Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Panama City (PTY)
After arrival in Panama we will transfer to a neabry airport hotel. For guests arriving in the afternoon we will be able to explore the grounds of the hotel. This area is home to several common species, such as Variable Seedeater, Red-crowned Woodpecker, Yellow-headed Caracara, Clay-colored Thrush, and Crimson-backed and Blue-gray Tanagers. We'll have dinner this evening and get ready for the next few days of birding in eastern Panama.
Day 2: Nusagandi & Rio Torti
We will depart from our hotel in Panama City after an early breakfast and head toward the Darien, one of the country's most biodiverse regions. The Guna Yala indigenous people's protected region, Nusagandi, will be our first destination. Several significant birds, including the rare Sapayoa which is the sole member of its family. Other birds here include Spiny-faced Antshrike and Slate-throated Antshrike, Black-crowned Antpitta, Chestnut-backed Antbird, Rufous-winged and Black-and- yellow Tanagers, and many more. Following our exploration of these abundant Caribbean slope woods, we will carry on in the direction of Torti. The regions surrounding the Torti River offer excellent habitat for a variety of species, such as the Barred Puffbird, Amazon Kingfisher, White-eared Conebill, Little Cuckoo, Pacific Antwren, and Orange-crowned Oriole.
Day 3: San Francisco Reserve & birding along the Pan-American Highway
Numerous important species of the region can be found at the San Francisco Reserve near Torti, which offers a wide range of habitats from open savanna to mature rainforest. San Francisco is an excellent location for the endemic Yellow-green Tyrannulet, and other such as Sulphur-rumped Tanager, Red-crowned Meadowlark, Royal Flycatcher, and Rusty-winged Antwren, Great Jacamar, Stripe-cheeked Woodpecker, Speckled Mourner, Golden-collared Manakin, Central American Pygmy-Owl, and, with extreme luck, Wing-banded Antbird! Black-and-white Hawk-Eagles, King Vultures, and occasionally even Harpy Eagles may be seen soaring overhead, making this an excellent place to explore the sky for soaring raptors. Numerous unique animals, including Ocelots and Colombian Spider Monkeys, may be found in the mature forests of San Francisco Reserve. We will head east into Darien province after lunch at a neighbourhood restaurant in Torti, where fruit and nectar feeders provide excellent hummingbird viewing and photographic chances. We will investigate the distant reaches of the Pan-American Highway this afternoon. We will search the marshy vegetation of the Yaviza wetlands for Black-capped Donacobius, Yellow-hooded Blackbird, and perhaps even a Gray-breasted Crake from the grasses. Spend the night at the Bellagio Hotel Meteti or a comparable establishment.
Day 4: Harpy Eagle Nest
We will leave early, and today's trip will involve driving for about an hour, crossing the Chucunaque River in a dug-out canoe, and walking through Darien forest to the nest of Harpy Eagles. Several additional birds, such as the Gray-cheeked Nunlet, Choco Sirystes, Black Oropendola, and Golden-headed Manakin we hope to see throughout our hike. Along the way, we'll keep an eye out for mammals; Mantled Howler Monkey, Northern Tamandua,
Sloths, Geoffroy's Tamarin, and perhaps even a Tayra! Following our stay at the nest, we retrace our steps back to our hotel, stopping at key locations along the way for a little bit more birding.
Day 5: Darein Lowlands Birding
Among the indiginous people of the Darien are the Embera people. We're going to Nuevo Vigia, which is one of their communities, today. This hamlet is home to several regional specialties and is bordered by excellent habitat. To get there, we'll begin the day in a dugout canoe on the Chucunaque River, where we'll keep an eye out for Mangrove Swallow, Gray-lined Hawk, Green Ibis, Capped and Cocoi Herons, and Great Potoo roosting on the water's edge. We will search for Red-billed Scythebill, Agami Heron, Bare-crowned Antbird, and OIivaceous Piculet in the village's shady pathways. In the open river environment, we anticipate seeing the range restricted Dusky-backed Jacamar, Barred Puffbird, and Spectacled Parrotlet. Following our excursion to Nuevo Vigia, we will transfer our lodge that will be our base for the entire canal zone leg of the tour.
