agricultural projects

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Introduction to NJALDP

2008-07-16T14:27:00.000-07:00

Dear Dr. Nikola,

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)

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Day 1: The group will be privately pickup at the International Airport by or team of professionals and transported to the 4 star Plaza Paitilla Hotel. Since we have not touched base on the arrival time, we are assuming a transfer to the Hotel and a general tour to overview the city .

PPT team

Hotel Plaza Paitilla

Note: The Plaza Patilla is facing the ocean in a safe location

Day 2: Panama City and Tocumen

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Day 2: After starting the day at Panama City's Plaza Paitilla and finishing the provided breakfast the group will head to Tocumen at 40 min from Panama City. In Tocumen we will meet the CEIAT.

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.

1530: The group will head out to the Soberania National Park to meet with the Embera Puru Indian tribe. A short bus ride will take us thru Panama´s Tropical Rain Forest of the Chagres National Park to aboard a private boat. From there the boat will navigate up the Chagres River where we will meet the friendly people of the Embera-Dura indian community and learn about their traditions and culture. We will be able to experience natural sites, strong ethnic content, Embera´s tattoos and even lunch in their typical huts!. The Embera-Dura indians have a great variety of incredible hand craft that can also be purchased from them; defenitely an unforgettable experience!

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.

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 3: (Chorrera and Farallon)

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Day 3: After waking up at Panama City's Plaza Paitilla Hotel and finishing the provided breakfast, the group will head out to Chorrera at 30 min from Panama City in order to learn about the pineapple plantations that Verba Ordec S.A. offers.

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"

1200: Provided lunch at a Local Restaurant

1300: Depart to Farallon Acuaculture Labs

1500: Arrive Farallon Aquaculture Labs tour led by Dr. Dario Lopez Lead Biologist

Farallon Aquaculture is a company with 15 year operation, leading shrimp production in the region. Has a large infrastructure and laboratories in 5 countries. It is the largest larva producing company in the world. Using science and technology Farallon Aquaculture has genetically modify its production to be resistant to diseases such as white spots syndrome as well as an increase in size according to customer specification.

1700 Finish Tour, Dinner at Restaurante RANCHO RIO

1800 Depart to Santiago de Veraguas

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 4 (Cocle)

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Day 4: After starting the day at the Hotel Gran David at Santiago, we will proceed to visit the Herman Gnagi farm.

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).

Day 5 : (Santiago and Cocle)

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Day 5: After waking up at Santiago de Veraguas and finishing the provided breakfast, the group will proceed to;

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)

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Day 5: After learing about the organic fruit production and forestry management systems at Cocle, the group will head out to Boquete at aproximately 3.5 hours of drive from Divisa and over 3000 feet above sea level. Boquete has a very fresh weather and enviroment. Once we arrive, the group will check in and accommodate at Hotel Fundadores.

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.

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Day 6: After waking up at the Hotel Fundadores and finishing the provided breakfast, the group will experience the following itinerary;

0800 Start the Boquete Coffee Farm Tour.

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)

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Day 7 The group will start the day at the Hotel Bambito.

After breakfast, the group will start the following itinerary;

900: Lamusa Trout Farm (Largest Trout Exporter in Panama).

1000: Livestock Cattle Farm Tour at CFR farm: they produce animals of the highest genetic quality with characteristics such as easy birth delivery, fertility and abundant milk production so that the national and international producers may obtain calves with greater weight upon weaning and high growth during their development. The group will witness a live artificial insemination at their laboratories.

1200: Back to Hotel Bambito in order to have lunch and some rest.

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)

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Day 9: Tour members will start the day at the Founders Hotel and will have the included breakfast. After finishing breakfast, the group will get ready to depart to Panama City at 10 am. The drive is approx 6 hours to the Panama City Hotel. There will be flexibility to make stops on the way. At 12 md we will stop to have lunch at a traditional restaurant which will be included.

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

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We at Panama Private Tours feel confident to have fulfilled your trip requirements in the following way:

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

Rough Map of the Tour

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE AND HIGHLIGHTS

Pricing

$1,550 per person. (based on 22 tour members)

What includes;

- 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 Driver

- 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