Birding in Panama (9n/10d)
Itinerary
9 nights/10 days
Day 1 – Arrival to Panama City
You will be transferred from Tocumen International Airport to La Estancia B&B (located in the old Canal Zone Area) for an evening greet, dinner and briefing.
Night at La Estancia B&B
Day 2 – Pipeline and Gamboa road
Morning birding at Pipeline Road, and after lunch we will continue birding at Old Gamboa Road. Some birds you can expect to see are Cinnamon Woodpecker, Blue-crowned Manakin, Black-bellied Wren, White-shouldered Tanager, Blue Cotinga, Blue-crowned Motmot, Golden-collared Manakin , Slaty-tailed Trogon, Southern Bentbill, White-necked Puffbird and Rufescent Tiger-Heron.
Night at La Estancia B&B
Day 3 – Panama City- Punta Patiño / Darién
Morning flight (scheduled to depart at 10:30 a.m.; flight duration: approximately 45 minutes; flight schedules are subject to change by airline) to La Palma – Darien, located by the mouth of the Tuira River. Here you will board an expedition boat which takes you to a lodge on a 65,000 acre private Nature Reserve, overlooking the Gulf of San Miguel.
Be on the lookout for bottle-nosed dolphin and different species of birds that find refuge among the mangrove-dotted coast.
After a light and refreshing lunch, you will head out on your first excursion lead by a Naturalist Guide, in search of birds, and as well as animals and exquisite flora. You will learn about the work that the National Association for the Conservation of Nature (ANCON) is carrying out to protect the reserve and how the rainforest is regenerating.
In the evening, a short walk to the wetlands in search of the Capybara, the world’s largest rodent. You will also look for caiman, owls and other nocturnal species.
Night at Punta Patiño
Day 4 – Punta Patiño Nature Reserve
After breakfast, lets hike the Piedra Candela trail and learn about the importance of this tropical dry forest.
After lunch, enjoy some time exploring on your own. Late afternoon we board our boat for a coastal tour of the reserve and the sea birds nesting areas at El Morro.
Night at Punta Patiño
Day 5 – Harpy Eagle at Mogue River
Board a motorized dugout canoe to the Mogue River. You will look for the Roseate Spoonbill, Ibis, Osprey and Raccoons fishing along the river. The trip up river takes you through millenary mangroves, making the boat ride extraordinary. You arrive at the village of Mogue and will head on a several kilometers walk in search of a recently discovered Harpy Eagle active nest. From a safe distance, so as not to disturb the chicks, or scare the mother, you will have the opportunity to have one of the most unique encounters with nature. The Harpy Eagle, Panama’s National Bird and the most powerful bird of prey in the Americas is endangered. Controlled visits to the area are generating income to the nearby village, which in turn creates an interest for the protection of the birds and their habitat. You return to the village in the afternoon to mingle with the Embera people and learn about their customs and traditions. Tonight you will sleep in the guest “Tambo” (thatch roof stilted house). You may opt to sleep in hammocks or screened tents with mats (provided).
Night at Mogue Village
Day 6 – Punta Patiño / Darién – Panama City
Early morning you head back to La Palma, where you will board the plane and return to Panama City around midday. Upon arrival in Panama City, you are transferred to your hotel.
Night at La Estancia
Day 7 – Metropolitan Nature Park and Chiriquí Highlands
At this tropical forest park, situated in the middle of the city we will look for birds such as the Rosy Thrush-Tanager, Lance-tailed Manakin, Pheasant Cuckoo, White-necked Puffbird and Yellow-green Tyrannulet that thrive in a drier habitat. Afternoon flight to Chiriquí and transfer to Cerro Punta.
Night at Los Quetzales
Day 8 – Volcan Baru National Park
Expect to spot Golden-browed Chlorophonia, Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher, Blue-throated Toucanet, Fiery-billed Aracari, Red-headed Barbet, Sulphur-winged Parakeet, Turquoise Cotinga, Collared Redstart, and Flame-throated Warbler, Emerald Toucanette, Scarlet-Thighed Dacnis, Green Honeycreeper, Golden-Browed Chlorophonia. Also beautiful hummingbirds such as the Volcano Hummingbird, Fiery-throated Hummingbird, White-throated Mountain-gem, and the spectacular Violet Sabrewing, are among the myriad possibilities.
We will be birding at Volcan Lakes, Finca Hartmann, archeological sites, Las Nubes (entrance to Friendship International Park), Bajo Grande (entrance to Volcan Baru National Park) and Bajo Frio. Also visit Finca Dracula, and our own 400 hectare cabin area located inside two parks.
Night at Los Quetzales
Day 9 – La Amistad International Park
Endemic and threatened species in Panama, such as the Silvery-fronted Tapaculo, Yellow-thighed Finch, Collared Redstart, Flame-throated Warbler, Prong-billed Barbet and Wrenthrush (Zeledonia).
Night at Los Quetzales
Day 10 – Chiriqui – Panama City
Early transfer to David International Airport to board a morning flight to Panama City.
Shore birds birding on the way to Tocumen International Airport.
Rates
US$ 2,350 Double Occupancy
US$ 350 Single Supplement
We will try to accommodate you if you wish to share.
Includes
- Bilingual Birding Guide.
- Lodging.
- Air, water and land transportation within Panama as detailed on the above itinerary.
- All meals.
- Park fees.
Tour Dates
January 20 – 29, 2011
February 3 – 12, 2011
Bring
- Binoculars.
- Light clothing.
- Also a warm sweater and jacket.
- High traction footwear.
Checked baggage permitted
Panama City/Darien = 1 piece with max. weight of 25 lbs. /11 kg per person.
Panama City/Chiriquí = 1 piece with max. weight of 30 lbs. /13.6 kg per person.
Carry-on luggage = 1 piece with max. weight of 10 lbs. /4.5 kg per person.
Book it!
