tour gamboa panama

Recorriendo Panamá

Know the beauty of this country., gamboa aerial tram, relaxing tour in a tropical forest.

• by Recorriendo Panamá
• Posted on April 11, 2022 February 8, 2023

One of the tours that I wanted to do for a while was the Gamboa Aerial Tram, recently I had the opportunity to go, I tell you that I liked it more than I expected.

I make the reservation to 9:15 a.m. for the first trip, since the animals use to be seen early in the day and of course I wanted to see them.

We left early, and in less than an hour we had arrived. This time I took Jerry to help me with some photos.

Meeting Point

First of all, you have to go to the Tour Desk , in Gamboa Rainforest Reserve Hotel, but it is not in the hotel building, once you cross the Gamboa bridge, turn right and indicate to the person at the entrance that you are going to the Tour Desk and he will give you directions.

Then you have to report to the Tour Desk and from there a small bus/truck will take you to the beginning of the tour, it is a short trip.

Start of the Aerial Tram Tour

Once we arrived, you could see the cabins, I don’t know how it is on other occasions, but in our case, we got into the cabins by family or groups , there was no one else in ours. There are 18 cabins, so you won’t be left without one.

It was a super nice day, with a nice cool breeze.

They gave us an audio guide per person, that told us what we can see and some historical information about the Panama Canal and the Chagres River, I think the audio guide is more for foreigners.

During the trip we saw beautiful landscapes, and some birds.

We reach the end of the first part, at the highest point of the aerial tram, Pelado (Bare) Hill , which is not bare hahaha, then we continue along a trail.

It’s a short trail, maybe only a couple of minutes, where you walk near big trees, in a tropical forest.

Perfect for those who want to go hiking or see a forest up close without walking a lot.

Observation Tower

At the end of the path there is a tower , 9 levels (30m high), yes, it is quite high, you go up little by little by means of a ramp that is on the walls of the tower.

As you go up you can see the different levels of the trees and the Chagres River.

The top is covered and there are chairs, perfect for taking a break, just missing a hammock hahaha. We stayed for a long time, enjoying the relaxing breeze.

The top of the tower has a 360º view in which you can see the Panama Canal and of course some of the ships that are transiting, the Soberanía National Park , the Chagres River and an Emberá indigenous community , whose name I do not remember and when They told me I couldn’t pronounce it, hahaha.

It was time to go back, so we went down to continue the trail to the Aerial Tram.

Surprise Back on the Aerial Tram

On the way back, 2 toucans passed us very close, it was quite exciting, we continued, and later almost at the end of the section…

We saw a group of monkeys that were eating, Jerry had the long-distance lens, thinking that we would see them far away and quickly changed it.

The monkeys were practically a couple of meters from us, be careful, animals should not be touched, so don’t even try.

• Use sunscreen,
• Comfortable clothes,
• Raincoat in case of rain,
• Waterproof bag for your things, in case of rain,
• Complete change of clothes, in case it rains and gets wet,
• Do not leave garbage.
• Tuesday to Sunday
• The first group starts at 9:15 am and the last one is at 3:30 pm.
• The tour can take just over 1 hour, everything will depend on how long you spend in the tower.
• $44.94 per person.

Extra information

Each cabin has a maximum capacity of 6 people, important if you want to make a group and go together.

In case of going with a disabled person, check with the Tour Desk, from what I saw, the tour could be done, only that, if you go in a wheelchair, you would have to carry it folded (occupying the space of 2 people) and a person should lift him / her into the cabin (the space to enter is not very wide).

Contact to go to the Aerial Tram

For more information and reservations, you can contact Gamboa Rainforest Reserve , at 507 6676-5611 (WhatsApp-every day), 507 314-5028 (only Saturdays and Sundays) or by email at [email protected]

Other Activities at Gamboa Rainforest Reserve.

• Sloth Sanctuary
• El Dique Trail
• Butterfly farm
• Chunga Trail.

Where is the Gamboa Aerial Tram?

It is in Gamboa, Colón, specifically, within the Gamboa Rainforest Reserve Facilities.

How to get to the Aerial Tram?

