Aerial Tram Tour

Our aerial tram ride traverses a mile long cable track on top of a tropical humid forest. We observe the forest canopy in some areas and are likely to encounter birds and hear Howler Monkeys calls. The tram ascends 280 feet for over half a mile and ends atop a hill. From here we walk a short distance to the observation tower (which is optional) and for those with some stamina involves a climb of 100 feet up a mildly inclined ramp which is also wheelchair accessible. From the observation tower, you will get great views of the canal, the Chagres River, and the surrounding forested areas of Soberania National Park as well as the town of Gamboa. The observation tower rises nearly 500 feet above sea level. On the return portion of the tram, we descend the final half-mile back to our starting point. Then, we will proceed to the exhibits area. At the Gamboa Rainforest Resort, you can have an educational experience. The resort has built 5 exhibits that showcase local flora and fauna as well as a replica of an Embera Indian village. The snake exhibit gives you the opportunity to see live snakes from a short distance behind the safety of our terrariums. You also will receive interesting information about how to recognize poisonous snakes, what they feed on, and some of their habits. The butterfly exhibit is also a nursery where an expert in butterflies will explain the complete life cycle, from egg to caterpillar to the final stage of a butterfly. The exhibit has a laboratory where we grow/quarantine the caterpillars and some cocoons. However, most of the exhibit consists of a large enclosed area where up to 15 butterfly species roam freely. In the aquarium, we have fresh water fish from the tropical areas of America, Africa, and Asia. This colorful exhibit also hosts reptiles such as crocodiles, caimans, and turtles. Finally, we will visit the model Indian village which samples Ember houses, including a ceremonial/meeting house, with an Ember guide who will explain some aspects of their culture including rituals, traditional medicine, utensils of everyday use and some of their cultivated foods. The tour through the exhibits lasts about an hour and a half. This gives you an average of twenty minutes per exhibit except for the model Indian village where we allot half an hour.