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Panama Canal Full Transit

On board • across the isthmus • bilingual • lunch and beverages.

• Panama Canal transit cruises
• On board guide
• Lunch & beverages
• Gateway: Panama City Panama

The vessel will then transit through the first set of locks, the Miraflores Locks, where it will ascend 18 meters in two distinct steps. Next, the Pacific Queen will enter Miraflores Lake, which is a small artificial body of fresh water that separates Pedro Miguel Locks from Miraflores Locks. The vessel will transit through Pedro Miguel Locks, which is one of the two sets of locks on the Pacific side, and here the vessel ascends 9 meters in one step.

After exiting Pedro Miguel locks, the Pacific Queen will travel through the Gaillard Cut, where the Chagres River flows into the canal. The Gaillard Cut (also known as Culebra Cut because its curves resemble a snake) is one of the main points of interest for visitors because it was carved through the Continental Divide and this section of the Canal is full of history and geological value. As you transit the Cut you will be able to appreciate the continuous maintenance that this area requires, because it is very susceptible to landslides. In this area you will also be able to observe the work in process for the Panama Canal expansion project.

 You will enjoy a trip through Gatun Lake, which was formed by erecting the Gatun Dam across the Chagres River. During your transit through Gatun Lake you will pass the Smithsonian Research Station at Barro Colorado. You will also experience the Gatun Locks, which are the only set of locks in the Atlantic sector. In Gatun Locks, the vessel will be lowered a total of 26 meters in three distinct chambers. Upon arriving at Colon, you will disembark at Pier 6, where transportation back to Panama City will be provided.  We should get back to Panama City around 7:30 - 8:00pm.

FREQUENT ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT DOES IT INCLUDE ? Bilingual guide/narrator, full lunch, soft drinks and water (all you can drink). transportation by bus in the way back. 

It does not include hotel pick up or drop off.   It interested on it we would happy to quote you on it. Coastway Amador  is about 20-30 minutes from most Panama City hotels in downtown and we advise to procure a taxi ride with hotel concierge from the day before your trip.

WHO CAN GO ? Everyone. Minors must travel with a responsible adult.

WHAT SHOULD YOU TAKE ALONG ? Sun protection and confortable clothing.  

WHAT SHOULD NOT BE BROUGHT ? Travel light and avoic carrying what you wont use.

-  This is not an exclusive trip.  You will be one more person in a small boat that could take around 200 persons.

- *** Given itinerary is temptative and subjected to final decision of the Panama Canal Authority which can change it (earlier or later, usually up to a couple of hours).  If that happens we will notify you by email as soon as we get notice of a change so PLEASE check your email.

Year-round Panama Canal transit cruises

The best way to experience the canal is onboard a cruise. During your transit, you will have the unique opportunity to see the Canal up close in operation. 

Website about The Panama Canal Panama

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Panama City Private Layover (Stopover) Tour

A long layover at the airport can be quite boring. Embark on this thrilling Panama City layover tour and uncover the captivating highlights of this bustling metropolis. Witness the engineering wonder of the Panama Canal, marvel at the modern skyline, and immerse yourself in the vibrant local culture. From historic landmarks to contemporary attractions, experience the essence of Panama City in a short but unforgettable adventure.

Starting from $89/pers $99/pers

Panama City Sightseeing & Canal Private Tour

The Panama City & Canal Tour is the perfect introduction to Panama City and its Canal. Along this captivating journey through the heart of Panama City, you will see highlights such as the renowned Ancon Hill, must-see places such as Casco Viejo - the old town with its beautiful and colorful colonial architecture, the Amador Causeway with spectacular views of the skyline and ocean and much more!

Starting from $71/pers $119/pers

Most popular Eco-Tour

Monkey Island Private Eco Tour

This Monkey Island Panama Tour is an unforgettable adventure through the fauna and flora of Panama's luscious rainforest on a private boat will allow you to explore the fascinating biodiversity that resides within the Panama Canal. You may experience close encounters with its residents such as the capuchin and the Geoffroy's tamarin monkeys along with a variety of bird species, reptiles and much more.

Starting from $89/pers $119/pers

Embera Village & Waterfall Private Eco Tour

Delve into the vibrant culture and breathtaking natural beauty of the Embera Village on this immersive tour. From traditional dances and handicraft demonstrations to pirogue rides through lush rainforests, discover the rich traditions and stunning landscapes of the Emberá community in an unforgettable adventure on the Chagres River and National Park.

Starting from $89/pers $129/pers

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We offer organized shared tours of Panama City including the Canal in semi-private format (small groups of max 12). Pickup from your hotel in Panama City is included.

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We specialize in organizing your stay in Panama by offering private & semi-private guided tours, custom day trips, multi-day excursions and personalized custom vacation packages throughout Panama.

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Home » Travel Guides » Panama » 15 Best Panama Canal Tours

15 Best Panama Canal Tours

The Panama Canal is a wonder of the engineering world and is a conduit between the Atlantic and the Pacific Ocean. It is one of the largest engineering projects on earth, and took 33 years to complete. The Miraflores and Pedro Miguel Locks, located at either end of the canal, lift ships a staggering 26 metres above sea level before lowering them again on the other side.

