Containing more than 936 species of birds, 1,500 species of trees and over 7,000 vascular plants,  Panama is an ideal place for bird watching, nature observation, and photography. One of the best locations for birdwatching and viewing of rainforest flora and fauna is at the Sierra Llorona Lodge.

Following are two sample itineraries - 7 days and 12 days, focusing on the canal watershed and the highlands.

*Birdwatching Package #1

THE PANAMA CANAL WATERSHED EXPLORATION

7 DAYS / 6 NIGHTS

Featuring more than 300 species of birds at Pipeline Road, also the highland rainforest of Chiriqui on the Costa Rican border, Smithsonian’s Barro Colorado Island in the Panama Canal, the Chagres lowlands, three protected areas and more. This program includes some of Panama’s most exclusive eco-lodges and inns dedicated to birding enthusiasts.

Day 1: Arrive Panama City

Arrival Panama City and transfer to hotel.

Day 2: Metropolitan Natural Park and shorebirds / Gamboa Rainforest Villas

Breakfast and early departure for birding the Metropolitan Park where species such as Lancetailed Manakin, Orange bill sparrow and rosy thrush tanager can easily be observed.  After lunch and according to the ties  we will visit Panama Viejo mudflats for shorebirds observation.   Transfer to Gamboa Villas.

(BL)

Day 3: Pipeline Road / Gamboa Rainforest Villas

Early breakfast and departure to Pipeline Road in Soberania National Park. Pipeline Road is considered one of the best birding spots in the world. More than 300 species were spotted here in a single day during one of the Audubon Society’s Christmas Counts. Admire novelty birds such as the Staty-Tailed Trogon, Cinnamon Woodpecker, Antbirds, Antthrushes, Antshrikes, and Antwrens. Box lunch in the area. Night at the Gamboa Rainforest Villas.

Day 4: Barro Colorado Island (except on Monday and Thursday) or EcoCanal / Gamboa

After breakfast enjoy a guided excursion to Barro Colorado Nature Monument. This is a one-day tour that has been acclaimed by many journalists and scientists as one of the best tours in Panama. Barro Colorado became an island when the Chagres river basin was flooded to create Gatun Lake during the construction of the Panama Canal.  It was declared a biological reserve station in 1923, and since 1946 the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute has administered the island.  Depart by bus with naturalist guide to the town of Gamboa, at the mid-point of the Panama Canal. There, you will board a boat for a 45-minute trip through Gatun Lake to the area of Barro Colorado Nature Monument (BCNM). At Wheeler Cove on the West Side of Barro Colorado Island, and from the comfort and safety of our boat, observe the flora and fauna of the area. After an exploration of the coves, proceed to Peninsula Gigante on the mainland for a 2.2 km nature hike on the Cima Trail. After the hike, return to the station for a box lunch. After lunch return to Gamboa Rainforest Villas. (BL)

Day 5: Ahiote Road and Fort Sherman / Sierra Llorona Rainforest Lodge

Early breakfast and birding excursion to the Atlantic side of Panama wich is the most scenic drive in central Panama.  From the road you will see the remmants of the old sea level French Canal, drive through wooded hills and will be able to reach the Gatun Locks.  The woodland along the road is noted for trogons, motmots and numerous other forest and woodland birds.  Then we head to Achiote road and will hike the CEASPA new trail for other species such as White-headed and Stripe-breasted Wrens and Montezuma Oropendolas among others.  Night at Sierra Llorona Lodge, a family-owned private reserve, located 20 minutes from the city of Colon at 1,000 feet above sea level. The vegetation differs in variety and abundance; this is a place to enjoy nature, walk through the rainforest and discover a bird-rich area near the northeast end of the Panama Canal. Expect to see many different types of raptors, toucans, parrots, and hummingbirds. Look for the Pied and Black-breasted Puffbird, Blue-crowned Motmot, Red-capped Manakin and more than a hundred species of birds i the area. Night at Sierra Llorona Lodge. (BLD)

Day 6:  Sierra Llorona – Panama City

This rainforest is home to the Great and Little Tinamou, Black and White, Crested and Mottled Owl, Gray Hawk, Barred Forest Falcon, Gray–headed Chachalaca, Blue-headed Parrot, Shining Honeycreeper, Palm Tanager, Indigo Bunting, Long-tailed Hermit, Blue-crested Hummingbird and more. Box lunch in the field. In the afternoon transfer back to Panama City for overnight. (BL)

Day 7:  Depart Panama

Transfer to the international airport approximately two hours before your flight’s schedule departure time.

