Chagres River

Chagres River: Our most recommended tours and activities

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  1. Chagres National Park Hike and Embera Village Tour

  Begin your full-day excursion with an hour-long drive from Panama City to the Chagres National Park. Established in 1984, the park comprises 334,000 acres of forest, lakes and rivers. Enjoy a traditional piragua boat ride on the Chagres River, followed by a half-hour walk through the jungle to a waterfall that’s hidden from civilization. Enjoy some free time at the waterfall to swim and relax, and then head back to the boat. Continue to an indigenous Embera village, where you’ll learn about their culture. Listen to a speech by the cacique or chief, while enjoying some seasonal fruit, then a live performance of traditional music and dance.

  So fun! The village is a real indigenous village and the food they serve you is so amazing. The hike and boat ride are so much fun and it is amazing to see the jungle up close and swim in the river. The guides were also so fun and friendly. Would go again!

  Reviewed by Peter, 29/09/2021
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  2. Panama City: Panama Canal Eco Cruise and Embera Village Tour

  Begin your tour with hotel pickup. Follow the Panama Canal north to the town of Gamboa, where the Chagres River meets the canal. Begin your 90-minute cruise from a boat on the waters of the canal and Gatun Lake, riding along the canal near the ships passing through. Enjoy an up-close view of the abundant wildlife on the shores. Visit the famous Monkey Islands where you can see capuchins, howlers, and tamarins. Once you finish your canal and lake boat ride, head 1-hour northeast to the rugged and remote Chagres National Park. Once you arrive at Puerto Corotu on the banks of Lake Alajuela, the indigenous Embera people will be waiting to take you up the Chagres River aboard their version of a motorized dugout canoe. From the canoe, witness pristine rain forest that is protected as part of the Panama Canal watershed. Discover one of the most biologically diverse national parks in the world...

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  3. Panama City: Embera Indigenous Village Experience

  Following pickup from your hotel, you will travel to Alajuela Lake where you will board a piragua, a traditional indigenous canoe. From there you will head to the Mono Waterfall where you can swim and refresh yourself. Following that, head to Tusipono Embera, a small traditional village located on the bank of the Chagres River in the middle of the rainforest. There the Emberas will show you their traditions, including their way of dressing and how they elaborate their handcrafts. They will then perform their traditional dances and music, before you are provided with some time to interact directly with them. You'll finally enjoy a local lunch as prepared by the Embera community, before being returned to your tour starting point.

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  4. Guided Embera Indian Village Tour

  On this guided tour of an Embera Indian Village, get a glimpse into the lives of people most tourists of Panama City will never experience. You will begin your day with complimentary pick-up at your Panama City hotel. Your bilingual guide will outline the day to you as you travel north towards Lake Alajuela. Upon arrival you will step aboard traditional dugout canoes, which will carry you up the Rio Chagres. As you travel up the river you will take in the fascinating sights of the dense jungle that surrounds you. Upriver, you will disembark and enjoy a short hike to a beautiful waterfall in the midst of the rainforest. Miles away from civilization, take in this breathtaking tropical paradise. Here you are encouraged to take a swim in the refreshing waters just beneath the waterfall. After your dip, you will be taken to visit the village of the Embera Indians. The Embera Indians are on...

  From the moment we got to the river and saw the Amerindian people in their canoes, I knew it was going to be a different experience. The ride on the river, the waterfall, spending time in the village and learning about their ways was an outstanding experience. Totally satisfied with the tour.

  Reviewed by Larry, 25/12/2013