2013 Panama Canal Zone Tour

TOUR OVERVIEW

Our birding tour to Panama offers a unique mix of Central and South American bird species commingling in the area surrounding the Panama Canal Zone. The tour can be combined with our Panama Highlands tour for those wishing to also bird Chiriqui and Bocas del Toro Provinces in the west. In the Canal Zone we'll bird famed Pipeline Road, Old Gamboa Road, Cerro Azul and Chagres National Park around Cerro Jefe, Discovery Center, and Metropolitan National Park on the Pacific side plus Achiote Road and Fort Lorenzo on the Caribbean side. We'll stay in bed-and-breakfasts and ecolodges throughout the tour.

PHOTOS OF SOME POSSIBLE SPECIES ON TOUR

TOUR ITINERARY

DATE	ACTIVITY	MEALS	ACCOMMODATIONS
1-Sun 02/17	Arrival	D	Balboa Inn
2-Mon 02/18	All Day bird famed Pipeline Road.	BLD	Balboa Inn
3-Tue 02/19	Morning bird Old Gamboa Road. Afternoon bird Plantation Trail or other sites.	BLD	Balboa Inn
4-Wed 02/20	All day bird foothills of Chagres National Park.	BLD	Balboa Inn
5-Thu 02/21	Morning bird famed Metropolitan National Park. Afternoon transfer to Caribbean side. View hummingbirds at feeders.	BLD	Nattur Ecolodge
6-Fri 02/22	Morning bird Achiote Road. After lunch bird Fort Lorenzo area. Mid-afternoon transfer to Pacific side.	BLD	B & B La Estancia
7-Sat 02/23	Morning bird Discovery Center. Miraflores Locks mid-day. Afternoon view tamarins on lodge grounds.	BLD	B&B La Estancia
8-Sun 02/24	End of tour after breakfast. International flights home.	B	None

TOUR MAP

TOUR DESCRIPTION

DAY 1 - PANAMA CITY

International flights arrive in afternoon or evening. Participants gather at the Balboa Inn, reached by a 30-minute taxi ride from the airport. Everyone is met at the hotel by our tour leader. Those arriving a day early have free time to take a partial transit through the canal, explore the city, or relax at the inn. Night at Balboa Inn.

DAY 2 - PIPELINE ROAD

All day bird Pipeline Road, which offers some of the best birding in Central America. This famed road traverses diverse habitats in Soberania National Park including primary rainforest, secondary forest, swamps, and rivers. On a good day it's possible to see 100 species in this area. With luck we could see one of the introduced Harpy Eagles in addition to numerous trogons, antbirds, flycatchers, and tanagers. Walking is easy and traffic is non-existent as only park service vehicles are allowed on the road. Night at Balboa Inn.

    Show Possible Species

DAY 3 - OLD GAMBOA ROAD & PLANTATION TRAIL

Morning bird Old Gamboa Road in the southern-most part of Soberania National Park. This road is closed to vehicular traffic and offers excellent birding through deciduous wood The forest is drier than that along Pipeline Road so the species mix is somewhat different. Summit Ponds near the road entance are good for water birds and often Spectacled Owl. Afternoon bird Plantation Trail or other sites around Gamboa. Plantation Trail is more open scrub habitat and can be especially good for antbirds. Night at Balboa Inn.   Show Possible Species

DAY 4 - CHAGRES NATIONAL PARK

All day birding Cerro Azul and Cerro Jefe in the foothills of Chagres Naational Park. In the Cerro Azul area we hope to see several hummingbird species and pssibly the endemic Stripe-cheeked Woodpecker. Cerro Jefe supports more humid forest of the Chagres National Park. There we hope to see Scale-crested Pygmy-Tyrant, Yellow-eared Toucanet, and several tanagers we're unlikely to see elsewhere. We'll also try for the endemic Tacarcuna Bush-Tanager that lives in scrub habitat near the radio towers. Night at Balboa Inn.   Show Possible Species

