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This tour requires minimum 2 Guests to operate. Solo travelers please inquire before booking.
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Monkey Island and Aerial Tram Tour from Panama City
Our Monkey Island and aerial tram tour combines a guided boat trip on Gatun Lake with a ride above Gamboa’s rainforest canopy. Watch for wild monkeys along the forested islands, enjoy panoramic views from the observation tower and travel comfortably with Panama City hotel pickup included.
We arrange your transport, bilingual guide, boat excursion and tram admission for a morning exploring Panama’s rainforest from the water and the treetops.
Table of Contents
Monkey Island and Aerial Tram Tour at a Glance
Adult price: $143 per person.
Child price: $133 per child, up to age 10.
Experience: Monkey Island boat excursion, Gamboa aerial tram and observation tower visit.
Booking: Available for two or more guests. Solo travelers can contact us about joining an available departure.
Operating days: Tuesday through Sunday, subject to availability. Closed on Mondays.
Pickup: Around 6:30 AM from eligible central Panama City accommodations.
Duration: Approximately five hours from pickup until departure from Gamboa, plus the return drive to Panama City.
Aerial tram and tower: Approximately 75 minutes, including walking and stairs at the observation tower.
Guides: English and Spanish.
Return departure from Gamboa: Around 11:30 AM.
Lunch: Not included.
Monkey Island and Aerial Tram Tour Overview
Leave Panama City behind and join us for a morning in the rainforest around Gamboa. Your guide meets you at your central Panama City accommodation before the drive to Gatun Lake, part of the Panama Canal watershed.
Begin with a boat excursion through the Monkey Island area, where forested shorelines provide habitat for capuchins and other wildlife. Your guide and boat captain help you look for animals while sharing information about the lake and surrounding forest.
Back on land, ride the Gamboa aerial tram through the canopy and continue to the observation tower. From above the trees, take in views across the Chagres River, Panama Canal, Gamboa and surrounding rainforest.
This package includes the boat excursion, aerial tram and observation tower. Sloth Sanctuary exhibits and buffet lunch are available on other Gamboa tour combinations.
Your Monkey Island and Aerial Tram Itinerary
- About 6:30 AM: Meet your guide at your central Panama City lodging. Your pickup time is confirmed with your reservation.
- Morning boat excursion: Travel to Gamboa and board a guided boat to explore the Monkey Island area of Gatun Lake.
- Rainforest canopy experience: Continue to Gamboa Rainforest Reserve for the aerial tram and observation tower.
- About 11:30 AM: Begin the return drive to Panama City.
Allow approximately five hours from pickup until departure from Gamboa, plus the return drive to Panama City. Traffic, weather and resort operations may affect the timing and order of activities.
Monkey Island Boat Tour
Explore Gatun Lake by boat, passing tropical vegetation and forested islands along the way. Look for white-faced capuchins and other animals among the trees, and listen as your guide explains the wildlife and landscape of this part of the Panama Canal watershed.
Keep your camera ready for wildlife and rainforest scenery. The animals live freely, so sightings and proximity vary from day to day.
Look for wild capuchins during the boat excursion on our Monkey Island and aerial tram tour.
Gamboa Aerial Tram & Observation Tower
Trade the lake for the treetops as you board the Gamboa aerial tram. The open gondola moves through the rainforest canopy, offering views of tropical vegetation and opportunities to look for birds among the branches.
At the upper station, follow the short path to the observation tower. Climb above the canopy for panoramic views of the Chagres River, Panama Canal and rainforest surrounding Gamboa.
The tram and tower activity takes approximately 75 minutes. The resort rates it easy to moderate; reaching the tower involves walking and climbing stairs.
See the rainforest from the treetops aboard the Gamboa aerial tram.
Enjoy panoramic views of the Panama Canal and surrounding rainforest from the observation tower.
What’s Included
- Pickup and drop-off at eligible central Panama City lodging.
- Air-conditioned ground transportation.
- Bilingual English and Spanish guide.
- Guided boat excursion in the Monkey Island area of Gatun Lake.
- Gamboa aerial tram admission.
- Observation tower visit.
- Bottled water.
What’s Not Included
- Lunch and other food.
- Sloth Sanctuary and other wildlife exhibit admission.
- Optional tips and personal purchases.
- Additional pickup charges outside the central Panama City service area, where applicable.
