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    2010 Xtrop Panama Lo-Res

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    Scott A. Muller
    This document provides information about sea kayaking adventures along the water trails of Panama, including the Panama Canal. It describes several multi-day kayaking trips that explore the Chagres River, Fort San Lorenzo, the Panama Canal entrance, Gatun Lake, Soberania National Park, and the islands of Kuna Yala. The trips involve paddling, hiking, and snorkeling to experience the diverse ecosystems, indigenous cultures, and history of Panama. Guides are well-trained and lead small groups of no more than 12 people using high-quality kayaking equipment.

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    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    2010 Xtrop Panama Lo-Res

    Uploaded by

    Scott A. Muller
    97 views16 pages
    This document provides information about sea kayaking adventures along the water trails of Panama, including the Panama Canal. It describes several multi-day kayaking trips that explore the Chagres River, Fort San Lorenzo, the Panama Canal entrance, Gatun Lake, Soberania National Park, and the islands of Kuna Yala. The trips involve paddling, hiking, and snorkeling to experience the diverse ecosystems, indigenous cultures, and history of Panama. Guides are well-trained and lead small groups of no more than 12 people using high-quality kayaking equipment.

    Original Description:

    Sea Kayak Operator in Panama with 16 years of award winning adventures. 1 - 9 day itineraries.

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    This document provides information about sea kayaking adventures along the water trails of Panama, including the Panama Canal. It describes several multi-day kayaking trips that explore the Chagres River, Fort San Lorenzo, the Panama Canal entrance, Gatun Lake, Soberania National Park, and the islands of Kuna Yala. The trips involve paddling, hiking, and snorkeling to experience the diverse ecosystems, indigenous cultures, and history of Panama. Guides are well-trained and lead small groups of no more than 12 people using high-quality kayaking equipment.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    97 views16 pages

    2010 Xtrop Panama Lo-Res

    Uploaded by

    Scott A. Muller
    This document provides information about sea kayaking adventures along the water trails of Panama, including the Panama Canal. It describes several multi-day kayaking trips that explore the Chagres River, Fort San Lorenzo, the Panama Canal entrance, Gatun Lake, Soberania National Park, and the islands of Kuna Yala. The trips involve paddling, hiking, and snorkeling to experience the diverse ecosystems, indigenous cultures, and history of Panama. Guides are well-trained and lead small groups of no more than 12 people using high-quality kayaking equipment.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 16

    Panama

    2010-2011

    Sea Kayak
    Water Trails

    15
    Years
    of
    Adventures!
    2
    www.xtrop.com
    2010 - 2011
    Welcome 4

    River of Gold 6

    Sunset Sea Kayak 7

    Rainforest Canyons 8

    Panama Canal Water Trails 9

    Expedition Paddling with the Kuna 10


    Sichirtupo Biodiversity 12

    Additional Information 14
    4
    Water Trails of the Panama Canal
    Welcome!
    After 15+ years paddling the
    stunning ecosystems and
    historic coastlines of Panama
    by sea kayak, there is still
    much more yet to explore.

    We continue to expand the


    Water Trails of the Panama
    Canal, because it’s the best
    way to experience the wild
    National Parks and World
    Heritage.

    Paddling Panama means


    remote coasts, indigenous
    cultures, sand channels,
    mangroves and walls of
    forest; not to mention the
    tapir, manati, nor turtles; as
    featured in Frommer’s, the
    NY Times, the Sydney Herald
    and National Geographic
    Adventure. You can check out
    the trail maps on our website.

    In any case, we’ve pioneered


    1 day to 6 night Adventures
    that represent the best water
    trails on the isthmus.

    Our guides and I look forward


    to paddling with you and
    sharing Panama’s rich heritage.