Day 6: Pipeline Road and Gamboa
We will spend the morning birding along the famous Pipeline Road. Hundreds of species can be found along Pipeline Road, a trail that winds through Soberania National Park's lowland rainforest. These species include Red-capped Manakin, Black Hawk-Eagle, Purple-throated Fruitcrow, Slaty-tailed Trogon, Spotted Antbird, Cinnamon Woodpecker, and a few less common species like Ocellated Antbird, Streak-chested Antpitta, and Pheasant Cuckoo. In order to search the open wetland for Rufescent Tiger-Heron, Purple Gallinule, Wattled Jacana, White-throated Crake, Greater Ani, Yellow-tailed Oriole, and forest edge species, we will first visit the Ammo Dump Ponds. We will have a stroll in Gamboa's town and reserve in the afternoon. This region is especially "birdy," a diverse range of habitats with trails through the forests, open spaces, and wetlands.
Day 7: Panama Rainforest Discovery Center and Summit Ponds
A trip to the Panama Rainforest Discovery Center will elevate us above the rainforest's canopy on their 100 ft tower where Yellow-throated Toucan, Blue Cotinga, Black-breasted Puffbird, and Gray-headed Kite are frequently spotted Observing raptor migration from above the canopy is another fantastic opportunity. The Blue-crowned Manakin, Black-headed Antthrush, Red-throated Ant-Tanager, White-whiskered Puffbird, and many more species will be sought after as we stroll the trails. White-necked Jacobin, Violet-bellied Hummingbird, Long-billed Hermit, and other magnificent hummingbirds may be seen up close on the covered veranda with buzzing hummingbird feeders. We'll drive to Summit Ponds and the Old Gamboa Road after lunch and a nap to search for American Pygmy Kingfisher, Lesser Kiskadee, Gray-cowled Wood-Rail, Collared Forest-Falcon, Gartered Trogon, and other forest species.
Day 8: Cerro Azul & Bay of Panama
Today we will spend the day birding in the cooler slopes of Chagres National Park and Cerro Azul. It is among the best locations to search for Black-eared Wood-Quail, White-ruffed Manakin, Yellow-eared Toucanet, Sulphur-rumped, Emerald, Speckled, and Rufous-winged Tanagers, and the endemic Stripe-cheeked Woodpecker! We'll search the open spaces for Black-and-White Hawk-Eagles and King Vultures. The White-tipped Sicklebill, Violet-capped Hummingbird, Snowy-bellied Hummingbird, Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer, Green Hermit, Purple-crowned Fairy, and the very cute Rufous-crested Coquette are just a few of the hummingbird species that may be seen atop Cerro Azul. We’ll enjoy a picnic lunch in the field, surrounded by the beautiful nature and climate of Cerro Azul. In the afternoon we’ll stop at Costa del Este or Panama Viejo to scan the mangroves and mudflats for shorebirds and waterbirds.
Day 9: Metropolitan Natural Park & drive to El Valle de Anton
Following breakfast, we will head to Metropolitan Natural Park. A wonderful diversity of birds may be seen in this protected dry forest inside Panama City's boundaries, including; Orange-billed Sparrow, Rosy Thrush-Tanager, Collared Forest-Falcon, Lance-tailed Manakin, Rufous-and-white Wren, Common Potoo, and Bright-rumped Attila. This park is home to the endemic Yellow-green Tyrannulet and is a great spot to see a variety of flycatcher species. We'll explore some of the park's well-kept trails and open spaces during the morning. We will travel to El Valle and arrive in town in the middle of the afternoon after spending the morning birdwatching. We are going to look for additional foothills specialties this afternoon. We'll go to Sendero Las Minas and the La Mesa region, which is a route on a little plateau on the crater's edge. It's a pleasant place to keep an eye out for the Northern Emerald-Toucanet, Spot-crowned Antvireo, White-tipped Sicklebill, Green Hermit, Black-faced Grosbeak, Bay-headed, Golden-hooded, and Silver-throated Tanagers. Spotted Woodcreeper, Dull-mantled Antbird, and even the rare Rufous-vented Ground-Cuckoo can be found in this area.
Day 10: La Mesa, Cerro Gaital, and Cara Iguana Road
Today we will continue exploring the El Valle area. We'll go back to the Cerro Gaital National Monument in the La Mesa area. In the broad fields and above the skies, we will look for Wedge-tailed Grass-Finch, Barred Hawk, Swallow-tailed Kite, Crested Oropendola, Lineated Woodpecker, and Southern Lapwing. The Gaital Hill hike is home to a variety of species, such as the Red-crowned Ant-Tanager, Olive-striped Flycatcher, Green-crowned Brilliant, Stripe-throated Hermit, Song Wren, Tawny-crested Tanager, White-ruffed Manakin, and Slaty Antwren. We return to our hotel for lunch and a break in the early afternoon. Cara Iguana Road, a serene location on the town's edge, is a great place to dry forest species and we will visit here in the afternoon. Lesson's Motmot, Rufous-breasted Wren, White-winged Becard, White Hawk, Spectacled Owl, Garden Emerald, Long-billed Starthroat, Barred Antshrike, Yellow-crowned Euphonia, Yellow Tyrannulet, Boat-billed Flycatcher, and numerous other species that can be found in this productive birding area are among the many that we will be watching for.
