TREE's EcoExpedition
Panama, July 12-25, 2010
Rainforests, Coral Reefs & Indigenous People
ANCON, Panama's leading conservation organization will host this course at its Rio Chagras Environmental Education Center in the Canal Zone next to the 50,000 acre Sobernia National Park. In addition to studying the rain forest, students visit and learn about the Panama Canal; its history, current usage and the importance of the forest watershed that supplies the water needed to operate the locks. A highlight of this part of the course is an overnight stay in an indigenous Embera Indian village.
The second half of this course takes place on the charming little island of Bocas del Toro in the Caribbean which is reached by a one hour plane flight from Panama City. ANCON'S station here is right on the waterfront and is only five minutes by boat from Bastimentos Marine Park. Coral reefs, sea turtles, beautiful beaches and mangrove estuaries are among the many things students will see and learn about while boating and snorkeling/scuba diving throughout the park. Accommodations at both stations are very comfortable and modern.
TREE's 14-Day Panama Program
Day 1 Arrive to Tocumen International Airport in Panama City. Transfer to Soberania National Park. Night at Rio Chagras Field Station. Soberania National Park is one of the most accesible protected areas in the Americas. Just 45 minutes away from Panama City, Soberania boasts 50,000 acres of lowland tropical rainforests that are part of the Panama Canal Watershed. Rio Chagres Field Station is located within Soberania National Park's buffer zone with access to trails with a rich diversity of flora and fauna. The station has 8 bedrooms with bunk beds and private bathrooms and spacious indoor and outdoor activity areas. Rio Chagres is the perfect base of operations for our academic program and for being close to nature.
Day 3 Travel to historic ruins of Portebelo and to the Smithsonian's Galeta Marine Research Center. Night at Rio Chagras Field Station.
Day 4 Panama Canal Jungle Boat Adventure and tour of Summit Gareen's Harpy and Tapir exhibits. Night at Rio Chagras Field Station.
Day 5 Travel up the Chagras River to Embera Village. Spend the day and overnight. Night at the Embera Drua Village.
Day 6 Day of explorations in and around the village. Afternoon retun to field station. Night at the Chagras Field Station.
Day 7 Morning tour of Miraflores Locks and Amador Casueway. Lunch at Niko's Cafe. Midday flight to Bocas del Toro. Afternoon briefing and time to relax. Night at Boca Inn. The Bocas Inn is a charming family lodge located on the water's edge of Colon Island, in the town of Bocas del Toro. Seven comfortable air-conditioned bedrooms with private bathrooms, an open air dinning hall, a sun deck, a hammock balcony and spectacular local food specialties make the Bocas Inn a favorite among visitors to this Caribbean destination.
Day 9 Tour of Bastimento Marine National Park with coral reef snorkeling/scuba diving. Night at Bocas Inn.
Day 10 Tour of Popa Island and mangrove snorkeling. Night at Bocas Inn.
Day 11 Community or field work morning. Afternoon to explore. Night at Bocas Inn.
Day 12 Tour mainland Bocas del Toro for nature encounters. Night at Bocas Inn.
Day 13 Morning flight to Panama City. Tour of colonial city and time for shopping. Farewell dinner. Night at the Country Inn, El Dorado in Panama City.
Day 14 Departure. Return flights back to Boise, Idaho.
List of things to bring: Current passport, light clothing, rain gear, hat, hiking or rubber boots, secure sandals, swimming suit, towel, mask/snorkel/fins*, sun lotion, insect repellent, day pack, water bottle, notebook/pencil, personal toiletries, snacks, and optional camera & binoculars. Plan on packing light for our in country flight to Bocas del Toro (25 pound duffel bag recommended). ANCON will store your extra gear in their Panama City offices.
*these items can be rented on Bocas for about $12 day
Contact panama2010@treetrunk.org if you are interested in reserving a space. Seats are limited on this amazing adventure in the Neotropics in 2010. This will be the 16th field trip that Mr. Jordan has led into Central & South America with TREE groups.
The total cost is $2800, all inclusive from Boise, Idaho (except for optional scuba diving).
Note: the dates of July 12-25 may be adjusted a day or two on either end to get the best flights.
