If you're looking for a unique and authentic cultural experience in Panama, look no further than the Embera tribe. The Embera people are an indigenous group that live in the rainforests of Panama and Colombia. They have a rich cultural heritage and have managed to maintain their traditions and way of life despite modernization and outside influences.

Visiting the Embera tribe is an opportunity to learn about their customs, beliefs, and way of life, and to witness their traditional dances, music, and crafts. As a guest on a tour, you'll be welcomed into the tribe and given a firsthand look at their daily routines.

TOUR OVERVIEW - Embera Indian Village, Chagres River and Waterfall

Getting There

At 8:00 am your friendly, bi-lingual guide will pick you up from your Panama City hotel. Sit back and relax in our comfortable, air-conditioned car while gazing at the various sites we will pass on our 40 minute drive to our tour starting point in the Chagres National Park. The Embera tribe lives in remote areas of the rainforest, and the only way to reach them is by boat. However, the journey is part of the adventure, and you'll get to see some of the stunning scenery that Panama has to offer.

The Boat Ride

At the port of the Chagres River, an Embera Indian will take you and your guide in a traditional boat called "piragua" on a 20 minute ride upstream to the Mono waterfall, where you can take a refreshing plunge (note: only available during the Dry season months from December through April. During the Wet Season months we may not be able to visit the waterfall due to strong currents). As you make your way through the rainforest, you'll be surrounded by lush greenery and the sounds of wildlife. The boat ride is a great opportunity to take in the sights and sounds of the jungle and to snap some incredible photos.

Meeting the Embera People

Once you arrive at the Embera village, you will meet the Tusipono Embera Indian tribe that has managed to reject our modern, technological ways of life and maintained its simple traditions. Once you step off your boat, you will be greeted by the friendly and welcoming Embera people. They'll introduce themselves, and you'll have the chance to ask questions and learn about their way of life.

The Tour

After our little hike and a delightful refreshing dip under the waterfall, we will continue to the Embera community.

The tour will take you through the village, where you'll get to see how the Embera people live, work, and play. You'll see how they build their homes, cook their food, and make their crafts. You'll also get to witness traditional dances and music performances.

One of the highlights of the tour is the chance to see the Embera people's intricate body art. The Embera people have a long tradition of using natural pigments to create intricate designs on their skin. You'll be able to see some of these designs up close and learn about the significance of each one. For a small fee, you can have the Embera design a body painting for you. The paint will be a temporary remembrance of your visit to the Embera tribe and will slowly fade away after a few days.

TOUR SUMMARY - Embera Indian Village, Chagres River and Waterfall

• Shared Tour
• Tour (minimum 2 guests)
• Price - $99 per adult, $95 per child (until age 10)
• Duration - 6 hours
• Start time - 8:00 am - daily

WHAT'S INCLUDED

• Pick-up and drop off at your Panama City lodging
• Well-maintained, air-conditioned car
• Bi-lingual guides (English/Spanish)
• Tour of Mono waterfall, Embera village and Lake Gatun
• Fruit
• Traditional Lunch (fried river fish with patacones)
• Bottled Water

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

• Lunch
• Hotel pickup and drop-off outside of Panama City (i.e. Playa Bonita, Costa del Este & Tocumen area. Please select option during checkout)

WHAT TO BRING

• Comfortable and adequate clothing to protect yourself from the sun and thus avoid the use of sunscreen. Creams (even biodegradable ones) are polluting and for that reason we do not promote their use
• Comfortable and safe footwear (sandals or water shoes)
• Swimwear
• Sun glasses
• Towel
• Camera
• Cap or hat
• A reusable bottle to fill with water during the day
• Cash for tips and souvenirs

Please Note:

• There are no ATMs in the area, vendors do not accept card payments either. Cash Only!
• ATTENTION LAST MINUTE BOOKINGS: Bookings made after 6:00pm for the following day are NOT guaranteed until we respond and explicitly confirm your tour itinerary. If your booking is not confirmed by one of our booking specialists, your tour will be scheduled for the subsequent day.

CANCELATION POLICY

Please read our Tour Cancelation Policy before booking.