    Sincerely,

    Scott A. Muller
    Xtrop
    Paddling the River of Gold
    The Chagres River and Fort San Lorenzo
    The Chagres River is unquestionably one of the Great Rivers of the World. This section of
    river has seen more gold than all the rivers in the world combined and paddling along her
    contains many memories of ardent battles for Pre-Colombian, Incan and Spanish treasures.
    At the edge of a high cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea at the mouth of the legendary river,
    Fort San Lorenzo bears witness to 400 years of history in the hands of Spanish kings, British
    admirals and famous intrepid buccaneers like Francis Drake and Henry Morgan.

    Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, Fort San Lorenzao and the River of Gold make
    an exhilarating historical, natural and recreational adventure.

    Dates: all Year


    Length: Full day
    6
    Sunset Sea Kayak
    Explore the Entrance of the Panama Canal*
    Impressive and thrilling, the Panama Canal entrance is the door to one of the most highly
    traveled waterways in the world. The striking engineering of the Canal is able to handle more
    than 12,000 ships per year.

    Along the coastal forest shore, common bird species include soaring magnificent frigates,
    gliding brown pelicans, darting flocks of parrots, ibis and various other wading migratory
    shore birds.

    Paddling along side the Canal from stable, efficient sea kayaks accompanied by professional
    guides, the adventure provides an atypical perspective of Panama’s natural and cultural
    heritage.

    Dates: all Year


    Length: 1/2 or Full day

    *Itinerary location is dependent on weather and


    group ability and may be switched.

    7
    Sea Kayaking Rainforest Canyons
    Lago Alajuela and the Chagres National Park
    The Chagres National Park is one of the most valuable primary forest treasures in the Republic
    of Panama, as Lago Alajuela’s sparkling waters are a major part of the hydrologic basin of
    the Panama Canal. The pristine riparian environments of this watershed host a luxurious
    variety of tropical wildlife including species such as jaguars, howler monkeys, anteaters and
    the majestic harpy eagle. Myriads of picturesque bird species are exposed along the park’s
    rainforest fjords. Silent paddling provides a remarkable experience for passionate and first-
    time bird watchers alike.

    Dates: July - December only *


    Length: Full day

    *this trip is weather dependent. High water


    level is necessary to paddle in Alajuela.

    8
    www.xtrop.com

    Panama Canal Water Trails


    Lago Gatun and the Soberania National Park
    The construction of Gatun Dam in the Chagres Valley in the early 1900’s has provided waters
    for thousands of ships to transit across the Isthmus of Panama. Today these waters are
    the massive 470km2 Gatun Lake, that in years past, was the largest manmade lake in the
    world. Paddling Lake Gatun along its pristine bright green banks, between its
    numerous islands, over the extensive underwater vegetation and through the still standing
    tips of submerged trees is a real neo-tropical safari. Thousands of refugee wildlife species
    live in this spectacular environment.

    Soberania National Park touches Gatun’s borders. This park is one of the most accessible
    tropical forests in the country. Paddling along the Soberania National Park, the primary
    rainforest edges provide some of the best wildlife viewing in the world. This can include
    manatees, sloths, kinkajous, coatimundis, capybaras, caimans, crocodiles, white faced
    capuchins, Geoffroy’s tamarins, spider monkey, night monkeys and howler monkeys are all
    common in the area. Legendary beautiful species like jaguars and harpy eagles also call
    this home.

    Dates: all Year


    Length: One to Three Days
    9
    In close collaboration with Kuna authorities and under organized community
    managed sustainable tourism frameworks, we’ll paddle sea kayaks to explore
    the islands West of the traditional community of Digir. It was here where several
    important actions of the Kuna Revolution took place in 1925, resulting in law 16 of
    1954 by the Republic of Panama that guarantees the Kuna their sovereignty and
    territorial boundaries.

    A detailed study in 2003 by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and the
    Kuna NGO, PEMASKY; showed that Kuna Yala has the highest diversity of coral
    species as well as the best reef development in all of Panama. We will become
    intimately familiar with them as our Kuna guides paddle with us between several
    different small white sand islands, where the greatest snorkeling is right outside
    your tent.

    The cultural interaction on this journey is unprecedented. The itinerary will remain
    flexible, to take into account weather conditions, currents and tides, and usually a
    non-paddling day for exploratory hikes - bring good walking shoes for knee deep
    forest creek trekking!

