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Panama - Darien Explorer Trek Trip Rating: Pioneer Day 1 - UK to Panama City On arrival to Tocumen International Airport we are met by our Expedition Guide and transferred to our hotel in Panama City. Enjoy a welcome cocktail and briefing with our Expedition Guide. Overnight at Hotel Executive Day 2 - Panama City – Gulf of San Miguel –Punta Patino 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 takes us to the Ancon Expeditions lodge at the private 65,000-acre Punta Patiño Nature Reserve, overlooking the Gulf of San Miguel where we settle 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. Overnight at Punta Patino Lodge (BLD) Day 3 - Mogue River – Emera 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 fibres with dyes from different plants. Enjoy the day exchanging experiences with the Mogue inhabitants. Overnight 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. Overnight 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, 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 (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. Overnight 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. Overnight 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. Overnight 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. Overnight 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. 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 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. Overnight 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 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 l restaurant. Overnight at Hotel Executive (BLD) Day 14 - Panama City to UK Transfer to Tocumen International Airport for return flight to the UK, via the United States Top of page>> |
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