Panama 011 (507) 6679-3444 | info@AventurasPanama.com

 

Panama 011 (507) 6679-3444 | info@AventurasPanama.com

 

Panama Canal Chagres River Stopover
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3 Nights • Canal & CIty • River Rafting & Kayaking • 4x4 & Hiking • National Parks • Embera • Spaniard Conquistadores History

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Panama City and Canal 
  • River Rafting and  Kayaking
  • Camping at Indigenous Village
  • Pristine Rainforest National Parks
  • Spaniard Conquistadores History
  • All-inclusive 3 nights land package
  • Ages: 12 and above
  • Gateway: Tocumen Intl. Airport 

Panama City is in between jungle and ocean.  You will get to know  Panama City highlights,  the Panama Canal main components, and what make it all possible, the upper section of the  Chagres River

Be ready to explore the Chagres National Park in an expedition through the mighty  Chagres River, the main water supplier of the Panama Canal,  in an adventure loaded with outdoor activities.  

The Upper Chagres River at the mountains in Chagres National Park is virtually unknown due to lack of access roads,  protection against settlers, and the previous non-existence of Adventures Panama.  

panama rainforest vacations outdoor adventures holiday itinerary explore holidays panamaYou will raft  the Chagres River Upper Section and kayak its final section on its way to the ocean, both treks surrounded with pristine tropical rain forest, with more than three hundred species per hectarea.  Often several samples of fauna such as monkeys of the rain forest (spider, howler, white face capuchin , Geoffrey's Tamarin), sloths, river otters, iguanas,  tucans, and plenty of fish are spoted. It is also the natural habitat of big mammals such as  tapir and jaguar, tropical rain forest animals which are seldom encountered.

You  will be welcome by the Embera Indigenous to stay an overnigth at their village at river's shore. 

San Lorenzo Forthress  by the Caribbean Ocean will be our last destination. It was the largest fortification buiilt in the 15th century by spaniard conquistadores to seal this entrance from the Caribbean Sea after famous pirate Henry Morgan used it to go upstream to loot Panama City located at the Pacific Ocean., Connquistadores and pirates naviigated on this section of the river, a part of "the Camino de Cruces.",

In this adventure you will experience the essence of Panama, its biodiversity, ethnic groups, history, and of course, its canal. 

ITINERARY

1st Day:  Arrival, Panama City and Canal

We will wait for you at Tocumen International Airport to take you to your Panama City hotel for check in.

Depending on your arrival time we will either take you into full or partial  Panama City & Canal tour 

- You will visit Panama City main highlights;
The Casco Antiguo: Also called San Felipe, it showcases a spectacular view of Panama City and visits to historic buildings such as San Jose Church, The National Theater, The Metropolitan Cathedral, The old Slave Market and the Old Spanish Prisons.
 
Amador Causeway: A beautiful site where 3 islands were united with the mainland by using materials removed during the Panama Canal excavations.  You get to choose from several gourmet restaurants and enjoy the view of ships leaving the Canal and the city.
    
The Old Panama Ruins: A visit to the Old Panama Ruins, a strategic spot for the Spanish trade during colonial times (Old Panama Ruins is closed on Mondays).
   
- And you will also visit Panama Canal Miraflores Locks Visitor Center
    
At Miraflores  you are able to see real ships using its locks as elevators to go up from or down to the Pacific Ocean, and you can enjoy its museum and about the history and creation of the canal, its economic and strategic impact..
- Lodging at chosen Panama City hotel, Meals included: None
    

2nd Day:  The Chagres Challenge


View Chagres Challenge in a larger map

An early start at 5:00 am when you will be picked up and taken in an all-terrain vehicle from your hotel to the remote village of San Cristobal, which is past the mountains of Cerro Azul, northeast of Panama City.

After enjoying a typical Panamanian breakfast,  we will visit a "campesino" survival agricultural farm within Chagres National Park.

Then you will hike for about 2 hours on a trail within Chagres National Park up to Rio Piedras, a Chagres River tributary, where you will get into rafts to float downstream (Class II-III rapids) through the untouched jungles of the Chagres National Park.

From late February through early June we might have to hike all the way to the Chagres River in a three hours hike because Piedras River might be too low to raft on it.

