4 days
$990+
Price per person
Based on group size
The La Bonita Falls expedition is a perfect opportunity for those looking to have their first jungle trekking experience. The name “La Bonita” (The Beautiful) is inspired by the 9m/30ft waterfall with its pristine plunge pool nestled in an old-growth rainforest for you to enjoy as your own.
The expedition offers all cycles of forest succession and is ideal for diverse wildlife spotting opportunities and a picturesque lookout point at the eastern most end of the Mamoní Valley Preserve which, on a clear day, can offer views of the Pacific ocean.
You’ll experience one night in expedition hammocks strung along the La Bonita stream and near an exceptionally large buttress tree that emerges through the surrounding tropical rainforest.
Contact us to get a more detailed itinerary and description of locations!
Expedition overview:
Expedition Details:
- Fitness Level: Healthy lifestyle and a good level of general fitness
- Season availability: All year
- Total duration: 2 days/1 night in the rainforest + 2 days/1 night at Centro Mamoní
- Physical activity duration: 6 hrs /day
- Distance: 8.5km/5.3miles
- Common hazards: Animal bites, spiky palms, slippery rocks, steep climbing on rocks, heat exhaustion
- Modes of transportation: Trekking, 4×4
- Natural environment: Primary forest, young/old secondary forest, pioneer succession, pasture, river, environment at risk, icon species
- Learning content (optional/typical): Conservation, cattle ranching, watershed management, iconic species
- Lodging: Hammock
FAQ
The Trek
This lollipop loop trail starts at a neighbour’s cattle pasture, which is a 20-minute drive from our Science and Leadership Center, Centro Mamoní.
The pasture trail follows the La Bonita stream as the landscape transitions into newly regenerated forest. Much of the expedition follows a main ridge that, if followed, eventually leads to the continental divide.
As you follow the western ridge you’ll enter properties within the Mamoní Valley Preserve, which offer old growth secondary and primary forest. The largest known tree in the Mamoní Valley lives along this trail, which eventually leads to the ridge top that has a lookout point towards the Pacific.
Looping back down an eastern ridge takes you to a 9m/30ft waterfall with plunge pool for you to enjoy. From here you follow the creek bed till eventually meeting up with the trails down in the cattle pastures.
Why This Experience is for You
With this being a one night expedition, it is perfect for those seeking a quick adventure into the tropical rainforest. Although shorter than most of our expeditions, it still offers beautiful waterfalls, views, and wildlife spotting opportunities. Depending on the season, you might even get to enjoy some native fruits along the way in the cattle pastures!
The Itinerary Outline
Day 1: 4×4 Transport to Centro Mamoní Lodge. Gear check
Day 2: 4×4 Transport to expedition starting point. Trekking the ecoregion and overnighting in expedition hammocks
Day 3: Trekking to the Pacific ocean lookout point, waterfall, and eventually back to the starting point to take 4×4 back to Centro Mamoní lodge
Day 4: 4×4 ride back to Panama City
Fitness Requirements
This expedition is for anyone with a healthy lifestyle and a good level of general fitness. Trekkers need to be comfortable covering lots of ground in a day and walking over slippery rocks in a streambed with steep sections.
Participants should be willing to be part of a team working together to enjoy a safe, fun, and meaningful experience.
Arriving unprepared and/or without meeting the minimum fitness requirements can jeopardise your health and the overall expedition experience, so take training seriously.
Get in touch with any fitness, health, training or packing questions that you might have. Our certified wilderness guides prefer to have video conversation with participants in advance to ensure that fitness expectations and packing needs are met.
Additionally, you should expect the following:
- Carry up to 10kg/23lbs per person in your expedition pack.
- Trekking as much as 6-8 hours on some days and covering up to 7km or more per day.
- Anticipate wet, dense tropical rainforest with steep terrain on rustic paths and frequent river or stream crossings.
- Climate is hot and humid and below 1,000m/3,333ft elevation
- Age minimum is 12+
Geoversity Guarantees
- In-country transport as outlined in the itinerary
- Certified wilderness guides and wilderness first aid trained with medical kit and sat phone
- Three meals per day, snacks, water, tea, coffee, and natural drinks
- Accommodation throughout; beds, expedition hammocks
- Expedition hammock with mosquito netting and rain cover
- Cooking gear, eating utensils, mug, cup, and ingredients for cooking
- Special permits and permissions
Optional Add Ons
- Return travel from the Mamoní Valley Preserve by chartered helicopter, including mandatory carbon offset agreement for the benefit of the Mamoní Valley Preserve
- Extra days and nights at Centro Mamoní in the Mamoní Valley Preserve
- Alcoholic beverages
- Bag porter
Not Included
- International air transportation to and from Panama City (for USD 150, Geoversity offers a 5-year carbon offset opportunity in the Mamoní Valley Preserve)
- Insurance of any kind
- Alcoholic beverages not provided by hosts with meals
- Additional hotel days/nights in Panama, Centro Mamoní or in the jungle
- Personal equipment according to personal needs and preferences (list of mandatory items and recommendations will be provided upon registration)
- Tips to local support guides; discretionary but anticipated by the local guides. Your trip leader can help advise on how much
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