Sunday, November 16, 2008
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Introduction to NJALDP
Thanks for considering Panama Private Tours as your tour operator in Panama. First, we would like to confirm our interest on providing a service to your department. Following you will find our proposal details for the NJALDP.
Each link will lead you to a specific area and day. If you feel we must make changes or have any questions do not hesitate to contact us.
Day 1: (Arrival and Panama City)
Day 2: Panama City and Tocumen
900:CEIAT or Centro de Enseñanza e Investigacion Agriocola de Tocumen (Center of Study and Investigaction of Agricultural Science of Tocumen) is a division of the world recognized Panama National Univeristy. Its main objectives are oriented to develop technology in benefit to national producers, as well as formulate action plans and technology transfer to other Faculty sites in the region and Panama. the creation of this center is to develop alternative and answer to the necessities of the agricultural sector at regional level and increment the research on the agro field. The development of seeds resistant to plagues and other diseases are also among the main goals of this center. The tour will be led Dean Fabio Garibaldo and Dr. Cesar Sandoval whom is the serving the US Embassy as a link between Panamanian producers and US Importers, he is also the director of the Program US AID in Panama.
1200: Lunch at El Trapiche, one of Panama's best traditional food restaurant.
1300: The group will head out to the Panama Canal Visitor's center where you will have the experience to see the Locks in operation as there is a transit every day at 1400 hours. The group will receive a full explanation and details of the construction and operations of the Panama Canal.

1730: Or departure will lead to the Cause Way, a famous interconnection of Islands overlooking Panama City. We will stop by My Ranchito, a regional classic restaurant with ocean views to the Panama Canal.
2000: Back to Hotel Plaza Paitilla.
Day 3: (Chorrera and Farallon)
930:Verba Odrec S.A is family owned an agricultural business that was formed with the idea to position the name of Panama as the country with the best pineapples around the world. Their mission is dedicated to the farming and exportation of sweet golden pineapple with the highest sanitary standards to satisfy our worldwide buyers and consumers. As a company Verba Odrec S.A has over the years played a strong role in many agricultural projects to enhance the natural balance of the “Llanito Verde” community located in La Chorrera which borders the Panama Canal . Verba Odrec S.A posses the ideal growing conditions: gentle trade winds and an abundance of sunshine all which contribute to the delicious taste of our product. Their vision is to focus on year round production to the U.S and European markets providing a quality product and guarantee satisfaction of the best pineapples in the world. This farm has won several times the prestigious "Producer of the Year"

1500: Arrive Farallon Aquaculture Labs tour led by Dr. Dario Lopez Lead Biologist
WHAT SHOULD YOU TAKE ALONG FOR THIS DAY ? A pair of short, sneakers or light boots with good soles, a cap, sun-block, camera, a light jacket or windbreaker (in case the weather turns chilly).
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Day 4 (Cocle)
900: The Hermann Gnaegi tour begins visiting a processing that dedicates to exporting products like melons, watermelons, squash that are constantly exported to its main markets, Europe and United States.
1200: Provided Lunch at Herman Gnaegi's.
1400: We will also visit the biggest Grass Plantation in Panama; Utilized in the best gardens developed by touristic projects and urban developments in Panama.
1530:We will make a stop in one of the oldest projects built in the 50´s related to rice production which today sets the example to newer companies and their rice quality. This pushes them to be more competitive in the international market with the implementation of free marketing treaty. Continuing our journey with the visit of the biggest production and exporting plant of cashew nut, better know in Panama as "Pepita de marañon" or like the farmers "Ñongas" and in a international level "Cashew nuts", where you will learn and experience the whole process from production to taste and even better, the unique Jam that is made in the little and home made style factory called PANAFRUIT. Furthermore, we will visit the country style house with a “Swiss style” of the Gnaegi family, located at the entrance of the community of Nata, specificly in Cerro San Cristobal, where you will see and enjoy the views and property surrounded by chikens, turkeys, duck, goose, different species of chiken, Iguanas and fish. We will also take you to learn about the first milk factory build in the area; where Gnaegi´s father, SR. Hermann Gnaegi started the business after arriving Panama from Switzerland. He made the first evaporate milk Nestle "Ideal" Thats why he receive the honor to be "the ideal immigrant" by the Nata de los caballeros community and gave his name to the main highway crossing Nata known as "Paseo Hermann Gnaegi Moeri". The tour proceeds to the biggest sugar cane plantation which can be found in Cocle. There are more than 10.000 hectares (aprox 100,000 acres) that we will visit in this part of the trip. You will experience the sugar cane process all the way to the production of the sugars. The Province of Cocle is known for being the most productive in a national level; we will see the tanks with the shrimp that are exported to the European and American markets, after this you will have the opportunity to taste the delicious Shrimp and fish directly from the farm. To finalize, we will visit the saline; this place is where you extract the salt from the Pacific Ocean for the human and animal use.
Duration: full day tip.
WHAT SHOULD YOU TAKE ALONG FOR THIS DAY ? A pair of short, sneakers or light boots with good soles, a cap, sun-block, camera, a light jacket or windbreaker (in case the weather turns chilly).
Monday, July 14, 2008
Day 5 : (Santiago and Cocle)
900: Meeting with Mr. Carlos Chong, a teak specialist with over 20 years of experience in the region and owner of a successful teak plantation of 240 hectares of 15 year old teak trees.
1200: Provided lunch at a local restaurant.
1330: We will head down south to the Cocle province of Panama at about 40 min from the Hotel. The topic of the day will be the organic fruit cultivation and forestry management techniques provided by Mr. Jose Ortega, owner of finca ATINA. This tour will take a full day and lunch will be provided at the farm.
1700:After the tour is finished, the group will head back to the Hotel at Santiago for some rest until the following day.
WHAT SHOULD YOU TAKE ALONG FOR THIS DAY ? A pair of short, sneakers or light boots with good soles, a cap, sun-block, camera, a light jacket or windbreaker (in case the weather turns chilly).
Day 5 and 6 (Boquete, Chiriqui)
Boquete is a relatively small town with shops, restaurants, park and considered a small Switzerland by many people. The center of Boquete offers points of interest at walking distance, we will provide a general overviewing tour of the area for the first day as we will arrive in the afternoon. The group will be free to enjoy Boquete that evening.
Palo Alto Coffee has produced several award winning coffee brands including the prestigious Best Choice award in 2006. Today Panamanian coffee has set records in international markets in regards to highest quoted value price and quality
1200 Lunch at a Local Restaurant in town.
1300 Tour to a local potato and onion producer.
1430 Tour to the Hot Springs
1700 Back to Hotel Founders
WHAT SHOULD YOU TAKE ALONG FOR THIS DAY ? A pair of swimming short or bathing suit, sneakers or light boots with good soles, a cap, sun-block, camera, a light jacket or windbreaker (in case the weather turns chilly), towel and long pants.
Day 7 and 8 (Volcan, Chiriqui)
After breakfast, the group will start the following itinerary;
900: Lamusa Trout Farm (Largest Trout Exporter in Panama).

