Cruising in the San Blas archipelago
Panama is not just a business city, it has a story to tell immersed in the tropical rainforest, it will come as a surprise to many.
The San Blas Islands are Polynesia in the Caribbean Sea, far from mass tourism, not only transparent waters and white beaches but also a proud and independent people with ancient traditions.
The Kuna, a people who translate their dreams into embroidered cloths, the ‘molas’.
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Accompanied by Piero Moschetta, professional skipper
https://www.linkedin.com/in/piero-moschetta-99843435/?originalSubdomain=it
THE CATAMARAN – 4 cabins 4 bathrooms (6 guests with 2 crew members)
The Kuna people
The Kuna are a people of about 30,000 who live on the islands of the San Blas archipelago, on the Panama-Colombia Caribbean border.
The economy of the Kuna is mainly based on fishing, then agriculture and animal husbandry. In recent years, their clothes have been in demand by tourists passing through, which is why so many women work to make molas, a form of craftsmanship closely linked to their traditional clothing. The custom of adorning clothes with this technique derives from the Kuna women’s ancient habit of decorating their bodies with geometric designs made with natural colours.
They feed mainly on rice, meat, maize, bananas, coconuts and fish. The Kuna men are in fact great fishermen, true masters. Standing on a rock, they can throw a spear and catch a passing fish. They have been skilful hunters for centuries. They orient themselves with the stars and at night they can see much more than any other westerner.
Their religion has unfortunately been influenced by the Spanish invasion, whereas before they believed in a god who represented the ocean, the earth, the sun and the moon. Time does not exist for them, the days have rhythms that westerners do not understand, if you tell a Kuna to show up at five o’clock in a certain place, you can wait even a couple of hours, or five o’clock the next day.
This population is the answer to our time and way of life. They have nothing and they manage to live without anything.
Program (10 days– 9 nights)
1st day
Departure from Rome or Milan by scheduled flight to Panama. Arrival in the evening
2nd day
Panama City Tour. Cosmopolitan, a little bit American, a little bit colonial, a mix of colours surrounded by tropical forest. We will start the tour with the pre-colonial city Panama Vieja, then continue on to discover Colonial Panama (Casco Viejo), the Biodiversity Museum overlooking the waterfront, and finish the tour with a visit to the famous Panama Canal. An aperitif with a sunset view of the modern city will end the day. Night at the hotel.
3rd day
Gatun Expedition
Tour to discover the tropical rainforest of Panama State. During Gatun Expedition on the Gatun River and Lake we will discover the biodiversity of the natural park on foot and by motorboat. We will sail along the Chagres River, crossing the historic Gamboa Bridge and arrive at Lake Gatun, which is the second largest artificial lake in the world at 423 square kilometres. This lake was formed for the construction of the Panama Canal more than a hundred years ago. During our tour of Lake Gatun, we will see the huge ships transiting through the Canal and visit some small islands along our route in search of monkeys, sloths, iguanas, crocodiles, eagles, toucans and many other tropical animals and birds.
Return to Panama and overnight at the hotel.
4th day
After breakfast, a three-hour jeep trip through the forest and mountains of the centre of the country takes us to the Caribbean side. Not just a simple transfer but a journey within a journey. Once we reach the small village of Cartì, we will board our exclusive catamaran and begin our cruise through one of the Caribbean’s still untouched seas.
5th day 8th day
Two islands a day, one in the morning and one in the evening…
There are those who had to stop for a short holiday and never returned.
Cayo Limon, Cayo Holandes, Cayo Coco to name a few, just far enough away from the coast to make you feel truly removed from the modern world.
Days spent discovering hidden nooks and crannies, walking on deserted beaches, magnificent snorkelling while discovering a wonderful people like the Kuna, and last but not least we will go on a discovery trip to Rio Diablo, an unmissable excursion into the primordial wilderness.
9th day
Jeep transfer from San Blas to Panama Tucumen International Airport for the evening flight back to Italy. Possibility of day use of hotel at the airport depending on the time of arrival from San Blas.
10th day
Return to Italy according to flight plan.
General information:
| Duration | Destination | Departure |
| 10 days – 9 nights | Panama (San Blas Islands) | 2023 December 1st
2024 February 23 |
Important notes
Flights
Possibility of flight with transit to the USA. It will be the customer’s responsibility to have ESTA.
Hotels
Mid-category hotel in SHARING formula in double or triple rooms in Panama City and catamaran in double cabins with private bathroom
Documents and Visa
Passport with residual validity of at least six months on arrival. Visa mandatory on arrival $50. For Covid-19 regulations see https://www.viaggiaresicuri.it/find-country/country/PAN
Shared cash (150 US$)
Shared meals, taxi in Panama city, Bio museum ticket and tour leader expenses. Please note that the common box is indicative and may fluctuate slightly
Equipment and clothes
Mosquito repellent (Autan or similar. There is also an Autan Plus/tropical)
Sun cream, sunglasses, hat, wet wipes. Medicines for personal use
Very practical clothing, very comfortable shoes, a heavy garment might be be useful in the evening, a “Kway” / waterproof garment (always keep in your hand luggage), a swimming costume and a beach towel.
A flashlight, an alarm clock, a universal adapter for electrical sockets. (US sockets)
US dollars.
GROUP TOUR (min 6 participants)
December 2023, early booking until oct 15 th: 3790 €/person
February 2024, early booking until 2023 oct 31 st: 3690 €/person
BOOKING POLICY:
• Deposits: 40% of the fee at the time of booking, balance one month before departure.
• The program may undergo variations at the sole discretion of the Skipper based on the marine weather conditions
• In the event of a change in the program, for reasons beyond the control of the Skipper, any additional costs will be divided among the participants
Scheduled flight to/from Rome and Milan to Panama City
10kg hand luggage
All overnight stays in hotels in Panama city
Excursion to the Panama Canal Miraflores
Gatun Lake and River excursion
Transfer from/to Panama city airport
Private jeep transfer from Panama c. to San Blas Islands
6-night catamaran cruise to the San Blas Islands
Full board for the entire cruise
Water, tea and coffee for the entire cruise
Beer, local wine and rum for the entire cruise
Panamanian skipper and cook for the entire cruise
Snorkelling equipment
Experienced tour leader skipper from Italy
Baggage medical insurance with Covid cover
All inclusive cruise on board the catamaran (three meals, drinks also included, snorkelling equipment, kayak, sheets and towels, two crew members)
Panama entry visa to be paid on arrival $50
Extra for hold luggage € 150
Lunch and dinner in Panama city
San Blas Islands local taxes 30$ pp
Taxi boat San Blas islands 50$ pp
Tips and optional excursions
Anything not indicated in the paragraph “the fee includes”
Information and booking
info@summit8.it
stefano.piccoli@summit8.it
piero.moschetta@gmail.com
