Private Tour
Chagres Expedition: Discover Emberá Culture and Sustainability
Overview
Available languages
6 hours
Mobile ticket
Immerse yourself in the Emberá indigenous culture with this unique excursion from Panama City. Paddle up the Chagres River in a motorized canoe to the village of Puru Biakiru, located in Chagres National Park, one of Panama's most vital natural reserves.
During this authentic experience, you'll meet members of the Emberá tribe, learn about their way of life in the jungle, witness their ceremonial dances, and enjoy a traditional lunch prepared by the community. By choosing this tour, you’re directly contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), supporting the preservation of indigenous communities and protecting Panama's natural reserves as essential sources of oxygen for the planet.
Your booking supports:
SDG 1: Reducing poverty.
SDG 11 & 15: Preserving Chagres National Park’s natural resources.
SDG 8 & 12: Promoting responsible tourism and cultural preservation.
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
In this experience there must be a minimum number of travelers. If you cancel because the minimum number of travelers is not reached, you will be offered another date or experience or a full refund of the amount paid.
In this excursion or activity there will be a maximum of 14 travelers
Due to heavy traffic, there is no free pick-up at hotels located near the Amador Causeway, Clayton (City of Knowledge) Playa Bonita. Separate transportation for an extra charge on option from outside the city center.
Playa Blanca, or Rio Hato, Metromall or Tocumen Airport need to arrange their own transportation.
Swimsuit dress
water slippers (not sandals)
Sunscreen
body towel
cash in case you want to buy handicrafts
insect repellent (the air is safe)
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Seasonal fruits in Panama
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Bottled water
Swim in the refreshing Waterfall in the Zelva
Lunch
Driver/guide
Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
What To Expect
Chagres National Park
We will reach the national park chagres located in the north of Panama. A nature reserve
We will arrive at the famous villa Embera Tusipono you will live a memorable and unique experience
Options
Embera
Pickup included
Reviews
9 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Chagres Park and Embera Tour with Eustacio
kjr423,
Dec 22, 2021
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The Chagres Park and Embera tour with Eustacio was such a great experience! Eustacio knows all the people involved and is able to coordinate the trip very easily. We visited the village, went to the waterfall to enjoy and relax, then back to the village to learn the Embera history and current way of life. They had a snack of fruits while presenting, then served a lunch of fish and plaintains. Eustacio and the Embera guides were able to easily point out different birds, butterflies, and iguanas on our tour. Everyone was open and inviting, even sharing a tradional dance and invited us to join! They have lovely handmade crafts for sale which is a must to be able to share their culture and your adventure back home! Overall a very immersive and educational tour.
Fantabulous
AUBREYNAA,
Feb 27, 2020
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Omg! I absolutely loved every aspect of the tour; every component/ activity was fun and a learning experience. I was picked up at my hotel, early in the morning, then driven to what I assume is the Charges River port. From there, I took a beautiful ride on a canoe to a stunning waterfall. I spent a decent amount of time there swimming, watching scenery and taking pictures. Then, we went to the Embera village and their introduction was amazing. I watch them dance, spoke to one of the chiefs of the village, ate fresh food, walked around the village, saw how they lived, etc. My guide was extremely friendly and personable throughout the entire trip.
A super unforgettable experience!
grises20,
Oct 20, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It is a unique experience that allows you to travel back in time and feel the ancestors and ecology of panama! The gua is excellent host, jovial, explanatory and knows the history!!! We recommend it 100%!!
Unica! One of a kind!
luanamodini,
Sep 6, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Bellissima esperienza, grazie anche alla nostra guida Gustavo che affronta il proprio lavoro con entusiasmo. Alla portata di tutti, questa esperienza la consiglio a chiunque usi il viaggiare come fonte di arricchimento personale e non solo relax. Great experience, thank also to our tour guide Gustavo,who works with deep enthusiasm! Anybody can do this, and I highly raccomand it to those whose intent is to get personal enrichment ut of an experience rather than just a relaxing break from their life.
superb day
Remy B,
Jul 20, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00superb day with a very friendly guide (GUSTAVO) speaking with a lot of passion for his country and his profession of guide in a very understandable English he knew how to interest us all day
Excellent tour, awesome guide
radud647,
Mar 21, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We booked the Embera Village tour with Gustavo and it was such WOW that we went to Gatun the next day as well. Gustavo is truly awesome! He planned the tour perfectly, explained everything in details and made us feel like friends rather than clients. All went smooth and we had a perfect day in the Embera Village and at the waterfall. Gustavo picked us up at the hotel with german punctuality, then we stopped on the way to buy fresh fruits. The boat was waiting for us when we got there and we headed up river. We did a nice small trek to the waterfall, which was both lots of fun and impressive scenery. When we returned to the village we ate fruits, had lunch and then wandered through the village. On the way back Gustavo recommended where to buy some good coffee for home and was nice enough to take a detour to get to the shop. We booked the Gatun lake for next day as well and we weren't disappointed. Really, really recommended!
Super change of scenery
bonfam92,
Mar 1, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00An hour’s drive from the center of Panama, a superb day to meet the Embera people, with jungle walk, canoeing and lunch in the Amerindian village. Exotic top. Very Welcoming and our guide Gustavo has been in great care with us. Excellent memory.
Amazing excursion to make
yowann,
Jan 27, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent excursion, I spent a wonderful day with Gustavo; meeting with the Native Americans of the Emera community will remain an incredible moment, swimming in the waterfall is sensational; I highly recommend this excursion, a must during his stay in Panama
Embera Community and City Private Tour
HDExplorer15,
Jan 12, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Highly recommend this tour with Gustavo. Not only is he 100% gentleman (helping me carry my belongings, trek through the stones to get to the "cascada", etc.) but he is also EXTREMELY knowledgable of the history and customs of his country, Panama. He was the last tour of 3 trips, I took with other agencies and I feel blessed to have met him, as he shared more insight than those other two put together. Gustavo (owner and guide) was also very flexible in at the end, allowing me to hire him for a tour of the city and drop off at airport. Great energy, sense of humor, punctuality and professionalism. As for the tour itself, AMAZING! It is the closest I think one can get to an authentic experience with native tribe. The Embera are quite kind and willing to share their stories. You will not be hassled by them to tip you for pics (or anything) as they feed you, tattoo you, escort you, etc. for no additional gratuity (that alone, made me want to tip them generously). Two thumbs up to this tour and agency! Reccomendations: Bring rubber shoes to get into the water and not hurt them by walking on stones on way to waterfall, bring shorts (and/or bathing suit) and a towel. A hat, sunscreen. No mosquitoes problem.
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