Embera Village Experience: Authentic Panamanian Tribe Tour with canoeing and waterfall
4.9
17 Ratings
Panama City
Immerse yourself in the authentic Embera village experience in Panama. Enjoy a canoe ride, waterfall hike, traditional dances, food, and crafts. Book now!
Duration: 8 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights

The whole experience is easy and enjoyable from the moment you are picked up at the hotel at 8 am. The final destination is the National Park Chagres; however, this tour proudly shows you what Panama is all about so the drive to Chagres National Park is all about the sights along

the way. The van ride should take about 1 hour from point A to point B. You will see the real Panama.

As soon as we arrive to the port, you will be welcome by the Embera’s themselves and a relaxing canoe ride on the Chagres river will begin. The views of the National Park trees and birds is absolutely breathtaking. Afterward, you will walk through the Panamanian Jungle (up to 20 minutes approx.). Your reward will be to reach a waterfall where you can jump in to refresh. Later on, you will finally go to the Embera Village and they will receive you wearing their custom dresses and show you their traditional dances, their handicraft items and prepare a yummy healthy lunch.

This fantastic experience would last until 2 pm. If you have to make a choice as to what to do in Panama, this is a highly recommended eye-opening experience. You will realize that we don’t need as much as we think, to be happy and fulfilled.

Is it touristy? It is and it’s not. With us, you will have the opportunity to have one on one conversations with the Emberas. You will see their human side, who they are as individuals and not only as a tribe. You will interact with the cutest kids and have the chance to see up close their way of living.

Points of Interest

  • Panama City
What's Included
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Bottled water
  • National Park fees
  • Driver/guide
  • Snacks
  • Lunch
  • Beverages
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

This is a real Embera experience that begins with a beautiful canoe ride on the Chagres River.

From the moment we arrive at the port, the Emberas will welcome you wearing their traditional guayuco and the amburá. Breathtaking views of the Panamanian jungle. We may need to hike anywhere from 5 - 15 minutes to reach the refreshing waterfall (it varies during summer time)   

Finally, you make it to a Real Village that looks like a postcard from 50 years ago. Dances, traditional food, and handicraft items are shown to you by the Embera ladies. One on one session to speak to them, laugh, and share experiences. 

Important:  
This tour is offered from hotels in Panama City.    Requests from resorts outside of Panama City such as Gamboa, Playa Bonita, Decameron or Playa Blanca will have an additional cost

  • Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
Location
Panama City
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(17 Ratings)
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Kayakgrl1
Dec 6, 2022
Dream tour - Sorhay is a wonder, not only does she take care of every detail during your time with her, she is a delight to spend time with, and a wealth of information. What’s unique about her is that she actually knows the people you meet throughout the tour and has real relationships with the indigenous people and restaurant/shop owners, and workers. This is our second tour with her and we look forward to her curating our next adventure next year.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Yanky
Jan 28, 2022
The best of the best! - Great tour! Highly recommended and will use again! We had a few tours but she was definitely the best!
Review provided by Viator
Klappums
Mar 4, 2020
Would Recommend to Everyone - We went out with Sorhay 3 times. We knew from our first meeting that she would be great and she was.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Pepespagoer24
Dec 27, 2019
Amazing Day with Sorhay - Sorhay helped us pull together a private combo tour last minute to explore her beautiful country! She was engaging and entertaining for all 4 kids, ages 9 to 50! The Embera village welcomed us as part of their family because she is there often and treats them as family and it shows. After a fun filled time hiking, playing and learning about the village we ventured to Gamboa for the monkeys!! We had monkeys around us, on top of us and stealing our fruit!!! From start to finish, Sorhay took care of every one of us!! We highly recommend her and will definitely call her when its time for our next tour!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Pbbeachmom
Dec 12, 2019
Best tour guide ever! - I am not one to take formal tours as they tend to be too "touristy" for me. However, this was recommended by a friend and sounded very cool so I gave it a try with my teenage son. Sorhay has a real connection with the people in this tribe, so you feel like you are meeting her friends. The children LOVE her, and therefore want to spend all the time with her "guests". She also never rushes you and is truly trying to create the best experience she can for her clients. I highly recommend Sorhay and Real Panama Tours for any tour you take in Panama. I came away feeling like I made a new friend in Sorhay and the tribe that she took us to visit. Thank you for this unique experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
1ndrtwn
Nov 15, 2019
Spectacular Experience with Sorhay - We did 2 tours with Sorhay, the Embera Indigenous experience and the full day tour to Guna Yala (San Blas islands) and both were terrific but the day with the Embera might have been one of my all time favorites. Sorhay is on top of all the details and makes sure everything is taken care of. Her relationship with the Embera village you visit is genuine, authentic and deep. To see the children calling her name when we arrived is a testament to that. It was just us and the village and we felt that we really got a sense of what life is like for the village. It did not feel touristy at all and the children are just adorable. The hike to the waterfall was fun and refreshing and allowed us to enjoy the beautiful scenery. Our trip to San Blas was equally enjoyable. This area of Panama is beautiful and the drivers and guides Sorhay works with all aim to please. Even though, Sorhay wasn't on this day trip as she was with the visit to the Embera, we could still feel that she was involved and in contact with the guides. Sorhay's personal touch is what sets her apart from other guides and companies. Her company is called The Real Panama Tours and that's what you feel like you are getting-- the real Panama. I would highly, highly recommend any tour with her.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tripfunpls
Sep 2, 2019
One of our fav trips!!!! - HIGHLY recommend!!! Sorhay takes care of everything. She can take you on the touristy tours or the off the beaten path tours. My kids all loved her. She was especially loved by my five year old who got a monkey ride for some of the more difficult parts of our adventure;). She definitely made the trip super amazing for the whole family! We hope to visit again!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ninnyebaum
Aug 12, 2019
Best tour ever! - We had so much fun on our 2 private tours with Sorhay! We did the private City tour and the Embera tour. Both fantastic!! The city tour-- she showed us the canal, walked up Ancon Hill, visited some markets, tried all kinds of fruit and Panamanian food. We pulled over on the side of the highway to see sloths!! And enjoy the best hotdog of your life! Sorhay has a great relationship with the Embera...the kids love her and followed us around the village. Also..they love bubbles!!It was so wonderful to meet the people and an added bonus of swimming in a jungle waterfall! This is not your normal tour...if you want a go with the flow tour...book these tours!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Annawi
Jan 8, 2019
Wonderful and memorable adventure with Sorhay - We had a wonderful trip with Sorhay while we were in Panama. I booked two full day tours with her, the Embera Village Tour and El Valle with Horsebacking riding and Hiking. I have to say, each adventure was memorable and unique, the best part of our trip to Panama. Sorhay did an amazing job tailoring the tour to whatever we were most interested in, and she is filled with knowledge about all type of things from history to culture to food and so on. There were 4 of us, a dad and 3 daughters in late teen/20s and everyone had the same consensus: she did a tremendous job. You will get the real Panama as she describes, made up of the small things that you would otherwise miss if you tried to adventure yourself. Rest assured you will have a great time with Sorhay. I would book this experience again every time.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bmedetsky
Jan 1, 2023
Understanding and generous - My trip to Panama ended up getting cancelled due to airline delays. Sorhay very kindly offered me a 90% refund even though the tour was clearly listed as non-refundable. I hear great things from my friends about her and look forward to scheduling another trip in the future!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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