Northbound
on the Panama Canal, the first stop is at Miraflores
locks, which are the tallest in the locks system
due to the extreme tidal variation of the Pacific
Ocean. The boat will be raised 17 meters above
sea level in two steps to enter Miraflores Lake
which is almost 2 kilometers long. A transition
from salt water in the Pacific Ocean to fresh
water in the locks chambers and lake take place
here. Next the ship is raised in one step, this
time an additional 9 meters, at the Pedro Miguel
locks. At this point the ship will be sailing
in Gatun lake at 26 meters above sea level and
entering Gaillard Cut, the narrowest section
of the Panama Canal.
The
13.7-kilometer long portion of the waterway was
carved through rock and shale and it is flanked
by the backbones of the Continental Divide. The
original width of Gaillard Cut was 92 meters and
was increased to 152 meters in the early 1970s. |
 |
In
order to accommodate to the demands of today's transit
needs, the Panama Canal Authority recently completed
the monumental task of widening the Cut to 192 meters
in straight sections and up to 222 meters in curves.
This allows for unrestricted two-way traffic of Panamax
vessels, the largest ships that fit in the Panama
Canal locks.
The
Gaillard Cut opens up into Gatun Lake where
the Chagres River flows into the waterway near
the town of Gamboa, site of the Panama Canal's Dredging
Division, where we disembark. From here we are
transferred
to Balboa where our Ancon Expeditions of Panama
driver will be waiting to take us back to our hotel.
**In some instances the tour may be offered in reverse,
starting in Gamboa. In such cases the tour will start
later in the morning, it will not include breakfast,
but it will include lunch aboard**
WHAT TO BRING: Binoculars, camera, cap or hat, sunscreen
lotion, light clothing, light raincoat, tennis shoes
or sandals. Cash in small denominations is suggested
if interested in purchasing souvenirs and alcoholic
beverages.
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