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INTRODUCTION
Be ready to paddle all main rivers that Panama has to
offer in a week. Each river with its own unique enviroment will give you a
refreshed new day every day.
From the pristine jungles of Chagres National Park to
the wild water of Chiriqui you will get to know our Panama.
We start from easy rivers progressing to more
challenging rivers. Depending on the group it can be customized for
families(childrens above 12 years old), river rats, everyone that enjoy
paddling in the oudoors.
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 to your new
destination, Santa Clara Beach, about 2 hours drive, to the southwest
of Panama City. Here you will be pampered by the sound of the breaking waves
of the Pacific Ocean for a good night sleep.
Lodging Hotel Veraneras* – breakfast, lunch
4th day:
Rio Grande White Water,
Class III
After an early breakfast we will head northwest, about
1.5 hour drive, toward Rio Grande where depending on river water level
we might raft or kayak it. And then hit the road further west and up to
Boquete in the mountain region of Chiriqui Province, where a cooler climate
will surprise you. Around dinner time you will reach your hotel. The
rest of the evening you can walk around enjoying the fresh and cool air.
Lodging Hotel Panamonte** – lunch
5th day:
White Water River
Rafting, Chiriqui
After an early breakfast, you will head toward the
border with Costa Rica, at Paso Canoas. Close by, you will put in on a
breathtaking, adrenaline rush, rafting tour on the Chiriqui Viejo River with
most rapids being Class III-IV. The river passes through a canyon and
spectacular waterfalls characterize it. Depending on the water level
and section used it you will be rafting about 3-4 hours.
Lodging Hotel Panamonte**– lunch
6th day: “Los Quetzales” Trail,
Chiriqui
After breakfast you will be taken to hike “Los
Quetzales” trail from Cerro Punta to Boquete crossing Volcan Baru National
Park. With luck, you will see the magnificent Quetzal, a bird only
found in cloud forests of Central America. This hike will last 4 – 5 hours
and ends in Boquete where a driver is waiting to take you to David Airport
in time to take the last flight to Panama City
Lodging Hotel Marbella***– lunch
7th day:
Mamoni (Class III-IV) or
Pacora(Class
III) in duckies
By now we had paddle all river worth running in Panama except Mamoni,
only within 1.5 hour drive from Panama City toward the north east.
If by any chance it is flooded we might choose smaller Pacora River but our
objective will be to paddle in duckies
Lodging Hotel Marbella***–breakfast, lunch
8th day: Departure
After your breakfast you will be transferred to Tocumen International
Airport (depending on departure time). If time allows it you can search for
great buying deals at Los Pueblos Mall or visit ethnic cultural exhibition
at Los Pueblitos, or visit Panama Canal Miraflores Locks. It is up to you
!.(Activities not included).
breakfast
FREQUENT ASKED QUESTIONS WHAT DOES IT INCLUDE ? All mentioned
transportation, rafts or duckies and related gear, camping gear, guides, trip's meals. Our guides are
trained in white-water navigation skills, first-aid and CPR.
All mentioned activities are guided and included
Lodging and catering:
3 nights at Hotel Marbella**, Panama City
1 night at Tent Campsite by upper Chagres River, Chagres National Park,
Panama
1 night at Las Veraneras Lodge*, Santa Clara, Cocle
2 nights at Hotel Panamonte**, Boquete, Chiriqui
3 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 1 dinner
Transfers:
Ground transfer from Tocumen International Airport to Panama City, Ground
transfer from Chagres National Park to Santa Clara, Ground transfer from
Santa Clara to Chiriqui, Air Transfer from David to Panama City,
Ground Transfer from Panama City to Tocumen International Airport,à All
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, confortable and basic
accomodation with out luxury.
However, any person from twelve to 60
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.
Id that shows that you are legally in the country will
be required to paddle Chiriqui Viejo River and Mamoni River where migration
controls are established in its way to their put in.
PRICE US $ 1,295.00 per person in double room
US $ 1,445.00 per person in single room
SEASON
This package can be done year around. It will be tailored to rivers
current water level choosing raft or duckies, and suitable river sections.
Rivers water levels are highest by October-November which is the peak of
the rainy season and lowest by March-April-May which is the end of the dry
season. The best season is November through January
when river are still high but it does not rain much.
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. |
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