DARIEN EXPLORER TREK
14 days/13 nights
An exploration of the Darien rainforests and its indigenous people on foot
and in dugout canoes
2010 Departure Dates: March 8-21 // July 5-18 // November 22-December 5
2010 Rates: $2750 per person in double occupancy; $500 single supplement; plus 5% government tax.
Minimum of 4 people required for the tour.
ITINERARY:
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.
Night at LA ESTANCIA B&B
Day 2 Cana Field Station
Early this morning you will meet with the Expedition Leader and the rest of the group for breakfast and orientation. You will then be transferred to Panama City’s Albrook airport to board our chartered flight (approximately 1.5 hours) to the Cana Field Station in the Darien National Park. Accommodations at Cana are basic but comfortable with shared bathrooms and hot water showers. This afternoon we explore the adjacent trails.
Night at CANA FIELD STATION (BLD)
Day 3 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 4 Cana Field Station - Pirre Camp
This full day slow-paced hike to your highland campsite (located at about 1200 meters above sea level) takes you 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 5 Pirre Cloud Forest - Cana Field Station
Today you will explore this remote unspoiled cloud forest paradise. From the camp you 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.
Today you will explore this remote unspoiled cloud forest paradise. From the camp you 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 6 Cana - Rio Paca
This morning you depart the Cana Field Station and start the hike down river towards the Tuira River. As you hike through the jungle you will be able to see and hear a myriad of birdcalls and other wonderful nature sounds and perhaps even some mammals.
Night at RIO PACA CAMP (BLD)
Day 7 Cana - Rio Paca Cruzamono Ranger Station
You continue your hike today following the Paca River. You 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 you offers possible sightings of large mammals like Tapir, Giant Anteater, Black-spider Monkey, White-lipped Peccary and others.
Night at CRUZAMONO RANGER STATION (BLD)
Day 8 Cruzamono - Boca de Cupe
Alter an early morning departure, you walk along the Cupe River, en route to the community of Boca de Cupe. The trail will continue to follow the railroad line that took miners in and out of the fabled Cana Gold Mines. You will see occasional signs of the former infrastructure that was present in Cana during your hikes through the jungle. The paths of the former Cana railroad provide access on foot through the jungle to search for Macaws and Peccaries. In the late afternoon, you reach the Afro-darienite village of Boca de Cupe, located on the shores of the mighty Tuira River.
LOCAL ROOMING HOUSE OR BOCA DE CUPE TENT CAMP (BLD)
Day 9 Boca de Cupe - Pirre Station
You depart Boca de Cupe aboard your motorized piragua this morning and begin your journey down the Tuira River. From your piragua you may be able to see Wood Stork, Laughing Falcon, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Gray-headed Kite, Bat Falcon, Rusty-margined Flycatcher and many others. You will pass several native villages and Yaviza, the terminus of the Pan-American Highway. After approximately 4 hours you arrive at the town of El Real and the Pirre River at the entrance to the Darien National Park. Given that the water level is too low for navigation, you will hike from El Real to the Station (3-4 hours). Rushing waterfalls and crystal clear pools overwhelm your senses as the mighty Darien jungle envelops you. You will look for Dendrobates frogs and flocks of understory birds.
Night at PIRRE PARK RANGER STATION (rustic with bunk beds) (BLD)
Day 10 Pirre Station
The area surrounding Pirre Station is the habitat of many lowland species. You 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 you can cool off in the Pirre waterfall with its natural water slide.
Night at PIRRE PARK RANGER STATION (rustic with bunk beds) (BLD)
Day 11 Pirre Station - Mogue River
This morning you will be on the trail early observing the bird activity that accompanies the army ant swarms. Today you will navigate down the Tuira towards the Gulf of San Miguel in the Pacific Ocean, reaching the Ancon Expeditions of Panama lodge at the private 65,000-acre Punta Patiño Nature Reserve. 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, you hike the Piedra Candela trail where your guide will describe the importance of this tropical dry forest. This type of forest is quickly vanishing due to deforestation. You can return to the lodge or stay at the beach to see the spectacular sunset. This evening you will take a short walk to the wetlands in search of Capybaras, the world’s largest rodent with its northernmost range being Panama. You will also look for caimans, owls and other nocturnal species.
Night at PUNTA PATINO LODGE (BLD)
Day 12 Mogue River
Today you visit the Embera village of Mogue. You will look for Roseate Spoonbill, Ibis, Osprey and Raccoons fishing along the river. The trip up river takes you through millenary mangroves making the boat ride extraordinary. You arrive at the village of Mogue where its inhabitants greet you. After the formalities and presentations you will be able to learn about their culture and traditions. Also you 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 PUNTA PATINO LODGE (BLD)
Day 13 Punta Patiño - Panama City
Your early afternoon flight will take you back to the city. Upon arrival you will visit the Miraflores Locks at the Panama Canal and the handicraft market. You will go to your hotel to freshen up for tonight’s farewell dinner at a typical Panamanian restaurant.
Night at LA ESTANCIA B&B (BLD)
Day 14 Depart Panama
Today you are picked up at the lobby of the hotel 2.5 hours prior to your scheduled departure flight and transferred to Tocumen International Airport. Fly home (B)
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.