It is quite easy to get there, go through Omar Torrijos Avenue , depending on where you travel, you can go through Clayton, Paraíso.

If you are traveling from Panamá Oeste, after the Centenario Bridge, you must take the road to Gamboa (first exit after the next bridge), or if you are traveling from Ricardo J. Alfaro , through Centenario Avenue, you must take the first exit before the Centenario Bridge.

Continue straight until you see the Gamboa or Summit sign, take the road to the left and continue, after passing through the Gamboa bridge (it is the only one), take the road to the right and a few meters away you will find the Gamboa Rainforest Reserve checkpoint.

At the Tour Desk there is an area to park.

Although Gamboa street says that they can drive 80km, I recommend going 60km or less.

That street is in Soberanía National Park and it is very easy to see sloths and ñeques crossing the street.

These animals are easy to see between the Centennial Bridge and Gamboa.

Other places you may like

• Knowing the Sloth Sanctuary
• Exciting Visit to Monkeys Island and Pipeline Trail in Gamboa
• Plantación Trail in Soberanía National Park
• Ancón Hill, Tropical Humid Forest and Viewpoint of Panama City
• My Hike Through Hanging Bridges

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The Best Gamboa Tours with 9 North Panama

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One of the best places to visit in Panama is the Gamboa rainforest along the Panama Canal. There are many Gamboa tours offered from Panama City, as well as through the Gamboa Rainforest Resort, but the best tour in Gamboa is one that gets you close to the amazing biodiversity that this area is known for.

During our visit to the Gamboa rainforest, we checked out several boat tour options. Hands down, 9 North Panama Safaris was the best. If you love animals, serene nature and photography, you have to take one of their boat safaris along the Panama Canal and Lake Gatun.

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Jump to a Heading Below

All About Panama Canal Tours

When booking a tour of the Panama Canal, you will find yourself at the Gatun Lake area one way or another, whether you arrive from Panama City or one of the hotels in the area. However, it must be noted that many of the tours in the Panama Canal actually mean that you cruise down the canal leading into and out of Gatun Lake focusing your visit on the flora and fauna of the area.

During our time in Panama we actually did two different Panama Canal tours – one through our hotel and one through 9 North Panama Safari with the latter being much more what we had hoped to experience. This tour ended up being one of our favorite things to do, maybe even beating the Panama Canal which we visited twice! A tour with 9 North Panama Safari should be on the top of any traveler’s list of things to do in the country.

What To Expect on Gamboa Tours with 9 North Panama

Even if you aren’t a photography buff, you can take this Gamboa rainforest tour out into the canal and Gatun Lake to be one with nature. It is an experience you won’t get with other tour operators as most operators zoom in and out again with very little time to actually spend on the waterways surrounding the canal. However, 9 North offers 3 and 4 hour tours that give guests a real opportunity to soak up the nature around them.

Note, tours with 9 North Panama are all private tours, so you will not be competing for space with other tourists. That said, tours do book up quickly, so if you want to do this, make sure to make arrangements as early as you can.

Here is a quick view of what our day looked like with 9 North Panama Safaris.

Our Day Out in the Gamboa Rainforest

Morning on the River Charges and the Panama Canal is beautiful. It is so calm and serene watching the massive ships cruise past. It was the perfect opportunity to get an up close view of the hulking machines that ply this river daily. My Panama Canal obsessed son was in heaven being so close to massive tankers he had been watching go through the locks the day before.

As we set off on our adventure, we are introduced to our boat captain Johnny. He is from the area and knows these waters well. Before we leave the dock he has already spotted an iguana high up in the treetops. It’s fascinating to me how some guides can see these animals who blend into the surroundings so well. Johnny was one of the best we had experienced in our time in Panama.

The animal sightings continued as Johnny quickly slowed the boat and turned us around as we sped along the canal. He spotted a caiman in the shores of the canal, more iguana and snail kites. It was mesmerizing to see the caiman on the shores one minute and then disappear as the swells of a slow moving tanker covered his spot. When the water disappeared, he was gone.