DAY 5 - METROPOLITAN PARK & NATTUR NATURE CENTER

Morning bird trails through dry forest of Metropolitan National Park. Trails are wide and fairly easy but do entail some uphill walking. The park is the best place to find the secretive Rosy Thrush-Tanager and the endemic Yellow-green Tyrannulet. We also hope to see the striking Lance-tailed Manakin. After lunch, drive to Caribbean side of Canal Zone, arriving at Nattur Nature Center by late-afternoon. Following check-in, view hummingbirds visiting lodge feeders. We may also have time to bird the grounds before dark. Night at Nattur Ecolodge.   Show Possible Species

DAY 6 - ACHIOTE ROAD & FORT LORENZO

Morning bird Achiote Road, a famed birding locale featuring several Caribbean slope specialties and a "must" for birders visiting the Canal Zone. Groups staying around Gamboa must get up very early to make the 2½ hour drive and still arrive by 6:00 AM. We won't have to get up so early because the drive is much shorter from Nattur Ecolodge. After lunch bird Fort Lorenzo area in San Lorenzo National Park. Mid-afternoon transfer back to Pacific side, arriving before dark. Night at B & B La Estancia.   Show Possible Species

DAY 7 - DISCOVERY CENTER

Morning birding at the Discovery Center, located near Pipeline Road. The center has about a mile of trails through the forest, hummingbird feeders and a 40-meter observation tower. Many of the birds are similar to those we expect to see earlier along Pipeline Road, but the obervation tower gives us good vantage for soaring raptors and canopy birds difficult to see from the ground. Lunch in an area restaurant. Visit Miraflores Locks of Panama Canal. Afternoon at the lodge to hopefully see Geoffrey's Tamarins coming onto the property to find food. Late afternoon view hummingbirds at feeders. Night at B&B La Estancia.   Show Possible Species

DAY 8 - END OF TOUR

Tour ends with breakfast at the hotel. International flights home or continue with us on our western Panama tour.

TOUR INFORMATION

The below information is provided to inform people of what to expect if they participate in this tour and to advise participants on how to prepare for the tour. We try to provide accurate information but conditions and travel requirements can change over time.

Entering Panama

Persons entering Panama require a valid passport with an expiration date more than 6 months after their planned departure from the country. Immigration officials may deny a person entry if their passport is not in good condition. US citizens do not require a visa to enter Panama. They must fill out a tourist card provided by the airline en route to the the country. Non-US citizens should check with the Panama embassy to find out about entry requirements.

Leaving Panama

A departure tax of $20 is assessed when leaving Panama. This tax is not included in the tour price but is sometimes included in the airline ticket price.

Time Zone

Panama is on Eastern Standard Time.

Immunizations & Health

Please contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding health issues and immunization requirements when traveling in Panama. See your travel doctor for specific recommendations at least 4-6 weeks prior to departure. Malaria does not pose a risk in Panama, except possibly in remote areas of the Darien Province, due to extensive mosquito control efforts. There are venomous insects and spiders as well as poisonous plants. The best prevention is to use insect repellent, wear long-sleeved shirts and trousers instead of shorts, avoid touching vegetation with bare skin, and staying on established trails. Days can be hot and humid even in dry season, so sun block should be used and participants should drink lots of fluids. It's also advisable to wear a hat to help prevent over-heating.

Medical Facilities

Good medical care is available in major cities but not necessarily in smaller towns. Pharmacies are available in most towns as well as cities.

Insurance

We recommend purchasing trip cancellation insurance, which will reimburse you for any non-refundable payments you would otherwise lose if you must cancel your participation in the tour for some unforeseen reason. Trip cancellation insurance must normally be purchased within a short time after you register for the tour. Travel medical insurance is advisable, especially for those with chronic or known medical conditions.

Altitude

We're birding near sea level at most sites in the Canal Zone. Western Panama is at higher elevation, where some sites are near 9000 ft but most sites are at lower elevations.

