2010 xtrop panama lo-res

8/9/2019 2010 Xtrop Panama Lo-Res

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15Years

of

Adventures!

Panama

Water Trails

Sea Kayak

2010-2011


2/16www.xtrop.com


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4Welcome

Additional Information

Rainforest Canyons

Panama Canal Water Trails

Sichirtupo Biodiversity

Expedition Paddling with the Kuna

River of Gold

Sunset Sea Kayak

9

6

12

8

7

14

10

2010 - 2011


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Wa

terTrails

ofthePa

namaCa

nal


5/16

Welcome!After 15+ years paddling t

stunning ecosystems an

historic coastlines of Pana

by sea kayak, there is st

much more yet to explor

We continue to expand t

Water Trails of the Panam

Canal, because its the be

way to experience the w

National Parks and Worl

Heritage.

Paddling Panama mean

remote coasts, indigenou

cultures, sand channels

mangroves and walls o

forest; not to mention th

tapir, manati, nor turtles;

featured in Frommers, th

NY Times, the Sydney He

and National Geographi

Adventure. You can check

the trail maps on our webs

In any case, weve pionee

1 day to 6 night Adventur

that represent the best wa

trails on the isthmus.

Our guides and I look forw

to paddling with you an

sharing Panamas rich herit

Sincerely,

Scott A. Muller

Xtrop


6/16

Paddling the River of GoldThe Chagres River and Fort San Lorenzo

The Chagres River is unquestionably one of the Great Rivers of the World. This section

river has seen more gold than all the rivers in the world combined and paddling along

contains many memories of ardent battles for Pre-Colombian, Incan and Spanish treasur

At the edge of a high cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea at the mouth of the legendary riv

Fort San Lorenzo bears witness to 400 years of history in the hands of Spanish kings, Brit

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 ma

an exhilarating historical, natural and recreational adventure.

Dates: all Year

Length: Full day


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Sunset Sea Kayak

Explore the Entrance of the Panama Canal*

mpressive and thrilling, the Panama Canal entrance is the door to one of the most hig

raveled waterways in the world. The striking engineering of the Canal is able to handle m

han 12,000 ships per year.

Along the coastal forest shore, common bird species include soaring magnicent friga

gliding brown pelicans, darting ocks of parrots, ibis and various other wading migrat

shore birds.

Paddling along side the Canal from stable, efcient sea kayaks accompanied by professio

guides, the adventure provides an atypical perspective of Panamas natural and cultu

heritage.

Dates: all Year

Length: 1/2 or Full day

*Itinerary location is dependent on weather

group ability and may be switched.


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Lago Alajuela and the Chagres National Park

Sea Kayaking Rainforest Canyons

The Chagres National Park is one of the most valuable primary forest treasures in the Repub

of Panama, as Lago Alajuelas sparkling waters are a major part of the hydrologic basin

the Panama Canal. The pristine riparian environments of this watershed host a luxuriovariety of tropical wildlife including species such as jaguars, howler monkeys, anteaters a

the majestic harpy eagle. Myriads of picturesque bird species are exposed along the par

rainforest fjords. Silent paddling provides a remarkable experience for passionate and r

time bird watchers alike.

ates: July - December only *

his trip is weather dependent. High water

vel is necessary to paddle in Alajuela.

ength: Full day


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Lago Gatun and the Soberania National Park

Panama Canal Water Trails

The construction of Gatun Dam in the Chagres Valley in the early 1900s has provided wate

or thousands of ships to transit across the Isthmus of Panama. Today these waters

he massive 470km2 Gatun Lake, that in years past, was the largest manmade lake in t

world. Paddling Lake Gatun along its pristine bright green banks, between

numerous islands, over the extensive underwater vegetation and through the still stand

ips of submerged trees is a real neo-tropical safari. Thousands of refugee wildlife spec

ve in this spectacular environment.

Soberania National Park touches Gatuns borders. This park is one of the most accessiropical forests in the country. Paddling along the Soberania National Park, the prim

ainforest edges provide some of the best wildlife viewing in the world. This can inclu

manatees, sloths, kinkajous, coatimundis, capybaras, caimans, crocodiles, white fac

capuchins, Geoffroys tamarins, spider monkey, night monkeys and howler monkeys are

common in the area. Legendary beautiful species like jaguars and harpy eagles also c

his home.

Length: One to Three Days

Dates: all Year

www.xtrop.com


10/16Our original trip from 1995, weve

In close collaboration with Kuna authorities and under organized communitymanaged sustainable tourism frameworks, well paddle sea kayaks to explore

the islands West of the traditional community of Digir. It was here where severa

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

fexible, 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!

Length: Six Days, Six Nights

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

June -Sept (calmer seas, some rain)

Oct - Dec (...the green season!)

10


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Expedition Paddling with the Kuna

The Natural and Cultural Heritage of Kuna Yala

perating this classic for 15 years!


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Community Protected Area Kuna Yala

The remote small island of Sichirdupo is an idyllic tropical white sand island where Ku

are working to conserve a rich marine area. Fantastic snorkeling (some of the richest a

most diverse in the Caribbean), sea kayaking and a rich island environment are some of t

highlights of this adventure.

Rich rainforest thrives from the coast to the continental divide. With sovereignty, Kuna Ya

Land of the Kuna) is the largest expanse of primary forest in Central America, and the rive

un clear and pure. Panama is famous for its biological diversity, with species diversity ov

distance greater than in the Amazon!

Dates: all Year

Length: Three Days

Your days consist of a wide variety of activities. Se

kayaks allow access to some of the more remote an

less traveled spaces in the archipelago. Paddlinto an uninhabited section of the mainland, we enjo

a memorable walk up along the pristine banks of th

Rio Mangles. Creek-bed hiking through the pristin

rainforest provides us with fantastic opportunities fo

wildlife viewing.

Biodiversity & Adventure Sichirtupo


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Our Groups

No more than 12 paddlers. This includes couples, small families and solo paddlers

well. Panama is an incredible place to paddle for the experienced, and is a special plac

for the novice to learn. Do you know anyone who does not enjoy 80 F blue water, colorf

sh and white sand? Were happy to help you wisely select your appropriate level

adventure. Participants need to be in good physical condition, exible, curious and w

an experienced sense of humor. Adventure travel in the tropics is usually exactly that.

More Information!

Our Equipment

We use ne 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 topof the line, and the food is fresh, healthy and delicious.

Custom Trips

Not a kayaker? No problem. We organize custom adventures all ye

including lodge based treks, bird watching and multi-day mounta

bike rides. We can also arrange strictly culture focused experiences

photograph safaris. As the pioneers of community travel, we have seve

options to help arrange your stay with the village or indigenous lodge.

Next?

Contact our enthusiastic front ofce to help you decide which adventure you will enjo

the most. Guides will answer all your technical questions. This is the best way for you

get the most out of your unique Panama experience.

www.xtrop.com

The Guides

Passionate conservationists, many of them indigenous who

are leaders in their culture...or recovering lobster divers.

Nevertheless, rst aid trained and ACA or BCU certied.


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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 inux 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.


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Expediciones Tropicales, S

Aptdo. 0843-003

Rep. de Panam

tel +507 317-12

fax +507 317-05

info@xtrop co

2010 xtrop panama lo-res

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