You'll spend 3 nights camping on any one of hundreds of islands within the Guna Yala archipelago. Generally, your guide will choose to camp on islands that are inhabited by the indigenous Guna people. These islands tend to be better to camp on than the uninhabited ones and give you opportunities to meet the Guna people and get a glimpse into their lives. You'll stay in twin-share tents and you'll help put up and take down camp as part of this participatory expedition. There'll be campfires, hammocks strung up between trees and warm sand between your toes.

GettyImages-670826262

Untitled design (16)

232323232%7Ffp83232)uqcshlukaxroqdfv35494)nu=7797)263)259)WSNRCG=37(75354(334 nu0mrj

Camping in the Guna Yala Islands

You'll spend 2 nights camping in Chagres National Park. The first night you'll wild camp on the banks of the Chagres River close to some great wild swimming spots. Your second night you'll either camp again on the banks of the river, or you may pitch up in the Embera village depending on the season and recent rainfall which affects the height of the river.
You'll stay in twin-share tents. There are minimal facilities, so expect a wild experience out in the jungle - your wild swims doubling up as showers!

Camping at Chagres River

151863055 3817073231733833 8891578423726877337 n

Chagres National Park

In Panama City, you'll stay at the Zen Hotel - a well-located 3-star hotel with a rooftop pool and amazing views across the city. You'll stay in twin-share rooms unless you request a double room, or a private room upgrade (see more details below).
Depending on the date of your trip, you may stay in a smaller, boutique hotel in the old quarter when these characterful accommodations reopen, having been closed for some time due to Covid.

1611327682 600ae8c21e8ee-thumb

1611328389 600aeb854218e-thumb

Panama City

You'll spend 3 nights camping on any one of hundreds of islands within the Guna Yala archipelago. Generally, your guide will choose to camp on islands that are inhabited by the indigenous Guna people. These islands tend to be better to camp on than the uninhabited ones and give you opportunities to meet the Guna people and get a glimpse into their lives. You'll stay in twin-share tents and you'll help put up and take down camp as part of this participatory expedition. There'll be campfires, hammocks strung up between trees and warm sand between your toes. 

You'll spend 2 nights camping in Chagres National Park. The first night you'll wild camp on the banks of the Chagres River close to some great wild swimming spots. Your second night you'll either camp again on the banks of the river, or you may pitch up in the Embera village depending on the season and recent rainfall which affects the height of the river. 

You'll stay in twin-share tents. There are minimal facilities, so expect a wild experience out in the jungle - your wild swims doubling up as showers! 

In Panama City, you'll stay at the Zen Hotel - a well-located 3-star hotel with a rooftop pool and amazing views across the city. You'll stay in twin-share rooms unless you request a double room, or a private room upgrade (see more details below). 

Depending on the date of your trip, you may stay in a smaller, boutique hotel in the old quarter when these characterful accommodations reopen, having been closed for some time due to Covid.

Your money is safe. Every booking is fully financially protected.

Full Financial Protection

If your trip is cancelled due to Covid choose from free date changes, account credit, or a full refund.

Covid Refund Guarantee

You'll need to be fit to handle the kayaking and hiking, with a real taste for adventure to camp in wild places with minimal home comforts

Meals will be largely based around locally grown products and each day you’ll discover fresh fish, new fruits, nuts and other tasty local treats that all grow in the area including cacao, and of course coffee.
Meals vary, but will always be fresh and healthy to keep you fuelled for the adventure. Breakfast includes fruits, cereals and traditional arepa and eggs. Lunches will be quick and easy in the Chagres jungle - sandwiches, wraps or Fiambre (a Latin American meal packed in banana leaves) is the standard. For dinner, there will be a campfire and a variety of meals served, from traditional Panamanian rice, meat and beans to fresh fish and campfire food. In the Guna Yala islands, a lot of the meals will be based around fresh locally caught seafood, including delicious lobster dishes.
Vegetarians, vegans and other dietary requirements and allergies can be catered for - please just request this on your passenger info form.

GettyImages-518616286

Untitled design (15)

Your host will meet you on arrival at Tocumen International Airport in Panama City and transfer you to your hotel in downtown Panama City. On Day 8 your host will transfer you back to the airport in time for your onward flight.
If you are arriving before Day 1 or departing after Day 8 but still require collecting or dropping off from the airport, your host can arrange private airport transfers and extra nights accommodation for an additional charge - see Optional Extras for details.

Experienced, local kayaking and rafting guides

Guides

2 nights in a hotel, 5 nights camping

Accommodation

7 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 5 dinners

Meals

Airport transfers and everything in between

Transfers

All your kayaking, rafting and camping gear

Equipment

Permits

Experienced, local kayaking and rafting guides

Airport transfers and everything in between

All your kayaking, rafting and camping gear

Touch down in Panama City, meet your host at the airport and transfer over to your hotel in either the old quarter or Via Argentina neighbourhoods. Explore the city on your own steam (if there’s time) before getting together with your guides in the evening to chat through the adventure ahead.