Climate

Dry season is December-April on the Pacific side and January-March on the Caribbean side. Rainy season is the remaining months, though July tends averages less rain than other months. Rain is possible during dry season, and when it occurs it tends to be for short periods in the afternoon. Temperature varies more with altitude and time of day than with season. It can be quite hot and sunny in the Canal Zone during dry season, with temperatures reaching the low 90's. The sun is more overhead in the tropics, so it can beat down on a person and feel hotter than at temperate latitudes. Temperatures in western Panama are generally from low 60's to high 80's at middle elevation sites, hotter in the lowlands, and cooler at higher elevations. Many bird species begin breeding in January or February. July-December is non-breeding season for many species.

Pace

Birding tours are conducted at an easy to moderate pace. Photo tours are conducted at a slower pace than birding tours to allow ample time for photography. Birding and photography are best in early morning and late afternoon, so days begin shortly after first light around 6:00 am. Breakfasts may be earlier around 5:00-5:30 am or after morning birding ends around 9:30 am depending on locale. We often take a break during mid-day to rest, except on travel days when we are using that time to drive to the next destination instead. Because we awake early, participants typically retire to their rooms immediately after we complete dinner and checklists for the day.

The trails we walk in the Canal Zone are for the most part level, wide, and easy walking. Some "trails" are actually roads that have been closed to traffic. Some trails in the highlands of western Panama are steeper but only moderately strenuous. We walk these at a slow birding pace.

Accommodations

We stay in B&B's during most nights in the Canal Zone. Rooms are air-conditioned and comfortable. We eat lunches while out birding in area restaurants and we take taxis in the evening to restaurants not far from the accommodations. In western Panama we stay in comfortable eco-lodges or hotels with restaurants in the facilities. These are at sufficient altitude that air-conditioning is not needed. Electricity for re-charging batteries is always available. Further details can be found on the Accommodations link on the sidebar.

Food

Food in Panama is generally very good. While in the Canal Zone, we eat in restaurants where a variety of dishes are available. Meals are also excellent and varied in the lodges where we stay in western Panama.

Transportation

We travel by comfortable, air-conditioned coaster with ample room for participants and gear on our Panama tours. Bottled water will always be available. Bathroom stops will be made as soon as possible upon request during transfers.

Registration & Payment

Registration can be done by mailing us a completed registration form, which can be printed from the TOUR INFO menu above. Please note that our Panama tours require a deposit of $400 upon registration. Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure. Please refer to our Registration procedure accessible from the TOUR INFO menu above for payment procedures and refund policies. Trip cancellation insurance is highly recommended as refunds are only possible to the extent we are refunded deposits required by lodges in Panama.

Additional Information

General information about the tour, including where to meet the group and contact information, will be sent by email or US mail prior to departure. Checklists will be provided at the beginning of the tour. Additional information about our policies can be found on the Tour Info menu above. Please feel free to call us at 877-247-3371 or email us with any questions you may have.

Information last updated April, 2012.

ACCOMMODATIONS DURING TOUR

BALBOA INN

Balboa Inn is a small, newly remodeled Bed & Breakfast located at the foot of Ancon Hill not far from the Panama Canal Authority administrative complex. It's just 5 minutes from the domestic airport in a quiet, residential neighborhood. The B & B has a small dining area where a hearty, American-style breakfast is served. It features 9 rooms, all with private bath and hot water showers with good water pressure. Rooms have ceiling fans, room safes, and air conditioning. They've all been nicely redecorated.

NATTUR ECOLODGE

Nattur Ecolodge is located near Sabanitas about 20 minutes drive from the city of Colon. We stay there because it's conveniently located to Achiote Road, the best birding site on the Caribbean side of the Canal Zone. Those staying on the Pacific side have to wake up by 3:30 AM to reach Achiote Road at a reasonable time of morning. The lodge is environmentally sensitive, is located in a natural area with trees and gardens, and maintains feeders that lure several species of hummingbirds. It's owned and operated by an expert birder and caters to birdwatching and nature tour groups. It consists of a dining room and three chalet-style buildings, each divided into four private rooms. Each chalet has a common area where guests can relax as well as a small outdoor lounge. Rooms feature 2 double beds, good size private bath with hot-water showers, and floor fans but no air conditioning.

