PanamaDiscretion Ethinic Expeditions, Kuna, San Blass, Darian

Discretion Ethinic Expeditions

CHOCO-EMBERA INDIGENOUS ENCOUNTER
One day tour PARARA PURU

These Indians originally came from the Choco region of Colombia. Cultural traits tie them to the South American Indian groups. Aspects such as physical features, use of decorative pigments, housing material, ancestral use of blowgun with poisoned darts, and the use of loincloth. Historically speaking, these Indians displaced the Kuna Indian villages as they moved in from ancient Colombia 300 to 200 years ago. They are master wood carvers and basket weavers.
The Chocoe-Embera community of Parara Puru is located in the Chagres National Park at the junction point of Madden Lake and the Chagres River. Depart hotel by bus with naturalist guide to the port of Corotu to board a motorized dugout canoe that in 10 minutes will bring you in contact with the Embera Indians. Upon arrival take a hike through the Medicinal trail with the Chaman (Medicine Man). Once the hike is finished you will meet Indian Chief Antonio Tocamo. He will give an explanation of their culture, traditions and dances. After the dance presentation you can buy their beautiful handcrafts of Tagua (miniature sculptures made from a nut of a palm tree known as the natural ivory), wood carvings of Cocobolo and Balso, baskets weaned from palm tree fiber and painted with vegetable dyes. Later take a refreshing dip at Quebrada Fea upstream the Chagres River. Afterwards return to the community for lunch and last minute shopping.

Recommendations: short pants with bathing suit underneath, sneakers or water sandals, towel, hat with brim, sun block lotion, insect repellent, light rain gear and an extra set of dry clothes in a dry bag.
Includes: ground and water transportation, community taxes, naturalist guide and Box lunch
Tour classification: light/moderate

ECO ANAMAR LODGE
THE ULTIMATE EXPERIENCE IN THE DARIEN JUNGLE

Eco Anamar Lodge is located in Jaque, Darien. Eco Anamar Lodge offers the best access to the unspoiled Darien Jungle. Jaque is one of the richest fishing areas of Panama. The lodge has a beachfront location along the Pacific Ocean. It has been designed to offer basic accommodations for those explorers who want to interact with the flora and fauna at its best as well as for those who want to have a Chocoe Embera or Chocoe Waunaan Indigenous encounter. Take a trip on a dugout canoe to a Chocoe Indian Community. At the community learn about their culture, traditions and dances. You will also have the opportunity to appreciate and buy their beautiful baskets and their Tagua nut carvings. These small sculptures are real pieces of artwork.
Guided hikes in the jungle are also part of this experience. You might encounter mammal species such as monkeys, peccaries, agoutis pacas, cuatimundi, and many more. For those who enjoy bird watching this is paradise.

Recommendations: bathing suit, walking shoes or boots, sandals, short and long pants, insect repellent, personal items, towel, sun block lotion, hat with brim, camera
Includes: roundtrip airfare, lodging, 3 meals a day Optional tours available.
Tour classification: light/moderate

OPTIONAL TOURS FOR JAQUE BIROQUERA

From the town of Jaque take a dugout canoe up the Jaque River for about 45 minutes to the Indigenous Community of Biroquera. As you travel along the river you will have the opportunity to observe birds and fauna of the area. Once there you will be received by the Chief and taken to the Community Center. At the Center an explanation of their traditions, culture and dances will be given. There will be a dance presentation and handcraft sales. They are famous for their basket weaving made of palm fronds and painted with vegetable dyes, wood carvings of Cocobolo and Balsa and Tagua carvings (a palm nut known as natural ivory). These small sculptures are real pieces of artwork.

GUAYABO ENSENADA

Walk for about an hour and half along the beach to the Fondeadero where you will board a boat that will take you along the shores of the Pacific Ocean to the Guayabo Ensenada. As you travel for about an hour and forty-five minutes your eyes will marvel at the beautiful scenery. Upon arriving you will walk for about 10 minutes to the Waterfall and Rejuvenating Pond totally surrounded by pristine jungle.

SAN BLAS DAY TOUR – KUNA INDIANS

The San Blas Archipelago has some 365 islands of which approximately 46 contain settlements of approximately 200 to 5000 persons. The remainders of the islands are planted with coconuts, the Kunas' largest cash crop. There are also approximately 15 Kuna settlements on the Atlantic coast or inland in the Darien, including at least one in Colombia. In writing about the number of Kuna villages we use the word “approximate” because new settlements spring up from time to time. The Indian women dresses with a hand-sewn blouse called Mola, their typical handcraft, and a skirt named saburwe. Women also wear gold earrings, a nose ring and colorful beads around their arms and calves. They keep to their traditions, legends, beliefs and myths.
Your experience at San Blas islands will be unforgettable. You will be able to visit inhabited islands, fish, experience dances and traditional rites, snorkel, enjoy the crystalline waters, or just admire the sun set while swinging in a hammock overlooking the Caribbean Sea.

