Experience

The Emberá, Guardians of the Panama Canal Jungle

Introduction

Get inspired by this indigenous group and their sacred view of water and its preservation within the jungle of a National Park.

Description

Discover the ancestral culture of the indigenous Emberá, along with their sacred view of the rainforest that supplies water to the Panama Canal.

The Emberá live within the jungle of the Chagres National Park, which occupies an area of 131 thousand hectares (324 thousand acres). Its mature forests represent 88.6% of the entire Panama Canal Watershed, forming a fundamental part of the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor.

Its trees act like a giant sponge, absorbing heavy rainfall during the wet season, much of which is returned to the river courses, required for the operation of the Panama Canal, of tremendous importance for global commerce.

This protected area is characterized by elements of great value to Panamanian biodiversity, notably the presence of the jaguar and the harpy eagle, both endangered species, as well as tapirs, white-tailed deer, among other species.

Your adventure to connect with the Emberá culture will begin at approx. 8:00 am, when you will be transported to a public dock in Lake Alajuela, and embark on a 45-minute river ride on a traditional Emberá canoe from the public dock to their community and back. On your way to their community, you will be able to witness the surrounding jungle with beautiful birds. The soundtrack of running water and navigating upstream becomes an important part of the scenery.

Our hosts will receive you in their community, and share their ancestral knowledge, including their natural medicine stories told by their botanist, their relation to the spirit world, along with dances, crafts and traditional food. At the end of this journey a member of the community will take you downstream to the public dock and a comfortable transportation to your destination.

Emberá indigenous community center – In the cost of your experience, OGAYA includes a contribution to the Emberá community, to help in the rebuilding of their community center.

Regenerative impact

Experiences in this area are connected to regenerative initiatives and our partners are committed to one or more of the following topics:

  • Practices benefiting the local community (work force/agriculture/commercial)

The Emberá, Guardians of the Panama Canal Jungle

Location: Chagres National Park, Panama City
Duration: 8 hours
Groups of: 1-0
Available: Year round
Activity level: Easy Moderate Active Difficult Strenuous
Experience keywords: Ancestral knowledge, Harpy eagle, Jaguar

Request a quote

8 hours

Our process

Tailor Made Booking

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OGAYA is ready to cater to your needs within transformational experiences. Our booking agents are available to receive and handle your request. Each travel is treated with our upmost attention. Your travel preferences are as important to us as it is to you. OGAYA booking office is keen to provide you with the highest quality custom made travel experiences Panama has to offer.
The OGAYA booking agent will walk you through all the details of your favorite experiences. Then assemble your preferences in the smoothest option for travel distance and coordination the solution that works best for your time in Panama. After the booking agent has received your choices and gathered the details, the OGAYA Itinerary will be sent/shared with you. This will happen in accordance with what is agreed with each trip. You will receive and review the itinerary to assess and evaluate that the detail matches your expectations and confirm the itinerary.
After you have reviewed and approved your custom made itinerary, OGAYA will either adjust preferred details until you are satisfied with your travel plans. Once you approve the itinerary the payment is made.
When the payment has been completed, OGAYA engages in a red-carpet guided service where you are served a welcome kit introducing the journey you are about to embark on. Next OGAYA presents you with a well-planned packing list, outlining the recommended type of garments and attire for your chosen experiences.
OGAYA is committed to provide high end experiences throughout your journey with us. All along the way, OGAYA aims to be available to support you with any topics that may arise. Our guides and staff are informed and or trained to deal with unforeseen things that could occur.
Tailor-made booking process

The professional staff at OGAYA are on standby to answer questions 24/7/365 and prepare day-trip experiences or multiple-day experiences that are tailor made for your needs.

Request a quote or book direct on the phone (+507) 6980-6314. Reach out to OGAYA directly through WhatsApp chat.

Allow 24-48 hours for us to respond to your inquiries.

Maria Amelia
Maria Amelia

booking agent