Darien Explorer Trek

An exploration of the Darien jungle of Panama, and its indigenous people on foot and in dugout canoes. Accommodations range from city hotel to rustic jungle lodge & camping. An excellent combination of natural history, cultural encounters and adventure.

2008 Departure Dates:  February 24-March 8, July 13-26 & on request

2008 Prices:

• $2450 per person, based on double occupancy
• $150 single supplement
• Minimum of 4 passengers required to operate tour at these rates
• Prices valid until Nov 30, 2008

Please add 5% mandated government service charge for these departure dates ($123 for double occupancy; $8 for single supplement)

Note: This is a fully escorted tour with specific departure dates. Private tours and trip extensions can be arranged on request. Latin American Escapes also specializes in designing custom itineraries.

Itinerary

Day 1: ARRIVE PANAMAOn 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) 

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)

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 CAMP (BLD)

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 rustic but comfortable with shared bathrooms and cold showers. Night at CANA FIELD STATION (BLD)

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 afterward 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 of the Panama Canal and a craft market. We will return to our hotel to freshen up for tonight’s farewell dinner at a typical Panamanian restaurant. Night at HOTEL EXECUTIVE (BLD)

Day 14: DEPART PANAMA. Transfer to Tocumen International Airport 2.5 hours prior to flight departure time. (B)

B=Breakfast; L=Lunch; D=Dinner

Included: Lodging, all land, air, and water transportation within Panama, all airport/hotel transfers on scheduled arrival and departure dates, meals as specified in the itinerary, 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, airport departure taxes, tourist card, meals not specified in the itinerary, alcoholic beverages, personal equipment, items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone calls, room service, gratuities, and insurance of any kind

Trip Notes:

• Latin American Escapes, Inc. offers special contract airline rates to Latin America from most cities in the US, as well as special airpass rates for tickets with-in Latin America. Please ask for a quote based on your trip itinerary.
• TRIP CLASSIFICATION: Full day trekking 5-7 hours per day over steep, and possibly muddy and slippery slopes. Exposure to variable climatic conditions. Rugged travelling conditions on long riverboat trips. Camping and rustic accommodations
• Travel within Darien National Park is accomplished with great preparation on the part of our staff to try to make our guests as comfortable as possible. Potential guests are expected to make themselves aware of the nature and demands of the experience and prudently judge whether or not they are suited to this type of an 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.

To confirm reservations:

A deposit of $300 per person is required to confirm reservations. In addition, the following payment procedures apply:

Payment for airline tickets is due at the time tickets are issued, but no later than time of final payment.

Last Minute Bookings: Last minute reservations (less than 30 days before departure) will be accepted, subject to availability, if payment has been received, and documents can be delivered. Any special communication costs and delivery charges will be at the client's expense.

Revision Fee: Revision fees will apply once the initial deposit has been received. Charges will vary based on itinerary, and extent of changes, with a minimum charge of $50. Changes requested after documents have been issued (generally with-in 30 days) will incur a minimum $100 change fee, plus additional services requested.

International bookings: We gladly accept bookings from passengers outside the US. However, an additional surcharge of $50 per booking is applied to cover additional shipping charges.

CANCELLATIONS & REFUNDS--At the time we receive written notification that you must cancel your trip, money will be returned less the following cancellation fees:

Note: A change in travel dates is considered a cancellation

Trip Documents: Trip documents will be forwarded approximately 3 weeks prior to travel, and once all payments and completed application forms have been received.

Risk and Responsibility

In arranging these trips, Latin American Escapes, Inc. acts only as the agents for the owners, contractors and suppliers actually providing tour services for these trips with whom Latin American Escapes, Inc. has no legal connection or joint ownership. These local tour operators attempt to conduct these trips as described in the preceding itineraries. However, it is possible that due to transportation schedule changes, weather, delays and unforeseeable acts of God, humans or nature, itineraries may vary from what is described. Participants are responsible for extra costs due to travel delay or itinerary changes for reasons beyond our control and assume all risks, whether identified in advance or unforeseen, as described under Limitation of Liability, and Trip Member Responsibility, located in our Terms and Conditions, which all travelers agree to sign. Traveler's insurance is not included, but is offered, and is strongly recommended. CST # 2023695-40.