Day
1 ARRIVE PANAMA
On arrival to Tocumen International Airport we are met by our Expedition Guide
and transferred to our hotel in Panama City. Welcome cocktail and briefing with
our Expedition Guide.
Night at HOTEL EXECUTIVE
Day
2 PANAMA CITY - GULF OF SAN MIGUEL – PUNTA
PATIÑO
This morning we are picked up at our hotel and transferred to Panama City’s
domestic airport to board the scheduled flight (approximately 45 minutes) to
La Palma capital of the Darien province, located by the mouth of the mighty Tuira
River. At La Palma we board our expedition boat which take us to the Ancon Expeditions
lodge at the private 65,000-acre Punta Patiño Nature Reserve, overlooking
the Gulf of San Miguel where we settled into our private cabins. 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 we will head out
on our first excursion of the trip. This afternoon we hike the Piedra Candela
trail where our guide will describe the importance of this tropical dry forest.
This type of forest is quickly vanishing due to deforestation. We can return
to the lodge or stay at the beach to see the spectacular sunset. This evening
we will take a short walk to the wetlands in search of Capybaras, the world’s
largest rodent with its northernmost range being Panama. We will also look for
caiman, owls and other nocturnal species.
Night at PUNTA PATINO LODGE (BLD)
Day
3 MOGUE RIVER – EMBERA PEOPLE
This morning we embark on our motorized dugout canoe and head for the Mogue River.
We will look for Roseate Spoonbill, Ibis, Osprey and Raccoons fishing along the
river. The trip up river takes us through millenary mangroves making the boat
ride extraordinary. We arrive at the village of Mogue where its inhabitants greet
us. After the formalities and presentations we will be able to learn about their
culture and traditions. Also we 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 VILLAGE (fully screened tents with mats for sleeping) (BLD)
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Day
4 MOGUE RIVER - PIRRE STATION
Our journey up the mighty Tuira River this morning takes us to the town of El
Real and the Pirre River at the entrance to the Darien National Park. Access
to the Darien National Park Pirre Station depends on the water level of the Pirre
River. If the water level is low we will hike from El Real to the Station (3
hours.) If the water level permits we ride in our dugout canoe (2 hours). Rushing
waterfalls and crystal clear pools overwhelm our senses as the mighty Darien
jungle envelops us. We will look for Dendrobates frogs and flocks of understory
birds.
Night at PIRRE PARK RANGER STATION (rustic with bunk beds) (BLD) |
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Day 5 PIRRE STATION
The area surrounding Pirre Station is the habitat of many lowland species. We
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 we can cool off in the Pirre waterfall with
its natural water slide.
Night at PIRRE PARK RANGER STATION (rustic with bunk beds) (BLD)
Day
6 PIRRE STATION – EL REAL
This morning we will be on the trail early observing the bird activity that accompanies
the army ant swarms. After lunch we continue hiking to El Real stopping en route
at the Embera village of Pijibasal. At El Real we can enjoy the Bullerengue dancing
that is popular in this Afrodarienite town. We may choose to sleep in the local
hotel or perhaps we will choose to set our tents for the evening.
LOCAL ROOMING HOUSE OR EL REAL TENT CAMP (BLD)
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Day
7 EL REAL – LEPE
We board our motorized piragua again this morning and resume our journey on the
Tuira River passing by Yaviza the terminus of the Pan-American Highway. If time
allows we will visit the Embera villages along the river learning more about
this fascinating culture. From our piragua we may be able to see Wood Stork,
Laughing Falcon, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Gray-headed Kite, Bat Falcon, Rusty-margined
Flycatcher and many others. After approximately 4 hours we arrive at the town
of Boca de Cupe. It is from this town that the railroad took miners in and out
of the fabled Cana Gold Mines.
Now virtually uninhabited Cana was home to more
than 16,000 people less than 100 years ago. We will see occasional signs of the
former infrastructure that was present in Cana during our hikes through the jungle.
The paths of the former Cana railroad provide access on foot through the jungle
to search for Macaws and Peccaries.
Night at LEPE CAMP (BLD)
Day
8 LEPE CAMP – CRUZAMONO STATION
This morning we start the hike up river to the Cruzamono Ranger Station. As we
hike through the jungle we will be able to see and hear a myriad of birdcalls
and other wonderful nature sounds as well as maybe seeing footprints of mammals.
Night at CRUZAMONO PARK RANGER STATION (BLD)
Day
9 CRUZAMONO RANGER STATION – CANA
FIELD STATION
We continue our hike today following the Cupe River. We look for White-headed
Wren, Tody Motmot, Macaws, Red-throated Caracara, and many other species amidst
the towering Cuipo (Cavallinesia platanifolia) trees and the giant Anacardiums.
The remoteness of this region and the dramatic forest around us offers possible
sightings of large mammals like Tapir, Giant Anteater, Black-spider Monkey, White-lipped
Peccary and others. Accommodations at Cana are basic but comfortable with shared
bathrooms and hot water showers.
Night at CANA FIELD STATION (BLD) |
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Day 10 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
11 CANA FIELD STATION – PIRRE CLOUDFOREST
CAMP
This full day slow-paced hike to our highland campsite (located at about 1200
meters above sea level) takes us 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
12 PIRRE CLOUDFOREST- CANA FIELD STATION
Today we will explore this remote unspoiled cloud forest paradise. From the
camp we 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
13 CANA FIELD STATION – PANAMA CITY
Our midmorning flight will take us back to the city. Upon arrival we will visit
the Miraflores Locks at the Panama Canal and the handcraft market. We will
go to our hotel to freshen up for tonight’s farewell dinner at a typical
Panamanian l restaurant.
Night at HOTEL EXECUTIVE (BLD)
Day
14 DEPART PANAMA
Today we are picked up at the lobby of the hotel 2.5 hours prior to our scheduled
departure flight and transferred to Tocumen International Airport. Fly home
(B)
Pre or post trip extensions to San Blas Islands and Bocas del Toro
TRIP
CLASSIFICATION: Full day trekking 5-7
hours per day over muddy, steep, slippery slopes.
Exposure to variable climatic conditions. Rugged
travelling conditions on long riverboat trips.
Camping and rustic accommodations
INCLUDED: Lodging,
all land, air and water transportation within Panama.
All airport/hotel transfers on scheduled arrival/departure
dates, meals as specified in the itinerary (B -
breakfast; L - lunch; D - dinner), entrance fees,
guides’ services and expenses, and services
of an in-bound land operator for airline re-confirmations
and tour operations.
NOT
INCLUDED: International
airfare, tourist card ($5 per person), meals
not specified in the itinerary, alcoholic beverages,
personal equipment, extras in hotels (laundry,
telephone calls, room service, etc.) or gratuities.
NOTE: 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.
EQUIPMENT
CHECKLIST: Binoculars (preferably 7x35
or bigger), camera with extra batteries & film,
flashlight with extra bulb & batteries, bathing
suit, insect repellant, sunscreen, hat, day pack,
water bottle, lightweight/quick dry cotton clothes,
windbreaker, sandals, sneakers/hiking boots,
rain gear, money in small denominations, toiletries & personal
medications
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