GettyImages-1280042813

Welcome to Panama

Day 1

Early start today as you leave the city at 6 am to head to the Guna Yala archipelago northeast of Panama City. You'll reach the Caribbean Sea after a few of hours driving and board a boat to cross to your basecamp in the islands - this could be any of the 360 islands in the archipelago.
No two trips are the same as your host will have scoped out the best islands to stay on ahead of each departure based on sea conditions and interactions with the indigenous communities. Set up camp and hit the water for an intro to sea kayaking, before paddling to nearby islands and coral reefs for your first snorkel.

GettyImages-492596355

GettyImages-861685164

To the islands

Day 2 

Wake up on your island paradise, have a swim and tuck into breakfast on the beach. Pack down camp and jump back in the kayak for a proper paddle today as you explore the archipelago further. Your guide will lead the way to the best islands for paddling, snorkelling and to eventually camp on later tonight. You'll generally camp on islands that are inhabited by Guna people, giving you a chance to meet the guardians of the islands and gain a glimpse into their unique lives.

P1090363 (1)

Kayaking the archipelago

Day 3

Another day of kayaking, swimming and snorkelling. Again, your guide will choose the best islands to visit based on the reccy they do before each trip. You'll have the chance to meet more Guna people and see the famous traditional artistry known as Molas - an intricately woven and colourful textile art form that makes up the traditional clothing of Guna women.

GettyImages-672436570

GettyImages-636582968

Another day in paradise

Day 4

One last taste of island life as you grab a final swim before breakfast, take down camp and head back to the mainland where a 4x4 will be waiting to take you deep into the jungle of Chagres National Park. A short hike takes you to the village of San Cristóbal where you'll camp close to a small river with some fantastic pools to swim in. Here you will experience how local people, known as Campesinos, live based on subsistence agriculture. Fall asleep to the sounds of the jungle, a big day awaits tomorrow.

20190217 085930

dreamstime m 26639782

Into the jungle

Day 5

After breakfast, you'll hike deeper into the national park alongside horses carrying the expedition gear. Reaching an opening at the Chagres River around noon you'll hop in a raft and float past pristine jungle and rock formations, eyes open for wildlife on the banks. Most of the time the water is crystal clear making for perfect swim stops. Late afternoon you'll meet your host's Embera friends - indigenous people living in the forests of Chagres and Darien. They will carry you further downriver in their wooden canoes equipped with outboard motors. Set up camp on the banks of the river shore either at a sandy beach or at an Embera Village depending on recent rainfall and the height of the water.

34160860 1773695826071594 5434935016033353728 n

dreamstime m 52118326

1511857 519978624776660 322465964 o

Hike and raft down the Chagres River

Day 6

Continue downstream in canoes with your Embera friends, before driving north to the Panama Canal, stopping at Clara Locks and Gatun Lake, which provides the water to operate the Panama Canal locks that raise or lower ships 85 feet to or from ocean level. Drive on to Gatun Dam spillway, jump in an expedition kayak and tackle the final stretch of the Chagres River before it meets the Atlantic Ocean.
The area is a protected forest rich in tropical fauna. You'll see Fort San Lorenzo, a fort built by Spanish Conquistadores in the 1400s to seal off the Chagres River to pirates heading for Panama City. Toast a successful expedition before heading back to Panama City for celebratory beers, dinner and your first proper bed for the best part of a week.

Untitled design

34411622 1775775865863590 746269392521658368 n

Kayak the Chagres River to the Atlantic Ocean

Day 7

The adventure comes to an end after breakfast as your host takes you back to the airport in Panama City in time for your onward flight.

GettyImages-1264005950

Goodbye Panama

Day 8

Touch down in Panama City, meet your host at the airport and transfer over to your hotel in either the old quarter or Via Argentina neighbourhoods. Explore the city on your own steam (if there’s time) before getting together with your guides in the evening to chat through the adventure ahead. 

Early start today as you leave the city at 6 am to head to the Guna Yala archipelago northeast of Panama City. You'll reach the Caribbean Sea after a few of hours driving and board a boat to cross to your basecamp in the islands - this could be any of the 360 islands in the archipelago. 

No two trips are the same as your host will have scoped out the best islands to stay on ahead of each departure based on sea conditions and interactions with the indigenous communities. Set up camp and hit the water for an intro to sea kayaking, before paddling to nearby islands and coral reefs for your first snorkel. 

