Birds of Panama

An in-depth exploration of avian diversity across the isthmus

Bird watching in Panama is very easy and rewarding. Its geographical position allows contact with two great mother lodes of avian diversity. You can see Resplendent Quetzals and Umbrella birds in the West as well as four types of Macaws and Harpy Eagles in the East. In the central part the forests of the Panama Canal watershed are within a 45-minute drive from Panama City and harbor more than 400 bird species. In total the country of Panama boasts an impressive list of 961 species in 40,000 square miles.

2008 Departure Dates: January 24-February 6, February 24-March 8, March 15-28 and on request

2008 Prices:

• $2400 per person/based on double occupancy
• $725 single supplement
• Minimum of 4 passengers required to operate tour at these rates
• Prices valid through Nov 30, 2008

Please add 5% mandated government service charge for these departure dates:  $120 for double & $37 for single supplement

Note: This is a fully escorted tour with specific departure dates. Private tours and trip extensions can be arranged on request. Latin American Escapes also specializes in designing custom itineraries.

Itinerary

Day 1:  ARRIVE PANAMA On arrival to Tocumen International Airport our Naturalist Guide will meet us. Transfer to the Gamboa Rainforest Resort near Soberania National Park. Welcome cocktail and briefing. Night at GAMBOA RAINFOREST RESORT

Day 2:  PIPELINE ROAD - SUMMIT PONDS - PLANTATION LOOP  This morning we drive to the nearby Pipeline Road within Soberania National Park. Soberania is home to more than 400 species of birds and 1,000 species of plants. Before entering the road we bird the scrub habitat near the ponds looking for Crimson-backed Tanager, Rufescent Tiger Heron, White-throated Crake as well as several Tyrannulets and Greenlets. Located within this protected area Pipeline Road is where the Panama Audubon Society established a world record Christmas bird count by identifying 385 species of birds in a 24-hour period. As one of the most accessible rain forests in the world, Pipeline Road is a great place to look for birds like Slaty-tailed and Black-throated Trogons, Golden-collared Manakin, White-bellied Antbird, Semiplumbeous Hawk, Black-breasted Puffbird, Purple-throated Fruitcrow, Blue Cotinga, Pheasant Cuckoo and army antswarm followers. A picnic lunch will be served at Summit Ponds. Here we will look for the Boat-billed Heron, Rosy Thrush-Tanager and other Pacific woodland species. At Plantation Loop we will walk along a low ridge where we find some of the humid forest birds such as Royal Flycatcher, Golden-crowned Spadebill, Blue-crowned Manakin and others. Night at GAMBOA RAINFOREST RESORT (BLD)

Day 3:  ESCOBAL / ACHIOTE ROAD An early morning drive will take us to the areas of Escobal and Achiote roads on the Caribbean side of Panama. This spot is probably one of the best places to search for diurnal raptors. Also an excellent place to look for specialties like Spot-crowned Barbet, Black Hawk-Eagle, Rufous-crested Coquette, Montezuma Oropendola, Brown-hooded Parrot, Black-bellied Wren, Pied Puffbird and rarities like Gray-cheeked Nunlet and White-headed Wren. Late afternoon birding around the hotel grounds back in Gamboa.  Night at GAMBOA RAINFOREST RESORT (BLD)

Day 4:   METROPOLITAN NATURE PARK - CHIRIQUI CLOUDFOREST Today we drive to Metropolitan Nature Park (the only protected rain forest within capital city limits in Latin America). With an impressive list of 260 species the possibilities are great. Specialties include Lance-tailed Manakin, Orange-billed Sparrow, Green Honeycreeper, Rufous and White Wren and many more. We will also look for the Red-napped Tamarin on the trail named after them. We will take a mid-morning flight to David, capital of the Chiriqui province. Chiriqui province is known as “Panama’s breadbasket” having some of the most breathtaking highland scenery in Central America. Transfer by van to the western side of the Baru Volcano to the town of Volcan. Lunch will be at the hotel’s restaurant. In the afternoon we will proceed to a coffee farm which offers great birding such as Rufous-browed Peppershrike, White-winged Tanager, Fiery-billed Aracari in a transitional area between the highlands and the lower foothills of the western mountain range. Night at HOTEL DOS RIOS (BLD)

Day 5:   LA AMISTAD INTERNATIONAL PARK & WORLD BIOSPHERE RESERVE Shared with neighboring Costa Rica and recognized in 1982 as a Biosphere Reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site, La Amistad is located at a point on the Central American land bridge where flora and fauna from North and South America reach their maximum species mix, with great ranges in altitude, precipitation, soils and temperature. We spend the morning hiking and exploring La Amistad in the area of El Retoño in search of Silvery-fronted Tapaculo, Andean Pygmy-Owl, Barred Becard and many other western highland species. After lunch at a local restaurant we drive to Baru Volcano National Park located along the Talamanca mountain range and also being the highest point of the country (3,475 meters above sea level). The Baru Volcano and La Amistad parks are part of the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor. Here we will search for Buffy Tuftedcheek, Resplendent Quetzal, Ochraceous Pewee, Silvery-throated Jay, different hummingbirds and other highland species. Night at HOTEL DOS RIOS (BLD)

