THE EMBERA INDIGENOUS PEOPLE ON GATUN RIVER
TOUR DESCRIPTION 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.
PRICE US$185 per person + 7% tax (4+ passengers), US$270 per person + 7% tax (2-3 passengers)
INCLUDED Bilingual naturalist guide, traditional Embera lunch, park/community and related fees, transportation from/to your hotel in Panama City (please note that a $35 per person roundtrip surcharge based on 2+ persons must be added to tours beginning and/or ending at Gamboa Rainforest Resort, Canopy Tower, Playa Bonita or hotels near Tocumen Airport)
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.
ITINERARY
This morning you will be picked up by your Ancon Expeditions of Panama Naturalist Guide in Panama City for a 90min drive to the Embera indigenous village on the shores of the Gatun River near Colon.
You will board a motorized piragua (dugout canoe) and travel up through the lush forest to the indigenous village. Along the 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 head back by dugout canoe to where you started the tour in the morning and then head back to Panama City mid-afternoon.
DETAILS
TOUR SCHEDULE
- 8:30 a.m. Approximate pickup time at your hotel in Panama City (depending on your hotel location)
- 7 hours Approximate tour duration
Check our SPECIALS SECTION for current "open tours" with already passengers signed up or review our green season Specials!
WHAT TO BRING
- Binoculars
- Refill water bottle
- 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
REVIEWS
"Really enjoyed working with Ancon Expeditions. Good guides, very professional and knowledgeable. LOVED the Embera indigenous people’s tour today. Always on time, helpful."
David Nelson & Laurie Watkins (USA)
"Just to let you know that your tour guides were awesome today.They did a really good job and entertained my wife a lot. I will let my friends know to give u a call when they come to Panama later this year. hope they can get the same guys.Thanks"
Jodel Giraud, USA
“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. 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! “
C.J. Ricard, Canada
“Beautiful people and we learned so much from them. The ride in the dugout canoe was a wonderful experience.”
Pete Miller, USA
