America's jungle warfare training. Access to Fort Sherman is via the new cable-stay Atlantic Bridge -- the longest in the country at 579 yards. A snack is included here, consisting of a cheese pastry and fruit juice.
Take advantage of a short photo stop at Gatún Dam. This crucial landmark of the Panama Canal generates electricity to operate the locks and other equipment.
You'll also stop at Parque del Cristo before heading into Colón itself.
Notes:
Wear comfortable walking shoes. This excursion departs from Gatún Lake and ends in Colón, where you will rejoin the ship. Tour departure times may vary due to local authority clearance and will be announced on board the ship. The Panama Canal Authority assigns specific time slots for the transit of each vessel transiting the locks; the arrival of the ship in Colón may be delayed. Be prepared for such a delay by bringing any needed medication or essential items on tour. Facilities are available at the terminal in Colón while you are waiting for the ship's arrival.