    Dates: Jan - May (very windy, little rain, small swell)


    June -Sept (calmer seas, some rain)
    Oct - Dec (...the “green season!”)

    Length: Six Days, Six Nights

    10 Our original trip from 1995, we’ve been


    Expedition Paddling with the Kuna
    The Natural and Cultural Heritage of Kuna Yala

    n operating this classic for 15 years!


    Biodiversity & Adventure Sichirtupo
    Community Protected Area Kuna Yala
    The remote small island of Sichirdupo is an idyllic tropical white sand island where Kuna
    are working to conserve a rich marine area. Fantastic snorkeling (some of the richest and
    most diverse in the Caribbean), sea kayaking and a rich island environment are some of the
    highlights of this adventure.

    Rich rainforest thrives from the coast to the continental divide. With sovereignty, Kuna Yala
    (Land of the Kuna) is the largest expanse of primary forest in Central America, and the rivers
    run clear and pure. Panama is famous for its biological diversity, with species diversity over
    distance greater than in the Amazon!

    Your days consist of a wide variety of activities. Sea


    kayaks allow access to some of the more remote and
    less traveled spaces in the archipelago. Paddling
    to an uninhabited section of the mainland, we enjoy
    a memorable walk up along the pristine banks of the
    Rio Mangles. Creek-bed hiking through the pristine
    rainforest provides us with fantastic opportunities for
    wildlife viewing.

    Length: Three Days


    Dates: all Year
    12
    13
    More Information!
    Our Equipment
    We use fine designs in outdoor equipment; tried and tested in the tropics. This
    includes sturdy 3 person Mountain Hardware tents for each 2 person team
    and a selection of the most seaworthy K1 and K2 sea kayaks from Current
    Designs, Aquaterra and Necky. (no sit on tops.) Our safety equipment is top
    of the line, and the food is fresh, healthy and delicious.

    The Guides
    Passionate conservationists, many of them indigenous who
    are leaders in their culture...or recovering lobster divers.
    Nevertheless, first aid trained and ACA or BCU certified.

    Our Groups
    No more than 12 paddlers. This includes couples, small families and solo paddlers as
    well. Panama is an incredible place to paddle for the experienced, and is a special place
    for the novice to learn. Do you know anyone who does not enjoy 80 •F blue water, colorful
    fish and white sand? We’re happy to help you wisely select your appropriate level of
    adventure. Participants need to be in good physical condition, flexible, curious and with
    an experienced sense of humor. Adventure travel in the tropics is usually exactly that.

    Custom Trips
    Not a kayaker? No problem. We organize custom adventures all year,
    including lodge based treks, bird watching and multi-day mountain
    bike rides. We can also arrange strictly culture focused experiences or
    photograph safaris. As the pioneers of community travel, we have several
    options to help arrange your stay with the village or indigenous lodge.

    Next?
    Contact our enthusiastic front office to help you decide which adventure you will enjoy
    the most. Guides will answer all your technical questions. This is the best way for you to
    get the most out of your unique Panama experience.

    14
    www.xtrop.com
    Our Creed

    Our company consists of passionate conservationists, many of them indigenous who


    are leaders in their culture. We believe that Sustainable Tourism can provide the vehicle
    that enables local communities and indigneous peoples to conserve their rich natural and
    cultural heritage. The recent influx of companies imitating our trips is but one indicator
    of our success!

    Because of our focus on providing a “sustainable use” tool, in the control of the indigenous
    and local communities we work with; we are the only visitors allowed in several areas.
    We are proud to be active in several conservation and development programs, including
    founding members of the Panama Association of Sustainable Tourism (www.aptso.org).

    Come share what 15+ years of love of Sea Kayaking, Adventure and Community Travel
    have created.
    Expediciones Tropicales, S.A.
    Aptdo. 0843-00372
    Rep. de Panamá

    tel +507 317-1279


    fax +507 317-0530
    [email protected]

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