Panama - Darien Explorer

Dossier

Panama’s Darien region is infamous – a vast swathe of rainforest and rivers that has swallowed intrepid explorers and curious travellers for years. Undiscovered Destinations are proud to announce our Darien Explorer trip, giving truly adventurous souls the chance to journey through one of the least visited areas of the world. So remote is this region that it is the only place between Alaska and Chile where the Pan American Highway does not penetrate – the infamous Darien Gap - a region of unparalleled wildlife, of intriguing ethnic groups and of adventure as few have experienced before. Join us on this truly pioneering trip through the jungle to visit a remarkable corner of Central America.

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Day 1 - Panama City
Arrive in Panama City. Depending on arrival, you may have a chance to explore Panama’s capital before meeting your guide for the adventure ahead. Overnight Hotel Estancia or similar.

Panama City
Founded in 1519 and subsequently used as a base for expeditions into South America, Panama City attracted international attention from its inception, with the notorious Welsh pirate Henry Morgan attacking the city and burning it to the ground. In more recent years, Panama City gained a reputation as a centre for illegitimate business deals and money laundering, a reputation which it has worked hard to shake off. Its age means that there are a wealth of sites and attractions to visit – its old quarter of Casco Antiguo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, contains numerous colonial era churches and other buildings. With a mixture of different architectural styles it reflects the cultural and ethnic diversity of the city, as art deco buildings jostle for space among older colonial designs and traditional Caribbean architecture.

Day 2 - Cana Field Station
Fly from Panama City to Cana Field Station in the Darien National Park. This afternoon will be spent exploring nearby trails. Overnight at Cana Field Station.

Darien National Park
Established in 1980, the Darien National Park is the largest park in Central America, covering 579,000 hectares. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the park contains a broad diversity of habitats including coastal lagoons, mangrove swamps, mountains and rainforest, and is home to such enigmatic species as jaguar, puma, margay and harpy eagle, as well as tapir and an impressive 450 recorded species of birds – this is one of the best places in Central America for birds. Travel through here can be rough – there are few creature comforts to be found – but that simply adds to its charm and sense of mystery. Travelling through the Darien is an adventure that is hard to equal elsewhere in the Americas.

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. In 1996 the government of Panama outlawed all mining activity within Darien National Park turning the area of Cana into a natural haven. Overnight at Cana Field Station. (BLD)

Day 4 - Cana Field Station – Pirre Cloudforest Camp
This full day slow-paced hike to our highland campsite (located at about 1200 metres 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. Overnight at Pirre Cloudforest Tent Camp. (BLD)

Day 5 - Pirre Cloudforest – Cana Field Station
Today we explore this remote unspoiled cloud forest paradise. From the camp we climb another 640 metres and discover a forest covered by permanent mist. Rare species of flora are found here, and the jaguar is also present. Afterwards hike back to the Cana Field Station. Overnight at Cana Field Station. (BLD)

Day 6 - Rio Paca
This morning we 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. Overnight at Rio Paca Camp. (BLD)

Day 7 - Cruzamono Ranger Station
We continue our hike today following the Paca River. Look for White-headed Wren, Tody Motmot, Macaws, Red-throated Caracara, and many other species amidst the towering Cuipo (Cavanillesia 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, Brown-headed Spider Monkey, White-lipped Peccary and others. Overnight at Cruzamono Ranger Station. (BLD)

Day 8 - Boco de Cupe
Alter an early morning departure, wewalk 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. Overnight local rooming house or camp. (BLD)

Day 9 - Pirre Station
Depart Boca de Cupe aboard a motorised piragua this morning and begin our 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. Overnight at Pirre Park Ranger Station. (BLD)

Day 10 - Pirre Station
The area surrounding Pirre Station is home to many lowland species. We may see Scarlet-browed, Tawny-crested, Lemon-spectacled Tanagers, White-fronted Nunbird, and 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. Overnight at Pirre Park Ranger Station. (BLD)

Day 11 - Mogue River
Today wenavigate down the Tuira towards the Gulf of San Miguel on the Pacific Ocean, where you will reach the mouth of the Mogue 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. Overnight in tents. (BLD)

Embera People
The Embera are one of Panama’s seven indigenous ethnic groups, and are spread between the Darien Province of Panama and northern Colombia. For centuries they have lived semi-nomadic lives as hunter-gatherers and fishermen, moving through the forest in small family groups in search of food. However pressures on the forest in recent years have meant that it is increasingly difficult to sustain traditional ways of life, and now most have turned to agriculture for survival. Like most indigenous communities the Embera have been systematically marginalized by national governments and are poorly represented in Panama’s political system.

Day 12 - Punta Patino
As the tide goes to its highest level, we depart Mogue and head down river toward the ocean, reaching the private (26,300m / 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’ll have an excellent opportunity to go down to the beach, or make use of the wonderful hammocks at the lodge, read a book, take a nap, and enjoy a spectacular sunset over Balboa’s South Sea. Overnight Punta Patino Lodge. (BLD)

Day 13 - Cana Field Station – Panama City
Our midmorning flight takes us back to the city; upon arrival we will visit the Miraflores Locks of the Panama Canal and a craft market. We return to our hotel to freshen up for tonight’s farewell dinner at a typical Panamanian restaurant. Overnight at Hotel Estancia or similar. (BLD)

Day 14 - Panama City
Tour ends. (B)

Tour style: Pioneer

Inclusions:

Arrival and departure transfers
Domestic flights
All accommodation on twin share basis
Services of English speaking guide / tour leader
Meals as listed (B – Breakfast, L – Lunch, D – Dinner)
Entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerary

Excluded:

International flights
Any airport taxes
Travel Insurance
Visas
Drinks

Please note that this tour is operated and sold in conjunction with our local partner, and so you may be travelling with people of different nationalities.

Please note that you should also read the Country Notes in association with this itinerary for practical information about your trip and the destination you will be visiting.

The itinerary and supplementary information has been compiled with care and provided in good faith. However it may be subject to change, and does not form part of a contract between the client and Undiscovered Destinations.