Day 6:  TAPIR’S CANYON - QUEREVALO ROAD - BOQUETE  This morning we will stop at Tapir’s Canyon in search of Lesser Elaenia, Bay-headed Tanager, Crested Oropendola, American Dipper, and a myriad other species. In route to Boquete we will descend back to the lowlands and drive through some rice, corn and sugar cane fields where we keep an eye out for Brown-throated Parakeets, Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture, Dickcissels, and other grassland birds. We continue our exploration on the Eastern side of Baru Volcano to Boquete, a countryside town dotted with flower, fruit and vegetable farms, coffee plantations and also lush tropical cloud forests. Afternoon birding around the hotel grounds and main road. Night at HOTEL PANAMONTE (BLD)

Day 7:  FINCA LERIDA CLOUD FOREST We explore Finca Lerida, a privately owned preserve, just outside Baru Volcano National Park. At an elevation of 2,286 meters above sea level, we have an opportunity to see the elusive Resplendent Quetzal, Three-wattled Bellbird, Black-faced Solitaire, Volcano Hummingbird, Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher and Prong-billed Barbet in their cool habitat of orchids, bromeliads and wild avocados. After a picnic in the cloud forest we continue birding before returning to our hotel to get ready for our transfer to David for our flight back to Panama City. Night at HOTEL EXECUTIVE (BLD)

Day 8:  DARIEN NATIONAL PARK – SANTA CRUZ DE CANA This morning after breakfast we will proceed to Albrook domestic airport where we board our chartered plane to Santa Cruz de Cana, in Darien National Park and World Biosphere Reserve, where Ancon Expeditions manages a field station. As we fly in we can admire the vast forest cover of Panama’s largest park (1.3 million acres). Cana is located at the foothills of Pirre Mountain, which stands like an island in the most remote area of Panama. Very few places in the world rival Cana in birding potential. From the plane be on the lookout for King Vultures and Macaws. After getting settled at the Field Station we explore the Boca de Cupe Trail and surrounding area. Specialties here include Blue and Gold, Red and Green, Great Green and Chestnut-fronted Macaws, Black tipped Cotinga, Swallow Tanager, Red-throated Caracara, Streaked Antwren, Dusky-backed Jacamar, Ornate Hawk-Eagle and others. Night at CANA FIELD STATION (BLD)

Day 9:  CANA FIELD STATION Today is a good day to explore the Mine Trail where rusting machinery was left to be overtaken by the jungle after the British Gold Mine ventures collapsed at the beginning of the last century. Specialties of this area include Great Curassow, Crested Guan, Dusky-faced Tanager, Olivaceous Piculet. Also the Seteganti Trail with open scrub areas and mature forests are good for various Woodpeckers such as Crimson-bellied and Red-rumped, Red-billed Scythebill, Brown Violetear. Night at CANA FIELD STATION (BLD)

Day 10:  PIRRE CLOUD FOREST CAMP Today we begin our slow-paced 5-hour hike to the Pirre Cloud Forest. At 1,200 meters above sea level, the Pirre Cloud Forest is a good place to look for specialties such as Beautiful Treerunner, Tooth-billed Hummingbird, Slaty Antwren, Tody Motmot, Yellow-eared Toucanet, Rufous-breasted Ant thrush, Immaculate Antbird, Rufous-vented Ground Cuckoo, Pirre Warbler, Pirre Hummingbird, Pirre Bush Tanager, Greenish Puffleg, Orange-bellied Euphonia. Night at PIRRE CAMP (Screened tents with sleeping mats) (BLD)

Day 11: PIRRE CLOUD FOREST CAMP This morning we hike to the top of Pirre Mountain in search of the Golden-headed Quetzal, Gray and gold Tanager, Sharpbill, Chlorophonia and several Tanagers among other highland species. Late afternoon birding around the Pirre Tent Camp. Night at PIRRE CAMP (Screened tents with sleeping mats) (BLD)

Day 12: CANA FIELD STATION After breakfast we will start our descent to the field station. This afternoon is spent looking for birds around the main camp. Possibilities include Gray-cheeked Nunlet, Spotted Barbtail, Barred Puffbird, Yellow-green Tyrannulet, Jet Antibird, Black-crowned, Fulvous-bellied, Ochre-breasted and Scaled Antpittas, White-fronted Nunbird, Cinereous Becard, Golden-headed Manakin. Night at CANA FIELD STATION (BLD)

