Birdwatcher's Paradise in Panama 2008

(10days/9 nights)

This itinerary concentrates on the abundant birdlife of Central and Western Panama. Not only are these areas incredibly diverse in terms of tropical habitats and birds, but they also happen to be easily accessible from the comforts of nice lodges and hotels. In fact nearly half of our outings will be based out of cosmopolitan Panama City.

Program Highlights:
Metropolitan Park Panama City Wetlands Pipeline Road and Soberania Nat'l Park Cerro Azul/Cerro Jefe Achiote Road La Amistad Biosphere Reserve Search for Quetzals at the Baru Volcano N.P.

Also Available:

• Pre-Trip Panama Canal Transit.
• Post-Trip Darien Jungle Expedition.
• 2008 Christmas Bird Count in Panama !
• Would like to see a Harpy Eagle in the wild?

Check out the report from the Tennessee Ornithological Society's Birding Expedition with Advantage Tours

Panama has so many other life zones that it would take you more time to explore them. In some cases, you would have to go off the beaten path and away from the comforts of your city hotel to experience these other birding hotspots, please contact us for specialties.

ITINERARY:

Day 1: Arrive in Panama City, Panama
Upon your arrival at the Tocumen International Airport, you will be transferred to your hotel in Panama City.

Day 2: Metropolitan Nature Park / Panama City
After breakfast this morning, we will visit nearby Metropolitan Nature Park. This is perhaps the only rainforest within a major capital city in Latin America. Despite its proximity to cosmopolitan Panama City, it boasts a great variety of fauna, especially birds. We will be in the lookout for such specialties as Lance-tailed Manakin, Rosy Thrush-tanager, Orange-billed Sparrow, Rufous-and-white Wren, Blue-crowned Motmot, White-bellied Antbird, and with some luck, the endemic Yellow-green Tyrannulet. Later today you will enjoy a historical tour of the French Quarter and Old Panama City. We will of course keep our eyes in the sky and on the mudflats for seabirds like Magnificent Frigatebirds, Neotropical Cormorants, Brown Pelicans, as well as shorebirds including White Ibis, Yellow-crowned Night-herons, Collared Plovers, Gull-billed Terns, Marbled Godwit, Ruddy Turnstones, and many more. This place has even been declared a site of Hemispheric Importance by the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network as well as a Wetland of International Importance by the RAMSAR Convention.

Day 3: Pipeline Road
Today you will have the opportunity to hike along the world famous Pipeline Road at the Soberanía National Park. With just over 48,287 acres, this park contains an outstanding biodiversity, including most of the 500 species of birds recorded for the Panama Canal area. Frequently you can come across a mix-species foraging flock containing literally dozens of different birds like Dot-winged and White-flanked Antwrens, Fasciated and Western-slaty Antshrike, Plain Xenops, Olivaceous Flatbill, Black-tailed Flycatcher, Cocoa Woodcreeper, and many more. This area is also famous for the occurrence of Army Ants swarms who by raiding the forest floor flush out many insects that in turn attract a series of properly named Antbirds, like the Spotted, Bicolored, and Ocellated Antbirds; along with many Woodcreepers including Northern-barred, Plain-brown, and Black-striped. In addition, you may come across a Gray-headed Tanager, or an opportunistic White-whiskered Puffbird, or even an elusive Streak-chested Antpitta.

Day 4: Cerro Azul / Cerro Jefe
After an early drive this morning, we will be birding the foothills of the Chagres National Park. With over 320,000 acres this is the largest protected area in the Panama Canal Watershed. Here we can find humid forest species like Rufous-crested Coquette, Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer, White-tipped Sicklebill, and even the endemic Stripe-cheeked Woodpecker. At close to 3,000 feet above sea level, in the Cerro Jefe area you will come across some mountain specialties like the Scale-crested Pygmy-tyrant, Spotted Woodcreeper, Yellow-eared Toucanet, Black-and-Yellow, Bay-headed, Rufous-winged, and Olive Tanagers; as well as an opportunity for the nearly endemic Tacarcuna Bush-tanager.