Continuing on our journey, we delved deeper into Gatun Lake exploring the many islands that call this area home. Our first stop is to “Monkey Island” filled with tamarind monkeys and one juvenile capuchin that was dropped here by someone. S/he seems to be happy enough looking for food and spying out the boats that come to visit. This little monkey has the cutest face and is always up to something moving all around.

We stayed here for some time, watching the monkeys, while also keeping our eyes on a snail kite hovering above. We had hoped to see him grab his prey in front of us, but we didn’t have that luck today.

Moving on, we looked for and found a baby crocodile along the water’s edge. Again, how the boat captain can see these tiny camouflaged creatures is beyond me. It really is impressive!

The beauty of this tour is that it is a private tour which allows you to make this nature journey what you wish it to be. If you want to focus on birds, that’s what you will do. If you want to focus on seeing as many of the jungle animals as possible, that’s what you can do. We opted for a mix of whatever was out there. At the end, we saw so much more than even imaginable. It was breathtaking.

Being on the water, listening to the jungle come alive with the roars of the howler monkeys while pretending to be wildlife photographers was a day we will never forget.

Three hours came and went so quickly. Both myself and my 8 year old son were so sad to see the end to our Gamboa tours. However, we could not have asked for a more perfect last day in the country.

Where to Stay, Cost & More

During our visit, we stayed at the Gamboa Rainforest Resort which made the tour very convenient. It is also a great spot to relax and rejuvenate before heading back to the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

The prices for the 9 North Panama Gamboa tours are quite reasonable considering what you get. For a 3 hour tour, with drinks and snacks, expert guidance on using the cameras and a nature guide who has an amazing ability to spot wildlife cost from $95 per person depending on the tour you choose. They do have a 2 hour non-photography tour that is $55 per person which is quite a better deal than the group tours offered through the hotel which also charge that for what really amounts to less than 1 hour in nature.

On the morning tour we took, 9 North Panama Safaris provided a thermos of water, hot tea and/or coffee and light snacks for each tour. If you wish to bring other snacks, feel free however we found this was more than enough. We were also too busy shooting photos to take much time to notice our growling tummies!

Once you are finished with your tour, you will be given a SD card with all of your photos. This was the best gift we could have left the country with. Additionally, 9 North Panama sends across a short video showcasing your day out (see the video above). This was a really great surprise and a great memory to take home with us.

Lastly, one of the best things about doing a Gamboa tour with 9 North Panama is spending time with the owner and his partner. They are an absolute joy to chat to and provide great instruction on the cameras as well as information about the local flora and fauna in the Gamboa rainforest region.

This is not a sponsored post. We just LOVED the tour so much we wanted to share it all with you. Have you ever done a photography tour? I highly recommend doing one as it was the highlight of our trip to Panama.

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• Central America
• The Ultimate Guide To Gamboa...

The Ultimate Guide to Gamboa Rainforest

Gamboa Rainforest is the perfect jungle getaway from Panama City. A short 30-minute drive from the center of the capital, the park offers a complete experience that includes visiting an indigenous tribe, going on a night safari, spotting wildlife on the riverbanks and enjoying the comfort of a great resort. Make the most of your visit with our ultimate guide to Gamboa Rainforest .

Chagres river boat tour.

The Chagres River Boat Tour is the quickest and easiest way to get to know Gamboa and the natural wonders that the park has to offer. Sailing through the canal and along the riverbanks of the Chagres River you will get a feeling for Panama’s exotic vegetation and its diverse wildlife .

Freshwater fishing

Kayak on the Chagres River

Kayaking on the Chagres River is a millennial activity that traces back to pre-Colombine times. First with canoes and later with small boats, the river and the canal have always been explored and inhabited. Take a kayak tour on the Chagres River or on the Panama Canal to enjoy the closest possible contact with nature.

Guided birdwatching tour

Panama is one of the hottest locations for birdwatching in the world. With over 1,000 species inhabiting its territory, the country is home to 10% of all existing bird species. Some of the best birdwatching can either be done when taking one of the boat tours, as well as on the Gamboa Resort grounds and along the Pipeline Road.