B & B LA ESTANCIA

B & B La Estancia is a small bed-and-breakfast with a total of 10 roms located on Cerro Ancon. The top of the hill is a 20-minute walk from the lodge offers wonderful views of the Bridge of Americas, Panama Canal, Amador Causeway, and Panama City. The gardens and surrounding forest are a pleasant oasis in the city where a variety of birds can be viewed from the balconies. A full breakfast is served on the premises each morning. Complimentary tea, coffee, and fruit are available during the day. Rooms are tastefully decorated and feature ceiling fans, air conditioning, twin or queen beds, and private bath. TOP

HOTEL GRAN NACIONAL

Hotel Gran Nacional is a newly renovated hotel located in the heart of David, the provinical capital of Chiriqui in western Panama. It features 3 restaurants including a pizzeria and barbeque as well as a full bar. Rooms are comfortable with one or two beds and private bath with hot water showers.

LERIDA ECOLODGE

Lerida Ecolodge is a coffee farm converted into an ecolodge. The proprietors have been involved in bird conservation and research for many years, and the finca has been a birding destination for over 70 years. A large forest tract on the premises offers superb birding for guests. The dining room offers traditional and international meals. The Old House was used by the original owners and has been converted into 3 suites and 2 bedrooms. A newly constructed lodge adds an additional 11 rooms. Each room has its own porch and a beautiful view of the valley. Rooms have double or twin beds and feature have private bath with hot water. Each room is individually decorated to improve the ambiance.

HOTEL DOS RIOS

Hotel Dos Rios is located about 45 minutes drive from the provincial capital of David in the highlands of western Chiriqui Province. The hotel is very nice and features a comfortable sitting area in the reception, full-service bar, restaurant with with both indoor and outdoor seating, and internet access. The gardens and a small tract of nearby forest attract a variety of birds to the property. The restaurant offers a la carte menus of Panamanian-style cuisine including beef and chicken, as well as pizza and seafood. Rooms are very clean and feature 2 double beds, private bath with hot water, and TV. Rooms are well ventilated and air-conditioning is unnecessary because of the mild temperatures. Windows in the rooms look out over the gardens.

LAURA FELLOWS

Laura L Fellows is co-founder of Exotic Birding LLC with Jim Wittenberger and conducts most of our tours as leader and tour coordinator. She has worked as a professional photographer since 1983. Laura's vision as a bird photographer is to portray birds and other animals as they live and behave in their natural environments. She published her vision of such "Environmental Portraits" in the December 2007 issue of Nature Photography magazine. Her photos have been used in biology textbooks and on professional websites. Before embarking on her current venture with Exotic Birding, Laura had 16 years professional experience as a commercial photographer and advertising studio manager for an internationally recognized studio in Atlanta. In that capacity she organized, coordinated and executed major photography assignments for numerous national advertising campaigns on location in the Caribbean, South America, Europe, and many states in the US. She founded and directed a photography workshop program in the Tuscany region of Italy, where she lived for 3 years. Through her efforts the workshop attracted many internationally renowned photographers as guest instructors. She speaks fluent Italian and is now gaining familiarity with Spanish. She has lectured as an invited speaker in the art department at the University of Georgia and many photo clubs, has exhibited her photographs in galleries, and has curated 5 photography exhibitions in the USA and Italy. Laura has enjoyed a life-long love and fascination for birds and nature. Some of her many photographs can be seen throughout our website.

BIRDING GUIDE

Ito Santamaria is a member of a professional family of doctors and landowners that lives in Chiriqui province of western Panama. He speaks excellent English and is an expert birding guide who has led birding tours since 1999. He has guided tours many times with top North American birding tour companies and is very adept at finding and identifying even the most difficult birds to see in Panama. He first guided for us during our 2011 tour to Panama, and we are impressed with both his birding skills and his congenial personality.