Duration
6:00 Hours
Activity Level
Moderate
Experience Details*
Board your air-conditioned transportation for a scenic drive to the magnificent Chagres National Park. Your guide will share the area’s history and culture and discuss the lives of the native people who call this lush rainforest home.
When you arrive at the boat dock, you’ll board a sturdy dugout canoe, a form of transportation that was crucial to the native settlers. Enjoy a boat tride through the lush rainforest scenery. Keep an eye out for the wildlife indigenous to the area; you may spot a toucan, a sloth, or even a playful monkey swinging through the trees.
When your canoe reaches the Embera Village, the Tribe Chief will come out to greet you. A traditional performance of song and dance welcomes you and immediately displays the warm and inviting nature of the Embera people. Interaction with the natives is encouraged and is a wonderful way to learn firsthand about their culture. Make sure to browse the shopping area, where exquisite handmade goods are displayed and sold.
Before you depart, sample a light meal of fresh fish and fried plantains provided by the Indians. Re-board the canoe for a trip down the river to your waiting transportation.
At a glance*
Duration: Full day guided tour
Activity: Moderate level of walking
Transport: By bus, dugout canoe and on foot
Why book? Travel by dugout canoe deep into the heart of Chagres National Park, home of the Embera Indians and interact with the villagers.
What's included*
Local guide
Photo opportunities
A light meal
Essential information
Guests are advised that there will be approximately 20 minutes of walking over uneven ground during this tour. Comfortable, flat walking shoes are recommended. The journey time each way is approximately 1½ hours. The Embera people wear minimal clothing and partial nudity may be observed.
ACTIVITY EXCURSIONS, You and all those in your party should be aware that, in undertaking activity excursions, you will be involved in a degree of physical exertion and/or activity such as hiking, biking, snorkelling, kayaking, diving etc. By booking the excursion you confirm that you and all those in your party are in good physical and mental condition, with no history of conditions such as seizures, dizziness, fainting, heart condition, respiratory problems or back/neck problems (by way of example only). You should also ensure that no one in your party is taking medicine that carries a warning about impairment of physical or mental abilities. If you are pregnant this type of excursion may not be appropriate for you. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are fit and well enough to take part in the activities booked and you are reminded to take care for your own safety. Because of the risks associated with activity excursions, you may be asked by the excursion provider to sign a document which may affect or limit the excursion provider’s liability. Comfortable flat walking shoes are recommended.
BEACH/WATER RELATED EXCURSIONS, For any excursion involving water, passengers are reminded to exercise particular care. Alcohol and eating a full meal should be avoided before swimming. If buoyancy aids are provided for an activity they must be worn at all times. You should bear in mind that the sea is unpredictable. Lifeguards are unlikely to be present and there may not be a flag system to indicate whether or not it is safe to go in the water. In addition, beach activities may not be supervised or accompanied and so you should take care to satisfy yourself as to the safety of the beach and/or the sea at the time of your excursion. Please exercise caution when entering the sea as the seabed and aquatic environment is capable of springing surprises and we have not inspected the beach or seabed for its safety. Children must be supervised by you at all times near water. All activities on the beach, water and in the sea are undertaken at your own risk. You’ll need to take swimwear, a towel, sunscreen and flat shoes that can be worn in the water.
SCUBA DIVING, All passengers wishing to participate in a certified dive tour must hold a PADI open water scuba certification or BSAC Ocean Diver certification. Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate divers with either a PADI Junior Open Water or a PADI Scuba Dive rating due to the depth limitations imposed by these qualifications. In line with the recommendations by the sports-diving industry, we strongly recommend that divers undertake a refresher course if they have not been diving within the last six months. You must be aged 15 or over, carry your dive certification card with you and we recommend that you carry your diving log or proof that you’ve recently completed a refresher course. If you are a certified diver, but are unable to meet our requirements we recommend taking the Discover Scuba excursion as an alternative. For Discover Scuba courses you don’t need any scuba experience but you must be 15 or over and be able to swim. You’ll also need to complete a medical/liability consent form before you go - but if you suffer from asthma, diabetes, heart problems or other medical conditions you won’t be able to take part. Please visit www.padi.com/padi/en/sd/whatsrequired.aspx for more information.