
February 4 - February 14
The Best of Panama *FULL*
Located at the intersection of North and South America, Panama is a volcanic isthmus that rose from the sea a mere 3 million years ago to form what is nicknamed the Monkey’s Bridge. This geologic link allowed the exchange overland of mammals, birds and plants, and contributed to Panama’s incredible biological diversity. Over 1000 bird species have been seen in this tropical paradise slightly smaller than the state of South Carolina.
Join Dan and Candace as we explore an exciting diversity of regions and habitats, seeking some of the most beautiful birds in Central America. We’ll begin our trip with a visit to the remote Darien Lowlands as we quest to find the majestic and powerful Harpy Eagle! We’ll stay three nights in Meteti and will make several forays to birding hotspots into nearby protected forest habitats, seeking exciting birds such as Gray-cheeked Nunlet and Pale-bellied Hermit, along with a raucous array of parrots and toucans. We’ll also search for some regional specialties such as Double-banded Graytail, Barred Puffbird and Rufous-tailed Jacamar, and a wide array of flycatchers, tanagers and raptors.
Next we’ll visit the cloud forest and stay in the village of El Valle, a birder’s paradise located inside the caldera of the easternmost volcano (now extinct) of the boat! Some special birds we’ll be hoping to see include Tody Motmot, Rosy Thrush-tanager, Black-crowned Antpitta, Streak-chested Antpitta, Barred Forest-Falcon, and White-tipped Sicklebill. The forest also hosts both Brown-throated Three-toed and Hoffmann’s Two-toed sloths, as well as some rarer mammals including Rothschild’s Porcupine and Greater Grison.
We’ll spend several days visiting parks that surround the Panama Canal and protect important ecosystems and the watershed that helps keep this important shipping channel filled with water. We will look for Slaty-tailed Trogon, Golden-collared Manakin, Green Shrike-vireo, Blue Cotinga, Ocellated Antbird and many others as we walk the famous Pipeline Road in Soberania National Park. We’ll visit Gamboa Road and Summit Ponds, reliable for both Boat-billed and Capped Herons, and we’ll also stop at the Panama Rainforest Discovery Center where Great Tinamou, Whooping Motmot and a wide variety of tropical hummingbirds are likely. We’ll cap our trip with a visit to the famous Miraflores Locks and Visitor Center. Please join us for this wild and wonderful adventure!
Explore Panama with us!
Located at the intersection of North and South America, Panama is a volcanic isthmus that rose from the sea a mere 3 million years ago to form what is nicknamed the Monkey’s Bridge. This geologic link allowed the exchange overland of mammals, birds and plants, and contributed to Panama’s incredible biological diversity. Over 1000 bird species have been seen in this tropical paradise slightly smaller than the state of South Carolina.
Register!Accessibility
Distance: Distance walked will vary every day, but you can expect to walk up to 5 miles per day in some locations.
Elevation changes: Varies by location. Usually not steep, but trails may be muddy and uneven, and some days will include walks with moderate elevation gain. Conditions in the Darien lowlands will be hot and humid.
Trail: A wide variety of roads and trails, including packed earth single track.
Pacing: Our trips are generally slow and travel at a naturalist’s pace, though on longer hikes there may be some walking at a moderate pace in order to reach our destination (and get back!) Expect very early morning departures on our full birding days. You will be given opportunities to take a morning or afternoon off as you desire.
Trip Details
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- Dates: February 4-14, 2025
- Trip Leaders: Dan van den Broek and Candace Larson
- Trip Fee: $5190 members / $6035 non-members
- Deposit: $2595
- Single supplement: $800 (Limited Single Supplements available, please consider sharing a room.)
- Group size: Limited to 12 participants
- Fee Includes: All accommodation and meals starting with dinner on Day 1 and ending with breakfast on Day 11. Ground transportation within Panama. All local guide fees, park entrance fees, excursions, and the services of your skilled leaders. A portion of your fee is a tax-deductible contribution to Bird Alliance of Oregon.
- Fee Does Not Include: International airfares, alcoholic or carbonated beverages, travel insurance or personal expenses.
- Full trip itinerary coming soon!