Day 13: DARIEN – PANAMA CITY – OLD PANAMA MUDFLATS – JUAN DIAZ MANGROVES This morning our charter flight takes us back to Panama City. Upon arrival, tide level permitting, we will visit the Old Panama Mudflats for a chance to see Collared Plovers, Short-billed Dowitchers, Marbled Godwit, Whimbrel and others. Lunch will be at a local restaurant. We continue to bird at Juan Diaz scrub and mangrove area where we will look for Straight-billed Woodcreeper, Ruddy-breasted Seedeater, Northern Scrub-Flycatcher, Mangrove Black-Hawk, Mangrove Warbler, Sapphire-throated and Scaly-breasted Hummingbirds, Rufous-browed Peppershrike among others. We will also stop at Costa del Este in search of Black-necked Stilt, Least Sandpiper, Cocoi Heron, Yellowlegs, Night-Herons. Farewell dinner at a Panamanian cuisine restaurant. Night at HOTEL EXECUTIVE (BLD)

Day 14: DEPART PANAMAToday we are picked up at the lobby of the hotel 2.5 hours prior to our scheduled departure flight and transferred to Tocumen International Airport. Fly home (B)

B=Breakfast; L=Lunch; D=Dinner

INCLUDED: Lodging, all land, air and water transportation within Panama. All airport/hotel transfers on scheduled arrival and departure dates, meals as specified in the itinerary, entrance fees, guides’ services and services of an in-bound land operator for airline re-confirmations and tour operations.

NOT INCLUDED: International airfare, airport departure taxes ($20 per person), tourist card ($5 per person), meals not specified in the itinerary, alcoholic beverages, personal equipment, extras in hotels (laundry, telephone calls, room service, etc.), gratuities.

Trip Notes:

• Latin American Escapes, Inc. offers special contract airline rates to Latin America from most cities in the US, as well as special airpass rates for tickets with-in Latin America. Please ask for a quote based on your trip itinerary.
• Pre and post-tour extensions are also available to Punta Patiño, Bocas del Toro and Panama Canal transit.
• Weight restrictions apply to luggage in both commercial and chartered flights within Panama. A maximum of 25 lbs. of checked luggage per person is allowed. Arrangements can be made with Ancon Expeditions to store luggage that will not be needed on a particular leg of the trip. Excess baggage charges assessed by commercial carriers are the responsibility of the passenger
• TRIP CLASSIFICATION: Moderate/long hiking 3-5 hours per day over variable terrain, slippery, muddy. Accommodations vary from hotel, comfortable lodges, field stations and tent camps.
• EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST: Binoculars (preferably 7x35 or larger), Birds of Panama book, camera with extra batteries & film, flashlight with extra bulb & batteries, bathing suit, insect repellant, sunscreen, hat, day pack, water bottle, lightweight/quick dry cotton clothes, windbreaker, hiking boots, sandals, sneakers, rain gear, money in small denominations, toiletries & personal medications. The Naturalist Guide will carry a spotting scope. A complete list of recommended clothing and equipment for this trip will be sent to you once your departure has been confirmed.

To confirm reservations:

A deposit of $300 per person is required to confirm reservations. In addition, the following payment procedures apply:

Payment for airline tickets is due at the time tickets are issued, but no later than time of final payment.

Last Minute Bookings: Last minute reservations (less than 30 days before departure) will be accepted, subject to availability, if payment has been received, and documents can be delivered. Any special communication costs and delivery charges will be at the client's expense.

Revision Fee: Revision fees will apply once the initial deposit has been received. Charges will vary based on itinerary, and extent of changes, with a minimum charge of $50. Changes requested after documents have been issued (generally with-in 30 days) will incur a minimum $100 change fee, plus additional services requested.

International bookings: We gladly accept bookings from passengers outside the US. However, an additional surcharge of $50 per booking is applied to cover additional shipping charges.

CANCELLATIONS & REFUNDS--At the time we receive written notification that you must cancel your trip, money will be returned less the following cancellation fees:

Note: A change in travel dates is considered a cancellation

Trip Documents: Trip documents will be forwarded approximately 3 weeks prior to travel, and once all payments and completed application forms have been received.

Risk and Responsibility

In arranging these trips, Latin American Escapes, Inc. acts only as the agents for the owners, contractors and suppliers actually providing tour services for these trips with whom Latin American Escapes, Inc. has no legal connection or joint ownership. These local tour operators attempt to conduct these trips as described in the preceding itineraries. However, it is possible that due to transportation schedule changes, weather, delays and unforeseeable acts of God, humans or nature, itineraries may vary from what is described. Participants are responsible for extra costs due to travel delay or itinerary changes for reasons beyond our control and assume all risks, whether identified in advance or unforeseen, as described under Limitation of Liability, and Trip Member Responsibility, located in our Terms and Conditions, which all travelers agree to sign. Traveler's insurance is not included, but is offered, and is strongly recommended. CST # 2023695-40.