With the fascinating locks, the man-made Gatun Lake, Gamboa rainforest, and Monkey Island, this canal and the surrounding areas are indeed worth a visit at least once in your life.

Below are the 15 best Panama Canal tours to help you make the most of your visit.

1. Panama Canal, Colón Rainforest and San Lorenzo Fort Tour

On this 7-hour guided tour, you can discover a plethora of sites in addition to the Panama Canal. You will be picked up from your hotel in Panama City and taken to the Colon Rainforest in an air-conditioned vehicle. Here, tourists get on board a ferry and enjoy the nature from a minibus. Tourists love to take pictures here, and this place is an amazing spot to discover wildlife.

After exploring Colon, tourists get to visit the historical San Lorenzo Fort and learn about its history. This guided tour then takes you to the last destination, the Panama Canal’s expansion at Agua Clara.

The tour includes pick-up and drop-off service, transportation to the sites, fresh local fruit, and a selection of drinks. It is a really good option if you enjoy the mystic scenery of nature and wildlife, and also love to visit or learn about significant historical sites.

2. Monkey Island and the Indian Village Tour

Discover Monkey Island and a real Indian village on this fascinating eco tour, whilst traveling through the waters of the Gatun Lake and the Panama Canal.

You will be picked up from your hotel and taken to the River Chagres for a 2-hour cruise in the Gatun Lake and the Panama Canal. Here, tourists love to look out for wildlife and capture pictures of themselves amongst the natural beauty and the nearby bays. Next, get an opportunity to visit the famous Monkey Island, which is home to white-faced monkeys. Here, you may encounter other species of animals as well.

You will also visit a real Indian village where you can learn about the culture, traditions, and history of the inhabitants there.

This tour is a great option for you if you wish to interact and learn about new cultures while getting to experience unique things on the way.

This tour is a 7-hour guided tour. The price includes taxes and the boat tour price and offers a pickup service as well.

View Prices & Reviews

3. Private Miraflores Visitor Center Panama Canal Tour

Get to see the Panama Canal busy at work, from the Miraflores Locks at the Miraflores Visitor Center on this private guided tour.

Enjoy the view of the Panama Canal and watch the ships traveling to and fro between the Atlantic and the Pacific Ocean.

This tour is a 3-hour guided tour and includes a pick-up and drop-off service, along with other transportation and water.

4. 6-Hour Panama Canal Cruising Tour

Get the most of the Panama Canal by cruising on a ship through the waters for 6 hours. This tour is guided and will let you experience the Panama Canal in a very realistic way.

This tour will take you through a section of the Panama Canal, to the world-famous Miraflores and Pedro Miguel Locks. Here, you get to see the engineering wonder close up, and marvel at the sight of the huge ships.

The tour further takes you to the Pacific Ocean marina at Flamenco and also lets you see the Centennial Bridge.

This tour includes drinks and lunch as well.

5. Jungle and Gatun Lake at the Panama Canal Tour

Discover the Panama Canal from a very different aspect and take a look at a plethora of sites whilst cruising in a huge ocean vessel.

Depart from Lake Gatun and get a motorboat for traveling around. Tourists here get to see fauna and flora, the expansion of the canal, and will even learn about the history of this place.

This tour then leads you past the jungle to the Monkey Island. Lastly, there is a floating house on the lake where you can enjoy traditional cuisine and then sit back to unravel the marvels of this place at your own pace.

This is a one-day guided tour.

6. Panama Canal Tour including a variety of sites

Discover the beauty of the rainforest on an old-fashioned train and see the San Lorenzo Fort and the National Park’s focal points.

Here, you can also sightsee and learn about the wildlife in the area. Tourists love to capture pictures here and look out for different kinds of animals.

This is a 7-hour guided tour and includes transportation. A pick-up and drop-off service is also offered.

7. 5-hour Panama Canal and Monkey Island Tour

Brace yourselves to set out on an exciting full-day tour at the Panama Canal. Avail yourself of the pickup service and depart from your hotel, to the Panama Canal Visitors Center. Here, tourists can learn about the Canal and how it works. You can also visit the museum here.

The tour then leads you through the Miraflores and Pedro Locks to Lake Gatun. After spending some time there, tourists are taken to Monkey Island and then back to their respective hotels.

This is a 5-hour fully guided tour.

8. Panama Canal Partial Transit Tour

This tour takes tourists on a boat through the waters along the Panama Canal to the Pacific entrance, where you are then moved to pleasure boats. From there, the boats take you to the Miraflores and Pedro Miguel Locks. You also get a chance to discover the Gaillard Cut, which is the narrowest section of the canal. Tourists are disembarked at Gamboa.

Amidst of all this, a commentator is available that tells you every detail about the places you visit.

The tour lasts for about 5 hours and is guided.

9. Panama Canal and City Day tour

Discover not only the Panama Canal but Panama City as well. This tour enables you to visit the Panama Canal and see the Miraflores and Pedro Miguel Locks.

It then leads you to the top of Ancon Hill to admire the scenery. Furthermore, tourists also get to see the Punta Culebra museum and the Casco Viejo site.