Aerial Tram

The Aerial Tram is a 600 meter-long tram that rises above the rainforest offering a unique perspective over Gamboa’s fauna and wildlife. During the tour, visitors are likely to spot a multitude of animals including sloths and a wide array of exotic bird species. At the end of the tram is a watchtower overlooking the Soberanía National Park and the intersection of the Chagres River with the Panama Canal.

Visit the nature labs

Gamboa is home to some natural labs including a butterfly farm, an orchids center and a frog pond. The tour of the labs is ideal if you’re a biology enthusiast keen to get to know the lifecycle of some of the most exciting flora and fauna of Panama.

Boat ride on the Gatun Lake

The Gatun Lake is the second-largest artificial lake in the world. A boat tour along the Chagres River and among the little islands will give an insight into the fascinating ecology and history of the place. With a little luck you will also be able to spot several species of monkeys and birds, as well as crocodiles along the riverbanks.

Visit an Embera Tribe

The Emberá and Wunaan are indigenous groups native to Panama that live along the banks of the Chagres River. Get to know their culture, lifestyle and traditions by taking a tour to one of their villages. You can also choose to stay overnight for the ultimate experience.

Night Safari

If you are an adventurous traveler, try the Night Safari offered by the Gamboa Rainforest Resort. Armed with torches and flashlights, the expedition leaves the river shores by boat and explores the surrounding region under moonlight. If you’re lucky, you may spot the eyes of a crocodile shining in the distance.

Sunday brunch with mimosas

Finally, treat yourself to a sumptuous Sunday brunch at Gamboa Rainforest Resort . The brunch features both breakfast dishes as well as sushi, pasta and salads, plus lots of champagne and mimosas to end the Gamboa adventure in style.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

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Culture trip spring sale, save up to $1,100 on our unique small-group trips limited spots..

• Post ID: 1580038
• Sponsored? No
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Panama 011 (507) 6679-3444 |   [email protected]

Gamboa Tree Trek Zip Line

Tropical rain forest • 1.2 kms of cables • chagres river views • adrenaline rush.

• 10 cables and 13 platforms
• Humid Tropical Rain Forest
• All-inclusive package
• Adrenaline Rush
• Age: 9 and up
• Gateway: Panama City, Panama

3 Km’s along the tree tops! -  See the forest from the eye-view of the monkey, and the Harpy Eagle !- 100% safe!

In Gamboa, Panama you can safely experience the thrill of a zip-line canopy tour. Gamboa Tree Trek: 1.4 kilometers of extension divided into 10 cables and 13 platforms. You will glide through the trees and encounter a world unknown… a fascinating perspective of life that you’d never believed existed.

Glide over the treetops of the tropical forest and admire the most incredible collection of natural landscapes bordering the Panama Canal and the Soberanía National Park. Enjoy a different view of the Panama Canal and the Chagres River.

Tarzan, 21st century ! Who would have thought that a technology utilized hundreds of years ago by our indigenous people and later perfected by botanists and naturalists to observe and study the behaviors of wild creatures in their natural habitat, would be transformed into one of the most revered extreme sports.

A harness, an ultra-resistant steel cable and gravity are the only elements necessary to suspend and propel the "fearless rider" in this incredible "adrenaline rush".

Security Measures: The equipment and the steel cables that you will use, have the capacity to resist many times the weight of a human, no matter what..

The harness will support 2,000 pounds (907 Kg) and the cable will support 10,000 pounds (4536 Kg).

For safety, we recommend maximun weight of:

250 pounds for gentlemen = 113.4 Kg. 170 pounds for Ladies = 77.2 Kg.

There are 3 daily departures:

It takes about one hour drive from Panama City to Gamboa Tree Trek, the tour and gear briefing, gear assignmet, and activity last about 2.5 hours and them another hour driving  back to the city. 

Guides will escort the group in each set of cables.

FREQUENT ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT DOES IT INCLUDE ? Transportation, guides, zip lines and  gear, 

WHO CAN GO ? Any person from 6 to seventy years old, in good health and phisical condition, weighting less than 200 pounds. Minors must travel with a responsible adult.

WHAT SHOULD YOU TAKE ALONG ? ID, hat, outdoors clothing, light boots or sneakers with good sole, complete change of clothes (in case of rain), sun protection, insect repellent, water bottle(to be used while on the road), and pocket money(pictures will be taken at an additional cost and offered after the activity).

