Panama: Journey to the Centre of the Darien

BRISTOL, U.K. - Dec. 27, 2013 - PRLog -- MEDIA RELEASE: 23 December 2013

Panama: Journey to the Centre of the Darien

Parallels with Jules Verne’s ‘Journey to the Centre of the Earth’ are no accident when it comes to this adventurous Secret Compass trek into the heart of Panama’s Darien Gap jungle.

The Darien Gap is the only break in the 30,000-mile-long Pan-American highway. Its 50-mile wide stretch of jungle and swampland separates North and South America and evokes a sense of adventure like nowhere else.

In March 2014, pioneering adventure travel company Secret Compass will take an intrepid dozen adventurers there to achieve the extraordinary: to cross the Gap on foot as few have done before.

Secret Compass’s marketing director, Kerry O’Neill, said, “With just nine successful crossings on record – most famously by British explorer Colonel John Blashford-Snell in 1975 – the Darien Gap does not give up its secrets easily.

“For ambitious adventurers wanting to make their mark with adventure fact not fiction, this epic Secret Compass river and jungle journey is the answer.”

Two important anniversaries will focus attention on Panama in 2014. It is the 100^th anniversary of the Panama Canal – referred to as the seventh wonder of the modern world. It is also the 150^th anniversary of Jules Verne’s classic science fiction novel – which takes its readers on a thrilling journey towards the dark, mysterious centre of the earth.

This Secret Compass adventure into the Darien’s shady heart bears similarities with Verne’s epic, if fictitious, journey; Hilary Bradt describes the Darien as, ‘a swampy wasteland crawling with venomous creatures ready at a moment’s notice to suck unsuspecting explorers into its oozing depths.’

Panama’s Darien Gap: expedition highlights

·         Explore the legendary region that separates the Americas.

·         Learn jungle survival skills from expert guides.

·         Travel alongside the Embera Indians and learn about their fascinating culture.

·         Seek out mysterious petroglyphs (stone carvings) – remnants of an ancient culture.

·         Explore jungle rivers by boat.

·         Be among the first adventure travellers to cross the Darien Gap on foot.

Tom Bodkin, director of Secret Compass, said, “The local Embera Indians are known for their distinctive geometric body painting, bright coloured skirts and unique ways of hunting, harvesting and weaving. Through this jungle adventure, we’ll learn about their culture, both from first-hand experience and from our expedition leader, renowned naturalist and local expert Rick Morales.”

The first man ever to hike across Panama lengthways, Morales said, “In one trek, I saw five species of monkey, five species of macaw, two species of quetzal, two kinds of peccaries and tracks of jaguar, puma, ocelot and tapir. I never glimpsed an actual jaguar, though one night in the rainforest I heard and smelt something walking under my hammock, but didn’t choose to find out what it was!”

Formerly a more unsettled region, the security situation has now calmed in the majority of the Darien. Bodkin added, “There are of course exceptions, but we won’t visit those areas. Our unusual expeditions often go to areas perceived as high-risk, but such risk usually remains in perception only, compared to the reality on the ground. We take the safety and security of our team members very seriously indeed.”

This pioneering Panamanian expedition is one of ten adventure travel experiences organised by Secret Compass in 2014. Find full Darien Gap expedition information here: http://secretcompass.com/expeditions/panama-expedition-2014/.

For further press information, please contact kerry@secretcompass.com.

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NOTES TO EDITORS
Secret Compass is a pioneering expedition company creating world-first experiences for teams of like-minded adventurers. Through group and bespoke adventures, Secret Compass helps each team member achieve the extraordinary in the world’s wildest places. Founded by ex-British Army Parachute Regiment officers, its expeditions reach the planet’s most remote regions in the spirit of exploration’s earliest pioneers. Its highly trained professionals deliver well-planned and safe experiences, while encouraging daring leaps out of comfort zones. Secret Compass is passionate about returning tourism to post-conflict zones and emerging economies to stimulate local development and challenge preconceptions.

Specialist Film and TV services
Secret Compass also takes film crews, journalists and photographers to remote and previously inaccessible areas thanks to its unrivalled location management expertise. Clients to date include the BBC, National Geographic, Animal Planet and Channel 4, in countries from Afghanistan to Uzbekistan.

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