Caribbean Paddling Expedition Stopover

HIGHLIGHTS

Panama City is located by the Pacific Ocean; however, it is only 80 kms from the Atlantic Ocean. You will get to know  Panama City highlights,  the Panama Canal main components, and what make it all possible, the upper section of the  Chagres River,  Also, Portobelo, once the most important fortfied city built in tthe Caribbean by  the Spaniard Conquistadores.

Be ready to explore the Chagres National Park in an expedition through the mighty  Chagres River, the main water supplier of the Panama Canal,  in an adventure loaded with outdoor activities.  

The Upper Chagres River at the mountains in Chagres National Park is virtually unknown due to lack of access roads,  protection against settlers, and the previous non-existence of Adventures Panama.  

You will raft Chagres River Upper Section surrounded with pristine tropical rain forest, with more than three hundred species per hectarea.  Often several samples of fauna such as monkeys of the rain forest (spider, howler, white face capuchin , Geoffrey's Tamarin), sloths, river otters, iguanas,  tucans, and plenty of fish are spoted. It is also the natural habitat of big mammals such as  tapir and jaguar, tropical rain forest animals which are seldom encountered.

You  will be welcome by the Embera Indigenous to stay an overnigth at their village at river's shore. 

Portobelo by the Caribbean Ocean will be our last destination. Here you will visit its main forths buiilt in the 15th century by spaniard conquistadores to protect their gold storage from pirates while it waited on a next sail to Spain. Here we will paddle in expedtion kayaks along the same bay used by both, connquistadores and pirates, snorkel and relax on the beach.

In this adventure you will experience the essence of Panama, its biodiversity, ethnic groups, spaniard conquistadores history, and of course, its canal. 

ITINERARY

1st Day:  Arrival, Panama City and Canal

We will wait for you at Tocumen International Airport to take you to your Panama City hotel for check in.

Depending on your arrival time we will either take you into full or partial  Panama City & Canal tour 

2nd Day:  The Chagres Challenge

View Chagres Challenge in a larger map

An early start at 5:00 am when you will be picked up and taken in an all-terrain vehicle from your hotel to the remote village of San Cristobal, which is past the mountains of Cerro Azul, northeast of Panama City.

After enjoying a typical Panamanian breakfast,  we will visit a "campesino" survival agricultural farm within Chagres National Park.

Then you will hike for about 2 hours on a trail within Chagres National Park up to Rio Piedras, a Chagres River tributary, where you will get into rafts to float downstream (Class II-III rapids) through the untouched jungles of the Chagres National Park.

From late February through early June we might have to hike all the way to the Chagres River in a three hours hike because Piedras River might be too low to raft on it.

After lunch by the Chagres River, you will continue rafting further downstream passing an impressive granite canyon with some white water rapid action, and ending before encountering Madden Lake where you are expected by a "piragua" (native wooden canoe equipped with outboard motor) that will speed you downstream to an Embera Indian Village at the riverbanks  where you will spend the night or to the closest road were your driver will take you back to your hotel in Panama City. On some months when the river is at its lower level (around March through June) camping at river shore  upstream from any Embera indian Village is the only option since there is no time to reach the Embera Village neither your Panama City Hotel. 

- Lodging at Campsite on Chagres River's shores or Panama City Hotel, Meals included Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

3rd Day:  Portobelo Expedition Kayaking 

View Portobelo in a larger map

After breakfast, you will be  driven north to Portobelo, where you will visit its main forths buiilt in the 15th century by spaniard conquistadores to protect their gold storage from pirates while it waited on a next sail to Spain.. Here we will paddle in expedtion kayaks along the same bay used by both, connquistadores and pirates, snorkel coral reefs,  and relax on the beach..  

We should be back to your Panama City hotel before sunset.

- Lodging at chosen Panama City hotel, Meals included Breakfast, Lunch

4th Day:  Panama Departure

We will pick you up at your hotel lobby 3 hours previous to your fligth to drive you to the airport. 

Depending on your previous arrival time and current departure time we will either take you into full or partial  Panama City & Canal tour to complete the program.  

- Meals included Breakfast

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT DOES IT INCLUDE ?

All mentioned transportation, rafts, kayaks, snorkeling, and specilized gear, camping equipment,  guides, day meals, and camping gear. Our guides are trained in paddling  skills, first-aid and CPR.
Lodging:  2 nights at choosen Panama City Hotel, 1 night camping; Catering: 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner

WHO CAN GO ?

Any person from twelve to sixty five year old,  in good health, and fit.  This trip it is not exclusive  for atheletes; but for anyone ready to hike up to three hours through irregular and muddy trails. This rules out persons that are heavy smokers, or overweight, or with a medical condition.  Minors must travel with a responsible adult.
 
WHAT SHOULD YOU TAKE ALONG ? 

Take a small bag (it could be a drybag, or a bagpack with a inside plastic bag liner to keep content dry) with spare and sleeping clothes for one night, towel, personal higiene items, sandals, small flashlight, insect repellant, and sun lotion (we will move your small back so it will  always be waiting you at the end of each day. You should not plan on taking it  with you during day activiies).

The best clothing to wear on activities is dryfit, or licra type (avoid cotton). Be well covered and protect your body from sun exposure with clothes and a baseball type hat., Choose light boots with good soles, or sneaker, or strapped sandals. 

We will store your baggage left behind in our office or chosen hotel.

WHAT SHOULD NOT BE BROUGHT ? Any object than can be deteriorated by water or valuables like jewels, cash, credit cards, etc.

Three types of lodging available (Basic, Comfortable, Premium)

PRICES PER PERSON (US $) ***  

Basic Lodging:  Zen, Clarion Victoria 

Comfortable Lodging: Aloft, Magnolia, Golden Tower

Premium Lodging:  Central, Bristol

 *** Above prices are per person and assume lodging in double occupancy room.   For single or tripple  occupancy rooms  add  up indicated supplement charge

# Supplement Charge is an additional charge or credit to compensate default pricing used for shared doble occupancy.

## Replacing  default Camping by  City Hotel Charge  is an additional charge  to those already contemplated with default camping at river shore on the 2nd Day of the itinerary.  During most time of the year, usually from June through March we get out of the river  soon enough that it will allow  you to have this option if you are not comfortable camping. 

SEASON:

Year-round Panama rainforest vacation, and one of Panama best outdoors adventures. Usually the Green Season extends from April through December.  River water level is at its higher by November and at its lowest by May.