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
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 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.

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 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.

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 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
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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
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 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.

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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
info@xtrop.com