Keel-billed Toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus)
Birdwatching | Photography | Wildlife

Birdwatching Panama Tour: Harpy Eagle and Resplendent Quetzal

Overview

Panama extends from the western highlands of Chiriqui, to the biodiverse lowlands of Darien, its eastern-most province. The relatively narrow Isthmus is flanked by the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans – and it is possible to visit both in the same day! Of course, when one thinks of Panama, perhaps the first thing that comes to mind is the world-famous Panama Canal. This incredible feat of engineering is on full display and is, rightly so, a source of pride for the country. However, it is this country’s natural wonders that truly shine. Panama is home to over 1,000 species of birds that inhabit a wide array of environments, from lowland rainforests and cloud forests, to open savannas, lagoons and coastal mangroves. Some of the iconic birds found here include Keel-billed Toucan, Golden-collared Manakin, Blue Cotinga, Resplendent Quetzal, Cinnamon Woodpecker, Rufous-crested Coquette, Crimson-backed Tanager, Ocellated Antbird, and Harpy Eagle.

From 4.252 USD 14 Days / 13 Nights Walking Grade: Moderate
  • Day 1: Tocumen (Airport) - Gamboa
  • Day 2: Metropolitan Park & Discovery Center
  • Day 3: Gamboa - Panama Canal
  • Day 4: Darien, tropical forest
  • Day 5: Searching for the Harpy Eagle
  • Day 6: Pijibascal Community
  • Day 7: Birdwatching Chucunaque
  • Day 8: Chucunaque - Panama City - Boquete
  • Day 9: Birdwatching Boquete Tree Trek
  • Day 10: Birdwatching Boquete Tree Trek
  • Day 11: Bocas del Toro
  • Day 12: Bocas del Toro - Soropta Beach
  • Day 13: Birdwatching & Wildlife on Popa Island
  • Day 14: Bocas del Toro Airport - Albrook Airport

Trip Details


Country

  • Panama

Group Size

  • 8 Travelers Max

Schedule

  • Normal

Tour Type

  • Customizable
  • Private
  • Shared

Thematics

  • Birdwatching
  • Photography
  • Wildlife

Itinerary

Gamboa Rainforest Resort
DAY 1

Tocumen (Airport) - Gamboa

Gamboa Rainforest Resort is an exceptional destination, located in the heart of the mystical Soberania National Park, where the Chagres River and the Panama Canal meet. It is here that modern comforts combine with warm a...

L, D Gamboa Rainforest Resort (or similar) 50 min
Keel-billed Toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus)
DAY 2

Metropolitan Park & Discovery Center

Day trip to a natural area not far from the capital, the Parc Métroplitain and Discovery Center. Its trails are well-maintained and you can observe many species of wildlife as you climb the hill, with birds and butterfli...

B, L, D Gamboa Rainforest Resort (or similar)
Panamanian white-faced capuchin (Cebus imitator)
DAY 3

Gamboa - Panama Canal

LAKE GATUN BOAT TOUR: Depart this morning for the village of Gamboa, to board a speedboat for a cruise through the famous waters of the Panama Canal, a maze of islands and lakes, and observe its rich biodiversity as we r...

B, L, D Gamboa Rainforest Resort (or similar)
White-necked Jacobin (Florisuga mellivora)
DAY 4

Darien, tropical forest

The Darien, a tropical forest located between Panama and Colombia, is one of the most inaccessible places in the world. It’s the only place where the famous and mythical Pan-American Highway linking the entire American c...

B, L, D Chucunaque Lodge (or similar)
Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja) © Wild Expedition @ Mateo Bohringer
DAY 5

Searching for the Harpy Eagle

After breakfast, we hit the road with today’s objective: the harpy eagle. To reach this site, we first have to take our private transport, a boat and then another transport to the Embera community of Pijibascal. After a ...

B, L, D Chucunaque Lodge (or similar)
Pijibascal Community © Wild Expedition @ Mathieu Perrot Bohringer
DAY 6

Pijibascal Community

This morning, we immerse ourselves in the habits and customs of the Pijibasal community, enjoying their dances and handicrafts. After lunch, we’ll head back to Chucunaque Birding & Lodge.

