Pioneering a New Path in the Darien Gap
About the expedition
March 15 - March 27, 2027
13 days / 12 nights
Not every expedition follows a map. Some create them. Join our select team of Pathfinders on a pioneering expedition into the legendary Darién Gap. Working alongside Jungle Guide trainees and Panamanian legend Rick Morales, you'll help shape the expedition as it unfolds.
Rather than following a fixed itinerary, Pathfinders participate in the decision-making process, helping identify objectives, side explorations, route options, campsites, and areas of interest. Each day becomes a collaborative effort between explorers and guides as the team works together to create a future JGI expedition route.
This is expedition travel in its purest form—flexible, authentic, and driven by discovery.
Intentional Structure
We blend guided moments, open exploration, and space to reflect—so the experience feels both focused and fluid.
Expert Facilitation
Led by experienced guides who know how to hold space, encourage participation, and keep things moving with purpose.
Collaborative Energy
Connection is a core part of the process. You’ll learn just as much from the group as from the content itself.
A Supportive Space
Our events prioritize comfort, safety, and respect—so you can show up as you are and fully engage in the process.
Highlights
Pioneer a New Expedition
Become part of the Pathfinder Team and help shape the future of adventure travel in the Darién Gap. Work alongside guides and local experts to explore, assess, and develop a potential new expedition route through a newly accessible wilderness area.
Explore Beyond the Map
This is not a fixed itinerary. Pathfinders help influence the direction of the expedition, identifying areas of interest, selecting side explorations, and contributing to the journey as it unfolds.
Experience a Real Expedition
Travel through one of the world's most legendary wilderness regions as part of a small, highly capable team. Adapt to changing conditions, discover rarely visited locations, and experience the challenge and reward of genuine exploration.
Leave Your Mark
The routes, campsites, and discoveries made by Pathfinder Teams may help shape future Jungle Guides International expeditions. Be among the first to experience a region few outsiders have ever seen and contribute to its responsible exploration.
Darien Gap expedition participant Dr. Amber Carter, candidly shares her experience on exploring or trail, high into the cloud forest to the Colombian border, with lead guide Rick Morales in the Darien National Park.
A Participant Experience
Darien Gap expedition participant Dr. Amber Carter, candidly shares her experience on exploring off trail, high into the cloud forest to the Colombian border, with lead guide Rick Morales in the Darien National Park.
Camera: Insta360 5XItinerary
Day 1
Meet and check gear and equipment. Briefing on following days journey into the Darien Gap. Spend your evening in Panama City, last preparations and getting to know your new team members.
Day 2
Travel from Panama City by Road, into the Darien Gap. This journey takes you as far as one can travel by road, into the Darien National Park, on the Colombian border region.
Days 3-5
From here, your journeying on foot, deeper into the heart of the Darien National Park, inching closer to the Cana Field Station which will be your staging point and base of operations for the exploratory mission to come.
Days 6-11
This portion of the journey is the reason we are here - exploration and pathfinding. Each day collaboratively exploring as the team works together to create future JGI expedition routes. Much of this area is completely unexplored, and untouched. As a team, you decide the itinerary.
Days 10-13
Exfiltration on foot from the Cana Field Station towards civilization, staging the team for travel back to Panama City.
Day 14
Journey by road back to Panama City. Meeting in the evening for a meal together, celebrating our successful journey.
Meet your jungle guide
Association Director, Central America
Rick is a veteran explorer and expedition leader, with over two decades guiding various projects through Central America’s most challenging terrain with his company, Jungle Treks. Respected across the region, he’s played a key role in developing sustainable eco-tourism practices that protect fragile ecosystems while delivering authentic cultural experiences. His leadership has influenced both public policy and private sector initiatives, making him a driving force in Central America’s environmental and tourism landscape.
Rick Morales
-
Experienced IAJG expedition leader / Instructor.
Guide and Porters
All meals in local villages.
Internal transportation as detailed in the itinerary.
Special permits and permissions needed for this trip.
Remote safety monitoring by sattellite.
-
International flights or travel.
Visa for Panama (If required).
Hotel(s) in Panama City.
Insurance of any kind.
Prophylaxis, as discussed with your travel doctor.
Freeze-dried meals (18 pouches required)
Alcohol.
Soft Drinks and alcohol not included with meal.
Personal trekking gear and camping equipment (hammock).
Snacks or lunches while trekking.
Gratuities for local (Darien) staff.
-
Lodging: Hammock, lodge.
Modes of transportation: Trekking, Canoe, Boat, Vehicle.
Common hazards: Blisters and bruises from hitting rocks and branches if too little paddling experience, blisters from trekking if shoes are new, spines in hands from grabbing palm trees. General cuts and scrapes.
