This is a trip for those who seek true adventure and get-away
to one of the most remote coastal areas on the Pacific coast of North and Central America. The Chiriqui Province of
western Panama is far from the bustle of Panama City, and has a frontier feel about it. The area boasts a cluster of
Pacific islands that are the stuff of dreams.
This adventure will immerse you in the island ecology and culture in and around the Gulf of Chiriqui, an island-studded unspoiled paradise with magnificent beaches and coral reefs, and mainland mangrove forests. There are over 25 islands in the Golfo de Chiriqui National Marine Park, and many more that we can explore outside of the park, almost none of which have any people or structures on them. A true adventure awaits you, from getting to your destination, to settling into that “being in the middle of nowhere” feeling. This area offers incredible uninterrupted views of and undeveloped portion of the Panama coast and highlands. Miles of coastline with no lights!
From Panama City, we’ll transfer by air and/or van to the City of David in western Panama, and to the Village of Boca Chica, and our first accommodations at a private beach house on Playa Hermosa. You’ll delight in the incredible views of the islands in the gulf, the huge undeveloped beach, and the forest monkeys and birds. We’ll spend a day introducing and practicing sea kayak skills around nearshore islands and mangrove-lined estuaries. We then head inland for a day of white-water rafting or sea kayaking a river (depending on water conditions), and taking a short hike to a very cool waterfall and swimming hole.
Heading back to the gulf, we’ll transfer by boat (or sea kayak for advanced paddlers), to our island base on Isla Parida, the largest island in the Golfo Chiriqui, and our private beach camp site, where a full day of paddling, beach exploring, and beach games are on the agenda. The next day, we’ll set out to explore coral reefs, beaches, and islands in far reaches of the Golfo, via motor boat. The next morning, after a leasurely beachfront breakfast, we’ll transfer via native cayuca craft back to Playa Hermosa, and enjoy a day of mountain biking on the quiet coastal roads, stopping to do wildlife and vista watching. As with all VO adventures, this trip will include exposure to the culture of this portion of Panama, both native American and mestizo. On the last day, we’ll do one of several activities, including a trip to a native Guaymi Indian village, a hike to a major waterfall and swimming hole, or a hike to, and into, a remote cave in the Chiriqui Province.
These trips include some camping, using low impact camping techniques, and practice outdoor living and environmental awareness skills. Our guides provide instruction covering the full range of kayaking techniques, and you’ll learn about and practice a variety of paddling strokes, self and assisted rescues, navigation, and daily trip planning.
Activities: sea kayaking, snorkeling, hiking, swimming, white water rafting, waterfalls, mountain biking.
Meals and Lodging: Our primary base will be a comfortable private Panamanian inn or beach house, with a pool. We’ll spend two nights camping on our private beach on Isla Paridas. For food, we’ll sample a great diversity of Central American fare. Included in this will be fish that we catch while we are on the trips.
[ View Accomodations ] Duration: 8 days, 7 nights.
Other information: Includes air or van transfers from Panama City to David, and back.
Cost: $1,500.
Schedule:
November 18 through November 25, 2006
December 23 through December 30, 2006
January 27 through February 3, 2007
February 24 through March 3, 2007
March 31 through April 7, 2007
April 28 through May 5, 2007
May 26 through June 2, 2007
This adventure will immerse you in the island ecology and culture in and around the Gulf of Chiriqui, an island-studded unspoiled paradise with magnificent beaches and coral reefs, and mainland mangrove forests. There are over 25 islands in the Golfo de Chiriqui National Marine Park, and many more that we can explore outside of the park, almost none of which have any people or structures on them. A true adventure awaits you, from getting to your destination, to settling into that “being in the middle of nowhere” feeling. This area offers incredible uninterrupted views of and undeveloped portion of the Panama coast and highlands. Miles of coastline with no lights!
Heading back to the gulf, we’ll transfer by boat (or sea kayak for advanced paddlers), to our island base on Isla Parida, the largest island in the Golfo Chiriqui, and our private beach camp site, where a full day of paddling, beach exploring, and beach games are on the agenda. The next day, we’ll set out to explore coral reefs, beaches, and islands in far reaches of the Golfo, via motor boat. The next morning, after a leasurely beachfront breakfast, we’ll transfer via native cayuca craft back to Playa Hermosa, and enjoy a day of mountain biking on the quiet coastal roads, stopping to do wildlife and vista watching. As with all VO adventures, this trip will include exposure to the culture of this portion of Panama, both native American and mestizo. On the last day, we’ll do one of several activities, including a trip to a native Guaymi Indian village, a hike to a major waterfall and swimming hole, or a hike to, and into, a remote cave in the Chiriqui Province.
These trips include some camping, using low impact camping techniques, and practice outdoor living and environmental awareness skills. Our guides provide instruction covering the full range of kayaking techniques, and you’ll learn about and practice a variety of paddling strokes, self and assisted rescues, navigation, and daily trip planning.