B, L, D Chucunaque Lodge (or similar)
Blue Dacnis (Dacnis cayana) © Wild Expedition @ Mathieu Perrot Bohringer
DAY 7

Birdwatching Chucunaque

After the breakfast, we take our jumelles and our camera to go observe the birds inside the property. We set off on trails along the Chucunaque River, then board a pirogue to admire the different birds living along the r...

B, L, D Chucunaque Lodge (or similar)
Silver-throated Tanager (Tangara icterocephala)
DAY 8

Chucunaque - Panama City - Boquete

Back to Panama City: After breakfast, we drive back to the capital.

Transfer from David airport to Boquete, approx. 1 hour depending on traffic. We’ll watch Quetzals on the Pipeline Trail, then head down to the village...

B, L, D Boquete Tree Trek (or similar)
Resplendent Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno)
DAY 9

Birdwatching Boquete Tree Trek

Boquete Tree Trek and Volcan Baru (optional). Around our hotel, we spend the morning birdwatching and have lunch on site, or take a packed lunch to eat on the way to the volcano (volcano excursion optional). We return to...

B, L, D Boquete Tree Trek (or similar)
White-throated Mountain-gem (Lampornis castaneoventris) © Wild Expedition @ Mateo Bohringer
DAY 10

Birdwatching Boquete Tree Trek

Another early start; it will take us just over an hour to get to Birding Paradise, where we can have breakfast and watch the birds at the same time. This place has over 300 recorded bird species and is excellent for phot...

B, L, D Boquete Tree Trek (or similar)
Gartered Trogon (Trogon caligatus)
DAY 11

Bocas del Toro

Early departure from the hotel to arrive in time at the first birdwatching site on the Continental Divide. About 2 hours drive, then we continue towards the Caribbean and stop in the area known as Willy Mazu to continue ...

B, L, D Tranquilo Bay en cabaña deluxe (or similar)
Tranquilo Bay
DAY 12

Bocas del Toro - Soropta Beach

Today we’ll spend a leisurely day birdwatching by boat in several lush coastal wetland habitats. The San San Pond Sak wetlands are classified as a Ramsar site and form part of the UNESCO La Amistad Biosphere Reserve. The...

B, L, D Tranquilo Bay (or similar)
Red-legged Honeycreeper (Cyanerpes cyaneus)
DAY 13

Birdwatching & Wildlife on Popa Island

Each of the islands in the Bocas del Toro archipelago boasts interesting wildlife and high levels of endemism, but Isla Popa, the second largest island in the chain, has more bird and mammal species due to its proximity ...

B, L, D Tranquilo Bay (or similar)
Bocas del Toro airport
DAY 14

Bocas del Toro Airport - Albrook Airport

Transportation to the airport and Domestic flight to Panama City.
The maximum weight allowed is 14kg per piece of luggage. Any excess weight will incur an additional charge to be paid directly at the airport.

B

Hotels

Gamboa Rainforest Resort

| $$$

Gamboa Rainforest Resort is a luxury hotel located in the heart of the Soberania National Park rainforest. It offers a wide array of nature activities and a spa.

Air Conditioning Swimming Pool Restaurant WiFi Bar SPA

Boquete Tree Trek

| $$$$

Boquete Tree Trek features rustic cabins in the cloud forest of Boquete, known for its canopy zip line tours and coffee plantation tours.

Air Conditioning Restaurant WiFi Bar

Tranquilo Bay

Ecolodge | $$$

The interior of each of our nine accommodations is comfortably appointed with air-conditioning, local hardwoods, tile floors, fine linens and a calming color palette to welcome you at the end of your adventure each day. Each unit features a king or queen bed or two double beds, handcrafted for Tranquilo Bay from local hardwoods with an orthopedic mattress. Each spacious bathroom includes a large walk-in shower with hot water. A covered porch with a hammock and Adirondack chairs awaits to help you escape the "every day" that you left behind when you enter the grounds at Tranquilo Bay.