Day 11: Altos del Maria
We will be going in 4x4 trucks today as we ascend higher ground in the direction of Altos del Maria. Barred Hawk, Dull-mantled Antbird, White-tipped Sicklebill, Russet Antshrike, Black-and-yellow Tanager, Snowcap, Ochraceous Wren, Common Chlorospingus, Dusky-faced Tanager, Red-faced Spinetail, and Black-crowned Antpitta can all be found along the back road to this lovely highland area on the caldera's eastern rim. We will take in expansive views of the enormous surrounding woodland as we fly down the road. Occasionally, a Barred Hawk or Ornate Hawk-Eagle can be spotted flying overhead! In the afternoon we will return to El Valle for some relaxing birding.
Day 12: El Valle and return to Panama City
We will depart from the beautiful El Valle region early today and head to the barren scrubby landscapes and wide fields of Juan Hombron and El Chiru in the lowlands that border the Pacific Ocean. These are excellent locations to see a variety of raptors, such as the Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture, Pearl Kite, Great Black and Savanna hawks, and Crested Caracara. We will go to a variety of locations, including rice fields, open scrubby regions, marshes, and farm fields in pursuit of Pacific lowland specialists, including the near endemic Veraguan Mango, Crested Bobwhite, Pale-eyed Pygmy-Tyrant, Lance-tailed Manakin, Plain-breasted Spinetail, Northern Scrub-Flycatcher, and Straight-billed Woodcreeper. We may find a variety of water birds here, such as wood storks, herons, ibises, shorebirds, and more! If time permits, we'll go to Anton or Punta Chame's mangroves to see even more birds! Black-crowned Night-Heron, Willet, Reddish Egret, American Oystercatcher, and others can be found. We'll travel back to Panama City after a late lunch where the tour will conclude or you may choose to continue on the Bocos del Toro - Tranquilo Bay extension.
Day 13: Depart from Panama City
After arrival in Panama we will transfer to a neabry airport hotel. For guests arriving in the afternoon we will be able to explore the grounds of the hotel. This area is home to several common species, such as Variable Seedeater, Red-crowned Woodpecker, Yellow-headed Caracara, Clay-colored Thrush, and Crimson-backed and Blue-gray Tanagers. We'll have dinner this evening and get ready for the next few days of birding in eastern Panama.
Day 2: Nusagandi & Rio Torti
We will depart from our hotel in Panama City after an early breakfast and head toward the Darien, one of the country's most biodiverse regions. The Guna Yala indigenous people's protected region, Nusagandi, will be our first destination. Several significant birds, including the rare Sapayoa which is the sole member of its family. Other birds here include Spiny-faced Antshrike and Slate-throated Antshrike, Black-crowned Antpitta, Chestnut-backed Antbird, Rufous-winged and Black-and- yellow Tanagers, and many more. Following our exploration of these abundant Caribbean slope woods, we will carry on in the direction of Torti. The regions surrounding the Torti River offer excellent habitat for a variety of species, such as the Barred Puffbird, Amazon Kingfisher, White-eared Conebill, Little Cuckoo, Pacific Antwren, and Orange-crowned Oriole.
Day 3: San Francisco Reserve & birding along the Pan-American Highway
Numerous important species of the region can be found at the San Francisco Reserve near Torti, which offers a wide range of habitats from open savanna to mature rainforest. San Francisco is an excellent location for the endemic Yellow-green Tyrannulet, and other such as Sulphur-rumped Tanager, Red-crowned Meadowlark, Royal Flycatcher, and Rusty-winged Antwren, Great Jacamar, Stripe-cheeked Woodpecker, Speckled Mourner, Golden-collared Manakin, Central American Pygmy-Owl, and, with extreme luck, Wing-banded Antbird! Black-and-white Hawk-Eagles, King Vultures, and occasionally even Harpy Eagles may be seen soaring overhead, making this an excellent place to explore the sky for soaring raptors. Numerous unique animals, including Ocelots and Colombian Spider Monkeys, may be found in the mature forests of San Francisco Reserve. We will head east into Darien province after lunch at a neighbourhood restaurant in Torti, where fruit and nectar feeders provide excellent hummingbird viewing and photographic chances. We will investigate the distant reaches of the Pan-American Highway this afternoon. We will search the marshy vegetation of the Yaviza wetlands for Black-capped Donacobius, Yellow-hooded Blackbird, and perhaps even a Gray-breasted Crake from the grasses. Spend the night at the Bellagio Hotel Meteti or a comparable establishment.
