 14 days / 13 nights An exploration of the Darien rainforests and its indigenous people on foot and in dugout canoes. Fly from Panama City (1) to Cana Field Station in the Darien National Park (2), go on a full day hike to Pirre Cloud Forest Camp (3), visit the community of Boca de Cupe, navigate the following days downwards to Tuira River in a motorized piragua, visit the Embera village at Mogue river and end your trip at the Golf of San Miguel, at the Punta Patiño Reseve (4).
 Day 1 Arrive to Panama On arrival to Tocumen International Airport you are met by an Ancon Expeditions of Panama representative and transferred to your hotel in Panama City.
Night at LA ESTANCIA B&B
Early this morning you will meet with the Expedition Leader and the rest of the group for breakfast and orientation. You will then be transferred to Panama City’s Albrook airport to board our chartered flight (approximately 1.5 hours) to the Cana Field Station in the Darien National Park. Accommodations at Cana are basic but comfortable with shared bathrooms and hot water showers. This afternoon we explore the adjacent trails.
Night at CANA FIELD STATION (BLD)
Day 3 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. Largely due to ANCON’s efforts, in 1996 the government of Panama outlawed all mining activity within Darien National Park turning the area of Cana into a natural heaven.
Night at CANA FIELD STATION (BLD)
Day 4 Cana Field Station - Pirre Camp
This full day slow-paced hike to your highland campsite (located at about 1,200m / 4,000 feet above sea level) takes you through dramatic changes in the forest habitat. A virtual island of endemic and rarities, these forests are 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.
Night at PIRRE CLOUDFOREST TENT CAMP (BLD)
Day 5 Pirre Cloud Forest - Cana Field Station
Today you will explore this remote unspoiled cloud forest paradise. From the camp you will climb another 640 meters and discover a forest covered by permanent mist. Rare species of flora are found here where the Jaguar is also present. Afterwards hike back to the Cana Field Station.
Night at CANA FIELD STATION (BLD)
Day 6 Cana - Rio Paca
This morning you depart the Cana Field Station and start the hike down river towards the Tuira River. As you hike through the jungle you will be able to see and hear a myriad of birdcalls and other wonderful nature sounds and perhaps even some mammals.
Night at RIO PACA CAMP (BLD)
Day 7 Rio Paca Cruzamono Ranger Station
You continue your hike today following the Paca River. You look for White-headed Wren, Tody Motmot, Macaws, Red-throated Caracara, and many other species amidst the towering Cuipo (Cavanillesia platanifolia) trees and the giant Anacardiums. The remoteness of this region and the dramatic forest around you offers possible sightings of large mammals like Tapir, Giant Anteater, Black-spider Monkey, White-lipped Peccary and others.
Night at CRUZAMONO RANGER STATION (BLD)
Day 8 Cruzamono - Boca de Cupe Alter an early morning departure, you walk along the Cupe River, en route to the community of Boca de Cupe. The trail will continue to follow the railroad line that took miners in and out of the fabled Cana Gold Mines. You will see occasional signs of the former infrastructure that was present in Cana during your hikes through the jungle. The paths of the former Cana railroad provide access on foot through the jungle to search for Macaws and Peccaries. In the late afternoon, you reach the Afro-darienite village of Boca de Cupe, located on the shores of the mighty Tuira River.
LOCAL ROOMING HOUSE OR BOCA DE CUPE TENT CAMP (BLD)
Day 9 Boca de Cupe - Pirre Station
You depart Boca de Cupe aboard your motorized piragua this morning and begin your journey down the Tuira River. From your piragua you may be able to see Wood Stork, Laughing Falcon, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Gray-headed Kite, Bat Falcon, Rusty-margined Flycatcher and many others. You will pass several native villages and Yaviza, the terminus of the Pan-American Highway. After approximately 4 hours you arrive at the town of El Real and the Pirre River at the entrance to the Darien National Park. Given that the water level is too low for navigation, you will hike from El Real to the Station (3-4 hours). Rushing waterfalls and crystal clear pools overwhelm your senses as the mighty Darien jungle envelops you. You will look for Dendrobates frogs and flocks of understory birds.
Night at PIRRE PARK RANGER STATION (rustic with bunk beds) (BLD)
Day 10 Pirre Station
The area surrounding Pirre Station is the habitat of many lowland species. You may see Scarlet-browed, Tawny-crested, Lemon-spectacled Tanagers, White-fronted Nunbird, Gray-cheeked Nunlet among many others. Those interested in botany will be overwhelmed by the old “cathedral rainforest”; Ceibas, Anacardiums, stranglers and more. This afternoon you can cool off in the Pirre waterfall with its natural water slide.
