Crossing the darien gap new service!!!!
 

It's looking like the ferry service is starting again on May 10th! FINALLY!!! It's been what, 15 years?????

Crossing the Darien Gap: Ferry Service to Start Between Panama and Colombia

So COOL! And so everyone doesn't have to click on the link it says:

With each day that passes, it really seems like the world is becoming more and more interconnected; starting May 10th, Panama and Colombia will also be making that step as Aventura 2000 will be starting a ferry service between the ports of Colon, Panama, and Cartagena, Colombia. Yes, that ferry service includes vehicles. For the longest time the biggest hurdle for overlanders wishing to drive the PanAmerican highway has been the Darien Gap. Many have tried to penetrate the jungle between Panama and Colombia, and with the exception of explorers such as John Blashford Snell, many have failed. It's natural that this ferry will quickly become the transport of choice for Overlanders; replacing the container, or RO-RO (Roll-On, Roll-Off) methods of shipping.


Traveller's will initially have the choice of three departures from each port. The ship will leave Colon on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday, and from Cartagena on Sunday, Tuesday and Friday.
Prices for the overnight journey will range from $99, to $508 for a presidential sleeper cabin. There's no word yet on what it will cost to transport your vehicle, or if motorcycles will be allowed.
http://expeditionportal.com/mscott/U.../shipping1.jpg

The Greek-manned ship, Nissos Rodos, has the capacity to carry 750 vehicles in it's garage, with an additional 1600 passengers.

Well, let's keep fingers crossed....

Just had a quote from them of $170 return for the bike - plus immigration costs and taxes etc. They won´t sell one way tickets. I think you also need to then pay the $95 plus taxes per person - plus extra if you opt for a chair, dorm or private cabin.

They sent me the attached info.

I´ve gone back to them with the obvious questions - and will update this thread as i head north.

Interesting.
Pat

I've been watching these ferry threads simmer and bubble in various places.

Despite all that claimed capacity for passengers, cars, trucks and freight, I haven't yet seen any sign that anyone is booked for the claimed maiden voyage next week. What I have seen are posts saying the company now says it is "sold out" until sometime in June. This strongly suggests that the first voyage is now planned for June. I mean, if ever.

There was also a post from someone who traced a Greek ferry by the name given and found it in scheduled service in Greece at the moment. This makes as much sense as the press releases issued by the company claiming incipient service between Panama and Colombia despite the apparent fact that no tickets have been sold and no boat has been seen.

I'm glad I'm not in transit somewhere, counting on a ferry ride. It'll be interesting to see how this all pans out.

Mark

Last known position 5 apr. 2012 Greece



Real Time skibs kort - AIS - fartøjstrafik & positioner

Good one!

Glad I didn't take that bet with Markharf. Saves me riding to the Puget Sound and delivering a case of brewskis.beer

Thanks for the update.

Cheers,
John Downs

Vessel is still laying in Perama Greece.
It has been on dry-dock last month for repairs and classification inspections....:oops2:

http://kuvablogi.com/nayta/prev/img3520766.jpg

John: No need to carry a case all that distance. I would have accepted drafts.

Not had a reply to my more detailed questions yet - they´ve all gone a bit quiet!

What you say may well be accurate , but that picture is on google earth and is marked as being taken in 2002 !

10th of may
 

Two days more, it will be the magical 10th of May and I want to believe it, because I have to go to Colombia, but start to believe it is an hoax. Does anybody in Colon have an idea what is happening first hand! or do I have to plan with Girac in June to get to South America. Sailboats are no option for me.....

Here is a straight cut and paste from the latest e-mail I´ve had:

By agreement of the governments of Panama and Colombia will only be sold round trip. You can use the one way ticket but keep in mind that lasts six months. If you are in Cartagena don´t need to have a plane ticket because you will enter and exit by the ferry. You must contact the travel agency in Cartagena, World Tours at the tel.: +57 (5) 655-1232 or their website Mundial Tours - Agencia de Viajes Mayorista - Cartagena - Colombia. Must be at least two weeks in advance you book giving your details and return date then send your documents (passport) and has 48 hours to make payments. You can change the date set with 96 hours in advance and pay a penalty of 25 dollars. That's right, the motorcycle rate is independent of you.

For motorcycle would be B /. 170.00 roundtrip plus fumigation and customs (at this point I do not have this information because we expect answers from the negotiations between Panama and Colombia). There is an international insurance which is to be sold on board the ferry and will be based on the time you decide to stay in the country.

To make the journey with your vehicle you need the following documents:

Original and copy
· Passport
· entry permit
· bill landing
· vehicle ownership title
· Driver - identity card and driving license
· if you do not own the vehicle power of attorney
· International Security, this can be purchased onboard the ferry and a registration certificate which is available from the port of Colon 2000 cruise.

You must be at 9:00 am at the Cartagena port customs for review the day I will be traveling.

I just sent a Mail to the colombian tour operator, I will inform if they respond!

so is this real?

So, I just received an answer from the tour operator and they said that they "spect" to start the service in june 10th, the cheapest acomodation is a bus style coach and costs $99 usd plus 2% of taxes and plus $95 usd for port taxes (WTF!!!) they don't have a motorcycle trip price yet. You can get a presidencial cabin for $800 pp and you have a big amount of intermediate prices too

Yep - I´ve heard 10 June too - but waiting for them to confirm. That will be too late for me.