Day 5: Plantation Road, Soberania Nat'l Park
We will be visiting another great trail inside the Soberania National Park. At the Plantation Road we will be in the look out for other interesting inhabitants of the lowland rainforests including Black-chested Jays, Black-breasted Puffbirds, Purple-throated Fruitcrows, among many others. In addition, we will also search the skies above for raptors like White Hawk, Bat Falcon, Black Hawk-eagle, and even a majestic King Vulture.

Later in the afternoon, you will understand why Panama harbors such a high biodiversity, as the landscape changes dramatically after our short 50-minute flight to the Chiriqui Province.

Day 6: Baru Volcano National Park
Today we will explore the forests of the Los Quetzales Trail at the Baru Volcano National Park. Because of it's importance in preserving unique elements of the flora and fauna, the UNESCO has declared this area a Biosphere Reserve. Amidst the moss-covered, epiphyte-laden trees of the cloudforest we may spot Buffy Tufted-cheek, Sooty-capped Bush-tanager, Long-tailed Silky-Flycatcher, and Large-footed Finch. Flowering bushes by the trail may yield White-throated Mountain-gem, Stripe-tailed, Scintillant, and Volcano Hummingbirds .

Later today, we will visit the Dracula Orchid Farm where we will amuse our eyes to these enchanting flowers, all the while staying in the lookout for Silver-throated Tanager, Black-faced Solitaire, Ruddy-capped Nightingale-thrush, Magnificent Hummingbird, and others.

Day 7: Western Foothills and Coffee Plantations

Today we will explore nearby forests in search of foothill bird species. We will start by visiting the Volcan Lakes where we may discover some waders like Northern Jacana, Masked Duck, Least and Pied-billed Greebes. In addition, the lush forest around the lakes may yield Olivaceous Piculet, Slaty Spinetail, and possibly the nearly endemic Fiery-billed Aracari.

After lunch we will drive towards Rio Sereno near the Costa Rican border where we will be birding around coffee plantations. While we learn about this important activity as a sustainable economic practice, we may discover brightly colored birds like Scarlet-thighed Dacnis, Red-faced Spinetail, Pale-billed Woodpecker, as well as the spectacular Turquoise Cotinga are possible.

Day 8: La Amistad International Park

Early in the morning we will travel into La Amistad International Park (jointly protected by Panama and Costa Rica). Endemism is high in this Important Bird Area (IBA) and we will make special efforts to see many birds restricted to the Chiriqui/Talamanca Range. We are not only referring to the plain brown minute jobs like Zeledonia or the skulking Silvery-fronted Tapaculo, but rather to some of the most gaudy birds in the World, like the Spangle-cheeked Tanager, Collared Redstart, and the Flame-throated Warbler. There we may also find the gorgeous Resplendent Quetzal.

Late in the afternoon, we will be transferred back to David, where we will board our flight back to Panama City. Time permitting, we may bird the airport grounds for Fork-tailed Flycatcher, Brown-throated Parakeet, and the endemic Veraguan Mango.

Day 9: Achiote Road
Today we will be birding in an area that constantly finds itself in the Top positions of the Audubon Society's Christmas Bird Counts, with 300-plus bird lists in a 24-hr period. Following our drive over to Atlantic side of the Isthmus, we will be birding along the world-famous Achiote Road. This area is well known for its specialties like Bare-crowned Antbird, Blue Cotinga, Bay Wren, Pied Puffbird, and rarities like the Spot-crowned Barbet and White-headed Wren.

After a busy morning birding Achiote Road, we will explore the open fields around Gatun Dam, searching for Red-breasted Blackbird, Eastern Meadowlark, and Common Black-Hawk before our journey back to the Pacific side for our farewell dinner.

