An in-depth exploration of avian diversity across the nation of Panama. Bird watching in this compact country is relatively easy and exceptionally rewarding.

In the central part the rainforests of the Panama Canal watershed are within a 45-minute drive from Panama City and harbor more than 400 bird species. 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 total the country of Panama boasts an impressive list of over 960 species.

Highlights include the pipeline road within Soberania National Park, Escobal and Archiote roads on the Caribbean side, Chiriqui Cloud Forest and Darien National Park.

14 Day Birds of Panama 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 and briefing. 3 Nights at GAMBOA RAINFOREST RESORT

DAY 2 PIPELINE RD/SUMMIT PONDS/PLANTATION LOOP (B,L,D)
This morning we drive to the nearby Pipeline Road within Soberania National Park. Soberania is home to some 525 species of birds. 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 Rd. is the site where Audubon Society held its world Christmas bird count record for 19 years straight, with 357 species of birds identified in a period of 24 hours. 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.

DAY 3 GAMBOA (B,L,D)
Day of Birding to either the Caribbean/Atlantic forests or in the tropical forests near Gamboa.

DAY 4 CHIRIQUI CLOUDFOREST (B,L,D) Today we drive to 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 eastern side of the Baru Volcano to Boquete, a countryside town dotted with flower, fruit and vegetable farms, coffee plantations and also lush tropical cloud forests. Lunch will be at the hotel?s restaurant. This afternoon we do some birding on the foothills near Boquete. 1 Night Finca Lerida

DAY 5 FINCA LERIDA - VOLCAN (B,L,D)
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 lunch in the cloud forest we transfer to the western side of the volcano. In route to Volcan we will stop at Tapir?s Canyon in search of Lesser Elaenia, Bay-headed Tanager, Crested Oropendola, American Dipper, and a myriad other species. 2 Nights at Los Quetzales or OR HOTEL DOS RIOS

DAY 6 LA AMISTAD INTERNATIONAL BIOSPHERE (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. We spend the morning hiking and exploring La Amistad in the area of El Reto?o 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.

In the afternoon we proceed to Finca Dracula, an orchid farm which offers great birding such as Rufous-browed Peppershrike, White-winged Tanager, Fiery-billed Aracari.

DAY 7 EL RESPINGO - QUEREVALO ROAD - PANAMA CITY (B,L,D) Early this morning we take a short drive to El Respingo. Assisted by 4x4 vehicles we reach the beginning of Los Quetzales Trail. Here we will search for Buffy Tuftedcheek, Resplendent Quetzal, Ochraceous Pewee, Silvery-throated Jay, different hummingbirds and other highland species. We return to the hotel for an early lunch.

In route to David 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 reach David in time to catch our flight back to Panama City. Transfer to hotel. Night at RIANDE CONTINENTAL HOTEL

DAY 8 DARIEN NATIONAL PARK / SANTA CRUZ DE CANA (B,L,D) Pre-breakfast visit 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. Return to the hotel for breakfast. 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.
2 Nights at CANA FIELD STATION

DAY 9 CANA FIELD STATION (B,L,D)
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.

DAY 10 PIRRE CLOUD FOREST CAMP (B,L,D)
NOTE: THE TRIP TO PIRRE CLOUD FOREST WILL REQUIRE WALKING UP STEEP TERRAIN. THOSE REMAINING AT CANA WILL SPEND THE DAY EXPLORING THE FOREST HABITATS.
Today we begin our slow-paced 5 - 7 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.
2 Nights at PIRRE CAMP (Screened tents with sleeping mats)

DAY 11 PIRRE CLOUD FOREST CAMP (B,L,D) 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. We return down the mountain and spend some time 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.

DAY 12 PIRRE CLOUD FOREST CAMP/CANA (B,L,D)
Morning in the cloud fores and afternoon hike to Cana.
Night at CANA FIELD STATION

DAY 13 DARIEN / PANAMA CITY / OLD PANAMA MUDFLATS / JUAN DIAZ MANGROVES
(B,L,D)
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.
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 in Casco Viejo Night at RIANDE CONTINENTAL HOTEL

DAY 14 DEPART PANAMA (B)
Transfer to the airport for the flight home.
Today you will be picked up at the lobby of the hotel and transferred to Tocumen International Airport 2.5 hours prior to your scheduled departure flight home.

Departure Dates and Costs

BIRDS OF PANAMA (14 days) WITH EXPERT LOCAL GUIDE
2010 Tour Cost from Panama City: $ 2,450 USD

Single Supplement: $ 625 CAD

2010
February 14 - 27, March 8 - 21

2011 (dates and pricing tbc)
monthly departures Jan, Feb, Mar

ONE WEEK BIRDING EXTRAVAGANZA (8 Days)
Tour cost from Panama City $ 1,850 USD

2010 
Mar 2 - 9, Mar 27 - Apr 4, Apr 1 - 8, Dec 4 - 11

Sample air fares including taxes
From Toronto $ 850 CAD
From Miami $ 550 USD
From Vancouver $ 1050 CAD

GROUP SIZE: Limited to 12 participants

OTHER PANAMA DEPARTURES
Best of Panama Tour Cost from Panama City: $ 2,200 USD
Single Supplement: $ 420 USD

2010
Jan 29 - Feb 7, Feb 19 - 28, Apr 9 - 18, Jul 16 - 25, Sep 17 - 26, Oct 15 - 24, Dec 31 - Jan 9

Panama Discovery (US$1,995.00)
Feb 6 - 13, Mar 20 - 27, Jun 5 - 12, Nov 20 - 27, Dec 18 - 25, 2010

Panama Family Adventure (US$1,900.00 adults / US$1,100.00 children)
Mar 13 - 21, Jun 26 - Jul 4, 2010

Darien Explorer Trek (US $2,450.00)

Camino Real Trek (US$1,300.00)
Feb. 27 - Mar. 6, Apri 10 - 17, Jul 3 - 10,Dec. 18 - 25,

Additional Information

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.

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 (B - breakfast; L - lunch; D - dinner), entrance fees, guides? services and services of an in-bound land operator for airline re-confirmations and tour operations.

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