|
 A perfect opportunity to visit an indigenous village in the midst of an exceptionally wonderful natural setting that supports in harmony their lifestyle and traditions. The Embera indigenous people still live today as many decades ago in their original homes deep in the Darien. Learn about their traditional dances, music, singing, use of plants and flowers as natural medicine, construction of their housing and many more customs they are still practicing.
Early in the morning you are picked up at the lobby of your hotel by an Ancon Expeditions of Panama Naturalist Guide and transferred to El Corotu on the shores of Madden Lake. The main reservoir of drinking water for the cities of Panama and Colon, Madden Lake also supplies 40% of the water required for the operation of the Panama Canal. Here, you board a motorized piragua (dugout canoe) and travel up the Chagres River to the Embera indigenous village of Embera Drua.
The boat journey takes you through the rainforest of the 320,000-acre Chagres National Park, which is the largest of the National Parks protecting the Panama Canal Watershed. Along the Chagres River, you may be able to spot Little Blue and Green Heron, Great Egret, Anhingas, Neotropical Cormorant, Amazon, Ringed, and Green Kingfishers, along with Keel-billed Toucans and Ospreys flying above. At the Embera village you will be greeted with dancing and music.
You will learn about Embera customs and their relationship with nature. There will be handcrafts available for sale and you will have a chance to be painted with the traditional jagua, a natural dye the Embera use to adorn their bodies. After a traditional Embera lunch you will be heading back to Panama City.
TOUR SCHEDULE 7:30 a.m. Approximate pick up time at your hotel in Panama City (depending on your hotel location) 8 hours Approximate tour duration Check our SPECIALS SECTION for current "open tours" with already passengers signed up or review our green season Specials!
PRICE 2010 (valid through Nov 30, 2010)
US$130 per person + 7% tax (4+ passengers) US$150 per person + 7% tax (2-3 passengers) PRICE 2011 (tours after Dec 1, 2010 through Nov 30, 2011) US$125 per person + 7% tax (4+ passengers) US$180 per person + 7% tax (2-3 passengers) INCLUDED - Bilingual Naturalist Guide
- Traditional Embera Lunch
- Transportation from/to your hotel in Panama City*
- Park, community and related fees
*a $25 per person surcharge (roundtrip, based on 2+ persons) must be added to day tours beginning and/or ending at Gamboa Rainforest Resort, Intercontinental Playa Bonita Resort or the Canopy Tower
DISCLAIMER
Prices and itineraries are correct at the time of printing, however they are subject to change due to weather or local conditions, availabilities or factors beyond our control.
WHAT TO BRING
- Binoculars (available for rent at Ancon Expeditions of Panama)
- Camera
- Cap or hat
- Sunscreen lotion
- Insect Repellant
- Light clothing (T-Shirt and shorts)
- Light raincoat
- Good traction footwear
- Bathing suit and towel
- Cash in small denominations is suggested if interested in purchasing handicrafts
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
“I want to take this time and thank you for your outstanding service, the tour was absolutely amazing, the people I was with including myself had wonderful time. I count it as one of the top 3 experiences of my life!! What a wonderful friendly beautiful people with a rich culture and amazing story. Rick, our tour guide was nothing short of outstanding his knowledge and willingness to make this a memorable experience really enhanced the day.
From the bottom of my heart thank you for giving me this opportunity! “
Chagres River & Embera People
C.J. Ricard, Canada “Beautiful people and we learned so much from them. The ride in the dugout canoe through the lush forest of the Chagres National Park was a wonderful experience.” Chagres River & Embera People Pete Miller, USA
|