This tour lasts about for 8 hours and is guided.

10. Panama Canal Tour from the Airport

Make the best of your layover by heading to the Panama Canal right from Tocumen International Airport.

This is a private guided tour lasting for about 3 hours. You will get a chance to marvel at the wonder of engineering and explore the Miraflores and Pedro Miguel Locks.

On your way back to the airport, you can enjoy the sights of Panama City from the comfort of a private car.

11. Panama Canal and the Jungle Experience Tour

Take the opportunity to escape Panama City and discover the amazing sights beyond. Visit the world-famous Panama Canal, and also see the National Park along with Monkey Island.

This tour is perfect for people who wish to visit the Panama Canal, the National Park, Gamboa Rainforest, Lake Gatun, and Monkey Island, all in one go. The tour also takes you to an Indian village where you can learn about the customs and culture of the people there.

This guided tour lasts for about 7.5 hours.

12. Panama Canal and the City Walking Tour With Your Local Guide

Visit the Panama Visitors Center at the Miraflores Lock and unravel some of the mystery of this engineering wonder. Your local guide can teach you a lot about the history and the modern day, and even help you envision the future of the Panama Canal.

After this, your local guide will take you to sites awaiting your presence in the city. From the Ancon Hill, Casca Viejo, and Punta Culebra to the Bridge of Americas, tourists will be able to enjoy everything like locals and at their own pace.

This guided tour takes about 7 hours to complete.

13. Panama City and Panama Canal Half-day tour

Experience a visit to the world-famous Panama Canal, and Panama City for a lifelong memory.

This tour first takes you towards the Panama Canal, and then to the area called Casco Antiguo. It then gives the tourists the amazing opportunity to view the canal and the city from the Amador Causeway.

This guided tour lasts for about 4 hours.

14. 5-hour Eco-Cruise in the Gatun Lake on the Panama Canal

This five-star tour enables you to visit the world-famous Panama Canal and go on a boat adventure, taking pictures of the beautiful scenery and wildlife in the rainforest and discovering the history and present of the canal at Miraflores Locks.

This tour then heads towards Gatun Lake which is also manmade, and this tour will help you learn about the ecological and scenic aspects of it. You might want to click pictures here.

This guided tour lasts about for 5 hours.

15. Panama City and Panama Canal Railway Half-day Tour

Travel from Panama City to the world famous Panama Canal on an old-fashioned train that will lead you from the Panama City to Colon along the Canal. During this half-day tour, you can enjoy the view of the mystic canal and click pictures for a keepsake.

This tour takes you through the Isthmus of Panama from the Pacific to the Atlantic. Amidst this, you can enjoy the beauty of the lush green rainforest around you. Tourists will also get a chance to unravel the mystery of the Gatun Locks and learn about the history of the place.

This tour is guided and lasts about for 5 hours.

15 Best Panama Canal Tours:

• Panama Canal, Colón Rainforest and San Lorenzo Fort Tour
• Monkey Island and the Indian Village Tour
• Private Miraflores Visitor Center Panama Canal Tour
• 6-Hour Panama Canal Cruising Tour
• Jungle and Gatun Lake at the Panama Canal Tour
• Panama Canal Tour including a variety of sites
• 5-hour Panama Canal and Monkey Island Tour
• Panama Canal Partial Transit Tour
• Panama Canal and City Day tour
• Panama Canal Tour from the Airport
• Panama Canal and the Jungle Experience Tour
• Panama Canal and the City Walking Tour With Your Local Guide
• Panama City and Panama Canal Half-day tour
• 5-hour Eco-Cruise in the Gatun Lake on the Panama Canal
• Panama City and Panama Canal Railway Half-day Tour

PANAMA CANAL TRANSIT TOUR

Partial transit through the Panama Canal begins with entry into the Miraflores Locks, where our ship starts an ascent of 18 meters in two stages, leaving behind the waters of the Pacific Ocean.

Next, we enter the Miraflores Lake, a small oasis of fresh water that separates the two locks on the Pacific side of the Canal. We sail peacefully through its waters until we reach the Pedro Miguel Locks, where the ship ascends another 9 meters, providing a breathtaking panoramic view..

Once we exit the locks, we will spot the Centennial Bridge, an architectural marvel that stretches over the waters.

Continuing our journey, we venture into the famous Culebra Cut, nicknamed for its winding curves resembling a snake’s movement. We sail 13.7 kilometers along this picturesque cut as we head towards the fascinating area of Gamboa, home to the facilities of the Dredging Division of the Panama Canal Authority.

Upon arrival at these facilities, passengers disembark to make way for the next part of the adventure. They board our comfortable buses that will take them to the Flamenco Marina. During this journey, they can enjoy the lush landscapes of the region, on a trip that lasts approximately 45 minutes.

This partial tour of the Panama Canal is an experience that combines the wonder of engineering with the natural beauty of the surroundings, offering our passengers an adventure filled with awe and excitement. We invite you to join us to discover the grandeur of this engineering masterpiece and the splendor of Panama’s nature. We look forward to welcoming you to this unforgettable experience!

