Panama - Camino Real Trek

Day 1 ARRIVE TO PANAMA

On arrival to Tocumen International Airport in Panama City we will be greeted by our Panamanian representative and transferred to our hotel.  You will have the opportunity to explore Panama city throughout the afternoon.  Later tonight we will meet with the Expedition Leader and the rest of the trip participants.

We will spend our first night at HOLIDAY INN – PANAMA CANAL

Day 2 HISTORIC PANAMA CITY — EMBERA VILLAGE

Our morning begins with a thorough inspection of our equipment for the hike on the Camino Real.  Afterwards, visit the ruins of Old Panama City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which holds historical relevance to the area that we will explore in the upcoming days. Early afternoon drive to Madden Lake, where we board our motorized dug out canoes in route to an Embera village where we will spend the night.  We are greeted by dances and sounds of the Embera people, who are proud to share their culture and heritage with us.

On our second night we will lodge at Embera Village in screened tents.  (BLD)

Days 3 CHAGRES NATIONAL PARK

We bid farewell to our Embera friends and continue our adventure in the Chagres National Park. This protected area was created in 1985 to preserve 320,000 acres of rainforests as part of Panama’s conservation strategy and to help preserve the watershed which provides over 50% of the fresh water needed for the operation of the Panama Canal, as well as the drinking water for the two largest cities in the country.

For our next three nights will be making our way towards the Caribbean and resting in FIELD CAMPS (BLD)

Day 6 NOMBRE DE DIOS - PORTOBELO

After four days of trekking, we finally reach the outskirts of Portobelo and then transfer by road to to town, the final destination of the Camino Real on the Caribbean Sea.  Set on a deepwater bay deemed easier to defend from the ravages of pirates, Portobelo was heavily fortified and for 150 years was home to the famous trade fairs, when the Spanish treasure fleet came to collect the riches that traveled across the isthmus on mule trains from Panama City and to leave merchandise brought from Seville for distribution throughout the Americas. Unsurprisingly, the wealth concentrated in the royal warehouses here was an irresistible target for the pirates who scoured the Spanish Main. 

After four days of trekking and ¨roughing it¨ we will get some R & R at waterfront lodge in Portobelo (BLD)

Day 7 BAY OF PORTOBELO – PANAMA CITY

This morning there will be opportunities to go snorkeling or diving (optional) or to leisurely explore the ruins of the old forts that once defended the town from filibusters and marauders. In the afternoon we will drive to Colon City to catch the train back to Panama City.  The Panama Railway was inaugurated in 1856 and was the first train to cross the continent from one ocean to the other.  The completion of the trans-isthmian railroad was inspired by the Gold Rush when pioneers were in need of a fast and safe way to get to California.  The train ride is 1 hour long from coast to coast and skirts the Panama Canal.  A farewell dinner by the Bay of Panama on the Pacific side is prepared for this evening.

Night at the HOLIDAY INN-PANAMA CANAL (BLD)

Day 8 RETURN HOME

We will finish where we started, in Panama City.  Today is a good opportunity to visit the famous Canal.  The Canal is both an engineering marvel and one of the most significant waterways on the planet. Seeing a huge ship nudge its way through the narrow canal with vast tracts of virgin jungle on both sides is truly an unforgettable sight. As impressive as it is now, an ambitious expansion plan is set to completely transform the canal.

The end of our tour includes a transfer out to the airport to fly home (B)