A unique experience is to transit the Panama Canal and pass through the locks on board of an excursion ship. In three chambers of the Miraflores and Pedro Miguel Locks you will be elevated from the Pacific to the level of the Canal, 26 m above sea level. Here begins the Corte Culebra. Digging this 14 km long ditch through the Continental Divide was the biggest effort of the Canal construction. In Gamboa you enter Gatun Lake of the Canal, created by damming the lower Chagres River in order to make it navigable for the ships and to have a water reservoir for the chambers of the locks. The almost half passage finishes in Gamboa or will be done the other way round.
Partial Tranist includes:
– Guide on ship narrating in English and Spanish
– Drinks (bottled water, sodas) on ship
– Lunch (breakfast on early departures:Thursdays and Saturdays)
– One way by bus
PCC115 Panama Canal by ship: Pacific – Locks – Culebra Cut – begin of Gatun Lake
ALL YEAR ROUND:
Saturdays from the Pacific to begin of Gatun Lake (usual check-in time 6:00-7:00 am)
Sundays from begin of Gatun Lake to the Pacific (usual check-in time 9:00-10:00 am)
It is an about 5-6 hour tour.
More details we send you with the booking.
PCC115 Panama Canal by ship: Pacific – Locks – Culebra Cut – begin of Gatun Lake
PEAK SEASON: 25th December 2025 – 27th March 2026 extra days
Thursdays from the Pacific to begin of Gatun Lake (usual check-in time 6:00-7:00 am)
Fridays begin of Gatun Lake to the Pacific (usual check-in time 9:00-10:00 am)
It is an about 5-6 hour tour.
The full Canal passage continues on Gatun Lake passing rainforest islands and peninsulas at a distance. The lake becomes wider and in the late afternoon the ship navigates through the three steps of the chambers of the Gatun Locks, getting back down to ocean level on the Atlantic side. The ship continues towards the Caribbean port Shelter Bay Marina, where buses bring you back to Panama City.
Full Transit includes:
– Guide on ship narrating in English and Spanish
– Drinks (bottled water, sodas) on ship
– Breakfast and lunch
– Afternoon snacks
– Return by bus
PCC116 Panama Canal by ship: Pacific – Locks – Culebra Cut – Gatun Lake – Gatun Locks – Atlantic
Once a month every third Saturday: Full Panama Canal Transit Ocean to Ocean
It is an about 12 hour tour. Usual check-in time 6:00-7:00 am
see also other Panama Canal experiences at
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