Night at PIRRE PARK RANGER STATION (rustic with bunk beds) (BLD)
Day 11 Pirre Station - Mogue River Today you will navigate down the Tuira towards the Gulf of San Miguel on the Pacific Ocean, where you will reach the mouth of the Mogue River. The trip up river takes you through millenary mangroves making the boat ride extraordinary. You arrive at the village of Mogue where its inhabitants greet you. After the formalities and presentations you will be able to learn about their culture and traditions. Also you will have the opportunity of buying their beautiful handicrafts that are made from natural materials. The men are expert carvers of Cocobolo wood and the women weave extraordinary baskets from palm fibers with dyes from different plants. Enjoy the day exchanging experiences with the Mogue inhabitants.
Night at Mogue in tents (BLD)
Day 12 Mogue River As the tide goes to its highest level, you will depart Mogue and head down river toward the ocean, reaching the Ancon Expeditions of Panama lodge at the private (26,300m / 65,000-acre) Punta Patiño Nature Reserve.
Be on the lookout for bottle-nosed dolphin and different species of birds that find refuge among the mangrove-dotted coast. After a light and refreshing lunch, you’ll have an excellent opportunity to go down to the beach, or make use of the wonderful hammocks at the lodge, read a book, take a nap, and enjoy a spectacular sunset over Balboa’s South Sea.
Night at PUNTA PATINO LODGE (BLD)
Day 13 Punta Patiño - Panama City This morning you will transfer to the local commercial airport, for an early afternoon flight back to Panama City. Upon arrival you will visit the Miraflores Locks at the Panama Canal and the handicraft market. You will go to your hotel to freshen up for tonight’s farewell dinner at a typical Panamanian restaurant. Night at LA ESTANCIA B&B (BLD) Day 14 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 variable terrain, slippery, muddy
- Exposure to variable climatic conditions
- Rugged travelling conditions on long riverboat trips
- Accommodations vary from tent camping to rustic accomodations
DEPARTURE DATES 2011
March 14 - 27, 2011
PRICE
US$3,050 per person + 7% tax (double occupancy) – minimum of 4 passengers -
Additional price for single occupancy: US$500 + 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 Darien National Park 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
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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. CANA FIELD STATION 
| Regarded by renowned ornithologists as one of the best birding sites in the world, Ancon Expeditions' Cana Field Station is located in the heart of the 1.2 million-acre Darien National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The lodge is located at 1,600 feet above sea level and it's reachable by chartered plane from Panama City. The rustic accommodations are made up of 8 comfortable double occupancy bedrooms sharing 2 bathrooms (hot water available), a dinning hall with spectacular views of the lush vegetation, an observation deck and a series of trails where birders spend time feeding their passion. |
Address: Cana, Darien National Park, Panama
Website: www.anconexpeditions.com
Phone: +(507) 269-9415
Fax: +(507) 264-3713
Check in & Check out: Depend on domestic flights Click here for more information about Cana Field Station. PIRRE TENT CAMP
| Pirre Tent Camp is remotely located in the cloud forests close to the top of the mountain at 4,900 feet above sea level (1,500 meters). The tent camp is made up of two-person screened tents located under a thatch roof structure for further protection against rains. Tents are provided with comfortable lightweight mattresses (2 per tent), sheets and blankets. There is no electricity and water is rationed strictly for drinking and washing up (no showers). Meals are prepared daily in a small outdoor kitchen and served on dinning tables. Guests are responsible for bringing their own overnight packs on the birding hike up to the tent camp. Porters carry the supplies necessary for making the guests' stay in this remote place a comfortable one. The uphill hike to Pirre Tent Camp is about 5 hours long including intermittent stops for birding, enjoying the magnificent vistas and resting. | PUNTA PATIÑO LODGE  Punta Patiño Nature Reserve is the largest private natural protected area in Central America and part of the Darien National Park complex of preserved lands. The Punta Patiño lodge is located atop a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean to the South and surrounded by the natural splendour of the area. Its ten well appointed cabins are air-conditioned and have private bathrooms. A dinning hall and a chapel dating back to the early 20th century are all part of the lodge’s facilities.
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Address: Gulf of San Miguel, Punta Patiño Nature Reserve, Darien, Panama
Website: www.anconexpeditions.com
Phone: +(507) 269-9415
Fax: +(507) 264-3713
Check in & Check out: Depend on domestic flights
“I absolutely loved the trip into the Darien and would go back in a heartbeat -- the perfect mix of good walking, amazing wildlife and local interest.” Darien Explorer Trek Caroline Edwardson, Great Britain “It was a fabulous trip viewing an incredible part of the world.” Darien Explorer Trek Kathleen Davis, USA
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