Day 10: Departure
In the morning you will be driven to the Tocumen International Airport. With enough time, we could scout the nearby open areas searching for Savannah or Roadside hawk, Shiny Cowbird, Woodstork, and any other birds that may have eluded us, or you may continue on a Post-trip Extension to the Darien Jungle Expedition See details below

Land Cost
Birdwatcher's Paradise in Panama (10 days/ 9 nights): USD$1,785 per person plus sales tax (5%) from Panama City, based on double occupancy. Single Supplement: USD$345

Includes: Lodging in comfortable hotel/lodges, all meals, all local terrestrial, aquatic and air transportation within Panama, transfers, entrance fees, bilingual birding guide. As well as a donation to the conservation efforts of the Panama Audubon Society.

Does not Include: International airfare to Panama City, Panama, tourist card (USD$5), Airport departure tax (USD$20), alcoholic drinks, travel insurance, gratuities, and expenses of a personal nature (laundry, mini-bar, phone calls, medication, etc.).

Dates
In addition to the dates below, this program is available throughout the year upon request (click here)

• Sat. Jan 5, '08 - Mon. Jan 14, '08
• Sat. Feb 9, '08 - Mon. Feb 18, '08
• Sat. Feb 16, '08 - Mon. Feb 25, '08
• Sat. Mar 29, '08 - Mon. Apr 7, '08
• Sat. Apr 19, '08 - Mon. Apr 28, '08
• Sat. Jun 7, '08 - Mon. Jun 16, '08

Darien Jungle Expedition
(5 days/4 nights)

If the few hundred species recorded during our Birdwatcher's Paradise program just left your eyes wanting to see more, then we can offer exactly what you need. We will take you to a completely different region of Panama: the Darien Province. This is the largest region of Panama, yet the least populated. This condition allows the Darien to boast one of the last vast tracts of primary forest in Middle America. Moreover, the Darien region is one of the world's greatest Hot Spots of biodiversity.

Our Darien Jungle Expedition is designed to reveal a whole new cast of bird characters, species with a greater affinity to South America that will complement our sightings during your visit to Central and Western Panama. Plus a chance to visit large tracts of primary rainforest. Be advised that the remote locales that we will be visiting do not offer the comforts of city hotels and lodges, nor the fine dinning that you have tasted in other regions of Panama. For the most part we will be lodging in tents or in simple wooden huts up on stilts like those used by the native indians. It will be very rustic, but clean and safe. Mosquito netting as well as your choice of hammocks or air mattress would be provided. Moreover, you we will enjoy traditional meals with rice, fruits, plantains, chicken, tuna, and the like.

Day 10: Transfer to the Darien
After our farewells to departing trip participants we will head Southeast, towards the Darien Province. We will make a strategic stop at a newly discovered birding Hot Spot in Eastern Panama province. The privately-owned San Francisco Nature Reserve is one of the last remnants of lowland rainforest near the Pan-American Highway. Here we might be treated to uncommon lowland humid forest species like Streak-headed Woodcreeper, Black-headed Tody-Flycatcher, Speckled Mourner, Great Jacamar and Blue Cotinga; as well as some South American Specialties like Red-billed Scythebill, Rufous-winged Antwren, Orange-Crowned Oriole, among others.

Later today, we will continue our land journey to the base camp at around 1,800 feet in the Darien province. Along the way we may spot soaring White Hawk, Black Hawk-eagle, Solitary Eagle, among other birds.

Upon settling-in, you may opt to relax in the hammocks while enjoying the scenery, or we can start our explorations of the forests nearby which may produce Long-billed Starthroat, White-breasted Wood-wren, Blue Ground-Dove, among many others.

Day 11: Darien foothills & Primary Forest
We will start our first full day in the Darien jungle by walking into the nearby primary rainforest. This old-growth forest typically boasts towering emergent trees, huge lianas swinging through the canopy, as well as a rich epiphytic flora. This is one of the least known parts of the Panama. One could easily come across an unexpected bird or even discover a rare species. Along our trail we can hope to find Rufous Piha, Yellow-eared Toucanet, and Olive-striped Flycatcher. With some luck we can come across endangered game birds such as Crested Guan and Great Curassow.

Following lunch, we will continue our explorations of the primary forest in search of Russet Antshrike, Olive Tanager, Scaly-breasted Wren, etc. In addition, we are very likely to come across an army antswarm attracting numerous antbirds, including the beautiful and rare Black-crowned Antpitta. We may also find attending Ruddy and Black-striped Woodcreepers, among many other possibilities.