1400: Finca Dracula: The largest orquid farm in the region. It has 2200 different species of orquids including the largest Dracula Orquid collection with 225 different species and all for export. It has won international awards in different orquid expos around the world. The backbone of this farm is lab on which they have produced over 500 genetically modified plants
1600: Back to Hotel Bambito in order to relax.
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Day 8: The group will start the day at the Hotel Bambito once more.
After breakfast, the group will start the following itinerary;
900: Visit the archaeological barriles, place were you will learn about the culture of the first residents of this region.
1030: Coffee tour on horses through the coffee plantation. The group will be able to try the product that morning.
1200: Back to Hotel for lunch and rest.
1400: Tour to Cerro Punta Straberry farms and vegetable farms.
1700: Back to Hotel for Dinner and rest.
Day 9 and 10 (Return to Panama and Intl Airport Departure)
Day 10: Tour members will be privately picked up the Paitilla Hotel at the specified time with the group in order to fly out of Panama. Breakfast is included.
Concusion and Pricing
Greenhouse, horticulture and hydroponics: Finca Dracula
Vegetable: Finca Cocle
Nursery: Finca Dracula and Ganadera CRF
Livestock Caddle: Ganadera CRF
Equine Breeding, Training: Bambito Hotel Programs
Aquaculture: Farallon Laboratories
Organic: I.N.A Divisa
Commercial Fisheries: Trout Farms at Bambito
Fruit: Finca Cocle and VerbaOdret Farm
Value Added Agricultural products: Finca Cocle
Innovative Marketing: Finca Cocle
Strongs Preferred
Main Agricultural crop or unique crop of Panama: Finca Cocle, Farallon Aquaculture, and Finca Dracula
Hay and grain: Finca Cocle
Forestry Management: Carlos Chong Forest Farm}
Local Agricultural markets: Finca Cocle, David City
Agricultural Extension and education: CEIAT
We have managed to coordinate an organized your tentative tours with every single Farm on the schedule and also we contacted the coordinator of the US AID program of the United States Embassy
CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE AND HIGHLIGHTS
Pricing
$1,550 per person. (based on 22 tour members)
- Hotel accommodatinons:
Panama City (Plaza Paitilla Inn)
Santiago (La hacienda Hotel).
Boquete (Fundadores Hotel)
Volcan (Bambito Hotel)
Note: rooms are based on 10 double and 2 single rooms.
- Meals
We are including all breakfasts and lunches, no dinners are included.
- Transportation
PPT will provide a 29 passenger private bus in exellent conditions along with soft drinks at all times inside the vehicle.

- Full Time Tour Guide
PPT will provide 2 experienced bilingual guides that will lead the 10 days of tour.
- Tours to the proposed areas
We are opened to suggestions and changes. Thanks in advanced and looking forward to touring with you and your group!
Best,
Fidel Ponce
Panama Private Tours
info@PanamaPrivateTours.com
(507) 6617 6974
(507) 263 6873










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