Darien Gap Jungle Expedition - Panama

It is a forgotten place, a savage place that shows us the best and worst in us all. The dense jungle topography of the Darien Gap has long been the disastrous end of many adventurers, swallowing lost souls in its ancient embrace. The aura of the jungle, of a million wild souls, is as tangible as water when one bathes. It is another sense, one that comes to the heart rather than the eyes, as soaked in richness as they are.

Both ambitious human aspirations and ultimate despair cross paths in this mystical place, drawing all manner of people into its grasp. Trafficked by merciless smugglers and hopeful migrants alike, the Darien Gap has seen and claimed countless of travelers, while only a few lucky ones were given the privilege to escape its dark fangs.

If you are still reading this, you are most likely an adventurer who will most likely enjoy a trip into raw nature, meeting ancient cultures and participating in their rituals and customs. We are offering expeditions into the Darien jungle for various different degrees of adventure levels. Your personal guide will customize your experience depending on your ambitions and physical constituency.

Day 1: Visit Palma Darien and boat ride on the Sambu river to La Chunga villages

We recommend that you arrive at La Palma Darien the day before and stay the night at the La Tuira hotel ($15). The next morning, at 6:30am, you will be picked up from your hotel by one of our staff. After an information session and a tour of the community you will embark on a fast two-hour boat ride through the beautiful bay of San Miguel before reaching the mouth of the Sambu river. As you progress deeper into the flooded rainforest, the landscape will change as your boat weaves through thick mangrove trees. After two hours we arrive at the Embera village of La Chunga. On the way you will see traditional Embera huts built on stilts and probably some specimen of the local fauna such egrets, herons and, with a bit of luck, a caiman lying on the muddy riversides.

**Overnight at the Eco-Lodge La Chunga**
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Day 2: Hike in primary Rainforest

In the morning you will hike on one of the Corredor Biologico Bagre rainforest trails. This is an impressive journey under towering trees through a remarkable ecosystem with an incredible biodiversity: rare animal species such as the black-headed spider monkey (ateles fusciceps) can be spotted with a bit of luck. The beautifully colored poison darts frogs are often seen on the forest litter. Passing under the virescent canopy is like walking over hundreds of years of fallen leaves, billions of insects and more roots than God himself could map on a sunny afternoon. This place is so alive it makes the city seem barren, even with it's millions of people. Here life is at every level, in every direction, with more species that have ever been, and likely ever will be, classified.

After dinner back in La Chunga, if weather allows, we will venture out again, into the dark, trying
to spot some of the nocturnal species and listening to the jungle come alive.

**Overnight- Eco-Lodge La Chunga**

Day 3: Cultural Interaction with the Emberas

You will discover more aspects of the rich Embera culture. Your hosts will tell you about their history, their political organization and take you to their fields surrounding the village. You will enjoy their traditional music and dances. They will explain you how they make their beautiful and unique handicrafts: delicately weaved baskets and masks made with two kinds of palm fibers for the women, spectacular wooden sculptures made of hard cocobolo wood and wonderful small art pieces made of vegetable ivory (tagua) for the men.

If the weather allows it you will make a short night walk after dinner.

**Overnight- Eco-Lodge La Chunga**

Day 4: Return from La Chunga Village to Panama City via Puerto Kimba

After saying goodbye to your Embera hosts, you will leave early in the morning, following the many river turns in the middle of the thick mangrove. You will come back to Puerto Kimba where your vehicle or public transportation will be waiting for you for the transfer back to your hotel in Panama City.

Note: Itineraries are not bound to specific hours of the day depending mainly on the tides of the Pacific Coast communities in Darien.

Eco-Lodge La Chunga:

The sound of nature is a symphony unlike another. Its music will lull you to sleep as you lie comfortably in your bed, in the middle of the jungle.

The traditional, palafita-style cabins are built on stilts or that rise approximately three meters above the ground. These typical structures are known as "Bujia" (literally, "large house") and are generally constructed along the rivers of the region.
Breakfast: cooked local vegetables (yuca, name, otoe) accompanied by boiled eggs and fresh shellfish prepared in tomato sauce and natural herbs of choice. Breakfast is accompanied by a cup of coffee or natural tea (sweetened teas are available upon request). Bread and pancakes are optional.
Lunch: Seafood (including fish of the day, fresh shrimp, and lobsters when in season) or meat (chicken, beef, or pork), accompanied by boiled or mashed potatoes. Traditional Panamanian meals include a plate of rice and beans or other legumes (porotos, lentils) and fried plantains (patacones). Lunch is accompanied by fresh orange juice, lemonade, or coconut water. A sampling of delicious tropical fruits may also be available.
Dinner: served at sunset, dinner includes a light plate of vegetables with cooked meat and fresh orange juice or lemonade. This will be followed by chicheme, a delicious treat of cooked corn, with or without coconut milk, natural fruits, and drinks.
Optional: vegetarian meals are available upon advanced notice. Options include native vegetables and legume accompaniments such as beans, poroto, lentils, and guandu. These meals come with an accompaniment of fresh coconut juice, orange juice, or lemonade.

