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The province of Darien, located to the southeast extreme of the Panamanian territory bordering Colombia, is the ultimate alternative for extreme ecotourism. This region has an extension of 16 thousand kilometers of tropical rainforest, beautiful beaches, variety of vegetation and different Indian groups. The afro-Cimarron descendents were brought by the Spanish during the colony that settled in La Palma, El Real and Jaque. The other two main groups are the Wounaan and Embera of Choco, Colombia. The Darien National Park is considered one of the most important natural reserves of the country and occupies most of the southern part of the Province. The park is home to thousands of mammals, reptiles and birds. The Harpy Eagle, the world strongest eagle and Panama's national birds, finds its home here, along with many other species such as the jaguar, cayman and the American crocodile. Recently other species have been discovered such as the goldhead Quetzal. This reserve is considered one of the last Central American refuges for the preservation of many species in danger of extinction and one of the most complete ecosystems in the whole of the American continent. In order to visit the park, you must have previous authorisation from the National Environment Authority.
The Itinerary
Day 1:
On arrival to Tocumen International Airport we are met by our Expedition Guide and transferred to our hotel in Panama City. Welcome cocktail and briefing with our Expedition Guide.
Night at HOTEL EXECUTIVE
Day 2: PANAMA CITY - GULF OF SAN MIGUEL - PUNTA PATINO
This morning we are picked up at our hotel and transferred to Panama City's domestic airport to board the scheduled flight (approximately 45 minutes) to La Palma capital of the Darien province, located by the mouth of the mighty Tuira River. At La Palma we board our expedition boat which take us to the Ancon Expeditions lodge at the private 65,000-acre Punta Patino Nature Reserve, overlooking the Gulf of San Miguel where we settled into our private cabins. Be on the lookout for bottle-nosed dolphin and different species of birds that find refuge among the mangrove-dotted coast.
After a light and refreshing lunch we will head out on our first excursion of the trip. This afternoon we hike the Piedra Candela trail where our guide will describe the importance of this tropical dry forest. This type of forest is quickly vanishing due to deforestation. We can return to the lodge or stay at the beach to see the spectacular sunset.
This evening we will take a short walk to the wetlands in search of Capybaras, the world's largest rodent with its northernmost range being Panama. We will also look for caiman, owls and other nocturnal species.
Night at PUNTA PATINO LODGE (BLD)
Day 3: MOGUE RIVER - EMBERA PEOPLE
This morning we embark on our motorized dugout canoe and head for the Mogue River. We will look for Roseate Spoonbill, Ibis, Osprey and Raccoons fishing along the river. The trip up river takes us through millenary mangroves making the boat ride extraordinary. We arrive at the village of Mogue where its inhabitants greet us. After the formalities and presentations we will be able to learn about their culture and traditions. Also we will have the opportunity of buying their beautiful handicrafts that are made from natural materials. The men are expert carvers of Cocobolo wood and the women weave extraordinary baskets from palm fibres with dyes from different plants. Enjoy the day exchanging experiences with the Mogue inhabitants.
Night at MOGUE VILLAGE (fully screened tents with mats for sleeping) (BLD)
Day 4: MOGUE RIVER - PIRRE STATION
Our journey up the mighty Tuira River this morning takes us to the town of El Real and the Pirre River at the entrance to the Darien National Park.
Access to the Darien National Park Pirre Station depends on the water level of the Pirre River.
If the water level is low we will hike from El Real to the Station (3 hours.) If the water level permits we ride in our dugout canoe (2 hours.)
Rushing waterfalls and crystal clear pools overwhelm our senses as the mighty Darien jungle envelops us. We will look for Dendrobates frogs and flocks of understory birds.
Night at PIRRE PARK RANGER STATION (rustic with bunk beds) (BLD)
Day 5: PIRRE STATION
The area surrounding Pirre Station is the habitat of many lowland species. We may see Scarlet-browed, Tawny-crested, Lemon-spectacled Tanagers, White-fronted Nunbird, Gray-cheeked Nunlet among many others. Those interested in botany will be overwhelmed by the old "cathedral rainforest;" Ceibas, Anacardiums, stranglers and more. This afternoon we can cool off in the Pirre waterfall with its natural water slide.
Night at PIRRE PARK RANGER STATION (rustic with bunk beds) (BLD)
Day 6: PIRRE STATION - EL REAL
This morning we will be on the trail early observing the bird activity that accompanies the army ant swarms. After lunch we continue hiking to El Real stopping en route at the Embera village of Pijibasal.
At El Real we can enjoy the Bullerengue dancing that is popular in this Afrodarienite town. We may choose to sleep in the local hotel or perhaps we will choose to set our tents for the evening.
LOCAL ROOMING HOUSE OR EL REAL CAMP (BLD)
Day 7: EL REAL - LEPE
We board our motorized piragua again this morning and resume our journey on the Tuira River passing by Yaviza the terminus of the Pan-American Highway. If time allows we will visit the Embera villages along the river learning more about this fascinating culture.