Saturdays and Sundays

The schedules are confirmed one day before departure by the Panama Canal Authority.

PRICE PER PERSON

For private groups, click here, enjoy this great experience with us.

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Panama Canal Cruises

A thrilling Panama Canal crossing is an unforgettable experience. Gain a deeper understanding of the impressive engineering behind the 48-mile-long Panama Canal connecting the Atlantic and Pacific. Then continue your Viking journey to the heart of the Caribbean & Central America.

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Highlights of panama canal cruises.

Discover the “Path Between the Seas” as you traverse mighty locks en route to historic Panama City or the shimmering Caribbean Sea. Beyond the Canal, discover the native Emberá tribe’s rich culture and sample Puerto Rico’s favorite dishes. On a regional ocean voyage, you can find:

• The Panama Canal’s forest-lined waterway and Gatun Lake
• Capuchin and howler monkeys gliding through mahogany trees
• Soaring pyramids and temples of Chichén Itzá
• Fascinating Mayan ruins at Belize’s Altun Ha
• Deep sea sportfishing for the catch of the day
• Colorful Caribbean marine life by snorkel, scuba or kayak
• Local aged rum from Montego Bay
• Lush, picturesque rainforests of Costa Rica
• The world’s only seaside travertine waterfalls, Dunn’s River Falls
• Key West’s old Bahamian-style homes and Spanish-influenced Victorian mansions

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Riverfront Canal Cruises in Richmond

40-minute, historically narrated boat tours of the james river and kanawha canal along downtown richmond’s historic canal walk..

• Riverfront Canal Cruises

Enjoy a Canal Cruise Along the Kanawha Canal in Downtown Richmond

Looking for fun and unique things to do in downtown richmond.

The boat tours travel along downtown Richmond's historic Canal Walk and review centuries of Richmond’s history, from Powhatan’s Chiefdom to the first commercially successful electric streetcar in the world, all while traveling in authentically styled canal boats. Travelers can see the unique Triple Crossing railroad, tobacco warehouses that have been converted into trendy lofts, the Virginia Capital Trail, the Low Line gardens and James River wildlife.

Hourly Historic Tours

40-minute historically narrated tours.

The canal boat tours of the James River and Kanawha Canal operate throughout the season, seven days a week from May through September, and with varying hours in April, October and November.

• Tours depart on the hour from the Canal’s Turning Basin at 139 Virginia Street, in Downtown Richmond, Virginia.
• Tickets are sold on a first come, first served basis at the Turning Basin’s ticket kiosk and online up to 18 hours in advance - HERE .
• Boats can accommodate up to 25 passengers and are accessible to those with physical disabilites.
• No pets are allowed except for registered service animals.

PLEASE NOTE : Even when it appears that tickets may be sold out online, we do still keep a number of walk-up tickets available at the ticket kiosk for each historic tour. Try arriving early or calling 804-649-2800 .

BOAT TOUR HOURS

Fri. & Sat.: Noon – 7PM

Sun.: Noon – 5PM

May – September

Mon. – Fri.: Noon – 7PM

Sat.: 11AM – 8PM

Sun.: 11AM – 7PM

Thurs. – Sat.: Noon – 7PM

Fri. – Sun.: Noon – 5PM

• Adults: $15
• Children (5 - 12 years old): $8
• Children 4 and under: FREE
• Seniors (65 years and up): $8
• $1 off historic tour tickets to all teachers, first responders, healthcare workers and military personnel who show a valid work I.D. at the ticket kiosk.

Richmond Private Charters

Private charters are the perfect outing for field trips, celebrations and family gatherings..

Canal cruise private charters are available as one- or two-hour private boat tours that are a favorite for family reunions, celebrating birthdays, engagements, corporate retreats, business groups, churches, clubs and so many more group outings. Private charters may be scheduled for any day and time during the season, but must be reserved a minimum of two weeks in advance.

Customers may choose for their boat ride to be historically narrated, or they can choose to forgo the historic narration and take in the sights while listening to light music over a provided speaker or simply conversing with their fellow guests. The boats can be outfitted with tables of various sizes that can accommodate light refreshments or a more formal, catered meal (catering is not provided by Riverfront Canal Cruises).

Pricing and Guidelines

Your chartered boat(s) may be set up in one of the following (3) configurations:

• Dining style has tables and chairs, seating a maximum of 20 passengers.
• Cocktail style has chairs, benches and a small table, seating a maximum of 22 passengers.
• Excursion style has chairs and benches, seating a maximum of 25 passengers.
• $165 per boat / per hour
• $130 per boat / per hour for seniors and non-profits/educational groups

The 32-foot-long boats are covered with a canopy to protect riders from the weather, but we recommend that all passengers check the weather the day of and dress accordingly. The boats are handicapped accessible and can accommodate up to two wheelchairs.

Charters may be scheduled for any day and time during the boating season, are dependent on weather conditions and are scheduled on an individual basis, subject to availability.

Please book charters a minimum of two weeks in advance. Once scheduled, cruises can be canceled up to 7 days in advance without penalty. All reservations must be made online.

