2013 Panama Photo Tour

TOUR OVERVIEW

Panama is a superb place to see and photograph a wide variety of tropical birds. We'll spend the first 5 days of the tour making photographs of birds and other animals in the Canal Zone. We then fly to western Panama and spend 2 days making photographs in the highlands near Volcan Baru. We stay in comfortable hotels and lodges throughout the tour. Highlights in the Canal Zone will be visits to famed Pipeline Road, Old Gamboa Road, Discovery Center, and Metropolitan National Park on the Pacific side and Achiote Road on the Caribbean side. We'll also visit an indigenous village one afternoon. In western Panama we'll visit several parks and reserves where we can photograph Resplendent Quetzals and other specialty birds of the highlands.

PHOTOS OF SOME POSSIBLE SPECIES ON TOUR

TOUR ITINERARY

DATE	ACTIVITY	MEALS	ACCOMMODATIONS
1-Sat 02/09	Arrival	D	Balboa Inn
2-Sun 02/10	Morning photograph birds along famed Pipeline Road. Afternoon photograph birds along Old Gamboa Road.	BLD	Balboa Inn
3-Mon 02/11	Morning visit Discovery Center. Mid-day visit Miraflores Locks. Afternoon visit indigenous village near Gamboa.	BLD	Balboa Inn
4-Tue 02/12	Morning photograph birds in Metropolitan National Park. Afternoon transfer to Caribbean side. Photograph hummingbirds there.	BLD	Nattur Ecolodge
5-Wed 02/13	Morning photograph birds along Achiote Road. Afternoon return to Pacific side.	BLD	B & B La Estancia
6-Thu 02/14	Fly to David in western Panama. Transfer to lodge, with photography stops en route.	BLD	Hotel Dos Rios
7-Fri 02/15	Morning photograph birds in Volcan Baru National Park. Afternoon photograph visit nearby finca to photograph quetzals and other birds.	BLD	Hotel Dos Rios
8-Sat 02/16	Morning photograph birds at middle elevation sites near Volcan. Afternoon flight to Panama City.	BLD	Balboa Inn
9-Sun 02/17	End of tour. International flights home.	B	None.

TOUR MAP

TOUR DESCRIPTION

DAY 1 - PANAMA CITY

International flights arrive in the evening. Participants gather at the comfortable 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 cruise through the canal, explore the city, or relax at the hotel. Night at Balboa Inn.

DAY 2 - PIPELINE ROAD & OLD GAMBOA ROAD

Morning photograph birds along famed Pipeline Road, located in Soberania National Park and one of the best places to see and photograph rainforest birds in Central America. The road is closed to vehicles and offers easy and level walking through primary rainforest near Gamboa. It's a great place to see and photograph antbirds, displaying manakins, and a wide diversity of other species. We could also photograph Black-mantled Howler Monkeys and White-faced Capuchins. Afternoon photograph birds around Summit Ponds and along Old Gamboa Road. Summit Ponds are home to several aquatic birds. Old Gamboa Road goes through drier more deciduous forest than Pipeline Road, so species composition is somewhat different. This road is also closed to vehicular traffic and is easy walking. Night at Balboa Inn.   Show Possible Species

DAY 3 - DISCOVERY CENTER & EMBARRA VILLAGE

Morning photograph birds 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 find earlier along Pipeline Road, but the obervation tower gives us good vantage for photographing birds in the forest canopy and possibly soaring hawks. Mid-day visit Miraflores Locks. Afternoon boat transfer across the lake near Gamboa Rainforest Resort, photographing aquatic birds from the boat. Visit indigenous village where we can photograph native people living in the traditional way and purchase hand-crafted baskets and other native crafts. Night at Balboa Inn.   Show Possible Species

DAY 4 - METROPOLITAN PARK & NATTUR NATURE CENTER

Morning photograph birds in the dry forest of Metropolitan National Park. Walk the main trail leading gradually uphill to an overlook affording nice views of the Panama Canal. Here we hope to photograph the lovely Rosy Thrush-Tanager. Following lunch and checkout, depart for the Caribbean side of the Canal Zone for a one night stay at Nattur Ecolodge. The lodge provides closer access to sites we want to visit on the Caribbean side of the Canal Zone. Staying in Gamboa that night would require getting up by 3:00 AM for us to reach Achiote Road early enough the next morning. After arrival, photograph hummingbirds visiting lodge feeders. Night at Nattur Ecolodge.   Show Possible Species

DAY 5 - ACHIOTE ROAD

Early departure for Achiote Road near San Lorenzo National Park south of Gatun Locks. The road is renowned world-wide for the many birds found there. It's the best place to see and photograph the lovely Blue Cotinga. A nice variety of antbirds, flycatchers, tanagers, and other birds can be found along the road and nearby Trogon Trail. This level trail leading into the southern section of San Lorenzo National Park is a good place to photograph birds of the forest. After early lunch, return to the Pacific slope, arriving at B & B La Estancia by early afternoon. This is the best place to see and photograph Geoffrey's Tamarin, an attractive primate normally difficult to see in Panama. Also, photograph hummingbirds coming to feeders at the lodge. Night at B & B La Estancia.   Show Possible Species

DAY 6 - DAVID & CHIRIQUI HIGHLANDS

After breakfast, fly to David and transfer to Hotel Dos Rios in Volcan, stopping en route to look for birds in rural areas of the highlands. Afternoon photograph hummingbirds at lodge feeders. Night Hotel Dos Rios.   Show Possible Species

DAY 7 - CHIRIQUI HIGHLANDS & VOLCAN BARU

The western highlands of Chiriqui Province feature many birds found only in the mountains of southern Costa Rica and western Panama.

Morning visit the cabins area above the lodge in Volcan Baru National Park. The forest is an excellent place to find highland birds including Resplendent Quetzal. Afternoon visit a nearby finca where Resplendent Quetzals are most reliably found. Also photograph other highland birds we may have missed in the morning. Night Hotel Dos Rios.   Show Possible Species

DAY 8 - LAGUNAS DE VOLCAN

Morning descend to a middle elevation forest and lagoon area west of Volcan. Here we hope to photograph birds such as Silvery-throated and Black-chested Jay as well as other species. Lunch in area restaurant. After lunch return to David for late afternoon flight back to Panama City and a farewell dinner. Night at Balboa Inn.   Show Possible Species

DAY 9 - END OF TOUR

Tour ends with breakfast at the hotel. International flights home.

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.

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.