From our piragua we may be able to see Wood Stork, Laughing Falcon, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Gray-headed Kite, Bat Falcon, Rusty-margined Flycatcher and many others.
After approximately 4 hours we arrive at the town of Boca de Cupe. It is from this town that the railroad took miners in and out of the fabled Cana Gold Mines. Now virtually uninhabited Cana was home to more than 16,000 people less than 100 years ago. We will see occasional signs of the former infrastructure that was present in Cana during our hikes through the jungle.
The paths of the former Cana railroad provide access on foot through the jungle to search for Macaws and Peccaries.
Night at LEPE CAMP (BLD)
Day 8: LEPE CAMP - CRUZAMONO STATION
This morning we start the hike up river to the Cruzamono Ranger Station. As we hike through the jungle we will be able to see and hear a myriad of birdcalls and other wonderful nature sounds as well as maybe seeing footprints of mammals.
Night at CRUZAMONO PARK RANGER STATION (BLD)
Day 9: CRUZAMONO RANGER STATION - CANA FIELD STATION
We continue our hike today following the Cupe River. We look for White-headed Wren, Tody Motmot, Macaws, Red-throated Caracara, and many other species amidst the towering Cuipo (Cavallinesia platanifolia) trees and the giant Anacardiums. The remoteness of this region and the dramatic forest around us offers possible sightings of large mammals like Tapir, Giant Anteater, Black-spider Monkey, White-lipped Peccary and others. Accommodations at Cana are rustic but comfortable with shared bathrooms and cold showers.
Night at CANA FIELD STATION (BLD)
Day 10: CANA FIELD STATION
Set amidst 19th century locomotives, winches, smokestacks and ovens, Cana is an explorer's paradise. Relics of the recent attempts (late 1800s) to mine this wilderness area are reminders of how vulnerable even the most remote areas are to human exploitation. Largely due to ANCON's efforts, in 1996 the government of Panama outlawed all mining activity within Darien National Park turning the area of Cana into a natural heaven.
Night at CANA FIELD STATION (BLD)
Day 11: CANA FIELD STATION - PIRRE CLOUDFOREST CAMP
This full day slow-paced hike to our highland campsite (located at about 1200 meters above sea level) takes us through dramatic changes in the forest habitat. A virtual island of endemic and rarities, these forests are home to Golden-headed Quetzals, Yellow-green Grosbeak, Yellow-collared Chlorophonia, Beautiful Treerunner, Varied Solitaire, Pirre endemic species, Sharpbill, and many others. Follow the tracks of the Tapir and be on the lookout for White-lipped Peccaries.
Night at PIRRE CLOUDFOREST TENT CAMP (BLD)
Day 12: PIRRE CLOUDFOREST- CANA FIELD STATION
Today we will explore this remote unspoiled cloud forest paradise. From the camp we will climb another 640 meters and discover a forest covered by permanent mist. Rare species of flora are found here where the Jaguar is also present afterward hike back to the Cana Field Station.
Night at CANA FIELD STATION (BLD)
Day 13: CANA FIELD STATION - PANAMA CITY
Our midmorning flight will take us back to the city, upon arrival we will visit the Miraflores Locks of the Panama Canal and a craft market. We will return to our hotel to freshen up for tonight's farewell dinner at a typical Panamanian l restaurant.
Night at HOTEL EXECUTIVE (BLD)
Day 14:
Transfer to Tocumen International Airport 2.5 hours prior to flight departure time. (B)
General Information
Rated: Moderate
Full day trekking 5-7 hours per day over muddy, steep, slippery slopes. Exposure to variable climatic conditions. Rugged travelling conditions on long riverboat trips. Camping and rustic accommodations
Fixed Departure dates
Year 2006: January 19-February 1
May 29-June 11 & on request
4 persons minimum
| Tour Tariff | ||
| Per person | SGL Supp. | |
| USD | $ 2450 | $ 100 |
| EUR | € 2033 | € 82 |
| GBP | £ 1372 | £56 |
Included:
Lodging, all land, air and water transportation within Panama. All airport/hotel transfers on scheduled arrival/departure dates, meals as specified in the itinerary (B - breakfast; L - lunch; D - dinner), entrance fees, guides' services and expenses, and services of an in-bound land operator for airline re-confirmations and tour operations.
A US$25.00 contribution to Panama's National Association for the Conservation Nature (ANCON) has been included in the price
Not included:
International airfare, airport departure taxes ($20 per person), tourist card ($5 per person), meals not specified in the itinerary, alcoholic beverages, personal equipment, extras in hotels (laundry, telephone calls, room service, etc.), gratuities.
Note:
Travel within Darien National Park is accomplished with great preparation on the part of our staff to try to make our guests as comfortable as possible. Potential guests are expected to make themselves aware of the nature and demands of the experience and prudently judge whether or not they are suited to this type of an experience. A desire to experience the outdoors, a spirit of adventure, and willingness to sacrifice creature comforts are essential qualifications. Participants should be physically fit and able to hike at a moderate pace for up to eight hours in a day. Medical limitations and concerns should be brought to our attention several weeks prior to the program's departure date.
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