Wake up on your island paradise, have a swim and tuck into breakfast on the beach. Pack down camp and jump back in the kayak for a proper paddle today as you explore the archipelago further. Your guide will lead the way to the best islands for paddling, snorkelling and to eventually camp on later tonight. You'll generally camp on islands that are inhabited by Guna people, giving you a chance to meet the guardians of the islands and gain a glimpse into their unique lives. 

Another day of kayaking, swimming and snorkelling. Again, your guide will choose the best islands to visit based on the reccy they do before each trip. You'll have the chance to meet more Guna people and see the famous traditional artistry known as *Molas*  - an intricately woven and colourful textile art form that makes up the traditional clothing of Guna women. 

One last taste of island life as you grab a final swim before breakfast, take down camp and head back to the mainland where a 4x4 will be waiting to take you deep into the jungle of Chagres National Park. A short hike takes you to the village of San Cristóbal where you'll camp close to a small river with some fantastic pools to swim in. Here you will experience how local people, known as *Campesinos*, live based on subsistence agriculture. Fall asleep to the sounds of the jungle, a big day awaits tomorrow. 

After breakfast, you'll hike deeper into the national park alongside horses carrying the expedition gear. Reaching an opening at the Chagres River around noon you'll hop in a raft and float past pristine jungle and rock formations, eyes open for wildlife on the banks. Most of the time the water is crystal clear making for perfect swim stops. Late afternoon you'll meet your host's Embera friends - indigenous people living in the forests of Chagres and Darien. They will carry you further downriver in their wooden canoes equipped with outboard motors. Set up camp on the banks of the river shore either at a sandy beach or at an Embera Village depending on recent rainfall and the height of the water. 

Continue downstream in canoes with your Embera friends, before driving north to the Panama Canal, stopping at Clara Locks and Gatun Lake, which provides the water to operate the Panama Canal locks that raise or lower ships 85 feet to or from ocean level. Drive on to Gatun Dam spillway, jump in an expedition kayak and tackle the final stretch of the Chagres River before it meets the Atlantic Ocean. 

The area is a protected forest rich in tropical fauna. You'll see Fort San Lorenzo, a fort built by Spanish Conquistadores in the 1400s to seal off the Chagres River to pirates heading for Panama City. Toast a successful expedition before heading back to Panama City for celebratory beers, dinner and your first proper bed for the best part of a week. 

The adventure comes to an end after breakfast as your host takes you back to the airport in Panama City in time for your onward flight. 

United States Dollar

Pre/Post trip accommodation in Panama City

Single/Twin/Double room

Optional Private Room & Tent Upgrade

Private Transfer between Panama City Airport & accommodation (each way, 2-3 people))

Private Transfer between Panama City Airport & accommodation (each way, 1 person)

Paddle through a Caribbean paradise, camp on tropical islands and journey through dense jungle to the Panama Canal

Kayak the Guna Yala Islands and Raft the Chagres River in Panama

Flash Sale Price - 2 spots left at 10% off

Flash Sale Price - 3 spots left at 10% off

Flash Sale Price - 4 spots left at 10% off

Kayak the turquoise waters of the Guna Yala archipelago - formerly known as the San Blas Islands - and snorkel coral reefs

Hike through dense rainforest and raft the Chagres River to where the Panama Canal meets the Atlantic Ocean

Meet the indigenous peoples of Panama; the Guna and Emberá, guardians of the Guna Yala Islands and Chagres National Park

Kayak the turquoise waters of the Guna Yala archipelago - formerly known as the San Blas Islands - and snorkel coral reefs

Hike through dense rainforest and raft the Chagres River to where the Panama Canal meets the Atlantic Ocean

Meet the indigenous peoples of Panama; the Guna and Emberá, guardians of the Guna Yala Islands and Chagres National Park


Kayak the Guna Yala Islands and Raft the Chagres River in Panama

Kayak the Guna Yala Islands and Raft the Chagres River in Panama

DURATION

LOCATION

ANNUAL LEAVE

SEASON

GROUP SIZE

MEETING POINT

ACCOMMODATION

DIFFICULTY

Similar Trips

EXPERT LOCAL
GUIDES

YOUR MONEY
IS SAFE

TOTAL
FLEXIBILITY

A COMPANY YOU CAN
ACTUALLY TRUST

Kayak the Guna Yala Islands and Raft the Chagres River in Panama

Kayak the Guna Yala Islands and Raft the Chagres River in Panama

DURATION

LOCATION

ANNUAL LEAVE

SEASON

GROUP SIZE

MEETING POINT

ACCOMMODATION

DIFFICULTY

Similar Trips

EXPERT LOCALGUIDES

YOUR MONEYIS SAFE

TOTALFLEXIBILITY

A COMPANY YOU CANACTUALLY TRUST

EXPERT LOCAL
GUIDES

YOUR MONEY
IS SAFE

TOTAL
FLEXIBILITY

A COMPANY YOU CAN
ACTUALLY TRUST