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INTRODUCTION
Chiriqui Province, east of Costa Rica and south of Bocas del
Toro Province, is
known has the highlands of Panama with, Volcan Baru, a volcano peak 13,000
feet above sea level. Its scenery, flora, fauna, topography and people are
very different from the rest of the country. Its main economy is
based on the land and is also know as the food supplier of the
country. The second largest city of Panama, David, is Chiriqui's capital.
The best known river to enjoy white water rafting is Chiriqui
Viejo with sections
Class III+ to Class
V.
Our white water rafting operation is based right on the Chiriqui Viejo
which basically defines the border with Costa Rica in many sections. From David
it is about 40 minutes drive and from Panama City it is about 7 hours drive.
It can be done from Panama City in a day flying to David(30 minutes).
About Chiriqui Viejo River:
By far, the best
white
water rafting river with
relatively easy access. It is 128
km long and originates on Cerro Picacho, on the northwest side of Volcan Baru, the highest elevation of Panama.
It passess through beautiful mountain towns of Cerro Punta as a creek but
quickly evolving as a river even before passing through Volcan plains.
Its watershed is of 1,355 km2 and although its water level is at its best
on the rainy season(June through December), there is always enough water to have
fun white
water rafting year around.
Quebrada las Vueltas - Salsipuedes
Class
III- IV-V rapids and characterized by spectacular waterfalls and canyons. Recomended
for people with rafting experience and older than 18 years old.
Depending on water level we will travel for about three to four
hours a 14 km length with a drop of
180 mts, an average
drop of 13 mts per
kilometer.
Salsipuedes - Paso Canoas
Class III
rapids. The river does move fast with a drop of 120 mts during
the 10 km of the trek, a average drop of 12 mts per kilometer.
Recomended for everyone above 12 years old with or with out any white
water rafting experience. Be
ready to have fun. Depending on water level we will raft for about two
to three hours.
ITINERARY
Option I.......... If you are at Chiriqui
Begins by picking up guesses at agreed place at David, Volcán,
or Boquete around 7:00 a.m. We will arrive to the
put in to start rafting around 9:00-10:00 a.m. and we
should arrive to the take out zone around 2:00-4:30 p.m. and back to
the original pick up place around 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Option II........ Flying from Panama
You should be at Domestic Flights Airport of Panama City,
Marcos A. Gelabert, located in Albrook,
at 6:00 a.m. for the 7:00 am flight to David. The flight last around one
hour. We would pick you up at
David Airport around 8:00 and proceed as Option I. Plane departs David at
5:30 p.m. and back to Panama City around 6:30 p.m.
FREQUENT ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT DOES IT INCLUDE ? All mentioned
transportation, rafts and gear, guides, and meals on the river. Our guides are
trained in white-water navigation skills, first-aid, and CPR.
WHO CAN GO ? On the upper section persons
older than eighteen years, in good health and with previous
Class III+ rafting experience . On the lower section any one in good health
older than 12 years old and does not require previous rafting experience.
WHAT SHOULD YOU TAKE ALONG ? Swinsuit or a pair
of shorts for navigating, sneakers or straped sandals with good
soles, a baseball cap, and sun lotion. A replacement set of dry clothes.
It is mandatory to bring along an ID that confirm that you are
legally in the country since we will pass through a Custom's check point, close
to the Costa Rican border.
WHAT SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN ? Any object that
could be deteriorated by water or valubles like jewels, cash, credict cards, etc..
PRICE
Quebrada Las Vueltas to Salsipuedes:
USD $ 125.00 per person
Salsipuede to Paso Canoas:
USD $ 100.00 per person
SEASON
The river reaches its highest water level by
October-November, during the peak of the rainy season, and its lower
volume around March-May, at the end of the dry season.
Quebrada Las Vueltas to Salsipuedes:
June through February. It is often
close at the rainy season peak, by October
Salsipuedes to Paso Canoas:
Year around
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