Bird and wildlife viewing in Panama is easy and rewarding. We will connect with several major ecosystems as we travel to the western highlands, the central rainforests of the Panama Canal watershed and the remote Darien jungle in the east.
An in-depth exploration of nature’s diversity across the isthmus. Its geographical position allows for a diversity of plants and animals that is almost unequaled. The country of Panama boasts an impressive list of over 960 bird species. James Kamstra is an ecologist, knowledgeable about tropical ecosystems and wildlife, who has led many ecotours to South and Central America. He will escort the group in addition to highly experienced local bird guides. You can also contact James Kamstra with specific questions about the trip at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
2012 Departure Dates & Costs
February tba , 2012
$ 3,190 USD per person based on twin share from Panama City
Other birding departures
2 weeks
January 11-24, February 5-18, March 18-31, April 19 - May 2
SPECIAL ONE WEEK BIRDING EXTRAVAGANZA - $ 1,900 USD
December 10 - 17, 2011, February 24 - Mar. 2, March 10 - 17, April 3 - 10
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive Panama
On arrival after clearing customs you will be met by our land operators. Transfer to the Gamboa Rainforest Resort near Soberania National Park. Welcome cocktail and briefing. 3 Nights at GAMBOA RAINFOREST RESORT VILLAS.
Day 2 Pipeline Road - Summit Ponds - Plantation Loop (B,L,D)
Early morning breakfast and orientation with other trip participants and your Panama bird & nature guide. This morning you drive to the nearby Pipeline Road within Soberania National Park. Pipeline Road is a great place to look for birds like several trogons, Golden-collared Manakin, Semiplumbeous Hawk, Black-breasted Puffbird, and army antswarm followers. Soberania is home to some 525 species of birds as well as countless plants, insects and reptiles.
Day 3. Smithsonian's Barro Colorado Island (B,L,D)
In the early morning we take a 5 minute drive to the Smithsonian Research Institute's dock located on the Panama Canal. We will travel by boat along the canal to Barro Colorado Island. Managed by the Smithsonian since 1946, Barro Colorado is world famous for being the oldest track of protected neo-tropical rainforest and for the extensive field research performed there. We will be hosted by a student scientist carrying out research on the island under the auspices of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute who will take us on trails and a tour of the facilities.
Each year, more than 200 scientists come to study the ecology, evolution, and behavior of the island's flora and fauna. More than 2,000 research projects have been completed and their findings published in international scientific journals.
The Environmental Sciences Program monitors daily climatic conditions and selected plant and animal populations. Another project concentrates on forest dynamics. How do seeds and seedlings survive the animals that prey on them? How does the forest regenerate after a giant canopy tree falls and creates an opening that may cover a hectare? How can so many species of plants coexist? To help answer these questions, 50 hectares of forest on Barro Colorado have been mapped in great detail. The exact locations of 238,000 woody plants representing 304 species are known. These precise locations enable scientists to monitor individual plants to determine their flowering and fruiting patterns and growth rates and, thus, to understand their distribution and abundance.
We return to Gamboa by mid afternoon. Back at the hotel we have the time for ourselves to enjoy a full array of optional activities, including swimming, kayaking and guided nature walks.
Day 4 Metropolitan Nature Park - Chiriqui Cloud Forest (B,L,D)
Today you will drive to Metropolitan Nature Park (the only protected rain forest within capital city limits in Latin America). With an impressive list of 260 bird species the possibilities are great. On the previous trip we saw 70 species here in one morning. 
We will also look for the diminutive Geoffrey’s Tamarin We will take a mid-morning flight to David in the Chiriqui province. Chiriqui 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 you will proceed to a coffee farm which offers great birding and wildlife sightings. Feeders offer easy viewing of several hummingbird and tanager species. 2 nights at HOTEL DOS RIOS.
Day 5 La Amistad International Park & World Biosphere Reserve (B,L,D)
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. Of special note are a number of Talamancan endemic bird species which only occur in this part of Panama such as Sulfur-winged Parakeet, Flame-throated Warbler and Black-faced Solitaire. You will spend the morning hiking and exploring La Amistad in the area of El Retoño in search of many western highland species. After lunch at a local restaurant you will 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 Resplendent Quetzal, Silvery-throated Jay, as well as various hummingbirds, tanagers and other highland species.