You may hire your own caterer or bring your own food and beverages on your private charter. Riverfront Canal Cruises requires compliance with all applicable Virginia ABC laws and regulations for all private charters that bring alcohol. Unless you have hired a caterer to provide alcoholic beverages, this is likely to include obtaining your own banquet license. Information about the laws and the banquet license application are available on the Virginia ABC website . We do not hire caterers, serve or set up food and beverage service for private charters. We do, however, set up the tables and chairs/benches on the boats in advance of your charter.

Interested? Schedule online now!

Questions? Email [email protected] or call our ticket kiosk at 804-649-2800 .

Directions to Riverfront Canal Cruises

Canal walk turning basin.

Address: 139 Virginia St, Richmond, VA 23219

Parking Garage and Lot Locations Nearby

All of these locations are pay-to-park.

• East Cary and Virginia Street parking deck (fronting Virginia St)
• Surface parking lot along the Flood Wall between Virginia Street and 12th Street
• 14th and East Cary Street parking deck
• 12th and Canal Street parking deck
• Omni/James Center parking deck (underground, limited space) at 12th and East Cary Streets
• 15th and East Cary Street surface lots

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360° virtual field trip video.

Riverfront Canal Cruises has released a new 360° video featuring a virtual canal boat tour with a historical narrative. The narration touches on the SOLs for Virginia Studies and U.S. History to 1865, assisting 4th and 5th graders as they complete the school year in a fun way!

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Insight and Technology

Mega-canals could slice through continents for giant ships.

The Panama Canal may soon have a giant neighbour across Nicaragua – and two huge waterways could be built in Asia. Will they help or hurt the environment?

By Fred Pearce

11 April 2017

Venice it ain’t

Plainpicture/Sabine Vielmo

AFTER years of protest, the world’s biggest civil engineering project yet is now cleared for takeoff. Late last month, the Supreme Court in Nicaragua turned down the last environmental claim delaying the construction of the $50 billion Interoceanic Grand Canal.

It will carve a 273-kilometre channel through the small Central American country to connect the Atlantic with the Pacific Ocean – even though the Panama Canal, 1000 kilometres to the south, already does the job, and received a massive upgrade less than a year ago.

Why the duplication? Proponents of the canal say it will ease congestion that the upgrade can’t address, and create new economic opportunities for Nicaragua. By shortening journeys, it could even help stem the rise in the shipping industry’s share of global carbon emissions , which could reach 17 per cent by mid-century .

But the project also raises troubling questions about the environmental chaos that could ensue when alien species navigate between newly linked oceans. This matters even more given that Nicaragua’s mega-canal isn’t the only one in the works. On the other side of the world, backers of two others have been watching progress closely. One of them will make the Nicaragua project look downright petite.

“Gargantuan ships carrying over 20,000 containers are quickly making canal upgrades look out of date”

The natural world can’t keep pace with our escalating demand for far-flung goods. An increasing proportion of the world’s freight in everything from cotton and crude oil to computers and Christmas toys edges through just two artificial waterways: the Panama Canal and, across the world, the Suez Canal, which connects the Mediterranean with the Red Sea.

But canals are choke points that are vulnerable to disruption by any number of causes , including administrative screw-ups, natural disasters and the age-old threat of piracy.

It is getting harder to keep maritime traffic flowing smoothly, despite our best efforts. Last June, the Panama Canal saw a $5 billion overhaul completed; in 2015, the Suez Canal was augmented by a second shipping lane cut through Egypt’s Sinai desert, at a cost of $8 billion.

And yet such infrastructure upgrades may not be enough. Gargantuan new ships that can carry over 20,000 containers have quickly made them look out of date . In January, the Panama Canal had to reduce the number of parking berths for super vessels, warning of “unusual delays”.

Little wonder the Nicaragua canal was an easy sell for some.

In 2013, President Daniel Ortega signed a deal with Chinese investor Wang Jing and his company, HKND Group, licensing them to build a canal across the country and giving them a 50-year concession on its operation. Wang’s canal, three times as long and twice as wide as the Panama Canal, would provide a new option for ships plying between China and the US east coast.

Unsurprisingly protests ensued, delaying construction. The project has enraged Nicaraguan ecologists. Its most outspoken critic is Jorge Huete-Perez at the University of Central America in Managua, a former president of the country’s Academy of Sciences. Huete-Perez told New Scientist the canal would cut through biosphere reserves and destroy 4000 square kilometres of rainforests and wetlands. He also warned it would decimate coastal coral, mangroves and beaches where sea turtles lay their eggs – as well as inundating the villages of several indigenous forest tribes. “The canal project represents the worst nightmare for Nicaraguan conservationists,” he says.

Read more: Seven megaprojects that would change the world

Fears are perhaps greatest for Lake Nicaragua. Spanning almost half the width of the country, it is the nation’s chief source of fresh water. More than 100 kilometres of it lies on the canal’s route, requiring a trench three times the lake’s existing depth to be built. That will “irreversibly alter the aquatic environment of Nicaragua,” says Axel Meyer of the University of Konstanz in Germany.

