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INTRODUCTION
More than ten years ago, several families of
Embera indians original from the remote rainforest tribes of Darien's jungle migrated to Chagres
River's bank, situated at less than hour and half from Panama City.
The Chagres River is the main water source of the
Panama Canal, and due to its importance in the national economy,
the Chagres National Park was founded in 1984 to protect its
watershed.
Parara Puru is a demostrative village of the embera's
culture, established in Chagres National Park thanks to its
chief's initiative, Antonio Tocamo. In it, the visitor has the
oportunity to appreciate costums and believes of the village in
the same way as he would experience it in the remote rainforest tribes of Darien's
jungle.
The Natural Bridge, as its name states it, has been
carved by nature. It has been in use since the time of the
spaniard conquest to pass over the La Puente River. "El
Camino Real" or "Royal Way", which passes over the
bridge, was the main route used to transfer the gold and silver
extracted from Peru to Spain.
ITINERARY
We start the tour picking up guesses at 8:00 a.m. at
Panama City. We will arrive to the Natural Bridge around 9:30
a.m. After apreciating it, a historic briefing shall be given,
and motorized dugout canoes will be boarded to navigate toward
Parara Puru in a twenty minute trip.
At Parara Puru, its chief, Antonio Tocamo, and his
people will welcome us. The indians will demonstrate us some of
their tipical celebration and curative dances. There would be
time to share with the indians in an informal way about their way
of life (social, religious, economic and other aspects of their
culture).
We'll walk a narrow trail where our indian guide will
identify flora species that are used daily due to its properties
for medicine, construction of habitat, and handcrafts.
At around 01:00 p.m. will have a lunch in the village,
and will have time to buy their famous handcrafts: cocobolo wood
and tagua (or vegetable ivory) carving, and parara puru (palm
leave) baskets.
At around 02:00 p.m. we will travel back to the
closest road to take our vehícle to return back around 04.00
p.m.
FREQUENT ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT DOES IT INCLUDE ? All mentioned
transportation, bilingual guides, lunch and beverages, donation
to Chagres Foundation.
WHO CAN GO ? Any person from eight to seventy
years old, in good health, Minors must travel with a responsible
adult.
WHAT SHOULD YOU TAKE ALONG ? Camara, hat, sun
protection, sport clothing, sneaker or light boots with good
soles, swinsuit and towel, and dry set of clothes for the trip
back (there are chances to get wet even if you don't go for a
swin).
WHAT SHOULD NOT BE BROUGHT ? Sandals and
jewerly.
PRICE
USD $ 95.00 per person.
Group Leader goes free with a party greater than
10 persons.
SEASON
The Embera Rainforest Tribe Village can be visited year around.
The rainy season starts in April-May and
extends to December reaching its peak at October. Chances for rain are
very probable.
During the dry season, from January through March
there is usually a strong North wind and probabilities of seldom light rain
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