Adventure Holidays and Active Travel in the Jungles and Beaches of Panama

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Panama

Rumble in the Jungle

Biking, Hiking, Rafting, Snorkeling, Kayaking and Zip-lining

(10 Days)

Map of Panama Rumble in the Jungle Trip Adrenaline junkies...this one's for you, a 10-day Rumble in the Jungle, zig-zagging from the Pacific to the Atlantic on your own sweat and steam. We bike on twisty trails in deep fertile valleys while watching big ships pass through The Panama Canal; hike through lush rain forests teeming with exotic wildlife; bounce down thumping rapids on a frothy world class river; snorkel in translucent seas filled with tropical marine life; sea kayak amongst twisted mangroves and coral reefs; and finally zip through a forest canopy, bolting between wooden platforms, perched high in the trees. This trip is rich with culture, adventure and nature is well off the beaten track. Caution...this much adventure can be addictive.

Trip Highlights

Biking dirt trails in the Panama Canal Zone
Two day sea kayaking and snorkelling on turquoise seas on the Gulf of Chiriqui
A Whitewater Rafting Blast down the Adrenaline Charged Chirique Viejo

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival Panama City (Arrival)

Upon arrival you will be met by a BikeHike Adventures representative and transferred to a comfortable hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore Panama City. In the evening, we'll go over the itinerary discussing the adventure that lies ahead.

Day 2: Soberania National Park & Taboga Island (Mountain Biking and Hiking)

After breakfast we'll transfer to the Amador Causeway, at the entrance to the Panama Canal. Here we'll jump on our bikes for a short ride in the area and be rewarded with great views of Panama City and the Pacific Ocean. Afterwards, we'll drive along the Canal and the National Parks that make up its watershed. We’ll trace dirt trails through lush rain forest. Mid-afternoon we take a boat to Taboga Island, the Isle of Flowers. Once at the island, we put on our hiking boots and hoof to the top of El Vigia Hill, the highest point in the island. We’ll have great views from the summit, including dozens of ships waiting for their turn to transit on the Panama Canal. We then descend to a cozy beach house for the night. (B,L)

Day 3: Panama Canal & San Lorenzo Fort (Mountain Biking)

We traverse coast to coast today, we start by taking the boat back from Taboga Island on the Pacific, and then hit the Trans-Istmican Highway on our way to the Caribbean Coast. En route we'll learn about the operation of The Panama Canal and stop there to watch the steady stream of big ships passing through the locks. Gatun Lake is located here, which was the largest man made lake in the world until Hoover Dam was built. Once we've seen enough of this amazing engineering marvel, we head out on bikes, riding through a lush valley filled with over 12 different forest types, including mangrove, moist, semi-deciduous and other high-humidity ecosystems. We'll stop at the San Lorenzo Fort, a magnificent example of 17th and 18th century military architecture built to protect the area from pirate attacks, and recently declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Afterwards we’ll head to the historic town of Portobello where we’ll check into a comfortable hotel near the ocean and have the remainder of the evening at leisure. (B,L)

Day 4: Portobello - Boquete (Snorkeling)

First a hearty breakfast of eggs, cheese, and flapjacks and then we motor out to the reef for a morning of snorkeling in the translucent sea. The marine life is rich, colorful, and vibrant. We return to the hotel for lunch and a shower, then transfer to Panama City and the domestic airport for the flight to David. Upon arrival we'll be met by our guides and transferred to a comfortable hotel. We'll head out to one of the local restaurants for dinner and an orientation about the next few days in the mountains of Panama. Overnight in a comfortable hotel in Boquete. (B,L,D)

Day 5: Chiriqui Viejo - Boquete (Whitewater Rafting)

We start with an early morning breakfast and then drive for 1.5 hours to Rio Chiriqui Viejo, near Panama’s border with Costa Rica. Today is exciting, with a full day of whitewater adventure blasting down more than 35 class 3-4 rapids on the action packed Chiriqui Viejo River. The Chiriqui River cuts through a pristine rain forest abundant with tropical birds. We'll return to Boquete last afternoon, freshen up in our hotel and head out for a group dinner. Overnight in the same comfortable hotel in Boquete. (B,L)

Day 6: Caldera River Nature Reserve - Boquete (Hiking)

Today we switch gears and spend the day hiking to an amazing waterfall. We begin in Falling Waters Nature Reserve and retrace the steps of pre-Columbian Indians into remote virgin cloud forest surrounding the perimeter of Volcan Baru National Park. The trail parallels Quebrada La Mina, a gorgeous creek that meanders through the ridges and valleys above Boquete. There are more than 220 bird species native to the area, including the elusive Resplendent Quetzal. There are also great opportunities to observe mysterious pools where the pre-Colombians panned gold, and caves where they extracted clay to make artisan vessels depicting flora and fauna of the period. We'll explore an underground tavern, enjoy a picnic at the base of one of the most exquisite waterfalls in Boquete and rejuvenate under the falls with an invigorating shower. We'll return to Boquete early afternoon and have the opportunity to visit Paradise Gardens, a wildlife refuge. Overnight in our same comfortable hotel in Boquete. (B,L)

Days 7 and 8: Gulf of Chiriqui (Sea Kayaking)

After an early morning breakfast we drive to Pedregal to begin our 2-day sea kayak adventure. By boat, we motor to the Golfo de Chiriqui and start our paddling amongst twisted mangroves, coral reefs, white sand beaches and uninhabited islands. These protected waters of Panama are teeming with wildlife! We'll have plenty of time for snorkeling in the turquoise seas. On day 7, we'll spend the night in tents, camping beneath brilliant skies filled with stars. We'll return to Boquete around 5pm on Day 8 and check back into our same Boquete hotel. (B,L.D on Day 7 and B,L on Day 8)

Day 9: Boquete- Panama City (Zip-Lining)

We start the morning with a good breakfast and then hit the trails for a short hike into the forest for a dose of adrenaline on a canopy tour. We'll glide through the treetops of century-old forests, high above the pristine rivers and waterfalls that make up the incredible collection of natural landscapes bordering the National Park La Amistad and the famous Baru volcano. Afterwards, we'll head back to Boquete for lunch. Late afternoon, we'll transfer back to David to catch a domestic flight back to Panama City. Upon arrival, we'll be met and transferred back to our comfortable hotel in Panama City. We'll meet our guide for a farewell dinner and the remainder of the night is free to enjoy the city nightlife. (B,D)

Day 10: Departure

You'll be transferred to the international airport for your flight back home. (B)

Feb 26, 2010	-	Mar 7, 2010
Apr 15, 2010	-	Apr 24, 2010
May 28, 2010	-	June 6, 2010
Jul 2, 2010	-	Jul 11, 2010
Aug 6, 2010	-	Aug 15, 2010
Sept 17, 2010	-	Sept 26, 2010
Nov 19, 2010	-	Nov 28, 2010
Dec 17, 2010	-	Dec 26, 2010
Jan 21, 2011	-	Jan 30, 2011


Hotel	Camping
8 Nights	1 Night