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 Panama is a land of contrasts. While it
is the glue between North and South America, it lies oddly
in an east-west direction. From tropical seas to sub-tropical
treeline, Panama crams an amazing ecological diversity into
a small space. The bird list for the country - about the size
of New Brunswick - is close to 1000 species. Birders who have
travelled to Costa Rica will see many familiar subtropical
species, but Panama also has a decidedly South American flavour
in its bird life too. |
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Jump to the Extension Our Proposed Itinerary is as follows: Day 1 – Monday, Feb. 27 Arrival and transfer to Hotel Marbella in Panama City. Nattur Panama crew will meet the group at the airport for a 30 minute drive to the city. Day 2 – Tuesday, Feb. 28 We catch an early flight to Bocas del Toro, on the Caribbean coast of northwestern Panama. Our flight from Panama city to Bocas del Toro will give us a dramatic introduction to Panama’s ecological diversity. Half of the flight is over the blue green primary forest of the Caribbean slope and then we pass over tropical seas and the archipelago of Bastimentos Island National Marine Park. After we check in at the Hotel Bocas del Toro, we’ll bird in the afternoon along the Island road, looking for species like Montezuma Oropendola, Collared Seedeater, and White-Crowned Pigeon. It’s also an opportunity to observe the diversity in color of the Cherry poisonous arrow frogs (Dendrobatus pumilos). Day 3 – Wednesday, Mar. 01 Just before breakfast, we take a boat ride to Swan Cay for pelagic birds like jaegers, Red-billed Tropicbird, Brown Booby, and more common Caribbean species. Back for breakfast and take a boat ride to Bastimentos Island National Marine Park. You should take a swim suit, because the Caribbean is warm and clear. Snorkelling equipment can be rented in town, and you’ll be rewarded with some of the more than 200 species of tropical fish that are found in the park. Overnight at Swan Cay Hotel.
Day 4 – Thursday, Mar. 02 After breakfast, we’ll take a boat ride to the town of Almirante on the mainland, and then drive into the mountains, to Willie Mazu Ecological Ranch, with roadside birding along the way. Willie Mazu is a rustic but well-equipped lodge and well-known as a birding hotspot. Our target birds are forest-dwelling species like Snowy Cotinga, Pale-billed Woodpecker, White Hawk, Bat Falcon, Crimson-fronted Parakeet, Olive-crowned Yellowthroat and more. Day 5 – Friday, Mar. 03 All day birding for foothills birds. We may see as many as 16 species of tanagers, including Speckled, Emerald, Rufus-winged, Scarlet-thighed, Black and Yellow, and Crimsom-collared Tanagers. Birding around the grounds of Willie Mazu will also produce hummingbirds, motmots, puffbirds, and perhaps a Lattice-tailed Trogon, endemic to Panama and Costa Rica. Overnight at Willie Mazu.
Day 6 – Saturday, Mar. 04 We’ll spend the morning birding in the cloud forest. In the afternoon when the birds are quiet, we’ll drive to Chiriqui highland, birding on the way. You can unpack your bags for three nights at the Hotel Dos Rios. Overnight at the Hotel Dos Rios.
Day 7 – Sunday, Mar. 05 All day birding at Volcan Baru National Park. At 3,475 meters, Volcan Baru is the highest point in Panama. The noisy but secretive Silver-fronted Tapaculo is found here, and we’ll search mixed flocks of resident and neotropical species for lifers. Overnight at the Hotel Dos Rios.
Day 8 – Monday, Mar. 06 Drive to La Amistad National Park. La Amistad means “Friendship” and this park is shared by Panama and Costa Rica. We’ll spend the day here, but we’ll only scratch the surface of its 207,000 hectares. Overnight at the Hotel Dos Rios.
Day 9 – Tuesday, Mar. 07 After breakfast we’ll check out and drive to Santiago, in Veraguas Province, birding along the way. Overnight at Hotel Piramidal.
Day 10 – Wednesday, Mar. 08 After breakfast we’ll drive to Santa Maria Lagoon for water birds. Then we’ll continue to Panama City, and cross the isthmus to the Atlantic side. Overnight at Hotel Melia Panama Canal in Colon.
Day 11 – Thursday, Mar. 09 Today is a full day birding in an area well known for birds, around Achiote Rd. and Fort Sherman Rd. Now that we are in Central Panama, we will see more birds typical of South America. Striking birds such as Blue Cotinga, and Dusky-faced and Sulphur-rumped Tanagers are seen regularly. Overnight at Hotel Melia.
Day 12 – Friday, Mar. 10 In the morning birding at Galeta Island Rd. In the evening drive to Panama City. Overnight at Hotel Marbella.
Day 13 – Saturday, Mar. 11 We’ll do a full day of birding at the famed Pipeline Road, and around the town of Gamboa. It’s a place to look for birds gathering around colonies of army ants, including – you guessed it – antbirds. Spotted, Ocellated, Bicoloured, Dusky, and more are possible. Overnight at Hotel Marbella.
Day 14 – Sunday, Mar. 12 In the morning birding at Old Gamboa Rd. in the afternoon, looking for Boat-billed and perhaps Capped Herons, and shorebirds at the mudflats. Overnight at Hotel Marbella.
Day 15 – Monday, Mar. 13 Departure, or continue on the Harpy Eagle extension. |
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HARPY
EAGLE EXTENSION Day 19 – Friday, Mar.
17
Departure to your home city. EXTENSION RATE $575.00 US per person, based on double occupancy, minimum 4 participants EXTENSION RATES INCLUDE - From Panama City, all surface, in-tour air and boat transport. - Accommodation in tents; all sleeping equipment provided. - Final night in Panama City at Hotel Roma. - All meals and non-alcoholic beverages, admissions and leadership. EXTENSION RATES DO NOT INCLUDE - Suggested gratuities of $10.00 US/day - Items of personal nature such as laundry, gifts, etc. |
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TOUR RATE Based on 16 participants cost is $2,498.00 US per person,
double occupancy. |
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Bookings cannot be processed unless accompanied by
a completed, signed and dated Tour
Reservation Form (2 pages). |
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Medical and Cancellation Insurance is strongly recommended in order to protect your investment. Cancellation Insurance must be requested at time of booking. |
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You are required to carry a valid passport with an
expiry date of six (6) months past reentry into your home country. Please contact the travel clinic in your area
for advice. British Columbia residents may consult Travel
Medicine & Vaccination Centres. Telephone 604-681-5656 in Vancouver
or toll free 1-888-288-8682. |
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| READING
LIST - A Guide to the Birds of Panama (Princeton University Press) - Field Guide to the Birds of North America (Nat. Geographic Society) Beginning of Itinerary |
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Tours & Safaris 2000-2006 Last updated April 9, 2006 |