Air Conditioning Swimming Pool Restaurant WiFi Bar SPA

Gallery

Price Details


Included

  • Accommodation in first class hotels

Not Included

  • International flights
  • Domestic flights
  • Additional drinks and meals
  • Tips

Minimum Deposit

  • 30% (The last payment must be completed 45 days prior to the start of the trip.)

Price

  • 4.252 USD per person

Terms & Conditions

The terms of sale may differ based on the nature of your trip and how close your departure date is. Please review our conditions here for more information.

Spotted Species

Here is a non-exhaustive list of Animal Species you can spot during this tour

Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja)

Roseate Spoonbill

The roseate spoonbill is a large wading bird native to the Americas. It has a...

Discover
White necked Jacobin (Florisuga mellivora)

White-necked Jacobin

The White-necked Jacobin (Florisuga mellivora) is a rather large, spectacular hummingbird of humid tropical lowlands...

Discover
Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja) © Wild Expedition @ Mateo Bohringer

Harpy Eagle

Harpy Eagles (Harpia harpyja) are among the world's largest and most powerful eagles. Their rear...

Discover
Blue Dacnis (Dacnis cayana) © Wild Expedition @ Mathieu Perrot Bohringer

Blue Dacnis

The Blue Dacnis (Dacnis cayana) is a small active warblerlike tanager with sharply pointed bill....

Discover
Golden-hooded Tanager (Tangara larvata)

Golden-hooded Tanager

The Golden-hooded Tanager (Tangara larvata) is a neotropical species that inhabits humid forest and forest...

Discover
Brown-throated Three-toed Sloth - Wildexpedition - ©mateobohringer

Brown-throated Three-toed Sloth

The Brown-throated Sloth (Bradypus variegatus) is a cat-sized mammal, typically weighing 8-9 pounds, has a...

Discover
Keel-billed Toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus)

Keel-billed Toucan

The Keel-billed Toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus) has a black body, a yellow neck, chest, and throat,...

Discover
Green-and-black Poison Dart Frog (Dendrobates auratus) © Wild Expedition @ Mathieu Perrot Bohringer

Green-and-black Poison Dart Frog

The Green-and-black Poison Dart Frog (Dendrobates auratus) is a captivating amphibian native to southeastern Nicaragua,...

Discover
Panamanian white-faced capuchin (Cebus imitator)

Panamanian White-faced Capuchin

The Panamanian white-faced capuchin (Cebus imitator), also known as the Panamanian white-headed capuchin or Central...

Discover
Bay-headed Tanager (Tangara gyrola) © Wild Expedition @ Mathieu Perrot Bohringer

Bay-headed Tanager

The Bay-headed Tanager (Tangara gyrola) is a vibrantly-colored, tropical bird that occurs in Costa Rica,...

Discover
Gartered Trogon (Trogon caligatus)

Gartered Trogon

The Gartered Trogon (Trogon caligatus) is relatively small and compact yellow-bellied trogon of tropical lowland...

Discover
Red-legged Honeycreeper (Cyanerpes cyaneus)

Red-legged Honeycreeper

The Red-legged Honeycreeper (Cyanerpes cyaneus) is a small, warbler-like tanager of tropical lowlands. Favors forest...

Discover
Silver throated Tanager (Tangara icterocephala) © Wild Expedition @ Jose Ivan Cano

Silver-throated Tanager

The Silver-throated Tanager (Tangara icterocephala) found in Central and South America's humid forests; characterized by...

Discover

Your Tour Guides

Natalia Sarco

Languages:English, Spanish
Guiding since: 2010
Specialties: Birdwatching, wildlife conservation, Indigenous comunity
Learn More
Mathieu Perrot Bohringer

Mathieu Bohringer

Languages:English, French, Spanish, Portugues
Guiding since: 2006
Specialties: Wildlife, Trekking, Filmmaker, Photografer, Drone
Learn More
Mat Orinoco

Jason Lara

Languages:English, Spanish
Guiding since: 2001
Specialties: Birdwatching, wildlife photography
Learn More
Jason Lara Boquete Panama Wild Expedition
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