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Panama's location relative to 2 continents and its girth counts more bird species than
anywhere else in Central America. Comprised of 11 national parks and 27 officially
protected areas Panama has 940 bird species identified including native, migratory and
endemic. One-hundred and twenty-two of them are long distance migrants, meaning they
do not breed in Panama, 12 endemic and the rest native.
Panama has many premier birding sites that rival even Europe’s most visited sites.
In the following pages a region by region break down of this S-shaped isthmus will give
you a good idea of what can be seen in this spectacular country. Our tours are lead by
local birding experts and the sites are areas that vary ecologically. The parameters of the
tours are either 7, or 10 days and can also be tailored to specific activity levels. In
addition groups must be a minimum of at least 4 people and a maximum of no more than
10.
Our tours cover an array of habitats and some of the most spectacular birds of the Americas.
We start with the Panama Canal Rainforests and get introduced to trogons, toucans, and
puffbirds. We’ll explore her foothills and see a mix of colorful tanagers. Next, we visit her
Western highlands in search of some rare species such as the Resplendent Quetzal, Blue-
throated Toucanet, and Long-tailed Silky flycatcher. For those who have an urge to go
off the beaten path, join us to one of the most untamed areas in the world, that can only be described as an explosion of birds. A birders paradise. These tours are lead by professional
guides with good eyes that are fully equipped.
FOR MORE INFO ON PANAMA - VISIT WIKIPEDIA BY CLICKING HERE
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--- Physical Rating: 3
Day 1 See map Circle A
Arrival to Panama City & Achiote Road –
Get settled in and spend the afternoon exploring the west side of the canal. Located on the Caribbean west bank of the Panama Canal, this evergreen forest site is well known for its diurnal raptors.
Day 2 See map Circle A
Parque Nacional Metropiolitano – Awaken your first morning with a hike through the largest tropical forest within city limits in Latin America. One of many areas where the Smithsonian Institute conducts scientific research, this rainforest located adjacent to the Panama Canal with over 250 species of birds is a good starting point for our adventure.
Day 3 See map Circle A
Parque Nacional Soberania (Pipeline Road) – A premier birding site with over 525 species recorded we continue exploring the Panama Canals' adjacent forests with a visit to the famous Pipeline Road within Parque Nacional Soberania. We'll climb the new observation tower and get a 'birds eye' view of the rainforest canopy.
Day 4 See map Circle A
Old Gamboa Road & Plantation Road – Considered a 'hot spot' on the eastern bank of the Panama Canal, we first visit Old Gamboa Road, a semidecidous forest alongside the Canal and search for Spectacled Owls and Blue-crowned Motmots. Along the way we will stop off at Summit Ponds and see Capped Heron’s, Kingfisher's, and Boat-billed Heron's. In the afternoon take a hike on Plantation Road and meander along side an evergreen forest filled with Manakin's, Antbirds and Spadebill's.
Day 5 - 8 See map Circle C
Volcan Baru National Park – Take a 6 hour drive to Chiriqui province. A picture-perfect introduction to the highlands of Panama, this park is comprised of the highest peak in Panama at 3,475 meters and has one of the most beautiful trails in the country called Los Quetzales Trail. Spend the remainder of the day venturing these trails with no less than 250 species of birds surrounding our hike. The next day re-visit Los Quetzales Trail in the morning and later Finca Dracula, a world famous orchid farm, full of brilliant gardens and birds. Next day relax with some downtime and choose from a variety of activities, such as river rafting, hiking, horseback riding or just relax. The final day we spend birding for Resplendent Quetzal in Cerro Punta, an 1800 meter high mountain-top, tucked in between Volcan Baru National Park and La Amistad International Park.
Day 9 See map Circle C
La Amistad National Park – Continue our adventure in the highlands of Panama by visiting one of the largest biological corridors in Central America. This 407,000 hectare park, half of which is in Panama and half in Costa Rica is home to more than 300 bird species including the Resplendent Quetzal and the Harpy Eagle.
Day 10 See map Circle C
Lagunas del Volcan - These 3 interconnected lakes are part of Panama’s highest wetlands at 1240 meters. Surrounded by a lush virgin forest and Volcan Baru majestically rising in the background we’ll wander through her wetlands and see Masked Ducks, Northern Jacana’s,
Rose-throated Becard’s, Pale-billed Woodpeckers, Tanagers, Flycatchers and Antbirds.
