Pack_100-15

100-15 Chagres and San Blas Adventure ( 7 Nights)

Panama City – Chagres National Park – San Blas Archipelago

The Chagres River is virtually unseen in the trek through the Chagres National Park due to the lack of access roads, protection against settlers, and the previous non-existence of Aventuras Panamá. This part of the river, characterized by currents alternating with backwaters, is considered as Class II, although several rapids are considered Class III by the International Classification of River Navigation.

As a result of dense tropical forest that covers the basin of the river, sedimentation is minimum; therefore, clear water can be expected very often. The flora is typical of the tropical rain forest, with more than three hundred species per hectarea. Although it is the natural habitat of big mammals such as tapir and jaguar, tropical rainforest animals , they are very seldom encountered. It is much easier to spot several others samples of the fauna, such as monkeys of the rainforest(spider, howler, whiteface capuchin , Geoffrey's Tamarin), sloth, river otter, iguana, tucan, and plenty of fish.

The Chagres National Park is also the habitat of Embera Rainforest Tribes. Natives that have adapted to live in jungles by the river. We will visit them.

The San Blas Archipelago, with more than 350 islands spreading out along the isthmus, together with the northeast of Panama from Colon to Colombia, from the Caribbean Ocean up to the continental divide at the isthmus mountain range defines San Blas or Kuna Yala, the homeland of Kuna Natives.

Kunas are well known by their molas, a bright and colorful fabric they manufacture and wear in their female dress.

They are politically a nation within Panama with their own language, culture, laws and territory. However, they are also Panamanians.

There wasn´t a single road(not until 2007) connecting Kuna Yala with the rest of Panama. Kuna´s efforts to preserve their own identity, and control over San Blas has made it possible to keep this region as the pristine paradise it is today.

ITINERARY

1st day: Arrival to Panama City

You will be welcome by us at Tocumen International Airport, nearby Panama City, and transferred to a Panama City Hotel. We will have a welcome meeting for the group at 07:00 pm in the hotel lobby.

Lodging at Hotel Marbella**

2th day: The Chagres Challenge

Get ready for an early start at 7 am when you will be picked and taken in an all-terrain vehicle to the remote village of San Cristobal, which is past the mountains of Cerro Azul, northeast of Panama City.

After a wild 4x4 drive through our own made highway, you will hike for about 2-3 hours on a trail within Chagres National Park up to Rio Piedras, a Chagres River tributary. Here you will get into rafts to float downstream (Class II-III rapids) into the untouched jungles of the upper basin of the Chagres River.

We will set up camp in a river shore around 4 p.m. Tales around a cozy campfire are a sure thing.

Lodging at Tent Camp – breakfast, lunch, dinner

3rd day: Embera Indian Village

After breakfast you will help to take down our camp and leave no trace behind.

Then, you will continue rafting further downstream passing an impressive granite canyon with some white water rapid action, and ending just before encountering Madden Lake.

There you will be expected by a “piragua” (native wooden canoe equipped with outboard motor) that will take you to their Embera Indian Village.

These Embera Natives migrated to Chagres National Park more than 20 years ago, where they found here the same habitat that they were so familiar with in the Darien Jungles, by Colombia..

After sharing the kind hospitality of Embera Natives we will get back to our “piragua” that will take us to the nearest road. A driver will be expecting to bring you back to civilization, and back to City Hotel.

Lodging Hotel Marbella* – breakfast, lunch

4th day: San Blas Archipelago - Sea Kayaking and Snorkeling

Take off at 06:00 am from Domestic Airport at Panama City and arriving at El Porvenir around 06:20 for breakfast. Campsite transfer. Sea kayak familiarization

Lodging at camp – breakfast, lunch, dinner

5th - 6th days: Sea Kayaking and Snorkeling

Explore near by island and reefs

Lodging at camp – breakfast, lunch, dinner

7th day: Sea Kayaking and Snorkeling

Explore near by island and reefs

Lodging at Ukuptupu Lodge – breakfast, lunch, dinner

8th day: Departure

Take off at 07:00 am from El Porvenir. Arrive to Panama City around 07:30 pm

breakfast

FREQUENT ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT DOES IT INCLUDE ? All mentioned transportation, rafts or duckies, sea kayak(tandem or single) and related gear, camping gear, guides, trip's meals. Our guides are trained in river and sea navigation skills, first-aid and CPR.

All mentioned activities are guided and included

Lodging and catering:
2 nights at Hotel Marbella**, Panama City
1 night at Tent Campsite by upper Chagres River, Chagres National Park, Panama3 nights at Tent Campsite at San Blas, Panama
1 night at Ukuptupu Lodge, San Blas
7breakfasts, 6 lunches, 5 dinners

Transfers:
All mentioned ground and air transfers within Panama are included.

Not Included:
International flight, Airport tax ($ 20.00/person), personal expenses, tips, meals not specified in itinerary, extras in hotels(laundry, room service, phone calls)

WHO CAN GO ? This land package set departures are designed for couples, friends, or singles above 18 yrs old that enjoy to team up for paddling in the outdoors. Lodging has been chosen considereing local style, comfortable and basic accomodation with out luxury.

However, any person from twelve to 65 years old, in good health, ready to walk for about two and a half hours through an irregular and muddy path could do it with minor modifications(Minors must travel with a responsible adult).

Private groups with some customization can be arranged.

WHAT SHOULD YOU TAKE ALONG ? Daily items: Swimsuit or a pair of short for navigating, sneakers or light boots with good soles, a cap, sun-block, a light jacket or windbreaker (in case the weather turns chilly), a towel and dry set of clothes for after the day trip. Blanket, flashlight, personal higiene items.

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

PRICE:
US $ 1,630.00 per person in double room
US $ 1,780.00 per person in single room

SEASON

This package is good year around. However we recommend best from November through March when the North wind settles disminishing sand flies at the San Blas island and chances of rain.

The rainy season in Panama starts in April-May and ends by November-December.

NOTES:
(1) Aventuras Panama reserves the right, at its sole criteria, to exchange program with similar activities or accommodations in case it considers it necessary.
(2) Participants should get familiar and agree with Aventuras Panama Terms and Conditions.

Morning mist above San Cristobal, Rio Piedras and Chagres rivers basin