Dietary Requirements
Due to the remoteness, the environmental conditions, and the limited variety of foods in the area, we cannot accommodate very strict dietary regimes. At the villages we eat local fresh food, and in the jungle we eat freeze-dried meals and your own lunch snacks. Anyone with a strict diet please get in touch with us before booking.
Travel
Participants are required to provide own flights, any applicable visas, travel documents and travel arrangements to/from Panama City, Panama. (Tocumen International Airport - PTY)
Accommodations and travel outside of expeditions dates will be at participants own expense. This can be discussed with your expedition leader prior to booking flights as part of the registration process, if required.
International and in-country travel is unpredictable: lost luggage, bad weather, minor accidents, or transport limitations can all cause delays. It is therefore advisable to arrive in Panama City a few nights before the trek, and to not schedule an international flight immediately after a trek. Give yourself at least a day to explore around Panama City at leisure. Should there be any delays coming back from the jungle, at least you won’t miss your next flight.
The Darien is a controversial part of the world. An area that is quiet and normal today could become a high-risk zone tomorrow due to natural disasters, political unrest, or other disturbances. In such instances we reserve the right to modify our itineraries partially or completely, both in terms of length of time, distance or specific locations within the Darien Gap.
Expedition Intent
This expedition is more of a high reward physical and exploratory challenge, and not a nature tour in which we search for wildlife and frequently stop to take pictures. We do come across local people and sometimes also have random encounters with wildlife, but this is not our main goal or purpose for being on this expedition. In other words if we do see an animal, we enjoy the moment, we might take a picture, but we don’t expect that to be an integral part of the trip.
After Registration
Once registered, participants can expect the following steps:
Invoicing and payment - to include release of liability waiver
Any further required documentation required, such as sending us your emergency contact details, travel insurance details and equipment lists if applicable, and dietary requirements
A conference call meeting with your guide to both meet, and to prepare you with any final information, equipment checks and other relevant information prior to arriving in country.
Annual
OFFERINGS
5-12
PARTICIPANTS
Challenging
DIFFICULTY LEVEL
What sets us apart, will set you apart
Designed for people seeking challenge, growth, and experiences beyond the conventional.
01
You're not a tourist. You're part of the team.
Most adventure travel companies show you the jungle. We immerse you in it. Navigate remote environments, solve real challenges, contribute to field activities, and experience life as an expedition team member rather than a passenger.
02
The best stories aren't bought. They're earned.
Anyone can book a resort. Few people can say they've crossed remote rainforest terrain, slept deep in the jungle, learned from indigenous communities, tracked wildlife, and overcome challenges alongside a team of strangers who became friends.
03
Every expedition creates real-world impact.
Your journey supports conservation, local communities, research, and sustainable tourism initiatives. Leave with more than memories—leave knowing your adventure contributed to something larger than yourself.
04
Discover who you are when things get real.
The jungle has a way of stripping away distractions and revealing what matters. Through challenge, uncertainty, teamwork, and immersion in nature, you'll develop confidence, resilience, leadership, and a perspective few experiences can offer.
Pricing
Pay Interest Free Instalments
Just for you, we’ve created an interest-free payment program to spread the cost of your adventure. Choose to pay in full or spread the cost over the months leading up to your start date. You choose the duration.
*Once registered, Jungle Guides International will set up a recurring monthly payment via Stripe. If a payment fails, you’ll receive reminders from Stripe and our team. After three failed contact attempts and no payment, your entry will be cancelled with no refund. Payment must be received in full prior to your event.
**Part of your payment may be used to subsidize attendance of local guide trainee(s) that would otherwise not have access to international level training and certification programs.
Pay Instalments
Sign up today
3 Months - $1300 / Month
6 Months - $650 / Month
Interest Free!
Pay in Full
2027 $3900
Total Payment**
-
Payment must be received in full no later than 60 days prior to the event start date.
Cancellations made more than 60 days before the event start date are eligible for a full refund, less Stripe transaction fees.
For cancellations made between 60 and 30 days prior to the event start date, 50% of the total amount paid will be refunded.
For cancellations made between 30 and 5 days prior to the event start date, 25% of the total amount paid will be refunded.
No refunds will be issued for cancellations made within 5 days of the event start date, or after the event has commenced.
Refunds of payment plans and instalments differ. We do not refund Stripe transaction fees. If a payment fails, you’ll receive reminders from Stripe and our team. After three failed contact attempts and no payment, your entry will be cancelled with no refund. Payment must be received in full prior to your event.
The jungle doesn't need more visitors, it needs more leaders.
If you're ready to go a step further to deepen your skills, expand your impact, and earn internationally aligned credentials, our Certified Jungle Guide pathway was built for you.
