Day 1
Arrival to Panama

Upon arrival to Panama the group will be met in the Tocumen International airport by a Sendero Panama representative and escorted to your hotel in Panama City.

Day 2
Get Acquainted - Get Prepared!

This morning we will host a “Get Acquainted” breakfast and expedition briefing led by your Expedition Leader.  We will take this opportunity to evaluate equipment and discuss the journey ahead.  Following the breakfast briefing we will visit a section of the Camino de Cruces trail to acquaint trekkers with some of the terrain conditions that we will encounter. The Camino de Cruces trail was integral to supporting the bourgeois population of Spaniards that came to Panama in the 16^th century and built in the same style as the El Camino Real. This is a great opportunity to get introduced to the terrain we'll be covering for the next four days and comfortable with your equipment. 

After lunch we will visit the ruins of Old Panama, the original Spanish settlement built on the Pacific side of the Americas.  It was from this ancient city that the Camino Real connected to Nombre de Dios and Portobello on the Caribbean side of the Isthmus in the time of the Spanish Trade Fairs.  

This afternoon trekkers will have the opportunity to do some last minute shopping should they need to purchase some of the required equipment. 

Meals Included: B.L,D

Days 3, 4, 5, & 6
Trekking Across the Isthmus

Our expedition begins from the area of Barbacoas, where the river meets the trail and which we access by dugout canoe.  From this location we continue our trek on foot for the next four days with the help of our porters who will carry our camping equipment.  All trekkers will be responsible for carrying each day is a day pack containing water and snacks.  The option to carry your own gear is available if that is the way you prefer to go.  Each day we cover an average of 10 km before setting camp in the evenings to enjoy a gourmet dinner and the beauty of our natural surroundings.  Most camps are riverside, allowing guests to bathe in the crystal clear waters before tucking in for a restful night's sleep.  Be sure to pack biodegradable soap!

As we advance on the path of the Camino Real we will encounter remnants of its existence and use by the Conquistadors.  Before our eyes carved steps appear along the waterfalls, thousands of mule hoofs carving the stone away.  As we reach the tops of hills, eroded gorges appear.  In few areas, cobblestone pathways are unearthed giving testimony to the amount of cargo that made its way across this important route.

Meals Included: B.L,D

Day 7
Bay of Portobello –Panama City

This morning we will explore the town of Portobello by walking through the ruins of the forts and learning about its rich history.  Famous for its trade fairs during the 17th century, Portobelo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During colonial times it was one of the most important strongholds of the Spanish Main in the Americas. We will visit Forts San Geronimo and Santiago de la Gloria as well as the Church of San Felipe famous for its black Christ. Weather permitting; there will be opportunities take a boat ride around the bay to enjoy its beauty and to snorkel.  In the late afternoon we head back to the historical Casco Antiguo of Panama City for our Farewell dinner.

Meals Included: B.L,D

Day 8
Panama Departure

Today we’ll say “hasta luego” to this enchanting country and return home or on to you next adventure, where you’ll be eager to share your incredible Panama adventure and trekking experiences.

NOTE:  This is a technical trek that requires good physical and mental shape.