Panama trekking holiday, Darien Gap
| country: | Panama |
| departures: | Departure expected for February 2009, dates to be confirmed |
| price: | From £1600 (14 days) excluding flights. We can arrange flights from the UK. Single supplement £150. Group size 4-12 people |
the amazing things you'll be doing
Our Darien trekking holiday is a rare opportunity to journey deep into the rainforests of the infamous Darien Gap.
A naturalist’s paradise in one of the most inaccessible places on earth, you'll encounter a massive array of wildlife first hand. We will hike through the jungle and travel by dugout canoe through 'cathedral' rainforest, experience the orchestra of birdcall and meet remote villagers. This truly is an unmissable expedition style journey of discovery for the intrepid traveller.
This trip includes 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.
A desire to experience the outdoors, a spirit of adventure & willingness to sacrifice creature comforts are essential qualifications. Participants should be physically fit & able to hike at a moderate pace for up to 8 hrs a day.
A naturalist’s paradise in one of the most inaccessible places on earth, you'll encounter a massive array of wildlife first hand. We will hike through the jungle and travel by dugout canoe through 'cathedral' rainforest, experience the orchestra of birdcall and meet remote villagers. This truly is an unmissable expedition style journey of discovery for the intrepid traveller.
This trip includes 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.
A desire to experience the outdoors, a spirit of adventure & willingness to sacrifice creature comforts are essential qualifications. Participants should be physically fit & able to hike at a moderate pace for up to 8 hrs a day.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Arrival. Meet at the airport & transfer to our hotel in Panama City for a welcome cocktail & briefing. |
| Day 2: | Gulf of San Miguel & Punta Patino. Fly (45 mins) to La Palma, capital of the Darien province. We take a boat to our private cabins in Punta Patiño Nature Reserve, looking out for bottle-nosed dolphins. We hike the Piedra Candela trail and take a short walk to the wetlands in search of Capybaras, the world’s largest rodent, as well as caiman, owls & other nocturnal species. (B,L,D) |
| Day 3: | Emera People. We travel by motorized dugout canoe through millenary mangroves to the village of Mogue where its inhabitants greet us and we will be able to learn about their culture & traditions and buy their beautiful handicrafts carved of Cocobolo wood or weaved from palm fibres. Exchange experiences with the Mogue inhabitants & overnight at Mogue Village (fully screened tents with mats for sleeping) (B,L,D) |
| Day 4: | Pirre Station. We journey up the river to El Real & the entrance to Darien National Park. We hike to the Darien N.P. Pirre Station (3 hours) or ride in our dugout canoe (2 hours), depending on the river water level. 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. Overnight at Pirre Park Ranger Station (rustic with bunk beds) (B,L,D) |
| Day 5: | Pirre Station. This area is the habitat of many lowland species; Scarlet-browed, Tawny-crested, Lemon-spectacled Tanagers, White-fronted Nunbird, and Gray-cheeked Nunlet, and the old 'cathedral rainforest'; Ceibas, Anacardiums, stranglers & more. This afternoon we can cool off in the Pirre waterfall with its natural water slide. Overnight at Pirre Park Ranger Station. (B,L,D) |
| Day 6: | Pirre Station to El Real. This morning we will be on the trail early observing the bird activity. 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 to set up our tents. (B,L,D) |
| Day 7: | El Real & Lepe. We journey on the Tuira River; from our piragua we may spot Wood Stork, Laughing Falcon, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Gray-headed Kite, Bat Falcon, Rusty-margined Flycatcher, etc. We arrive at Boca de Cupe, from where the railroad took miners in and out of the fabled Cana Gold Mines. We will see occasional signs of the former infrastructure that was present in Cana during our hikes through the jungle. The former Cana railroad provides access on foot through the jungle to search for Macaws and Peccaries. Overnight at camp (B,L,D) |
| Day 8: | Cruzamono Station. We hike up river to the Cruzamono Ranger Station 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. Overnight at Cruzamono Park Ranger Station (B,L,D) |
| Day 9: | Cana Field Station. We continue our hike today following the Cupe River, looking for White-headed Wren, Tody Motmot, Macaws, Red-throated Caracara, etc amidst the towering Cuipo 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 basic but comfortable with shared bathrooms and hot water showers. Overnight at Cana Field Station (B,L,D) |
| 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. In 1996 the government of Panama outlawed all mining activity within Darien National Park turning the area of Cana into a natural haven. Overnight at Cana Field Station (B,L,D) |
| Day 11: | Pirre Cloudforest. Full day, slow-paced hike to our highland campsite (at 1200m above sea level) through a changing forest habitat, 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. Overnight at camp (B,L,D) |
| Day 12: | Pirre Cloudforest. Today we will explore this remote unspoiled cloud forest paradise, climbing another 640m to discover a forest covered by permanent mist. Rare species of flora and the Jaguar are found here. Afterwards hike back to the Cana Field Station. (B,L,D) |
| Day 13: | Panama City. Our midmorning flight will take us back to the city; where we will visit the Miraflores Locks of the Panama Canal and a craft market. Farewell dinner. (B,L,D) |
| Day 14: | Departure. Transfer to Tocumen International Airport. |
small group adventure holiday
Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends its good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as seeing new places.how this holiday makes a difference
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Panama is a proud nation and one that respects its indigenous peoples. Our tours include a stay on the San Blas Islands. These islands are an autonomous region, controlled and governed by Kuna Indians.
The Indians determination to protect their heritage and environment lead to the Panamanian Government giving them the authority to form a "comarca" (Autonomous Territory) of San Blas, where an indigenous, independent congress still rules. No non Kuna people are allowed to settle here and the only hotels are Kuna run. The Kuna are fishermen; however, they also cultivate coconut, corn, rice, cocoa and yucca. Kuna women spend hours stitching the colorful reverse-appliqué cotton "molas" which you are able buy. By taking this tour you know that the money you spend is going directly to the Kuna people to help preserve their way of life. Our tours also work closely with guides from the National Association for the Conservation of Nature, one of the regions most efficient and respected conservation organisations. Your participation on the tour supports the excellent work that this organisation is doing in the protection of Panama’s amazing abundance of flora and fauna. We only employ local staff and unlike many operators we believe that to send a foreign Tour Leader along to accompany your trip is an unnecessary burden on your wallet and our carbon footprint. We believe that locals know best. Our local operators only use locally owned accommodation. This means your money stays in the area to benefit the local community. When possible we use local transport, (i.e. rail or bus) and we always use local restaurants, markets and shops. In doing this your travels are supporting and encouraging the development of local services.  We only work with operators who are as committed as we are to putting something back into the communities we visit. This may include giving a percentage of the profits from each tour to a foundation to help street children or local conservation projects. Furthermore, in order to allow our clients to make an informed decision on where a greater proportion of their money should be spent, we avoid including pre-paid full board meals where possible. Local restaurants and cafes then benefit. Our groups average only six clients, and many tours operate on a private basis with just two travellers. This has much less impact when travelling through rural areas, reducing our environmental and social affects. Finally, to emphasis our commitment to Responsible Tourism all clients will receive a copy of our Travellers Code of Conduct with their travel documents. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |