|
 8 days / 7 nights
If the mossy river rocks, the gurgling translucent waters and the majestic, ancient trees could talk, they would tell epic stories of long mule trains hauling the King's gold, of dashing incursions by pirates against Castilla de Oro’s New World fortifications and many untold story tales. This adventurous trekking expedition takes you from Historic Panama City (1) over to the Embera village at Madden Lake (2), crossing the watershed divide of the Boqueron river (3) and reach the town of Portobelo on the Caribbean (4) from where you go on a scenery ride on the Panama Railway back to Panama City.
 ... Long before human ingenuity and determination envisioned the Panama Canal as it is today... long before steam engines pulled the first trans-continental railroad across Panama... a vital and mysterious road laid of stone traversed this domain of defiance... a throughway that was the scenario of astounding human drama; where courage, greed and cruelty shaped the early history of the world's crossroads... el Camino Real. "Centuries before construction began on the Panama Railroad and Canal, the 'path between the seas' was just that: a Spanish-built cobblestone thoroughfare winding 50 miles across the Central American isthmus. Beginning in the 1500s, mule trains laden with Inca gold followed the Camino Real (King's Road) from the Pacific to the Caribbean to meet galleons bound for Spain; buccaneers --Francis Drake and Henry Morgan among them-- conspired to relieve them of their cargo. Once wide enough to fit two passing horse carts, the Camino Real is now hidden, along with jaguars and three-toed sloths, in the dense jungles of the 300,000-acre Chagres National Park" -- McKenzie Funk, National Geographic Adventure Day 1 Arrive to Panama
On arrival to Tocumen International Airport in Panama City you will be greeted by an Ancon Expeditions of Panama representative and transferred to your hotel. Tonight you will meet with the Expedition Leader and the rest of the trip participants.
Night at HOTEL MARBELLA
Day 2 Historic Panama City - Embera Village
 Your morning begins with a thorough inspection of your equipment for the hike on the Camino Real. Afterwards, visit the ruins of Old Panama City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which holds historical relevance to the area that you will explore in the upcoming days. Early afternoon drive to Madden Lake, where you board your motorized dug out canoes in route to an Embera village where you will spend the night. You are greeted by the Embera people, who are proud to share their culture and heritage with you.
Night at Embera Village in screened tents (BLD)
Day 3 - 5 Chagres National Park
 You bid farewell to your Embera friends and continue your adventure in the Chagres National Park. This protected area was created in 1985 to preserve 130,000 hectares (320,000 acres) of rainforests as part of Panama’s conservation strategy and to help preserve the watershed which provides all of the fresh water needed for the operation of the Panama Canal, as well as the drinking water for the two largest cities in the country. The park is home to endangered species such as jaguars, Central American Spider Monkeys, and anteaters. It is also a bird sanctuary for more than 400 species, including the harpy eagle -- the largest eagle in the world and Panama's national bird. As you skirt along the park’s boundaries you will come across peasant farms and hamlets and gradually enter the thicker and more pristine rainforest, where you run into vestiges of late 1800s manganese mines, including railroad tracks and locomotives encroached in the tropical vegetation that has taken over these relics. You cross the watershed divide of the Boqueron River over a low mountain pass into the Nombre de Dios River basin as you head north toward the Caribbean Sea.
3 nights in FIELD CAMPS (BLD)
Day 6 Portobelo  After four days of trekking, you finally reach reach the road which where an Ancon Expeditions’ vehicle will transfer you to Portobelo, the final destination of the Camino Real on the Caribbean Sea. Set on a deepwater bay deemed easier to defend from the ravages of pirates, Portobelo was heavily fortified and for 150 years was home to the famous trade fairs, when the Spanish treasure fleet came to collect the riches that traveled across the isthmus on mule trains from Panama City and to leave merchandise brought from Seville for distribution throughout the Americas. Unsurprisingly, the wealth concentrated in the royal warehouses here was an irresistible target for the pirates who scoured the Spanish Main.
Night in waterfront lodge in Portobelo (BLD) Day 7 Bay of Portobelo - Panama City
This morning enjoy swimming in the Caribbean Sea. In the afternoon you will drive to Colon City to catch the train back to Panama City. The Panama Railway was inaugurated in 1856 and was the first train to cross the continent from one ocean to the other. The completion of the trans-isthmian railroad was inspired by the Gold Rush when pioneers were in need of a fast and safe way to get to California. The train ride is 1 hour long from coast to coast and skirts the Panama Canal. A farewell dinner by the Bay of Panama on the Pacific side is prepared for this evening.
