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Camino Real Trek

Recommended in National Geographic Adventure magazine, November 2004, as one of the top 25 "World's Wildest New Trips".

Medium level of difficulty

"Centuries before construction began on the Panama Railroad and Canal, the 'path between the seas' was just that: a Spanish-built cobblestone thoroughfare winding 50 miles across the Central American isthmus.

Beginning in the 1500s, mule trains laden with Inca gold followed the Camino Real (King's Road) from the Pacific to the Caribbean to meet galleons bound for Spain; buccaneers Francis Drake and Henry Morgan among them; conspired to relieve them of their cargo.

Once wide enough to fit two passing horse carts, the Camino Real is now hidden, along with jaguars and three-toed sloths, in the dense jungles of the 300,000-acre Chagres National Park" McKenzie Funk, National Geographic Adventure, November 2004.

Day 1: Arrive in Panama

On arrival to Tocumen International Airport in Panama City we will be greeted by an Ancon Expeditions of Panama representative and transferred to our hotel. Tonight we will meet with the Expedition Leader and the rest of the trip participants. Night at Country Inn - Panama Canal (no meals).

Day 2: Historic Panama City

Early this morning we will hike in Metropolitan Nature Park to get used to our gear and to get acquainted with the other adventurers. This is the first opportunity we have for bird watching and seeing animals such as the Red-napped tamarin and Coati and to get acclimatized to the hot and humid weather.

In the afternoon we will visit several sites, including the ruins of Old Panama City where the Camino Real starts, which hold historical relevance to the area that we will explore in the next days. Night at Country Inn Panama Canal. (B,L,D).

Days 3 - 5: Chagres National Park, Camino Real

We will take a short drive from our hotel located along the shores of the Pacific Ocean to Chagres River. The expedition starts with a dugout canoe ride with Embera Indians up the Chagres and its tributaries. By mid day we are ready to continue the adventure on foot within Chagres National Park.

The park was created in 1985 to protect over 300,000 acres of rainforests as part of Panama's conservation strategy and to conserve the watershed which provides over 50% of the fresh water needed for the operation of the Panama Canal, as well as the drinking water for the two largest cities in the country.

We will encounter remnants of the Camino Real (King's Road) used by the Spanish in the 1500s-1700s period and vestiges of late 1800s manganese mines, including railroad tracks and locomotives encroached in the tropical vegetation that is taken over these relics. Chagres National Park is also home to endangered species such as jaguars, mantled howler monkeys and anteaters.

It is also a bird sanctuary for more than 560 species, including the harpy eagle: the largest eagle in the world and Panama's national bird. Most of the trajectory of this trek will take place through mature primary rainforest. We will cross the Continental Divide at its lowest elevation as we head North toward the Caribbean Sea. 3 nights in Tent Camps (B,L,D).

Day 6: Nombre de Dios - Portobelo

Today we will reach Nombre de Dios, the original terminus of the Camino Real on the Caribbean Sea. Most of the trade between Spain and the Americas in the 1500s came through here until the town was sacked and destroyed by Francis Drake in 1596. A short drive along the coast will take us to Portobelo for a tour of the Spanish forts and churches.

Portobelo was founded in 1597 to replace Nombre de Dios as the terminus of the Camino Real. Set on a deepwater bay deemed easier to defend from the ravages of pirates, Portobelo was heavily fortified and for 150 years played host to the famous trade fairs, when the Spanish treasure fleet came to collect the riches that traveled across the isthmus on mule trains from Panama City and to leave merchandise brought from Seville for distribution throughout the Americas.

Unsurprisingly, the wealth concentrated in the royal warehouses here was an irresistible target for the pirates who scoured the Spanish Main. We spend the night at a small lodge on the waterfront (B,L,D)

Day 7: Bay of Portobelo - Panama City

This morning there will opportunities to go snorkeling or diving (optional) to look for Sir Francis Drake's lead coffin which is said to have been dropped in the waters of Bay of Portobelo. In the afternoon we will drive to Colon City to catch the train back to Panama City.

The Panama Railway was inaugurated in 1856 and was the first train to cross from one ocean to the other. The completion of the trans-isthmian railroad was inspired by the Gold Rush when pioneers were in need of a fast and safe way to get to California. The train ride is 1 hour long from coast to coast and skirts the
Panama Canal. A farewell dinner by the Bay of Panama on the Pacific side is prepared for this evening. Night at the Country Inn - Panama CanalL (B,L,D).