Not every scientist is against the idea. Freshwater biologist Jeffrey McCrary, who is based in Nicaragua, says peasant farmers have already destroyed most of the country’s pristine rainforest . Rather than removing what remains, the canal could trigger economic activity that would give them alternative jobs. HKND’s chief project adviser Bill Wild, a construction industry veteran, agrees. “Personally, I believe that the canal is the only thing that will save the Nicaraguan environment.”

The project has had a positive environmental assessment, produced for HKND by a UK consultancy. But last November, Nicaragua’s Academy of Sciences dismissed it as “propagandistic” and having “no scientific foundation”.

Nonetheless, environmental objections have now been sidelined. Ortega, newly re-elected and keen to get going, has increased his attacks on opponents of the canal, snuffing out protests. Construction could start before the end of the year.

While the Nicaraguan canal promises to vastly expand the Central American shipping corridor, a further two mega-canals are being negotiated. They would offer alternatives to two other major sea routes, namely the Bosporus – Russia’s sole southerly maritime access to the outside world – and the narrow Straits of Malacca, the gateway to China. Their advocates have watched the Nicaragua protests with interest, and their mood may well have been lifted by developments there.

Bypassing the Straits of Malacca would mean cutting a 50-kilometre notch through a finger of land called the Kra isthmus, in the south of Thailand (see map) . This would give China, the region’s superpower, the option for its ships to avoid the congested straits, shortening a route used at present by a third of all international cargo shipping. Container ships sailing between Shanghai and Mumbai, for example, would be able to shave more than two days off an 11-day journey.

The environmental impact of the project has not been studied but could be considerable, says Ruth Banomyong of the Thammasat University in Bangkok. However, as in Nicaragua, political will is unlikely to bow to environmental concerns. With an estimated cost of $20 billion, the Thai canal will be the cheapest of the proposed mega-canals, as well as the simplest to build. Another plus is that it would fulfil a promise made in 2013 by Chinese premier Xi Jinping to create a “maritime silk road”.

“The canal project represents the worst nightmare for Nicaraguan conservationists”

Both the Thai and Nicaraguan canals are dwarfed by a project being plotted to connect the Caspian Sea with the Persian Gulf. Its route would cleave right across Iran, stretching some 1400 kilometres. But length is hardly the biggest challenge. It would also need to traverse mountains up to 1600 metres high, requiring more than 50 giant locks, says Peyman Moazzen, a marine engineer based in Singapore, who has studied the scheme.

But the geopolitical prize might be worth the effort. Such a link would give Russia a long-desired sea route to east Asia that avoids the circuitous journey via essentially Western-controlled seaways like the Bosporus and the Suez Canal. Any environmental concerns would probably be trumped by the fact that Iranians think one of the proposed routes could double as an irrigation canal, watering the desert sands of eastern Iran.

The fates of both the Thai and the Iranian canals may well be determined by what happens in Nicaragua. A major protest will take place in Managua on 22 April, but legal avenues have been shut. The only remaining barriers are raising the money and any faltering in political will.

There may be one last, slim hope for opponents of the canals: an altogether different way for ships to get between oceans. Engineers in South Korea say it might be easier, and more environmentally friendly, to span the relatively flat Kra isthmus with a railway sturdy enough to carry ships weighing up to 100,000 tonnes (not much smaller than the Panama Canal now takes). The Korea Railroad Research Institute, which has pioneered the idea of these so-called “dry canals”, suggested earlier last year that it could be built for a quarter of the cost of the Thai canal . A similar project has been proposed in Honduras, just north of Nicaragua.

Is this the start of a new spate of monumental projects that archaeologists will be studying 10,000 years from now ? It all depends on how fast we want our stuff.

This article appeared in print under the headline “Carving up continents”

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Savvino-storozhevsky monastery and museum.

Zvenigorod's most famous sight is the Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery, which was founded in 1398 by the monk Savva from the Troitse-Sergieva Lavra, at the invitation and with the support of Prince Yury Dmitrievich of Zvenigorod. Savva was later canonised as St Sabbas (Savva) of Storozhev. The monastery late flourished under the reign of Tsar Alexis, who chose the monastery as his family church and often went on pilgrimage there and made lots of donations to it. Most of the monastery’s buildings date from this time. The monastery is heavily fortified with thick walls and six towers, the most impressive of which is the Krasny Tower which also serves as the eastern entrance. The monastery was closed in 1918 and only reopened in 1995. In 1998 Patriarch Alexius II took part in a service to return the relics of St Sabbas to the monastery. Today the monastery has the status of a stauropegic monastery, which is second in status to a lavra. In addition to being a working monastery, it also holds the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum.

Belfry and Neighbouring Churches

Located near the main entrance is the monastery's belfry which is perhaps the calling card of the monastery due to its uniqueness. It was built in the 1650s and the St Sergius of Radonezh’s Church was opened on the middle tier in the mid-17th century, although it was originally dedicated to the Trinity. The belfry's 35-tonne Great Bladgovestny Bell fell in 1941 and was only restored and returned in 2003. Attached to the belfry is a large refectory and the Transfiguration Church, both of which were built on the orders of Tsar Alexis in the 1650s.  