Day 4: Harpy Eagle Nest
We will leave early, and today's trip will involve driving for about an hour, crossing the Chucunaque River in a dug-out canoe, and walking through Darien forest to the nest of Harpy Eagles. Several additional birds, such as the Gray-cheeked Nunlet, Choco Sirystes, Black Oropendola, and Golden-headed Manakin we hope to see throughout our hike. Along the way, we'll keep an eye out for mammals; Mantled Howler Monkey, Northern Tamandua,
Sloths, Geoffroy's Tamarin, and perhaps even a Tayra! Following our stay at the nest, we retrace our steps back to our hotel, stopping at key locations along the way for a little bit more birding.
Day 5: Darein Lowlands Birding
Among the indiginous people of the Darien are the Embera people. We're going to Nuevo Vigia, which is one of their communities, today. This hamlet is home to several regional specialties and is bordered by excellent habitat. To get there, we'll begin the day in a dugout canoe on the Chucunaque River, where we'll keep an eye out for Mangrove Swallow, Gray-lined Hawk, Green Ibis, Capped and Cocoi Herons, and Great Potoo roosting on the water's edge. We will search for Red-billed Scythebill, Agami Heron, Bare-crowned Antbird, and OIivaceous Piculet in the village's shady pathways. In the open river environment, we anticipate seeing the range restricted Dusky-backed Jacamar, Barred Puffbird, and Spectacled Parrotlet. Following our excursion to Nuevo Vigia, we will transfer our lodge that will be our base for the entire canal zone leg of the tour.
Day 6: Pipeline Road and Gamboa
We will spend the morning birding along the famous Pipeline Road. Hundreds of species can be found along Pipeline Road, a trail that winds through Soberania National Park's lowland rainforest. These species include Red-capped Manakin, Black Hawk-Eagle, Purple-throated Fruitcrow, Slaty-tailed Trogon, Spotted Antbird, Cinnamon Woodpecker, and a few less common species like Ocellated Antbird, Streak-chested Antpitta, and Pheasant Cuckoo. In order to search the open wetland for Rufescent Tiger-Heron, Purple Gallinule, Wattled Jacana, White-throated Crake, Greater Ani, Yellow-tailed Oriole, and forest edge species, we will first visit the Ammo Dump Ponds. We will have a stroll in Gamboa's town and reserve in the afternoon. This region is especially "birdy," a diverse range of habitats with trails through the forests, open spaces, and wetlands.
Day 7: Panama Rainforest Discovery Center and Summit Ponds
A trip to the Panama Rainforest Discovery Center will elevate us above the rainforest's canopy on their 100 ft tower where Yellow-throated Toucan, Blue Cotinga, Black-breasted Puffbird, and Gray-headed Kite are frequently spotted Observing raptor migration from above the canopy is another fantastic opportunity. The Blue-crowned Manakin, Black-headed Antthrush, Red-throated Ant-Tanager, White-whiskered Puffbird, and many more species will be sought after as we stroll the trails. White-necked Jacobin, Violet-bellied Hummingbird, Long-billed Hermit, and other magnificent hummingbirds may be seen up close on the covered veranda with buzzing hummingbird feeders. We'll drive to Summit Ponds and the Old Gamboa Road after lunch and a nap to search for American Pygmy Kingfisher, Lesser Kiskadee, Gray-cowled Wood-Rail, Collared Forest-Falcon, Gartered Trogon, and other forest species.
Day 8: Cerro Azul & Bay of Panama
Today we will spend the day birding in the cooler slopes of Chagres National Park and Cerro Azul. It is among the best locations to search for Black-eared Wood-Quail, White-ruffed Manakin, Yellow-eared Toucanet, Sulphur-rumped, Emerald, Speckled, and Rufous-winged Tanagers, and the endemic Stripe-cheeked Woodpecker! We'll search the open spaces for Black-and-White Hawk-Eagles and King Vultures. The White-tipped Sicklebill, Violet-capped Hummingbird, Snowy-bellied Hummingbird, Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer, Green Hermit, Purple-crowned Fairy, and the very cute Rufous-crested Coquette are just a few of the hummingbird species that may be seen atop Cerro Azul. We’ll enjoy a picnic lunch in the field, surrounded by the beautiful nature and climate of Cerro Azul. In the afternoon we’ll stop at Costa del Este or Panama Viejo to scan the mangroves and mudflats for shorebirds and waterbirds.