Day 6 Tapir´s Canyon - Querevalo Road - Boquete (B,L,D)
This morning we will stop at Tapir’s Canyon for a morning hike to search for some of the other Talamancan species that occur at moderate elevations. Continue along the eastern side of Baru Volcano on the way to Boquete, a countryside town surrounded by flower, fruit and vegetable farms, coffee plantations and also lush tropical cloud forests. The afternoon is spent at leisure around the hotel grounds where there is a working coffee plantation. Feeders allow easy viewing of many hummingbirds and tanagers. 1 Night at FINCA LERIDA LODGE.
Day 7 Finca Lerida Cloud Forest/Panama (B,L,D
Today you will explore Finca Lerida, a privately owned preserve, just outside Baru Volcano National Park. At an elevation of 2,300 meters above sea level, you have an opportunity to see such spectacular species as the elusive Resplendent Quetzal, Three-wattled Bellbird, Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher and Prong-billed Barbet in their cool habitat of orchids, tree ferns, bromeliads and wild avocados. After a picnic in the cloud forest before returning to the hotel to get ready for our transfer to David for our flight back to Panama City. 1 night at HOLIDAY INN-PANAMA CANAL. You my leave luggage behind at the hotel and take only your baggage for the Darien Jungle adventure.
Day 8 Darien National Park - Santa Cruz de Cana (B,L,D)
This morning you will proceed to Albrook domestic airport where you are going to board a chartered plane headed for Santa Cruz de Cana, in Darien National Park and World Biosphere Reserve, where our land operators manage a field station. As you fly in you can admire the vast forest cover of Panama’s largest park (1.3 million acres). Cana is located at the foothills of Pirre Mountain, located in the most remote area of Panama. Few places in the world rival Cana in nature’s density. From the plane be on the lookout for King Vultures and Macaws. After getting settled at the Cana Field Station you will explore the Boca de Cupe Trail and surrounding area. The area is known for its four species of macaws Swallow Tanager, Red-throated Caracara, Ornate Hawk-Eagle and many others. 2 nights at CANA FIELD STATION. Shared washrooms down the hall from the rooms. Basic facilities.
Day 9 Cana Field Station (B,L,D)
Full day of birding & nature exploration including the Mine and Seteganti trails, where rusting machinery including locomotives are being overtaken by the jungle after the British Gold Mine ventures collapsed in the early 1900s. Specialties of this area include many species not found elsewhere in Panama including Red-billed Scythebill, Crimson-bellied Woodpecker, Tooth-billed Hummingbird and Brown-headed Spider Monkey. Many of these species are largely endemic to the Choco region of Colombia. Butterflies of many sorts congregate in sunny clearings and sandbanks along the creek. We will do a night hike to look for nocturnal frogs, insects and mammals. Many interesting amphibians such as Horned Treefrog, Rocket Frog and Sharp-nosed Toad can be seen on the forest trails.
Day 10 Pirre Cloud Forest Camp (B,L,D)
Early this morning you will begin a slow-paced 5-hour hike (steep incline at times – recommend a walking stick for up and down Pirre Mountain) to the Pirre Cloud Forest. At 1,200 meters above sea level, the Pirre Cloud Forest is a unique ecosystem and great place to look for rare plants and wildlife. The trail is a good place to encounter army ant swarms and the specialist birds that follow them. 2 Nights at PIRRE CAMP (Screened tents with sleeping mats). Note basic washing facilities (bucket & water). Outside toilets approx. 100 meters from the tented camp site. This is a steep hike and may present difficulties for anyone not in good physical conditions. There is also the option to remain at Cana Station to continue exploring nearby trails. Please ask for details.
Day 11 Pirre Cloud Forest Camp (B,L,D)
This morning you hike to the top of Pirre Mountain in search of the Golden-headed Quetzal, Gray and gold Tanager and eastern Panama highland species. Although not particularly high as a mountain, two endemic bird species occur on Cerro Pirre; one the Pirre Bush Tanager is easily seen. The vegetation is premontane cloud forest characterized by bamboo thickets, tree ferns, mossy draped trees, and the unusual Eyeleaf shrub.
Day 12 Cana Field Station (B,L,D)
This morning we will start the descent back to the Cana Field Station. Interesting insects are seen in the light gaps along the trail in the midday heat. The afternoon is spent with your nature guide around the main camp. 1 night Cana Field Station.
Day 13 Darien - Panama City (B,L,D)
This morning you will fly back to Panama City on a chartered plane. On return to the city, stop at a local artisan market. A farewell dinner will take place at a Panamanian restaurant tonight. 1 night at HOLIDAY INN-PANAMA CANAL
Day 14 Depart Panama (B)
Today you will be picked up at the lobby of your hotel 2.5 hours prior to your scheduled departure flight and transferred to Tocumen International Airport. Fly home (B).