Day 11 Return to Florida
TOUR PRICE (PER PERSON) $1920USD
PAYMENT OPTIONS
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< CLICK TO BOOK TOUR (FULL PAYMENT)
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< CLICK TO BOOK TOUR ($300 DEPOSIT)*
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* Balance is due 60 days before trip. LAA will send a notification and invoice when balance is due.
Click HERE to view our policies.
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--- Physical Rating: 3
Day 1
See map Circle A
Arrival to Panama City
Day 2
See map Circle A
Achiote Road – Spend the day exploring the west side of the canal. Located on the Caribbean west bank of the Panama Canal, this evergreen forest site is well known for its diurnal raptors.
Day 3 See map Circle A
Parque Nacional Metropiolitano – Awaken your first morning with a hike through the largest tropical forest within city limits in Latin America. One of many areas where the Smithsonian Institute conducts scientific research, this rainforest located adjacent to the Panama Canal with over 250 species of birds is a good starting point for our adventure.
Day 4 See map Circle A
Parque Nacional Soberania (Pipeline Road) – A premier birding site with over 525 species recorded we continue exploring the Panama Canals’ adjacent forests with a visit to the famous Pipeline Road within Parque Nacional Soberania. We will climb the new observation tower and get a ‘birds eye’ view of the rainforest canopy.
Day 5 See map Circle A
Old Gamboa Road & Plantation Road – Considered a ‘hot spot’ on the eastern bank of the Panama Canal, we’ll first visit Old Gamboa Road, a semidecidous forest alongside the Canal and search for Spectacled Owls and Blue-crowned Motmots. Along the way stop off at Summit Ponds and see Capped Heron’s, Kingfisher’s, and Boat-billed Heron’s. In the afternoon take a hike on Plantation Road and meander along side an evergreen forest filled with Manakin’s, Antbirds and Spadebill’s.
Day 6 See map Circle B
Cana Valley – Boca de Cupe Trail - Arrive by plane to the best place on the planet to watch birds with a total bird count of over 500 bird species. Located in the heart of the Darien, we’ll veer off civilization for awhile to watch the most explosive birding and biodiversity of all ecosystems in this region. Diversity is explosive with 60 Panamanian bird species found only within Parque Nacional Darien, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. Once settled in spend the remainder of the day hiking through Boca de Cupe Trail.
Day 7 See map Circle B
Seteganti Trail & Mine Trail – Explore the avifauna within our midst by trekking these two trails. The nearby Mine Trail was a trail used by the British Gold Mine ventures of the last century.
Day 8 See map Circle B
Pirre Cloud Forest Camp – Today we are truly going ‘off the beaten path’ by taking a 5 hr hike up to the Pirre Cloud Forest and seeing some of the most elusive highland bird species of the Americas. Spend the night camping atop this gorgeous virgin cloud forest.
Day 9 See map Circle B
Pirre Cloud Forest Camp & Cana Field Station – After a hearty breakfast we begin our descent back to Cana Field Station and enjoy more birding along the way. Once we reach the Field Station we explore more birds within our midst at our base camp.
Day 10 See map Circle B
Spend this morning birding the area close to the airstrip as we await our return flight back to Panama.
Day 11 Return to Florida
TOUR PRICE (PER PERSON) $1920USD
PAYMENT OPTIONS
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< CLICK TO BOOK TOUR (FULL PAYMENT)
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< CLICK TO BOOK TOUR ($300 DEPOSIT)*
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* Balance is due 60 days before trip. LAA will send a notification and invoice when balance is due.
Click HERE to view our policies.
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--- Physical Rating: 3
Day 1
See map Circle A
Panama- Arrival to Panama City
Day 2 - 5
See map Circle C
Volcan Baru National Park – Take a 6 hour drive to Chiriqui province. A picture-perfect introduction to the highlands of Panama, this park is comprised of the highest peak in Panama at 3,475 meters and has one of the most beautiful trails in the country called Los Quetzales Trail. Spend the remainder of the day venturing these trails with no less than 250 species of birds surrounding our hike. The next day re-visit Los Quetzales Trail in the morning and later Finca Dracula, a world famous orchid farm, full of brilliant gardens and birds. Next day relax with some downtime and choose from a variety of activities, such as river rafting, hiking, horseback riding or just relax. The final day we spend birding for Resplendent Quetzal in Cerro Punta, a 1800 meter high mountain-top, tucked in between Volcan Baru National Park and La Amistad International Park.