There is another thread on this topic on the Central America page - might be worth keeping that in view too, in case they get any further updates on there.
Pat

As promised this is the latest message from the ferry company:

We were informed that for the month of June the ferry will not be able to travel. You can make reservations from now for the month of July onwards.

Ah well - back to Girag for me!

Pat

I don't know if it is real or not...... But I'd be careful with any bookings, especially if any payment, no matter how small, is requested.

Hey Pat,
Please do let us all know how you cross the gap. I'm back on the road and two or three weeks behind you, will be looking to cross myself soon.

Dunc.

Dunc
Good to hear you are on the move. You´ve got some wonderful riding ahead of you!

I just made the leap - by plane, with Girag. Picking the bike up on Monday. Will be switching to the Central America thread now! :scooter:

The blog will have all the details in about a week.
Cheers
Pat

Just a bump to keep this thread alive. It doesn't look like the ship has moved in nearly three months.

Crossing Darien Gap
 

Hello folks,
Does anyone have an update on this supposed service. Obviously, it is well past May 10...
Peace

Indefinitely postponed. Will it ever happen? No one knows.

Mark

And another bump folks, the Nisos Rodos is on the move. Wherever it's going is anyone's guess though.

Live Ships Map - AIS - Vessel Traffic and Positions

Duncan

Are you still on the move, I thought you were heading back home.

I am just outside Rio.

Cheers

Crossing the Darien Gap
 

If I had accurate data indicating the number of motorcycles, riders, and others who would need and want to pay for flights from Colombia/Ecuador to Panama and/or Panama to Colombia/Ecuador on a seasonal/monthly basis, I am willing to scout up charter flights, cost and look into the legalities regarding TVIPs, visas, insurance, etc.

I know there are charter cargo/passenger airlines operating now - but not on a scheduled monthly basis. If we needed to transport 10 properly created motorcycles and 15 passengers each month, it is my opinion that an existing airline might consider setting up a seasonal/monthly flight to meet our needs.

Ideas or suggestions welcome. Especially from those with data collecting training and experience.

I will return to South America early in November and offer to write and post initial queries to charter airlines operating proposed route.

xfiltrate,

ps: just received a note from a brother who leases yachts - another possibility maybe for the idle rich who have idle yachts.

pps: the ancient Douglas C-47 has a cargo capacity of 6000 lbs /2,700 Kg (a lot of motos) and due to legalities riders may have to fly separately, but this is doable - remember DHL now in competition with FED EX and UPS or FED UPS as I like to call them..... got started by a couple of university drop outs who began courier business by having passengers carry corporate documents in their checked luggage on normally scheduled flights to asia.

This might work
 

I will be in Buenos Aires in a couple days. I have been in good contact with a past CEO of a private charter airline who believes he can arrange a monthly flight between Colombia and Panama and return - with the capacity to carry 5 - 10 or more motorcycles and 10 - 15 or more passengers (dependent on weight) each flight each month.

The cost will be "very, very reasonable" when compared to current fares Panama to Bogota and return, and everything will be done as legally - as any other commercial carrier.

Obviously, there are many details to work out, but if those who would be interested in this monthly flight - please post comments here. Give me an idea of what you might be willing to pay for a round trip fare and how often you might travel - remember the flights going and coming will be only once each month so schedules will have to be kept and met.

Special reusable motorcycle crates will be provided and panniers etc can travel with the bike. Gear will be safe and helmets, tank bags, jackets etc will be permitted as carry on luggage. The airline will provide assistance with customs. this will be a flight exclusively for over landers....

If this dream of easy transport over the Darien is to become real - post your comments here. I will see what I can do to help.

Also, any news on the planned ferry service would be welcome... gracias

xfiltrate

Sounds brilliant! I don't need it, but thanks for your efforts in getting this new service going.

2 bikes 2 riders End of March, beginning of April if all goes to plan, heading North (Columbia - Panama)

Thanks for the efforts
Gino & Fiona

One more for March!
 

1bike+rider, same end of march going north
As the previous riders(2) suggested
As per what's it worth?
What does the sailboat transport option cost?
What is his boat and eBay name?

Hi All,

We've heard from a few different Overlanders who were on the ferry that sailed from Panama to Colombia on October 27th.

All the details and a price breakdown can be found here: http://wikioverland.org/Colombia#Ent...a_Ferry_Xpress

Total price: $783 USD for a 4x4 - which is cheap compared to container shipping! (In the last few years it's been right around $1k just for the vehicle, then you have to get yourself across)

Driving the Pan American Highway just got a little easier and cheaper!

Huge thanks to Melanie Cahill for all the info!

-Dan

Old thread reborn.
 

Is there anyone that can give an update on getting around/across the Darien Gap? The ferry that this thread refers to has never run according to my latest info. They never got landing permission from Colombia or something like that. Anyone out there?
http://wikioverland.org/Panama_to_co...r_ferry_xpress

blacktiger, the options remain much as they always have been: air transport, sailboats, various dugout combinations, or container shipping. You don't say whether you've done a search of any sort, and you don't even say whether you're traveling by motorcycle, 4-wheeler, bicycle, or backpack. First suggestion is to do your own search, since the question you're asking has often been answered.

Hope that's helpful. If not, maybe there are others here who haven't grown as weary of answering the same old questions over and over. In fact, I mean no disrespect; I'm merely trying to offer you a way forward which, IMHO, will serve you well.

Mark