• Sleeping under the stars with the cool night breeze on an island surrounded by aqua water and waking up to fresh fruit and coffee
• Sea kayaking from island to island on the San Blas Archipelago and learning about the Kuna inhabitants
• Walking just a few feet with snorkel, mask and fins into a virtual aquarium in the sea, complete with fish, octopus, and coral reef
  
• Walking through tropical rainforest and rafting the primitive Chagres River
  
• Sampling the diversity of Panamanian culture and cuisine
• Having the option to hike in a cloud forest and try zip lining during the Chiriqui Highlands extension
  

Panama is what Costa Rica used to be. Just emerging as a popular Central American destination, it combines a stable government, diverse ecosystems rich in bird species, and indigenous populations that are both in touch with modern life and still keeping traditional customs. And best of all, because it is not well known yet, it receives fewer visitors than neighboring countries; thus it is possible to feel that you have truly gotten off the beaten track here. We'll spend eights days exploring the southern part of this beautiful country by kayak and raft. We'll raft the jungle river of Chagres, spend 4 days sea kayaking in the San Blas islands, and visit the Panama Canal (singing God Bless the Queen as a large ship goes though is optional but much enjoyed by our 2010 participants- actually it was initiated by them. If you have the time, we highly recommend staying for an additional four days and visiting the opposite end of the country,  Boquete and the Chiriqui highlands.  

any woman in good physical condition who enjoys being active. No previous sea kayaking or hiking experience is needed. Rating: 1  2  [3]  4  5

• Three nights lodging in tourist class hotels
• Five nights in a tented camp
• Three night hotel lodging for the extension
  

• meals as specified on the itinerary, basically from Saturday breakfast through the following Sunday breakfast with the exception of one dinner
• eight nights double occupancy lodging 
• all activities specified on the itinerary, except for the optional Tree Trek (i.e. zipline) adventure on the extension
  
• all transportation within Panama, including internal flights 
• experienced guides
• gratuities for the Panamanian guides
  

Arrive by 5 pm January 15 at our hotel in Panama City

You are free to leave anytime on January 23; or January 26th for the extension

You can download the complete trip information here.  In addition you can watch our video from last year.

January 15 (Saturday) Arrival in Panama. Our trip officially begins at 5pm at our hotel in Panama City. We will have group introductions, a trip orientation, and then go out for a welcome dinner. Whenever you arrive, you will be met at the airport by one of our Panamanian representatives and transferred to our hotel. Panama City is quite safe and if you get here early, its an interesting city to walk around. Overnight Hotel in Panama City (D)

January 16 (Sunday) It's going to be an early start today (5 am) but so worth it! We'll get taken by an all-terrain vehicle to the remote village of San Cristobal, northeast of Panama City and past the mountains of Cerro Azul. Our vehicle takes us on rough roads through Chagres National Park, a huge protected tropical rain forest. After a light breakfast we'll hike for about 2-3 hours to Rio Piedras, a Chagres River tributary. On the way we'll be looking for some of the many species of monkeys that inhabit the forest, including spider, howler, whiteface capuchin and Geoffrey's Tamarin monkeys.

At Rio Piedras we will get into rafts to float downstream (Class II-III rapids) into the untouched jungles of the upper basin of the Chagres River.  Late in the afternoon we will be met further downstream by a piragua, a native wooden canoe equipped with outboard motor,  that will take us to their Embera Indian Village.  We will  camp here at the village shore around 4 p.m.  Tales around a cozy campfire are a sure thing.

January 17 (Monday): After breakfast and taking down our camp, we will visit the Embera Indian Village, Parara Puru.  These Embera Natives migrated from the Darien Jungle in Colombia to Chagres National Park more than 20 years ago because of its similar habitat. The village was established by its chief as a place where villagers could share their traditional costumes and rituals and earn additional income to sustain the village. 

Today is our chance to learn about a culture that has changed little for over 500 years. We learn their typical celebration and curative dances; how women make beautiful straw bowls and plates from their own trees, dying the straw with vegetable ink to turn it into different colors; and see their jewelery made out of coins and different metals. During a short hike through the surrounding tropical rainforest our guide will share his amazing knowledge of natural medicine, contained in their incredible forest full of natural medicinal plants. We'll learn about other plants that are used in  construction of habitat and handcrafts. As we return we will take a refreshing dip in a hidden waterfall and have time to talk with the Indians in an informal way about their way of life (e.g. social, religious, economic and other aspects of their culture). At around 01:00 p.m. we will have a lunch in the village, and then have time to buy their famous handcrafts: cocobolo wood and tagua (or vegetable ivory) carving, and parara puru (palm leave) baskets. After sharing their kind hospitality,  we will get back into our piragua that will take us to the nearest road where a driver takes us back to Panama City. 