To the left of the belfry is another, smaller, refectory which is attached to the Trinity Gate-Church, which was also constructed in the 1650s on the orders of Tsar Alexis who made it his own family church. The church is elaborately decorated with colourful trims and underneath the archway is a beautiful 19th century fresco.

Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is the oldest building in the monastery and among the oldest buildings in the Moscow Region. It was built between 1404 and 1405 during the lifetime of St Sabbas and using the funds of Prince Yury of Zvenigorod. The white-stone cathedral is a standard four-pillar design with a single golden dome. After the death of St Sabbas he was interred in the cathedral and a new altar dedicated to him was added.

Under the reign of Tsar Alexis the cathedral was decorated with frescoes by Stepan Ryazanets, some of which remain today. Tsar Alexis also presented the cathedral with a five-tier iconostasis, the top row of icons have been preserved.

Tsaritsa's Chambers

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is located between the Tsaritsa's Chambers of the left and the Palace of Tsar Alexis on the right. The Tsaritsa's Chambers were built in the mid-17th century for the wife of Tsar Alexey - Tsaritsa Maria Ilinichna Miloskavskaya. The design of the building is influenced by the ancient Russian architectural style. Is prettier than the Tsar's chambers opposite, being red in colour with elaborately decorated window frames and entrance.

At present the Tsaritsa's Chambers houses the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum. Among its displays is an accurate recreation of the interior of a noble lady's chambers including furniture, decorations and a decorated tiled oven, and an exhibition on the history of Zvenigorod and the monastery.

Palace of Tsar Alexis

The Palace of Tsar Alexis was built in the 1650s and is now one of the best surviving examples of non-religious architecture of that era. It was built especially for Tsar Alexis who often visited the monastery on religious pilgrimages. Its most striking feature is its pretty row of nine chimney spouts which resemble towers.

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• Donald Trump “One Of Worst Public Speakers Ever,” Says ‘Lord Of The Rings’ Star Ian McKellen
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Taylor Swift wowed the Scottish crowd on her first UK tour date Friday evening, earning five-star reviews across the board for her three-and-a-half-hour performance in Edinburgh.

But the star had to break off during a song towards the end of the night, first to draw attention to a fan in the crowd who needed medical help, and then to recover from a temporary injury herself.

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“Oh God! Hand cramp!”

“I’m so sorry everyone, this has never happened before but my hand is frozen, I’m just going to warm it. I’m so embarrassed. My hand’s like a claw!”

After massaging her hand for a few moments, Swift was able to continue, and the temporary blip did nothing to dampen the delight of 73,000 fans packed into the Murrayfield sports stadium in the Scottish capital city for the first date of the UK leg of Swift’s record-breaking Eras tour.

Swift told the crowd: “I had someone pull me aside and say, ‘Hey, we’ve checked this 20 times and we swear… tonight’s concert is the most highly attended stadium show in Scottish history.’”

And she delighted the Scottish fans telling them the country had inspired her lockdown albums Folklore and Evermore , saying:

“There was so much TV, so much white wine, covered in cat hair. That was my reality. So I thought, ‘I’m going to create an imaginary world and escape into it.’

“That was Folklore , and it was probably based online of videos I’ve seen of Scotland.”

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A private village in Scottsdale houses some of Arizona's priciest real estate. I got a tour of its guarded neighborhoods.

• Silverleaf Village in Scottsdale, Arizona, is the city's most exclusive and expensive community.
• The residential area boasts Scottsdale's most expensive home, a $54 million mega-mansion.
• I got a private tour of the village with 24-hour guards and a championship golf course.

In the canyons beneath a mountain range dotted with cacti is Silverleaf Village, the most exclusive and expensive residential community in Scottsdale, Arizona .

In a city with a rapidly growing millionaire population , Silverleaf had an average selling price of $5.5 million in 2023, according to a representative of the neighborhood. And it's home to the most expensive residence on the market in Scottsdale — a mega-mansion listed for $54 million .

The village is in the 4,400-acre residential community of DC Ranch . Last month, I got an exclusive tour of the entire neighborhood's four villages, and Silverleaf stood out as the most elite, with custom estates and an exclusive clubhouse.

Take a look around the luxury desert oasis that Scottsdale's richest locals call home.

Silverleaf Village is in North Scottdale.

Silverleaf is on the east side of DC Ranch in North Scottsdale. The village is nestled in the canyons of the McDowell Mountains.

The village has 16 gated neighborhoods.

According to the DC Ranch website , the neighborhoods are guarded 24 hours a day.

The homes are a mix of luxury villas and custom estates.

Silverleaf's street signs have a fancy look, with curled details on the posts and serif fonts. According to the neighborhood's website, the homes were built in Spanish and Mediterranean Revival-style architecture.

The elevated signage, paired with mansions reminiscent of Italian castles and Greek villas, made me feel like I was somewhere in Europe.

Within the village is a private club with a golf course, a spa, pools, and restaurants.

Since the clubhouse is so exclusive, I wasn't able to access it with my media tour guide. But according to the club's website , it's a 50,000-square-foot space with casual and fine dining, a world-class spa, and both resort-style and lap pools.

I did get a peek at the championship golf course. It sprawls 18 holes over 7,322 yards and is surrounded by hills and succulents.

