Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.

Travel to the Melia Panama Canal Resort and cruise through the jungle covered islands in Gatun Lake. Later, witness the mighty Gatun Locks in action. Board your air-conditioned transportation for the approximately 20-minute drive to the Melia Resort. Located on the banks of the canal, the resort beautiful grounds and gardens. Large tracts of lowland tropical rainforests that nourish thriving plants and harbor enchanting animal populations surround the resort.

After a break to stretch your legs, board your tour boat for an one hour- and-30-minute eco-cruise on Gatun Lake. Gatun Lake is a large artificial lake situated in the Republic of Panama; it forms a major part of the Panama Canal, carrying ships during their transit across the Isthmus of Panama. The lake was created between 1907 and 1913 by the building of the Gatun Dam across the Chagres River. The hills bordering the valley of the Chagres open up widely around the area of the lake, but come together to form a gap at the location of the dam.

Glide past lush rainforest to a secluded region of the lake and witness first-hand the splendor and excitement of the jungle. Exotic birds, monkeys, sloths, iguanas, and crocodiles are just a few of the animals that you may see in their native surroundings. The sampling of wildlife you witness during your motorboat ride is part of a much larger population. The Panama Canal rainforests are some of the most accessible green zones in the world. With over 50,000 acres of pristine rainforest, this natural gem hosts an incredible 105 species of mammals, 525 species of birds and 124 species of reptiles and amphibians.

After exploring the lake, you will also have the experience of walking through the rainforest and visiting the ecological trail that surrounds the Lake and whole area. Your trained naturalist guides will ensure that you have an outstanding nature experience by not only pointing out the wildlife, but also educating you about the animals and their habitat. Afterwards you will re-board your air-conditioned transportation for a tour of the Gatun Locks. Spend approximately one hour observing the locks in operation. Your guide explains the engineering feat required to move ships over a continental divide that separates two oceans.

The Gatun Locks are the first set of locks situated on the Atlantic entrance of the Panama Canal. A series of three lock chambers raise ships to a height of 85 feet above sea level. Each lock is 100 feet wide and 1,000 feet long and takes up to 15 minutes to fill with water. Ships are raised a total of 85 feet above sea level into Gatun Lake and then lowered at the end of their transit into the other ocean. After seeing the locks up close, board your air-conditioned transportation for the drive back to your ship.