In this overnight
expedition participated 22 persons, quite a crowd for an overnight. But only 12 persons,
teenagers from all around USA were real guests. All others participants were guides from Aventuras
Panamá and specialized escort guides.
After an early breakfast at Cerro Azul the group departed
in 3 fwd vehicles toward remote settlement of San Cristobal at Chagres National
Park were Mr. Victor Ibarra delighted the group showing off his farm and
sharing tales of
his regular life that amazed his young visitors. For many of them, it was
their first experience in a tropical rainforest, and it was hard to conceived
that actually there is people out there in the jungle that still live on survival
agricultural.
But Mr. Ibarra does not have a common farm. His
dedication, ingeniousity, and persistance had turned this piece of land into a worth
tourist atraction were visitors will learn how he makes a living out of the land
with fruit tree plantations, agricultural crops and farm animals.
Them, the group departed toward Rio Piedras in a two hours
hike and arrived just in time to eat a "sancocho" at Felipe Vazquez house, just
before the river put-in. We identify many root plantations that were
included on the main
ingredients of this typical panamanian meal: A chicken soup with corn, "yuca",
"ñame", "otoe", and "culantro".
Rio Piedras was very very dry and it took us for ever to
reach Chagres were our camp was set. We arrive around 4:30 pm and assigned
tents. Them move to the river bank beach to get ready for a barbeque.
The tent area inside the jungle was very dark under the tree shadows so we try
to get there only to sleep, at a safe distance of a possible river flood.
Next day, we departed around 9:00 am from our campsite, after
loading all cargo rafts with camp gear and making sure we were not leaving
traces behind.
The Chagres River was crystal clear.
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We negotiated the big rapids with out
a single swimmer but we all ended in the water to cool out while floating
downstream with the rafts nearby.
On lunch time, we were
surprised by a short but strong rain that forced us to place tarps for
shelter and keep our cooking fire alive.
We met the Embera motor boat piragua around 5:30 pm.
They navigated their 30 feet long wooden canoe through the
rapids assisted with an outboard motor and a person standing in front
of the piragua who was responsable to pushed away and force turns in the
rapids with a long stick .
We arrived almost at sunset to their village where we share with a family
about their living habits. This is the smallest of the three
embera villages at
upper Chagres River banks but it is the one that most closely
represent the way that their relatives still live in the dense jungles of
Darien, by Colombia, where they migrated from about 20 years ago.
One of the highlight at the village was a playfull baby river otter
that the embera had adopted and that wellcome us on our arrival.
As usual, we certify and renew above certification to our
guides and this event is scheduled for current month. If interested in
joining us, at a discount price, just contact our office.
2. White Water River Guide Training
We have about 9 new very enthusiastic trainees this year
but we are still searching for bilingual guides. If interested to join our
guides staff contact us.
3. Order gear
Shortly we will be placing another order to NRS. If interested in
oudoor, rafting or kayaking gear at great discount visit NRS Web HERE and contact us with item number.
Aventuras Panama extend its discount(around 20% off listed price) to Atrevete a
Vivir membership.
Departing from Atlapa, in front
of Caesar Hotel lobby at 5:00 am
$ 85.00
Sunday 27
Sea Kayaking at Coastway, Amador
Departing from Los Ranchitos at 3:00 pm
Limited to 6 persons
unless you bring your own gear.
$ 35.00
For reservations please call us at
Phone
260-0044, Cel 6679-4404 or email us at
. Payment is required at least a day
prior tour date.
Note: Listed prices for above
dates are good
only for residents of Panama that had joined "Atrevete a Vivir !" Ezine previous
to current month. Tour participation is subject to availability and our own
Terms and Conditions.
If a member is interested in a particular
destination or activity we welcome suggestions. This ezine is also available to
post members available preplanned trip into the outdoors.
. Payment is required at least a day
prior tour date. 