The homes with the highest elevation appeared to be the most luxurious.

Driving up the mountain, I noticed the houses looked more like mega-mansions. They had long, walled driveways leading up to estates with multiple buildings.

The village is still developing.

Toward the top of Silverleaf Village, I spotted several empty sites ready for more custom estates to be built. According to the neighborhood's website, luxury condos are also in the works.

The Unique Burial of a Child of Early Scythian Time at the Cemetery of Saryg-Bulun (Tuva)

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Pages:  379-406

In 1988, the Tuvan Archaeological Expedition (led by M. E. Kilunovskaya and V. A. Semenov) discovered a unique burial of the early Iron Age at Saryg-Bulun in Central Tuva. There are two burial mounds of the Aldy-Bel culture dated by 7th century BC. Within the barrows, which adjoined one another, forming a figure-of-eight, there were discovered 7 burials, from which a representative collection of artifacts was recovered. Burial 5 was the most unique, it was found in a coffin made of a larch trunk, with a tightly closed lid. Due to the preservative properties of larch and lack of air access, the coffin contained a well-preserved mummy of a child with an accompanying set of grave goods. The interred individual retained the skin on his face and had a leather headdress painted with red pigment and a coat, sewn from jerboa fur. The coat was belted with a leather belt with bronze ornaments and buckles. Besides that, a leather quiver with arrows with the shafts decorated with painted ornaments, fully preserved battle pick and a bow were buried in the coffin. Unexpectedly, the full-genomic analysis, showed that the individual was female. This fact opens a new aspect in the study of the social history of the Scythian society and perhaps brings us back to the myth of the Amazons, discussed by Herodotus. Of course, this discovery is unique in its preservation for the Scythian culture of Tuva and requires careful study and conservation.

Keywords: Tuva, Early Iron Age, early Scythian period, Aldy-Bel culture, barrow, burial in the coffin, mummy, full genome sequencing, aDNA

Information about authors: Marina Kilunovskaya (Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation). Candidate of Historical Sciences. Institute for the History of Material Culture of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Dvortsovaya Emb., 18, Saint Petersburg, 191186, Russian Federation E-mail: [email protected] Vladimir Semenov (Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation). Candidate of Historical Sciences. Institute for the History of Material Culture of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Dvortsovaya Emb., 18, Saint Petersburg, 191186, Russian Federation E-mail: [email protected] Varvara Busova  (Moscow, Russian Federation).  (Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation). Institute for the History of Material Culture of the Russian Academy of Sciences.  Dvortsovaya Emb., 18, Saint Petersburg, 191186, Russian Federation E-mail:  [email protected] Kharis Mustafin  (Moscow, Russian Federation). Candidate of Technical Sciences. Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology.  Institutsky Lane, 9, Dolgoprudny, 141701, Moscow Oblast, Russian Federation E-mail:  [email protected] Irina Alborova  (Moscow, Russian Federation). Candidate of Biological Sciences. Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology.  Institutsky Lane, 9, Dolgoprudny, 141701, Moscow Oblast, Russian Federation E-mail:  [email protected] Alina Matzvai  (Moscow, Russian Federation). Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology.  Institutsky Lane, 9, Dolgoprudny, 141701, Moscow Oblast, Russian Federation E-mail:  [email protected]

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Vince Staples Plans ‘Black in America’ Tour

By Kory Grow

Now that his new album, Dark Times , is out and Netflix has renewed his TV series , Vince Staples can finally relax in the way Vince Staples relaxes best: by constantly working. This fall, after a European run, the rapper will tour North America, hitting festivals and mid-sized venues on a trek he’s dubbed the “Black in America Tour.”

The dates, which feature Baby Rose on some shows, kick off with a set at Austin City Limits Music Festival in October and run sporadically for about a month. He’ll close the festivities with a gig at L.A.’s Shrine Auditorium on Nov. 6. Ticketing details are on Staples’ website .

In a recent Rolling Stone interview , Staples said he was happy with the way people have embraced The Vince Staples Show , which puts a comedic spin on the rapper’s life. “I think I have a niche fan base,” he said. “I’ve never had an extreme level of success. So, I’m always open to people not liking something or it not [being digested] right. I was honestly surprised by the way that it was received.”

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Oct. 5 – Austin, TX @ Austin City Limits Music Festival Oct. 14 – Atlanta, GA @ The Eastern * Oct. 18 – New York, NY @ Terminal 5 Oct. 20 – Boston, MA @ Roadrunner * Oct. 21 – Philadelphia, PA @ Franklin Music Hall Oct. 23 – Toronto, Ontario @ History * Oct. 24 – Washington, D.C. @ The Anthem * Oct. 26 – Detroit, MI @ Masonic Cathedral Theatre * Oct. 28  – Minneapolis, MN @ Palace Theatre * Oct. 30 – Denver, CO @ Mission Ballroom * Nov. 2 – Seattle, WA @ Showbox SoDo * Nov. 3 – Portland, OR @ McMenamins Crystal Ballroom Nov. 5 – San Francisco, CA @ The Warfield * Nov. 6 – Los Angeles, CA @ Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall *

* with Baby Rose

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