On the way back we make a short stop at the Panama Canal Miraflores Locks. This is a fitting place to end our visit to Chagres as most of the water used in Canal Operations comes from the Chagres River, and in fact the National Park was established to protect the watershed. The Canal is still vital to world trade today and indeed, without it there isn't world commerce as we know it. You have whatever is left of the rest of the day free, and dinner is on your own.  You are welcome to join your guide or to check out any restaurants you may have heard about. 
Lodging at a Hotel in Panama City  (B,L)

January 18 (Tuesday) Another early morning departure as we travel by plane to the extraordinary San Blas Archipelago. With more than 350 islands spreading out along the isthmus, the archipelago is a Kuna Native Reservation. The Kunas are known for their handicrafts and their unique culture. A nation within Panama, The Kuna have their own language, culture, laws and territory. The Kunas' effort to preserve their own identity and control over San Blas has made it possible to keep this region the pristine paradise it is today. We will catch an early domestic flight to Carti, San Blas and from there we are transported by boat to the tent camp. After setting up camp and having lunch, we will have an introduction to the kayaks and take a short paddle.
Lodging at Tent Camp         (B, L, D)

January 19-21 (Wednesday-Friday) For the next three days, we will enjoy this paradise of sea kayaking and snorkeling. Where we go exactly will depend on wind and weather conditions, but with endless nearby islands and reefs to explore, the options are truly endless. Friday is our final day in San Blas, and it will be harder to leave than you can possibly imagine. Your stress has left, your biggest problem is whether to kayak,swim or snooze in the hammock, and work is a million miles away. However, leave we must! We will pack up, spend one last day exploring the reef and islands, and then transfer by boat to our lodge at Ukuptupu. Lodging at Tent Camp         (B, L, D)

January 22  (Saturday) Our flight back to Panama City is another early one, but it gives us time to explore this wonderful city that is rapidly changing.  We'll have a City Tour that includes the colonial Panama, "Panama Viejo", the old Panama, "Casco Viejo", and the modern Panama City. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to walk, relax or shop before we gather for our  farewell dinner at Casco Viejo.   
Lodging at Hotel in Panama City   (B, L, D)

January 23 (Sunday) You will be taken to the airport for your international flight or on to

Our extension: Another early morning as we transfer to the opposite end of Panama: the pristine western highlands. We will fly from Panama City to David, the capital of Panama. Upon arrival in David we transfer to Boquete, a small and charming mountain village tucked away on the eastern slopes of the Baru Volcano. After lunch, we will visit a Coffee Plantation and learn all about Panama's robust coffee crops (samples included). For those who want to try the totally thrilling activity of ziplining, another option is to go on a Tree Trek. Imagine gliding through the tops of trees that are over a century old, high above prisinte rivers. Fortunately you will be attached securely in a harness to an overhead line! The adrenaline is high but the actual risk is lower than it might feel.  Lodging at Panamonte Hotel (B, D)

January 24 (Monday) Today we hike a magnificent trail in Baru Volcano National Park, home to Panama's tallest peak (11,400 ft). Our hike takes us through an enchanting cloud forest, under some of the tallest trees in the hemisphere and home to 5,000 species of plants found nowhere else on earth. This hike will last anywhere from 3 to 6 hours, with time to stop and admire the views, and learn about the environment from our guide. If you have visited Monteverde in Costa Rica, you know how magnificent and unique a cloud foest truly is. Lodging at Panamonte Hotel. (B, L, D)

January 25 (Tuesday) Today we spend rafting on the Chiriqui Viejo River. With most rapids being Class III, the river is eminently suitable for beginners. The river passes through a canyon and spectacular waterfalls characterize it. Depending on the water level and section used we will be rafting about 3-4 hours. Although we will have only spent three days in the Highlands, our time is so action-packed it will feel much longer. In later afternoon we will return to David Airport to take our flight back to Panama City, where we will check into our hotel, clean up, and then go out for a final farewell dinner. Lodging at hotel in Panama City (B, L, D)

January 26 (Wednesday) This morning we are transferred to the International Airport for our flight home or on to other adventures.