After lunch by the Chagres River, you will continue rafting further downstream passing an impressive granite canyon with some white water rapid action, and ending before encountering Madden Lake where you are expected by a "piragua" (native wooden canoe equipped with outboard motor) that will speed you downstream to an Embera Indian Village at the riverbanks  where you will spend the night or to the closest road were your driver will take you back to your hotel in Panama City. On some months when the river is at its lower level (around March through June) camping at river shore  upstream from any Embera indian Village is the only option since there is no time to reach the Embera Village neither your Panama City Hotel. 

- Lodging at Campsite on Chagres River's shores or Panama City Hotel, Meals included Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
 

3rd Day:  Chagres River Kayaking & Forth San Lorenzo 

View Chagres River in Expedition Kayaks by Aventuras Panama in a larger map

After breakfast, you will be  driven north to Gatun Dam Spillway, the last dam at Chagres River, used to create Gatun Lake, where vessels transiting the Panama Canal cross the isthmus above sea lievel. Here you will paddle in expedition kayaks for around 3 hours thorugh pristine jungle all the way to the Caribbean Sea or Atlantic Ocean, and visit impressive Forth San Lorenzo standing in a strategic cliff at the river mouth.  

We should be back to your Panama City hotel before sunset.

- Lodging at chosen Panama City hotel, Meals included Breakfast, Lunch

4th Day:  Panama Departure

We will pick you up at your hotel lobby 3 hours previous to your fligth to drive you to the airport. 

Depending on your previous arrival time and current departure time we will either take you into full or partial  Panama City & Canal tour to complete the program.  

- Meals included Breakfast

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT DOES IT INCLUDE ?

All mentioned transportation, rafts, kayaks,  and specilized gear, camping equipment,  guides, day meals, and camping gear. Our guides are trained in paddling  skills, first-aid and CPR.
Lodging:  2 nights at choosen Panama City Hotel, 1 night camping or additional 1 night at Panama City Hotel; Catering: 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner

WHO CAN GO ?

Any person from twelve to sixty five year old,  in good health, and fit.  This trip it is not exclusive  for atheletes; but for anyone ready to hike up to three hours through irregular and muddy trails. This rules out persons that are heavy smokers, or overweight, or with a medical condition.  Minors must travel with a responsible adult.
 
WHAT SHOULD YOU TAKE ALONG ? 

Take a small bag (it could be a drybag, or a bagpack with a inside plastic bag liner to keep content dry) with spare and sleeping clothes for one night, towel, personal higiene items, sandals, small flashlight, insect repellant, and sun lotion (we will move your small back so it will  always be waiting you at the end of each day. You should not plan on taking it  with you during day activiies).

The best clothing to wear on activities is dryfit, or licra type (avoid cotton). Be well covered and protect your body from sun exposure with clothes and a baseball type hat., Choose light boots with good soles, or sneaker, or strapped sandals. 

We will store your baggage left behind in our office or chosen hotel.

WHAT SHOULD NOT BE BROUGHT ? Any object than can be deteriorated by water or valuables like jewels, cash, credit cards, etc.

 

THREE LODGING TYPES AVAILABLE (Basic, Comfortable, Premium)

PRICES PER PERSON (US $) ***  


Basic Lodging:  Zen, Clarion Victoria 

Book Now Basic Lodging Panama Canal Chagres River Panama Stopover Flights

basic


Comfortable LodgingAloft, Magnolia, Golden Tower 

Book Now Comfortable Lodging Panama Canal Chagres River Panama Stopover Flights

comfortable 


Premium Lodging:  Central, Bristol 

Book Now Premium Lodging Panama Canal Chagres River Panama Stopover Flights

premium


*** Above prices are per person and assume lodging in double occupancy room.   For single or triple  occupancy rooms  add  up indicated supplement charge

# Supplement Charge is an additional charge or credit to compensate default pricing used for shared doble occupancy.

## Replacing  default Camping by  City Hotel Charge  is an additional charge  to those already contemplated with default camping at river shore on the 2nd Day of the itinerary.  During most time of the year, usually from June through March we get out of the river  soon enough that it will allow  you to have this option if you are not comfortable camping. 

SEASON:

Year-round Panama rainforest vacation, and one of Panama best outdoors adventures. Usually the Green Season extends from April through December.  River water level is at its higher by November and at its lowest by May.