The Chagres Challenge - a full day jungle expedition from sunrise to sunset

4.9 (23 reviews) Panama City, Panama
Duration14h - 16h
Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish
Group sizeUp to 15 travelers
Pickup offeredSee the meeting and pickup details below

Overview

Leave behind the exhausting noise of cities and escape to the stunning natural beauty of the Chagres National Park. This unforgettable adventure includes hiking, rafting, camping and transportation on  indigenous  Embera motorboat. The Chagres River is virtually unseen in the trek trough the Chagres National Park due to the lack of access roads and protection against settlers. This part of the river, characterized by currents alternating with backwaters, is considered as class II, although several rapids are considered Class III by the International Classification of River Navigation. Although it's the natural habitat of big mammals such as  tapir and jaguar, it is much easier to spot several others samples of the fauna, such as monkeys of the rainforest, sloth, river otter, iguana, tucan, and plenty of fish.

What's included

  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Bottled water
  • Rafts and gear
  • Professional guide trained in white-water navigation skills, first-aid and CPR
  • Lunch
  • GST (Goods and Services Tax)
  • Breakfast
  • Gratuities

What to expect

  1. Chagres National Park
    12h · Admission ticket included
    Start at 5am after your picked and taken in an all-terrain vehicle from your hotel to the remote village of San Cristobal.

    After enjoying a typical Panamanian breakfast, visit a campesino survival agricultural farm in the Chagres National Park.

    Next, hike for about 2-hours up to Rio Piedras. This area is a Chagres River tributary, where you will get into your rafts and begin to float downstream, (Class II-III rapids) floating into the untouched jungles of the Chagres National Park. Keep an eye out for wildlife such as monkeys, sloth, river otter, iguana, toucan and fish.

    From late February through early June you might have to hike all the way to the Chagres River (which takes 3-hours) because Piedras River might be to low to raft on.

    After lunch, continue rafting further downstream passing an impressive granite canyon with some white water rapid action, and ending just before encountering Madden Lake where you met by a "piragua" (native wooden canoe equipped with outboard motor). Ride in the piragua further downstream to the nearest road where a driver will be expecting you and ready to bring you back to civilization, and to your hotel in Panama City around 7pm.
  2. Pass by
    we will paddle by it at the end of the day
  3. Pass by
    We will navigate along it at the end of the day
  4. Pass by
    We will navigate along it at the end of the day
  5. Pass by
    we will drive next to it at dawn

Meeting and pickup

Pickup details

We pick up from any hotel within Panama City. Also some outside Panama City with an extra transportation fee.

Additional information

  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • A minimum of 4 people per booking is required

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews

4.9 (23)
From
$470.00 per person
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  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts
  • You'll choose your date and travelers and pay on viator.com. Prices vary by date, group size and option.
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