The Eco-Lodge La Chunga features:
2 private Bujias with double beds
1 shared Bujia that has 2 rooms with 3/4 beds and 3 rooms with double beds
Potable water in all Bujias
Shared bathrooms and showers
Gas lantern use at night (no electricity available)
Small restaurant with refreshments
First-aid equipment

What´s Included:

Accommodations for 3 days and 3 nights in Eco-lodge La Chunga in the traditional, indigenous community, or camping tents during the hikes
All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Entrance fee to Corredor Biogico Bagre (National Park Darien)
Observation of flora and fauna
Guides with experience who speak English and Spanish
Hikes to the jungle
Traditional Emberá hut with full board
Fee for the indigineous community
Motor boats and canoe transports
Luggage attendant support

What´s not Included:

Transportation from Panama City to Darien and back (please see "Getting Here")
Puerto Kimba Boat taxi to La Chunga ($22 each way)
Alcoholic Beverages and soft drinks

We highly recommend you bring following:
Passport will be required when checking in with the immigration booths at Darien and Puerto Quimba
Guests may carry flashlights for personal use
Strong footwear (hiking boots and/or sandals)
Backpack.
Mineral bottle water and soft drinks
Waterproof coat or jacket
Cap, hat, or bandana
Hiking and/or cargo pants (no jeans)
Mosquito/Bug Repellent
Sheets or sleeping bag (the jungle can get cold)
Personal utensils
Camera and/or video camera
Biodegradable soap
Open mind and strong will
Note: You will be able to rent advisable equipment in La Chunga such as boots, waterproof coats, jacket and camping gear

Important Advice to all travelers to the Darien Jungle:

Visitors to the Darien Jungle are advised to be vaccinated against Malaria
Everyone suffering from heart disease has to show a medical examination clearing you to take part in strenuous activities. This tour is recommended for people in good health and in good condition.
All accommodations are located in indigenous communities. You will sleep in a indigenous cabins and/or tents. A sleeping bag and a sleeping pad will be offered to you.
Toilet facilities are really basic pit toilets
The accommodation in La Chunga village is rustic, but has comfortable beds with fan and mosquito nets. The bathroom has running water
There is no electricity available
You will spend your last night in La Chunga
Travel to the Darien Jungle is enjoyable all year long, however, the best time to visit is the dry season, which lasts from January to July

Getting Here
There are two ways to get to La Palma, Darien. Please let us know at least 15 days in advance of your travel plans so that we can make all arrangements.

Option 1: Private Plane from Albrook Airport
We highly recommend this option for groups of 15 to 20 guests. You can charter a private airplane taking you directly to Sambu airport, which is located a short 10 minute boat ride away from La Chunga
Option 2: Public transportation from Albrook Bus Terminal
Take a bus from Albrook Bus Terminal to Darien-Meteti (5 hours and approx. $9)
Connect at Meteti Bus Terminal onto a smaller bus to Puerto Quimba (30 min and $2)
In Puerto Quimba take a Sambu Water Taxi to La Palma where you will spend the night at Hotel Tuira (30 min and $5 for water taxi and approx $20 for hotel)
Once arrived in La Palma, please spend the night at the La Tuira hotel (&$20 per guest). The next morning, at 6:00am, one of our employees will meet you at the hotel to take you on the boat ride to La Chunga.

*Please note that the price paid the the tour does not include Transportation to and from La Chunga. Upon start of your tour the next morning, you will embark on a two hour speed boat ride to La Chunga which costs $22 per Guest each way.

** Traveling to Darien requires that you to check-in with the immigration booths at Darien and Puerto Quimba. They will only ask you for your Passport Information and how long you will be staying. If there are any problems, just explain that you are tourists.

Our Terms:

CHECK IN / CHECK OUT Your tour starts in La Palma, Darien at 6:00am. We will pick you up from the Hotel Tuira. You will return to La Palma by 10am ensuring you will be able to return to Panama City the same day.

CANCELLATION/REFUND POLICY:

Unless otherwise specified, all tour deposits and payments are non-refundable
No refunds or partial refunds are given for early departures or check-outs from any tour, charter, expedition, or other trip
No refunds are given for any reasons pertaining to weather conditions
No refunds are are given pertaining to political instability
Please contact us, if you have any questions or concerns. We gladly try customize your trip according to your wishes and date availabilities.