WHAT SHOULD NOT BE BROUGHT ? Sandals with out straps, and jewerly.

USD $ 120.00 per person Group leader will go free for a group of more than ten persons.

Destinations

• Panama Canal
• Guna Yala - San Blas Archipelago
• Pearl Islands Archipelago
• Mamey Island

Deals & Offers

• Group Discount
• Panama whale watching
• Panama Canal Partial Transit
• Central American Tours
• Overseas Adventure Travel
• Overseas Family Vacation

Welcome to Tree Trek Gamboa

Tree Trek Gamboa is the new tourist option near Panama City. Dedicated to all nature and adventure lovers of all ages. We are located in Gamboa, Province of Colon. Located in the old Panama Canal Zone, it rests on the corner where the Gatun Lake meets the Chagres River.

The Tree Trek is a thrilling adventure that allows visitors to soar at treetop level through a series of cables, enjoying the wonders of nature from an incredible (and completely safe) vantage point. Come and visit us so you can feel first hand all the adrenaline that awaits you!

Because we believe in the conservation of nature and this premise being the heart of our offer, while you enjoy the best fun alone or sharing with friends, family and colleagues you will be contributing with our awareness program about the importance of the conservation of our forests.

Experience the fun, adrenaline and adventure all in this exciting trip. We are sure you will not be disappointed!

Glide through the treetops of the rainforest and admire the most incredible collection of natural landscapes bordering the Panama Canal and Soberania National Park.

Zip line Tour

Enjoy a different view of the Panama Canal and the Chagres River over 1.4 kilometers of extension divided into 10 cables and 13 platforms. As you glide through the trees you will be confronted with an unknown world… and a fascinating perspective of life that you never thought would exist for you.

1.4 km circuit – 10 lines and 13 platforms

The trees that support the cable system were selected among the tallest, strongest and most resistant, which allows it to be between 2 and 35 meters above the ground in an adventure designed for adults and children.

Send us a message and a member of our staff will be in touch with you.

• Español ( Spanish )

Unmute for the full sensory experience

Visit the Sloth Sanctuary in Gamboa

Get up close and personal with one of Panama's cutest and most famous animals at Panama’s first sloth sanctuary. Located in Gamboa near Panama City, in this hour-long experience, you will learn about the herculean conservation efforts run by the Panamerican Conservation Association. This experience gives you access to the rescue center where sloths are rehabilitated and prepared to get back to their natural habitat.

This Activity is...

Adventurous, educational.

More Stops Along Panama’s Green Heritage Experience

If you’re looking for more activities that celebrate Panama’s unique biodiversity, the Green Heritage Experience is where you’ll find them.

Explore Neverending Waterfalls at Santa Fe National Park

Wander on the Los Quetzales Trail

River Rafting in Mamoni Valley Preserve

Hike in the Anton Valley

Hike to the Top of Baru Volcano in the Chiriqui Highlands

Take in the Best City and Canal Views From Cerro Ancon

Visit Panama’s Geisha Coffee Farms

Hike From Ocean to Ocean via the Camino Real Trek

Panama Canal Boat Eco Tour

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Un contraste con las maravillas de la naturaleza.

Gamboa Rainforest Combo Pack

Precio desde: $129 adultos / $84 niños, duración: 4 horas.

Medio Día de Ciudad y Canal

Precio desde: $150 adultos / $73 niños, duración: 4-5 horas.

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Precio: $59 / $46, duración: 2 horas.

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Precio: $41 / $31, duración: 1 hora, nuevas giras.

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Precio: $79/ $61, duración: 1.5 horas.

Bar Hopping

Precio: $140, duración: 6 horas, giras amazing.

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Precio: $167 / $150, duración: 5 horas.

Valle de Antón

Precio desde: $230  / $113, duración: 8 horas.

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Precio: $286, duración: 3 horas.

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Precio desde: $210 adultos / $130 niños.

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Precio: $847, duración: 30 minutos.

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Precio: $1,575.

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Precio: $281.