Day 9: Metropolitan Natural Park & drive to El Valle de Anton
Following breakfast, we will head to Metropolitan Natural Park. A wonderful diversity of birds may be seen in this protected dry forest inside Panama City's boundaries, including; Orange-billed Sparrow, Rosy Thrush-Tanager, Collared Forest-Falcon, Lance-tailed Manakin, Rufous-and-white Wren, Common Potoo, and Bright-rumped Attila. This park is home to the endemic Yellow-green Tyrannulet and is a great spot to see a variety of flycatcher species. We'll explore some of the park's well-kept trails and open spaces during the morning. We will travel to El Valle and arrive in town in the middle of the afternoon after spending the morning birdwatching. We are going to look for additional foothills specialties this afternoon. We'll go to Sendero Las Minas and the La Mesa region, which is a route on a little plateau on the crater's edge. It's a pleasant place to keep an eye out for the Northern Emerald-Toucanet, Spot-crowned Antvireo, White-tipped Sicklebill, Green Hermit, Black-faced Grosbeak, Bay-headed, Golden-hooded, and Silver-throated Tanagers. Spotted Woodcreeper, Dull-mantled Antbird, and even the rare Rufous-vented Ground-Cuckoo can be found in this area.
Day 10: La Mesa, Cerro Gaital, and Cara Iguana Road
Today we will continue exploring the El Valle area. We'll go back to the Cerro Gaital National Monument in the La Mesa area. In the broad fields and above the skies, we will look for Wedge-tailed Grass-Finch, Barred Hawk, Swallow-tailed Kite, Crested Oropendola, Lineated Woodpecker, and Southern Lapwing. The Gaital Hill hike is home to a variety of species, such as the Red-crowned Ant-Tanager, Olive-striped Flycatcher, Green-crowned Brilliant, Stripe-throated Hermit, Song Wren, Tawny-crested Tanager, White-ruffed Manakin, and Slaty Antwren. We return to our hotel for lunch and a break in the early afternoon. Cara Iguana Road, a serene location on the town's edge, is a great place to dry forest species and we will visit here in the afternoon. Lesson's Motmot, Rufous-breasted Wren, White-winged Becard, White Hawk, Spectacled Owl, Garden Emerald, Long-billed Starthroat, Barred Antshrike, Yellow-crowned Euphonia, Yellow Tyrannulet, Boat-billed Flycatcher, and numerous other species that can be found in this productive birding area are among the many that we will be watching for.
Day 11: Altos del Maria
We will be going in 4x4 trucks today as we ascend higher ground in the direction of Altos del Maria. Barred Hawk, Dull-mantled Antbird, White-tipped Sicklebill, Russet Antshrike, Black-and-yellow Tanager, Snowcap, Ochraceous Wren, Common Chlorospingus, Dusky-faced Tanager, Red-faced Spinetail, and Black-crowned Antpitta can all be found along the back road to this lovely highland area on the caldera's eastern rim. We will take in expansive views of the enormous surrounding woodland as we fly down the road. Occasionally, a Barred Hawk or Ornate Hawk-Eagle can be spotted flying overhead! In the afternoon we will return to El Valle for some relaxing birding.
Day 12: El Valle and return to Panama City
We will depart from the beautiful El Valle region early today and head to the barren scrubby landscapes and wide fields of Juan Hombron and El Chiru in the lowlands that border the Pacific Ocean. These are excellent locations to see a variety of raptors, such as the Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture, Pearl Kite, Great Black and Savanna hawks, and Crested Caracara. We will go to a variety of locations, including rice fields, open scrubby regions, marshes, and farm fields in pursuit of Pacific lowland specialists, including the near endemic Veraguan Mango, Crested Bobwhite, Pale-eyed Pygmy-Tyrant, Lance-tailed Manakin, Plain-breasted Spinetail, Northern Scrub-Flycatcher, and Straight-billed Woodcreeper. We may find a variety of water birds here, such as wood storks, herons, ibises, shorebirds, and more! If time permits, we'll go to Anton or Punta Chame's mangroves to see even more birds! Black-crowned Night-Heron, Willet, Reddish Egret, American Oystercatcher, and others can be found. We'll travel back to Panama City after a late lunch where the tour will conclude or you may choose to continue on the Bocos del Toro - Tranquilo Bay extension.
Day 13: Depart from Panama City