Panama Chagres River Map

Most rivers follow a direct path to the ocean.  However, the Chagres River collects tributaries such as Piedras, Limpio, Chico, Indio, San Juan, Boqueron along its path through the Isthmus of Panama to them, when its only about 20 kilometers from the Pacific Ocean at Gamboa, it turns abruptly Northwest toward the Atlantic Ocean 60 kilometers away.

It has been damped twice. First at Gatun Dam in the Atlantic to create Gatun Lake where ships crossing the canal reach its highest section. Them further upstream at Madden Dam  in the middle of the isthmus to form Madden Lake which is used as a water reservoir that it is drained during the dry season to keep Gatun Lake with an operational water level.  

From the Panama Chagres River Map above, it is easy to understand why Panama has always being the favorite commerce transit route across the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans since time of the Spaniard Conquistadores.  The Chagres River is Panama's main treasure. 

The Panama Chagres River Map above shows some of the locations visited by Adventures Panama expeditions while paddling on river rafts at the river upper section by Chagres National Park, and them on expedition kayaks on lakes and calm waters.

Adventures Panama takes you to experience all sections of the Chagres Rivers from the mountains to the ocean. You can choose its full week expedition The Panama Canal through the Chagres River.  Also expeditions that last a couple of days traveling in rafts such as The Chagres Challenge Overnigth,  or in expedition kayaks from Madden Lake to the Atlantic Ocean, or from Gamboa to the Atlantic. Adventures Panama also offer day tours such as The Chagres Challenge in upper Chagres National Park, Gatun Lake at the Panama Canal, and The Chagres River in Expedition Kayaks from Gatun Dam to the Atlantic Ocean.