Explore Chagres National Park and the San Blas Islands

On this fantastic 7-day tour, expand your horizons as you discover the jungle and whitewater rapids of Chagres National Park, get to know the native Embera people, and go sea kayaking in the San Blas Islands. Appreciate the pristine, untouched jungle of Chagres National Park as you hike and go rafting. The Embera people live in the park and will show you their village and tell you about their customs. Your adventure package continues with sea kayaking and snorkeling at the San Blas Archipelago, home of the Guna native people. Join us for an incredible 7 days appreciating natural beauty, enjoying adventure activities, and learning about native cultures.

Highlights

Hike through the virgin jungle of Chagres National Park
Splash down the Chagres River on a whitewater rafting adventure
Get to know the indigenous Embera people as you visit their village
Go sea kayaking and snorkeling at the stunning San Blas Islands

Tour Information

Duration: 7 Days
Start/End location: Panama City, Panama
Availability: Year-round (rainy season starts from April/May to November/December)

Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrive to Panama City and Rest in the Hotel
Once you arrive to Tocumen International Airport in Panama City, you will be welcomed and transported to Hotel Marbella. At 19:00 pm, there will be a welcome meeting for the group in the hotel lobby.

Day 2 – Drive a 4×4 Vehicle to a Remote Village, Go Hiking, and Raft Down the Chagres River
Bright and early at 07:00 am, you will be picked up in an all-terrain, four-wheel-drive vehicle. You will make your way to San Cristobal, a remote village northeast of Panama City, past the mountains of Cerro Azul.

Next, you will hike for 2 to 3 hours in Chagres National Park to Piedras River, a tributary to the Chagres River. There, you will start a rafting adventure, floating down the river through Class II-III rapids, reaching the pristine rainforest of the upper Chagres River watershed.

After lunch on the riverbank, you will get back on your boat and go through the whitewater rapids of a majestic canyon, surrounded by granite and ending at Alhajuela Lake. By 16:00 pm – 18:00 pm, you will set up camp either on the riverbank or at an Embera Village and enjoy dinner.

Day 3 – Experience the Culture and Hospitality of the Embera Native Village
Eat a delicious breakfast in the morning. If you camped by the river, you will start your day by helping to take down the campsite, leaving no human trace. You will hike by the river, then take a “piragua” (native wooden canoe with outboard motor) to the Embera Village.

The Embera native people migrated to the Chagres National Park area from the Darien Jungles by Colombia. The habitat is similar between the two places. After enjoying the hospitality of the Embera people, you will take the “piragua” canoe to the closest road. Then, you will be driven back to Hotel Marbella in Panama City. Lunch is also included today.

Day 4 – Go Sea Kayaking and Snorkeling at the San Blas Archipelago
At 05:00 am, you will be picked up and driven for 3 hours by 4×4 to the gorgeous San Blas Islands. On this trip, you will cross the continental divide from the Pacific to the Atlantic. When you reach the ocean, you will take a motorboat to base camp. For the rest of the day, you will enjoy sea kayaking and snorkeling. In the evening, you will rest at the campsite. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included today.

Day 5-6 – Explore the Ocean Environment on Snorkeling and Sea Kayaking Adventures
For the next two days, discover the islands and reefs close to your camp and enjoy delicious meals (breakfasts, lunches, and dinners included). At night, you well sleep at the campsite.

Day 7 – Return to Panama City
The final day of your tour starts with an early wake up. After breakfast, you will leave camp by 07:00 am. Then, you will return to Panama City by motorboat and 4×4 vehicles. You will arrive to Panama City by about 12:00 pm.

What’s Included

Transport within Panama
Basic lodging in Panama and campsite
- 2 nights at Hotel Marbella, Panama City
- 1 night at Tent Campsite by upper Chagres River, Chagres National Park, Panama
- 3 nights at Tent Campsite at San Blas, Panama
Rafts/duckies, sea kayaks (tandem or single), and related gear
Camping gear
Guides trained in river and sea navigation skills, first-aid, and CPR
Meals as mentioned in the itinerary (6 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners)

What’s Not Included

International flight
Airport tax ($20.00 per person)
Personal expenses and tips
Meals not specified in the itinerary
Extras in hotels (laundry, room service, phone calls)

What to Bring

ID (stamped passport)
Light boots or sneakers with a good sole
Swimsuit, towel, and shorts
Hat and sunscreen
Light jacket or windbreaker (in case of rain)
Blanket and flashlight
Personal hygiene items

Important Notes

Do not forget your ID (stamped passport)! It is mandatory for every participant to bring ID that shows you are legally in Panama. You will pass through road immigration check points. If you forget your ID, you will be detained and the tour will continue without you.
Participants in this tour should be between the ages of 12 and 65 and in good health. Be ready to walk for about 2.5 hours on an irregular, muddy path. Minors must travel with a responsible adult.
This tour has a minimum of 2 travelers and a maximum of 12. If you have fewer than 2 or more than 12, contact us at info@keteka.com and we will try to find a group for you. The group leader will go for free for a group of 8 or more travelers.
If you would like to arrange a private tour or make any customizations, contact us in advance at info@keteka.com.
The tour operator reserves the right to change the program with similar activities or accommodations as needed. For example, the campsite location can change based on levels of river water and wind.