The program includes:

• Meet & greet upon arrival

• 6 nights of lodging

• Private transportation with a/c throughout the tour

• Meals as specified each day:  B=breakfast, L=lunch or D=dinner

• Guided excursions as specified

• Entrance fees to national parks and other attractions as specified

• English speaking guide throughout the tour

• Information kit

• All taxes

The program does not include:

• Optional activities

• International Airfare

• Departure taxes ($20.00 per person)

• Meals not specified in the itinerary

• Alcoholic beverages

• Personal equipment

• Extras in hotels (laundry, phone calls, room service)

• Medical and Cancellation Insurance

*Bird Watching Package #2

CANAL WATERSHED & HIGHLANDS: Highlights of Birding in Panama

12 DAYS / 11 NIGHTS

Enjoy the best of birding in Panama on a tour which includes the world famous Canopy Tower, Pipeline Road, the Smithsonian’s Barro Colorado Island, the highland cloud forests of Chiriqui on the Costa Rican border, the Chagres River lowlands near the Panama Canal, and 3 national parks. Stay in the country’s top eco-lodges dedicated to birders and enjoy nature-rich Panama with hundreds of bird species.

Day 1: Arrive Panama City

Arrival Panama City and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Panama.

Day 2 – Day 6: See “Panama Canal Watershed” Package.

Day 7:  Chiriqui Highlands / Cerro Punta

After breakfast, transfer to the local airport for a domestic flight to David.  Travel up 6,300 feet above sea level to the highlands of Volcan in the Pila Hill Formation of Friendship International Park.  Lunch upon arrival at the Bambito Hotel.  Bambito Hotel is near the forests where the resplendent Quetzal is found.  These magnificent birds, with their emerald green two-foot tails flowing behind them, are exceedingly rare in Central America.  Here your chances of seeing them are excellent. They are often accompanied by Emerald Toucanets.  Our first day will allow us to seek out Quetzals before dinner. Night at Cielito Sur Bed & Breakfast. (BL)

Day 8:  Birding in the Highlands / Cerro Punta

Early breakfast then we will begin our search for birds such as the Large-Footed Finches, Peg-Billed Finches, Black-Cheeked Warblers, Long-Tailed Silky Flycatchers, Zeledonias and Silvery-Fronted Tapaculo.  After lunch continue bird watching in Volcan Lakes for the Masked Duck, Northern Jacana, and other aquatic birds.  The Pale-Billed Woodpecker, Antbirds, Flycatchers and Tanagers may also be spotted.  Night at Cielito Sur.

Day 9: Chiriqui Highlands / Boquete

After an early breakfast, continue to Boquete for further middle- and high-elevation birding.  In the afternoon proceed to the Pacific slope at mid elevation and view birds such as the Red-Headed Barbet, Finca Lerida, Sepia-Capped Flycatcher, Emerald Tanager and Rufous-Browed Tyranulet.  Optional late afternoon birding by the rushing Caldera River, home of Dippers and Torrent Tyrannulets. Dinner and night at Villa Marita Lodge or Panamonte Hotel. (BL)

Day 10: Baru Volcano / Boquete

Early breakfast. Drive to Volcan Baru, at 8,000 feet above sea level, for highland birding, specifically to look for timberline species such as Silvery-Fronted Tapaculo, Silvery-Throated Jay, Black-Faced Solitaire and the Barred Becard. Lunch in the area. Dinner and night at Villa Marita Lodge or Panamonte.

Day 11:  Panama City

After breakfast, transfer to David Airport for flight to Panama City. Free afternoon at leisure. Farewell dinner and folkloric dance show at Tinajas Restaurant. Night at hotel in the city.

Day 12: Depart Panama

Transfer to the International Airport, approximately two hours before your flight’s scheduled departure time.