What you will do
We will pick you up at your hotel in Panama City early in the morning at 6am and drive to the Soberania National Park where the trail begins, the trail ends 12km after in Venta de Cruces. From there, we will inflate our packrafts for a 3.5km paddling to Gamboa where our transportation back to Panama-City will be waiting for us.
One of the fascinating features of Panama City is that just a few minutes away from downtown you can find yourself immersed in a remote jungle and historic trail.
The Camino Real de Cruces was built in 1527. This cobbled road linked Panama la Vieja with the port of Venta de Cruces on the banks of the Chagres River. From the port the merchandise (textiles, spices) was loaded onto ships that sailed along the Chagres River until they left for the Atlantic. In 1671 the pirate Henry Morgan attacked and took Fort San Lorenzo and then used the Camino de Cruces to sack Panama City.In 1848, in the wake of the California Gold Rush, thousands of people from New Orleans to New York ventured across the Crossroads Road because of how dangerous it was to travel through the center of the United States. Human traffic was so high that it led to the construction of the first transoceanic railroad in the mid-19th century.
Along the way your guide interprets the natural wonders, as well as the fascinating history of this Trans Isthmian thoroughfare.
***The hike entails 12Km walking on irregular jungle terrain (river crossings, dense vegetation, large rocks, very slippery ground), it combines some easy stretches with others that require more physical effort and 3.5Km paddling on a packraft.
Trip duration
- ~10 hours door to door
Average Price $217
What is included
- All transportations
- Guide
- Water bottles, you can also buy your Panama Jugs during the booking process, a great souvenir & must-have
- Snacks
- Inflatable raft
- Hiking Poles (if requested in advance)
- Dry bag (if requested in advance)
- National Park fee entrance
- We can arrange your transportation outside of Panama City, select the corresponding add-on option during the booking process
What we love
- Once-in-a-lifetime experience
- The jungle and historic trail
- The fauna and flora
- Close to Panama-City
Things to know
Guest Requirements
- Kids ages 16 and up can attend
- Be comfortable with jungle terrain, humidity and long distance walk
- The activity level for this experience is Intermediate
- The skill level for this experience is Moderate
What to bring
- 40 Liters backpack
- Dry-bag (s): or pack liner (we can provide, let us know)
- Trekking poles (we can provide, let us know)
- Socks
- Shirt
- Long trousers: (no shorts please!)
- Hat with wide brim or neck flap
- Sunglasses
- Hiking or trail boots Comfort and traction
- Rain jacket: lightweight shell
- Spare clothes: (t-shirt, shorts, sandals, towel)
- Insect repellent
- Sun cream
- Camera / binocular optional
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