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Highlights of Birding in Panama – 12 Days / 11 Nights

Interested in birding in the new tropics?

This trip will amaze you with the unbelievable diversity of bird species found in Panama. This is a get-close-to-nature experience in some of Panama’s best ecolodges.

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 6: Sierra Llorona Lodge

This rainforest is home to the Great Tinamou, Gray Hawk, Barred Forest Falcon, Gray–headed Chachalaca, Blue-headed Parrot, Shining Honeycreeper, Palm Tanager, Indigo Bunting and much more. Box lunch. In the afternoon transfer back to Panama City. Night in Panama City. (B,L).

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 Bambito Hotel. (B,L).

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 Bambito Hotel.

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. (B,L).

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.