TRINIDAD, VENEZUELA, GUYANA, PANAMA

Executive summary by darmansjah

FIRST forged by Indians and later cobblestoned by the Spanish in the 1500s to move Inca gold to galleons bound for Spain, El Camino Real connects the Pacific and Atlantic 50 miles across the Isthmus of Panama. Hike what remains of the rugged trail through Charges National Park, home to jaguars, spider monkeys, and anteaters. Thanks to multiple river hikes, expect to be soggy for a good part of the day. AnconExpeditionsof Panama: “Camino Real Trek,” 8 days; $1,600