Trip Dates:

• Dates: March 13 - 20, 2011
• Trip Length: 9 Days
• Activity Type: Rain Forest trekking, indigenous tribal experience

Student Testimonial:

"I learned so much in such a short time. This school set me on the right path to starting a career in the film industry."
--- Brody Zaccardi

Panama Rainforest Itinerary:

• Sunday, March 13th
  Arrive in Panama City, Panama (Tocumen International Airport- Flight arrival to Panama City no later than 3pm). Take taxi to Casco Viejo and meet the rest of the team at historic Casa Arias for an orientation dinner and pitch session at 7pm with all students, instructors and guests.
  
  
• Monday, March 14th
  Depart Casco Viejo in Chiva vans to the edge of the Mamoní Valley. 4X4 venture through high mountain deforested farm country to Depart Casco Viejo in vans to the edge of the Mamoní valley. 4X4 venture through high mountain deforested farm country to Earth Train’s Centro Mamoní at the edge of their 10,000-acre rain forest Mamoní Valley Preserve. Group gets settled into 2-4 person rain forest bungalows. Lunch and review of the neighboring Kuna Yala and Darien rain forest ecosystem from visiting Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute scientists. Afternoon tour of the reserve, hydro-power, rain forest garden and trails. Community Dinner at the open air Rain Forest Comedor. Review of the forest trek trip itinerary, topo maps, jungle safety and short review on the indigenous interior by Kuna Leader Enrique “Kike” Arias. Optional open air film or back to the bungalows.
  
  
• Tuesday, March 15th
  Morning group breakfast and packing for Jungle expedition. Early morning departure into the forest watershed of Kuna Yala’s Cangandi River. Jungle trekking and filming in crews to the upper Cangandi River for inflatable kayak preparation and launch. Expedition hammock stay in remote make-shift camp along the river. Group effort meal and for early morning kayak launch. Early evening film opportunity for interviews with Kuna guides and visiting expedition Trekker, the Co-Executive Director of Earth Train and the former Executive Director of the Frank Ghery-designed Panama Museum of Biodiversity.
  
  
• Wednesday, March 16th
  Early morning river launch, portage around Cangandi Falls, and paddle to authentic Kuna rain forest village. Meet the village chief and have additional opportunities to speak with native leaders and residents. Gain first-hand insights into the customs of their people —and their struggles against the of impact of global warming. Excellent video opportunity, b-roll of surrounding wildlife, village and rain-forest agriculture environment. Break for early dinner fish fry outside the village of Cangandi. Set up camp near the village for a early morning river launch. Prepare equipment for video opps for kayaking adventure and forest wild life by boat, i.e. parrots, monkeys, gators, sloths.
  
  
• Thursday, March 17th
  Early morning river expedition in indigenous dugouts on the Cangandi and Mandinga rivers through the dense delta jungle and coastal mangroves teaming with birdlife. Boat change to journey out to a Kuna island in the Caribbean. Island camp set-up, nightly meeting and music with the Kuna locals. Meeting with Kike Arias and leaders of the Kuna General Congress on the state of Kuna Yala and the threats to their island habitats. Local dinner and music, storytelling with Kuna friends.
  
  
• Friday, March 18
  Early morning launch to uninhabited Kuna Island. Caribbean islands and reef exploration with stop off at a pristine chain of reefs. Opportunity to snorkel and learn about the causes of the degrading reef system in this region. Students will have an opportunity to snorkel here and explore the island. Participants will depart the island in the early evening for a two hour boat trip back to the host island. Evening live native-music and opportunity for interview translations.
  
  
• Saturday, March 19
  Early morning departure from the Kuna Islands to put out and transport pick-up for a journey via Panamanian back-country landscapes to their final destination in Casco Viejo. This unique area has a pirate rich history and is one of the oldest cities on the Pacific Coast of the Americas. Participants will settle into accommodations by late afternoon and will have an opportunity to immerse themselves in traditional Panamanian community. Dinner accommodations for bon voyage dinner for the group, info for the next day departures and then a free night on the town.
  
  
• Sunday, March 20
  Depart Panama City (Tocumen International Airport)
  
  *Students will receive a detailed schedule of all events upon acceptance.
  
  

Costs:

• Tuition and Costs: $3,500
  (early bird price - $250 off regular price - good through February 7, 2011)
  This includes film instruction throughout the Panama rain forest experience, transportation while in Panama, accommodation in Panama, film editing instruction, course materials including the Adventure Film School Production Manual, use of Apple Macbook Pro computers with Final Cut Pro, student film festival, orientation dinner, and most meals while in Panama.
  
  This adventure across Kuna Yala is governed by a formal agreement between the Kuna General Congress and Earth Train. A portion of trip fees goes to benefit the Congress, the village of Cangandi and Earth Train’s training programs for Kuna youth.
  
  
• Bring a Friend!
  If you would like to bring an actor/actress/friend for your film, each additional person who signs up with you may do so at a reduced tuition rate of $2,500
  
  
• Post Production Course (Boulder, CO - March 24 - 28, 2011): $975
  This includes editing instruction, orientation dinner, student film festival and use of Apple's Macbook Pro computers with Final Cut Pro.
  

Students Responsible For:

• Travel to and from Panama City, Panama (Tocumen International Airport)
  
  
• Travel to and from Boulder, CO (Denver International Airport) For Edit Session
  
  
• Video Camera/Accessories
  
  
• External Hard Drive (discount available on LaCie Rugged Drives)
  
  
• One dinner while in Panama City’s Casco Viejo (average $5)
  
  
• Travel Insurance
  
  
• Read our Required Deposit and Cancellation Policy

Outside Adventure Film School books our flights through:

The Travel Society:
Dana Welch: (303) 563 6225

Sally Berg Adventures:
Sally Berg: (303) 880 8072
sallyLberg@gmail.com

More Information:

Nearest Airport: Tocumen International Airport (PTY)

Hotel: TBD

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