Day 6 See map Circle C
La Amistad National Park – Continue our adventure in the highlands of Panama by visiting one of the largest biological corridors in Central America. This 407,000 hectare park, half of which is in Panama and half in Costa Rica is home to more than 300 bird species including the Resplendent Quetzal and the Harpy Eagle.
Day 7 See map Circle C
Lagunas del Volcan - These 3 interconnected lakes are part of Panama’s highest wetlands at 1240 meters. Surrounded by a lush virgin forest and Volcan Baru majestically rising in the background we’ll wander through her wetlands and see Masked Ducks, Northern Jacana’s, Rose-throated Becard’s, Pale-billed Woodpeckers, Tanangers, Flycatchers and Antbirds.
Day 8 Return to Florida
TOUR PRICE (PER PERSON) $1720USD
PAYMENT OPTIONS
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|
< CLICK TO BOOK TOUR (FULL PAYMENT)
|
|
|
< CLICK TO BOOK TOUR ($300 DEPOSIT)*
|
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* Balance is due 60 days before trip. LAA will send a notification and invoice when balance is due.
Click HERE to view our policies.
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--- Physical Rating: 4
Day 1 See map Circle A
Arrival to Panama City and Parque Nacional Soberania (Pipeline Road) – A perfect introduction to the country of Panama and a premier birding site with over 525 species recorded, we will explore the Panama Canals’ adjacent forests with a visit to the famous Pipeline Road within Parque Nacional Soberania. Before we leave civilization behind, climb the new observation tower and get a ‘birds eye’ view of the rainforest canopy.
Day 2 See map Circle B
Cana Valley – Boca de Cupe Trail - Arrive by plane to the best place on the planet to watch birds with a total bird count of over 500 bird species. Located in the heart of the Darien, we’ll veer off civilization for awhile to watch the most explosive birding and biodiversity of all ecosystems in this region. Diversity is explosive with 60 Panamanian bird species found only within Parque Nacional Darien, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. Once settled in spend the remainder of the day hiking through Boca de Cupe Trail.
Day 3 See map Circle B
Seteganti Trail & Mine Trail – Explore the avifauna within our midst by trekking these two trails. The nearby Mine Trail was a trail used by the British Gold Mine ventures of the last century.
Day 4 See map Circle B
Pirre Cloud Forest Camp – Today we are truly going ‘off the beaten path’ by taking a 5 hr hike up to the Pirre Cloud Forest and seeing some of the most elusive highland bird species of the Americas. Spend the night camping atop this gorgeous virgin cloud forest.
Day 5 See map Circle B
Pirre Cloud Forest Camp & Cana Field Station – After a hearty breakfast we begin our descent back to Cana Field Station and enjoy more birding along the way. Once we reach the Field Station we explore more birds within our midst at our base camp.
Day 6 TSee map Circle B
Enjoy the day with a downtime activity. Choose from a variety of activities such as canoeing, hiking, birding or just relax and take in this immaculate region.
Day 7
See map Circle B
Spend this morning birding the area close to the airstrip as we await our return flight back to Panama.
Day 8
Return to Florida.
TOUR PRICE (PER PERSON) $1720USD
PAYMENT OPTIONS
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|
< CLICK TO BOOK TOUR (FULL PAYMENT)
|
|
|
< CLICK TO BOOK TOUR ($300 DEPOSIT)*
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* Balance is due 60 days before trip. LAA will send a notification and invoice when balance is due.
Click HERE to view our policies.
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| Tour Dates: | All throughout November, December 2009 & January through April 2010. |
| Tour Rates: | US $1920 per person for 10 day tour based on double occupancy. |
| US $1720 per person for 7 day tour based on double occupancy. |
Single supplement: $350
Tour size: 4-10 people
Included: Professional bird guide, accommodations, meals as indicated, fees to parks,
flight to Darien, and transportation by minibus.
Not included: International airfare, alcoholic beverages, gratuities, downtime activities.
Accommodations: All accommodations are eco-lodges with private rooms and hot running water. The only exception is Darien. Accommodations at Darien are basic but comfortable. Eco-lodges include: Albrook Inn, Gamboa Rainforest Resort, Los Quetzales Lodge,
Cana Field Station.
Walking Condition: The trails are wide and flat around the Canal area. The terrain is
more broken in the highlands. The Darien has only one hike that tends to be strenuous.
Equipment: The tour leader will have a professional spotting scope; but if you have
one, its ok to bring it. The most important things to bring are a pair of binoculars,
field guide, and a camera with extra batteries. In addition, bring sunglasses, small
alarm clock, water bottle, and a small daypack.
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