Day 12: Darien Highlands
Today we will awaken to the sounds of the rainforest. You will hear the raucous calls of forest-falcons, toucans, and howler and Brown-headed spider monkeys, as well as the melodious calls of Great Tinamous. After breakfast we will begin the ascend to the highlands of the Maje Range; along the way we may find various species of great interest like the Violet-headed Hummingbird, White-ruffed Manakin, Tody Motmot, Plain Antvireo, and Slaty Antwren.

Once we have passed the 3,000 ft. mark at the heart of the mist-covered cloudforest, we may start recording highland specialties such as Slaty-backed Nightingale-Thrush, Chestnut-capped Brushfinch, Black-and-yellow Tanager, the Violet-throated (emerald) Toucanet, as well as some near-endemic species like the Violet-capped Hummingbird, Russet-crowned Quail-dove, Varied Solitaire, and the Tacarcuna Bush-Tanager. At the top ridge around 4,000 ft, we may get lucky and come across the endemic Beautiful Treerunner.

Late in the afternoon we will return to camp to enjoy a well-deserved break. In the evening we might be serenaded by Vermiculated (Choco) Screech-owl, Black-and-white Owl and other nightlife.

Day 13: Birding Darien to Panama City
On our last day in the Darien province, we will have the option of either climbing back to the highland cloudforest to observe any of the specialty birds we might have missed. We may also continue exploring the primary forest in search of more rainforest birds like the White-fronted Nunbird, Black-tailed Trogon, Syristes, and even the rare Red-throated Caracara. We will certainly keep our eyes in the sky in search of a Barred Hawk, King Vulture, and Ornate Hawk-eagle.

After a light lunch, we will start our journey back to the lowlands and the Pan-American highway and on to Panama City. En route, we will stop near the Bayano Lake to look for other South American birds like Cocoi Heron, Pied Water-tyrant, as well as the near endemic Black Antshrike. Upon arrival in Panama City you will be transferred to your hotel.

Day 14: Departure
In the morning you will be driven to the Tocumen International Airport. If your flight allows we could look around the fields nearby and might discover a bird that may have avoided us during our adventures in this Birdwatcher's Paradise: maybe a Pale-breasted Spinetail, an American Pygmy Kingfisher, or a Southern Lapwing.

PRICE: 5 day/4 night at $395.00 plus 5% government Tax, staying at native huts/camping. Double occupancy. Single supp. $120.00

The price covers: all Guide services; all lodging while in Panama, meals as in the itinerary; ground transportation within Panama; entrance fees to sites.
It does not include: Round-trip International airfare to Panama, airport departure tax ($20); tourist entrance card ($5), gratuities, or personal items and expenses (laundry, phone calls, etc).

Panama Canal Transit Extension (2days/1night):

Day A: Arrival
Arrive in Panama City, transfer to your hotel. No meals

Day B: Panama Canal Transit
Board a medium-sized passenger vessel and learn first-hand about the operation of the Panama Canal as your specialized guide explains all the inner-workings of this Engineering Wonder of the World.

Depending on the date you will pass through two sets of locks (Partial Transit), or will enjoy an Ocean-to-Ocean journey. Later today you will be transferred to your hotel. Breakfast-Lunch provided, Dinner on your own.

Land Cost
Full Transit USD$295 per person from Panama City, based on double occupancy. Single Supplement: USD$70
Partial Transit USD$245 per person from Panama City, based on double occupancy. Single Supplement: USD$70

Includes: Lodging in comfortable hotel, meals as specified, all local terrestrial, aquatic and air transportation within Panama, transfers, entrance fees to Panama Canal Transit, bilingual guide.

Does not Include: International airfare to Panama City, Panama, tourist card (USD$5), Airport departure tax (USD$20), alcoholic drinks, travel insurance, gratuities, and expenses of a personal nature (laundry, mini-bar, phone calls, medication, etc.).