Night at HOTEL MARBELLA (BLD)
Day 8 Depart Panama
Today you are picked up at the lobby of the hotel 2.5 hours prior to your scheduled departure flight and transferred to Tocumen International Airport. Fly home (B)
TRIP CLASSIFICATION
- Full day trekking 5-7 hours per day over muddy, steep, slippery slopes
- Exposure to variable climatic conditions
- Rugged traveling conditions
- Accommodations vary from tent camping to basic accomodations
DEPARTURE DATES 2010
Dec 18 - 25, 2010 DEPARTURE DATES 2011
Feb 19-26, 2011 - 2 more passengers needed to confirm the tour!
April 9-16, 2011
July 2-9, 2011
Dec 10-17, 2011
PRICE
US$1,450 per person + 7% tax (double occupancy) – minimum of 4 passengers -
Additional price for single occupancy: US$150 + 7% tax
INCLUDED NOT INCLUDED
- Lodging, meals as specified in the itinerary (B - breakfast, L - lunch, D - dinner)
| | | - Meals not specified in the itinerary
| - All land, air and water transportation within Panama
| - Alcoholic beverages
- Personal equipment
| - All airport/hotel transfers on scheduled arrival and departure dates
| - Gratuities and extras in hotels (telephone calls, laundry, room service)
| - Guides´services and expenses
| | - Park, museum and related entrance fees
| | - Services of an in-bound land operator for airline re-confirmations and tour operations
| | DISCLAIMER & NOTE
Prices and itineraries are correct at the time of printing, however they are subject to change due to tidal/weather or local conditions, availabilities or factors beyond our control.
Travel within Chagres and Portobelo National Parks is accomplished with great preparation on the part of our staff in order to make our guests as safe and comfortable as possible. Potential guests are expected to make themselves aware of the nature and demands of this trip and prudently judge whether or not they are suited for this type of 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 the attention of Ancon Expeditions of Panama several weeks prior to the program’s departure date.
WHAT TO BRING
- Binoculars (preferably 7x35 or bigger, also available for rent at Ancon Expeditions of Panama)
| - Sandals, sneakers, hiking boots (jungle boots preferred)
| - Camera with extra batteries & film
| | - Flashlight with extra bulb & batteries
| - Lightweight/quick dry cotton clothes
| | | - Insect repellant, Sunscreen
| - Money in small denominations
| | - Toiletries & personal medications
| | - Masking tape for flee protection / capture
|
TIPPING
Ancon Expeditions is Panama’s top eco-tourism operator. Our Natural & Cultural History Guides are the country's finest. Due to frequently asked questions from our clients about suggested guide & staff gratuities, we would like to provide you with the following universal tipping guidelines: - Naturalist guide/Tour leader: US$10.00-US$20.00 per person/day
- Day tour guide: US$10.00 per person/day
- Transfer driver: US$2.00 per person
- Tour driver: US$5.00 per person/day
- Tour boat driver: US$5.00 per person/day
- Hotel bellman: US$1.00 per person per suitcase
- International airport bellmen (red caps): US$1.00 per piece of suitcase
LA ESTANCIA B&B
| A warm welcome awaits you at B&B La Estancia; nestled in the quiet hillside of Cerro Ancon with views to the Bridge of the Americas. La Estancia has 17 rooms and guests have access to free WIFI internet, a little library, cell phone rental and common areas to relax. The B&B is located on Ancon Hill, just a cab ride away from the domestic airport, Albrook shopping mall, Amador Causeway, restaurants and the city center |
Address: Casa 35, Calle Amelia Denis de Icaza, Quarry Heights, Panama City Website: www.bedandbreakfastpanama.com Phone: +(507) 314-1604 Fax: +(507) 314-1604 Check in: 3:00 p.m. Check out: 11:00 p.m. COCO PLUM ECO LODGE
 The Coco Plum Cabañas are a congenial slice of Caribbean tranquility tucked away on the seashore, about a 5-minute drive from Portobelo. The lodge counts with 12 simple, but comfortable connecting rooms for two, three, and five guests, air conditioning, TV, private bathrooms and a Caribbean style restaurant Las Anclas. Nearby, you can enjoy activities such as swimming, diving, fishing, snorkeling, and banana boat. At the lodge´s Coco Loco bar you can relax at night with a cocktail, drink and playing pool.
|
Address: Portobelo, Colón, Panama
Website: www.cocoplum-panama.com
Phone: +(507) 448-2102
Fax: +(507) 448-2325
Check in: 2:00 p.m.
Check out: 1:00 p.m.
"A wonderful experience that I would highly recommend to others. I would be happy to talk with others who might be considering a trip." Camino Real Trek
Tom Turney, USA
|
