Walking over the original cobblestones of the legendary Colonial Road though the primary rainforest of Chagres and Portobelo National Parks, used by endless mule caravans carrying tons of gold and silver from Peru and Bolivia is a one in a lifetime experience. Many people don’t know that before the Panama Canal, hundreds of years ago this road allowed the Spanish colonizers to cross the Isthmus from ocean to ocean either walking, on mules or horses. But it also has a dark side, since it was visited by pirates who will ambush the Spaniard to steal the gold, and killed many people at the hands of these mercenaries. Some were famous, like Henry Morgan, who crossed from the Atlantic to the Pacific using this road and sacked Old Panama in 1671, having to relocate the whole city where Old Town (Casco Antiguo) sits today.
Live the History
Today all Visitors can experience this history and be part of local communities quest for sustainability in tropical rainforests. Most tours allow Visitors to cross the Isthmus of Panama along the original route of the Camino Real (Royal Road), and usually begins in Old Panama on the Pacific Ocean (Panama City). There are tours that last up to 7 days in order for Visitors to have a real close look into how Spanish Colonizers had to go through. But, not everybody has neither the time or the stamina to spend 7 days in the tropical forest humidity, that is why there a day trip option to travel to this amazing place.
Day Trip
Most tourism agencies will start the journey at 7:30 in the morning taking Visitors to Alajuela Lake on a boat. Here Visitors can enjoy the beautiful views of Chagres National Park, an area that is vital for the conservation of the Panama Canal basin and Panama City’s drinking water. The real journey starts by visiting a Camino Real well preserved path within the Quebrada Ancha Town premises. From there you will walk to a well preserved cobblestones path 800 meters long and listen the stories about Spanish Conquers, viceroys, mule caravans, and the pirate Francis Drake. At midday a Quebrada Ancha dance group performs, showing their culture and traditions after having a delicious lunch. Also, you will be able to talk to conservationists that will tell you everything about protecting nature and the research it need in order to keep it alive and open for people to visit
All tour operators recommend to take sneakers or boots to walk on hard terrains, wear cloth for walking (long pants, and long sleeves t-shirt), sunblock, sunglasses, a bottle of water and snacks for the journey. The tour ends in the afternoon back in Panama City,
A natural experience you will never forget, being one of the few that has walk on one of the most famous roads in history.
