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Camino Real Trek
offered by supplier M19361 (view this supplier profile)
Key Information:
Tour Duration: 8
day(s)
Group Size: 4
- 10
people
Destination(s):
Panama
Specialty Categories:
Ecotourism
Llama Trekking
Season: February - December
Airfare Included: No
Tour Customizable: No
Minimum Per Person Price: 1300 US Dollar (USD)
Maximum Per Person Price: 11450 US Dollar (USD)
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Departure Dates 2009:
June 27-July 4
December 12-19
Ancon Expeditions of Panama’s
CAMINO REAL TREK
8 days / 7 nights
If the mossy river rocks, the gurgling translucent waters and the majestic, ancient trees could talk, they would tell epic stories of long mule trains hauling the King's gold, of dashing incursions by pirates against Castilla de Oro’s New World fortifications and many untold story tales.
Long before human ingenuity and determination envisioned the Panama Canal as it is today ... long before steam engines pulled the first trans-continental railroad across Panama ... a vital and mysterious road laid of stone traversed this domain of defiance ... a throughway that was the scenario of astounding human drama; where courage, greed and cruelty shaped the early history of the world's crossroads ... el Camino Real.
"Centuries before construction began on the Panama Railroad and Canal, the 'path between the seas' was just that: a Spanish-built cobblestone thoroughfare winding 50 miles across the Central American isthmus. Beginning in the 1500s, mule trains laden with Inca gold followed the Camino Real (King's Road) from the Pacific to the Caribbean to meet galleons bound for Spain; buccaneers --Francis Drake and Henry Morgan among them-- conspired to relieve them of their cargo. Once wide enough to fit two passing horse carts, the Camino Real is now hidden, along with jaguars and three-toed sloths, in the dense jungles of the 300,000-acre Chagres National Park"
-- McKenzie Funk, National Geographic Adventure
Day 1 ARRIVE TO PANAMA
On arrival to Tocumen International Airport in Panama City we will be greeted by an Ancon Expeditions of Panama representative and transferred to our hotel. Tonight we will meet with the Expedition Leader and the rest of the trip participants.
Night at the LA ESTANCIA B&B
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.
Night at Embera Village in screened tents (BLD)
Days 3 – 5 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. The park is home to endangered species such as jaguars, mantled howler monkeys, spider monkeys, and anteaters. It is also a bird sanctuary for more than 400 species, including the harpy eagle -- the largest eagle in the world and Panama's national bird. As we skirt along the park’s boundaries we will come across peasant farms and hamlets and gradually enter the thicker and more pristine rainforest, where we run into vestiges of late 1800s manganese mines, including railroad tracks and locomotives encroached in the tropical vegetation that has taken over these relics. We cross the watershed divide of the Boqueron River over a low mountain pass into the Nombre de Dios River basin as we head north toward the Caribbean Sea.
3 nights in FIELD CAMPS (BLD)
Day 6 PORTOBELO
After four days of trekking, we finally reach the outskirts of Portobelo and then transfer by road 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.
Night in waterfront lodge in Portobelo (BLD)
Day 7 BAY OF PORTOBELO – PANAMA CITY
This morning enjoy swimming in the Caribbean Sea. 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 LA ESTANCIA B&B (BLD)
Day 8 RETURN HOME
Transfer out to the airport to fly home (B)
TRIP CLASSIFICATION: Moderate - High. Expect full day treks of 5 to 7 hours per day over muddy, steep, slippery slopes. There will be exposure to variable climatic conditions. Plan for rugged traveling conditions and overnights in tents.
INCLUDED: Lodging, all land 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), camping gear (tents and eating utensils) entrance fees, porter fees, guide's services and expenses.
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: Traveling within Chagres and Portobelo National Parks 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 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, hiking boots (jungle boots preferred), sleeping mat, rain gear, money in small denominations, toiletries & personal medications.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Also see tour packages in:
Central America and Caribbean
Panama
Nature & Wildlife
Ecotourism
Llama Trekking
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