Meet the Embera indians of Gatun river
Visit the traditional Embera indians who have only been a settled community for seventy years.
The riverine Emberá indigenous communities originally hailed from the remote Darien region of Colombia and Eastern Panama. They only started settling in villages in 1950. Partly owing to the presence of guerrillas and drug traffickers in the vicinity, in 1975 a number of families moved to a more accessible location in the province of Colón. Here they have maintained their traditional way of life and are famed for their basket weaving.
Ease of access these days means you are privileged to be able to visit them, travelling upriver in a dugout canoe. The region is heaven for birdwatchers with over 500 species of bird, some of which may be spotted on the journey including toucans and ospreys. On arrival at the village, you’ll be greeted by dancing and music and have the opportunity to savour the Embera indians’ simple way of life.
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Why choose Journey Latin America for your holiday
We’ve been planning trips to Central and South America for over 45 years, longer than any other UK specialist. Every holiday is built around you by a Travel Expert who has been to the places they recommend, with support from your first enquiry to the day you fly home.
Rosie embarked on a year-long backpacking trip across Latin America. She is excited to share her knowledge and experiences with others.
Finn discovered his passion for travel on an extensive 18-month trip to Latin America, experiencing the vibrant Carnaval in Rio, the end-of-the-world city of Ushuaia, trekking the Andes and volunteering on the Galápagos Islands.
Maggie visited Latin America on her first backpacking trip when she was 19. Since then, she has taken every opportunity to travel, and has managed to explore a lot of the region in subsequent trips.
Gary discovered what he had been missing with his first foray into the wilds of Latin America. In his role as Product Manager, he combines this personal obsession with years of industry experience to help ensure that travellers will fall for the region every bit as much as he has.