SCHEDULE: ONE-DAY TOUR TO SAN BLAS.

Early morning transfer to the domestic airport for the 30 minutes regular flight to Corazon de Jesus near Nargana. From there a 5 minute boat ride will transfer you to Kwadule Island. You will have the opportunity to visit the Kuna community of Tiger Island to learn about their culture and purchase beautiful Molas and handcrafts. Return to Kwadule Island for a seafood lunch. After lunch enjoy and relax in a hammock under the palm trees or swim in the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean Sea. A late afternoon chartered plane will bring you back to Panama City.

Recommendations: short pants, sneakers or water sandals, bathing suit, towel, hat with brim, sun block and suntan lotion and camera
Includes: Transfer hotel-local airport-hotel; airline ticket Panama City-Corazon de Jesus; charter flight Corazon de Jesus-Panama City; lunch, airport taxes, Tiger Island community tour, guide
Tour classification: light/moderate Minimum of 8 paxs is required.

OVERNIGHT TO DOLPHIN ISLAND LODGE, UAGUITUPO, SAN BLAS

50-minute flight in an Islander aircraft to the Achutupo airstrip on Panama's Atlantic Coast. Transfer by motorized dugout canoe for a 5-minute trip to DOLPHIN ISLAND LODGE on the Island of Uaguitupo, in the San Blas Archipelago. The Lodge has capacity for 26 guests and there is no minimum number of guests required; with outside fresh water showers and toilets, also 3 comfortable double size beds in each Kuna style thatched cabin. After settling in, breakfast will be serve at the bohio dinning room. Lunch and dinner will features delicious San Blas seafood. Cost includes tour of neighboring Island community of Achutupo to observe the Indian culture.

Day 2- Breakfast, transfer in a dugout canoe to the Achutupo airstrip for the 50 minute flight back to Panama City, arriving at approximately 8:00 AM.

There are other options for those who would like to stay for more days.

SAN BLAS ISLANDS KWADULE ECO- LODGE

   Travelling only 30 minutes from Albrook Airport we will reach Corazon de Jesus, near Nargana, where a comfortable 5 minutes boat ride will transfer us to the paradisiatic KWADULE ISLAND.   This beautiful island is only 10,000 mts2 and it has all the comforts you deserve. KWADULE ECO-LODGE has comfortable cabins (single, double and triple occupancy) built on piles over the sea, with private bathrooms, drinking water, electricity all decorated with Panamanian frills.The calm sound of the sea will captivate your senses while you awake contemplating the extensive Kuna Yala Mountain Range from the balcony.   Between the piles of the cabins a school of sardines playfully dance joining the magical and unique morning breeze of Panama's Caribbean Sea.   Outside the cabin, behind a trail surrounded by palm trees you will find the CASA CLUB (Club House), a large hut built following the design of the Kuna in harmony with the Caribbean environment, that allows you to enjoy an excellent view of the area.
     The CASA CLUB is a Restaurant-Bar with room to host up to 50 guests, where you may enjoy a delicious lobster or the Chef's specialties.   For your entertainment KWADULE ECO-LODGE offers beautiful white sand beaches around the island, perfect to practice marine sports.
      If you wish, you may rest in a hammock under the palm trees, while you drink delicious and refreshing coconut water, or you may learn about other cultures and customs by visiting an indigenous community in nearby Tigre Island, where you can purchase beautiful Molas and Kuna handcrafts.

Recommendations: shorts, water sandals, beach towel, swimsuit, sun block, hat with brim, snorkeling equipment.
Includes: air and water transportation, all meals, visit to Kuna villages, airport fees
Tour classification: light

SAN BLAS ISKARDUP ECO RESORT

Depart hotel very early in the morning for Albrook Airport to take a 45-minute flight in an Islander aricraft to Playon Chico airstrip on Panama's Atlantic Coast. Transfer by motorized dugout canoe for 10-minute trip to ISKARDUP ECO-RESORT on the Island of Ukupseni. Enjoy a welcome coffee and visit Arridup beach for snorkeling or relaxation. After lunch, visit the Ukupseni Community and the Kuna Cementery and learn about their ritos mortuorios. Dinner at the lodge. Enjoy the San Blas Island facilities, this is a place where you can do birdwatching, swim in crystal waters, snorkel or hike to a beautiful waterfall and take a dip. Lunch at the lodge. Free afternoon for relaxation in a hammock as the ocean breeze caresses you or swim. At night you may enjoy a folkloric show (Min. of 8 clients staying in the lodge) and dinner.

After breakfast, flight back to Panama City.

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