What to Bring
Wear comfortable walking shoes and lightweight clothing. Bring sun protection, insect repellent, a camera and a light rain layer. A reusable water bottle and a little cash for optional purchases or tips are useful. Bring a snack if you would like something to eat during the morning.
Before You Book
Monday closure: The Gamboa aerial tram is closed on Mondays for maintenance. Choose an available Tuesday through Sunday departure in our booking calendar.
Pickup locations: Included pickup covers eligible central Panama City lodging. Additional charges may apply for Costa del Este, Playa Bonita, Tocumen Airport or Amador Cruise Port. Select the relevant pickup option at checkout, and we will confirm your arrangements after booking.
Walking and stairs: The boat and tram are seated experiences, while the observation tower visit involves a short walk and stairs. Contact us before booking if you would like to discuss mobility requirements.
Learn more about the canopy ride and observation tower through the official Gamboa Rainforest Reserve aerial tram information.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Monkey Island and aerial tram tour include?
The package includes a guided boat excursion in the Monkey Island area of Gatun Lake, the Gamboa aerial tram, an observation tower visit, eligible Panama City hotel pickup and drop-off, a bilingual guide and bottled water.
Will we see monkeys?
We explore habitat where wild monkeys are often observed. Sightings and close encounters cannot be guaranteed because the animals move freely through the forest.
Does this tour include the Sloth Sanctuary?
No. For a package with a sloth visit and lunch, explore our Monkey Island tour with Sloth Sanctuary and buffet lunch.
Is buffet lunch included?
No. This package is a morning boat and aerial tram tour without lunch.
Does the tour operate on Mondays?
No. The resort closes the aerial tram on Mondays for maintenance. Check our booking calendar for available departures from Tuesday through Sunday.
How much walking is involved?
Most of the boat and tram experience is seated. The observation tower visit includes a short walk and stairs, and the resort rates the tram and tower activity easy to moderate.
Can I book as a solo traveler?
Contact us about joining an available departure. This tour normally operates with two or more guests.
More Gamboa Tours
Explore more of the area with our Monkey Island, Sloth Sanctuary and buffet lunch tour, combining a boat excursion with wildlife exhibits and a resort meal.
For a canopy ride paired with the wildlife exhibits, see our Sloth Sanctuary and aerial tram tour.
Tour Cancelation Policy
Please read our Tour Cancelation Policy before booking.
TOUR CANCELATION POLICY
Tao Travel 365 strives to deliver the best possible customer experience. If at any point you have a question or concern about our service, please call us at +1 (805) 826-3657 or email us at sales@taotravel365.tours.
The following cancellation policy applies only to Day Tours and does not apply to Multi-Day Tours.
TOUR POLICIES
Due to the nature of our business, the logistics involved with organizing tours and high reservation demand, the following refund policies apply:
- A 100% refund less credit-card processing fees will only be granted when the reservation was made through our website, www.taotravel365.tours, and canceled more than 24 hours before the start of the tour.
- No refund will be granted for cancellations received fewer than 24 hours before the tour start time.
All sales are final.
For reservations made through outside portals including, but not limited to, Viator, Expedia and Airbnb, please refer to the cancellation policy of the portal through which you booked.
If you are unable to use your reservation, contact us as soon as possible. We will try to reschedule the same or a different tour, but changes cannot be guaranteed.
If you are not at the designated meeting point at your scheduled pickup time, Tao Travel 365 reserves the right not to provide a refund. We will always try to locate you and contact the WhatsApp number provided with your booking.
CANCELED OR POSTPONED TOURS
Occasionally, tours are canceled or postponed due to weather or ocean conditions, mechanical failure or other unforeseen events. Should this occur, we will attempt to contact you and explain the applicable refund or rescheduling procedure. If Tao Travel 365 cancels your tour, we will refund the tour price paid or attempt to reschedule you for another tour.
REFUNDS
All sales are final. Refunds are available only within the cancellation guidelines above or when Tao Travel 365 cancels or postpones a tour. Refunds cover the tour price paid. Payment-processing, service and convenience fees are nonrefundable.
To request a refund for a tour canceled or postponed by Tao Travel 365, email sales@taotravel365.tours within two days of the cancellation and write “refund” in the subject line. Instructions will be provided.
TOUR EXCHANGES
Tour exchanges are not generally offered by Tao Travel 365. In exceptional circumstances, such as a cancellation by Tao Travel 365, an exchange may be possible but is not guaranteed. Contact us directly by phone at +1 (805) 826-3657 or email sales@taotravel365.tours to inquire. Fees may apply.
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