Birdwatching Panama Tour: Harpy Eagle and Resplendent Quetzal

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 and fascinating adventures to offer the best opportunity to experience the wild beauty of the Panamanian rainforest. Just 30 minutes from Panama City on 340 acres overlooking the Panama Canal, you can commune with nature in pristine surroundings that explorers and pirates once trod. Each of our well-appointed eco-lodge style rooms and suites offers an authentic and relaxing escape from the hustle and bustle and distractions of everyday life.

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 butterflies along the way. There are several trails to choose from, and a suitable route will be selected according to the conditions and expectations of the customer. Over the course of the day, we’ll be able to observe many species of birds, as well as monkeys and sloths. We recommend that you bring: comfortable walking shoes and cool clothing.

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 rub shoulders with the giants of the seas transiting from one ocean to another. On the way back to the marina, a stop on Monkey Island will allow us to spend some time with the Capuchins before returning to the hotel.

CABLE CAR TOUR AND SLOTH SANCTUARY: Climb aboard the cable car and discover the rainforest as you’ve never seen it before. We take the cable car into the forest, up into the treetops and into the heart of forest life. The opportunity to see various monkeys, sloths and other birds endemic to the region while remaining in the gondola. Once there, we find ourselves at the foot of a 30m-high observation tower. From the top, we enjoy a 360-degree view of the Panama Canal and Soberania Park. We then head for the Sloth Sanctuary, an area created for the conservat

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 continent cannot pass. Set off on an extraordinary adventure in a region almost untouched by man, untouched by any recent civilization, in search of a majestic species: the Harpy eagle. Early departure by private transfer to reach the Chucunaque Lodge and the Darien region, where we spend the night. We make a few interesting stops along the way. In Bayano, we may see some of these species: Jet Antbird, White-tailed Kite. Our lunch break will be an opportunity to see some hummingbirds. Once we arrive at Chucunaque Lodge, we can venture out on the few trails in the vicinity to observe the various bird species present in the area. We also take the jaguar trail, which can be seen in the area.

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 2 km walk, we finally arrive at the eagle’s nest. Let’s make the most of this magical moment and take all the time we need to admire this marvellous animal. After the picnic organized on site, we open our eyes and prepare our lenses in case other species cross our path. Dinner and overnight in the community of Pijibascal. Lodging: 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.

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 river. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

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 for lunch and finish the afternoon at Finca Lerida to observe hummingbirds and other species in the gardens. Arrive at your hotel in the late afternoon. This will depend on your arrival time at David airport. Target species: Silver-throated Tanager, Scintillant Hummingbird, Slaty Flowerpiercer, Black cheeked warbler, Yellow-thighed Brushfinch, Talamanca hummingbird, Sulphur-winged parakeet and many more!

NOTE: the lodge has 3 cabins. For a group of more than 6 people, a development will be necessary with a tent accommodation.

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 the village to take the authorized 4×4 transport up to the summit. We make 4-5 stops along the way to look for birds and arrive at the summit to watch the sunset while we have dinner and wait for nightfall to look for the Barn Owl and Unspotted Saw-whet Owl. This excursion will give us the opportunity to reach the habitats of many endemic birds of western Panama and Costa Rica found at higher altitudes, as well as the Resplendent Quetzal. We return to the hotel at night. Target species: Resplendent Quetzal, White-throated Mountain Gem, Golden Browed Chlorophonia, Prong-billed Barbet, Northern Emerald Toucanet, Volcano Hummingbird, Volcano Junco, Sooty Thrush, Black-capped Flycatcher among others.

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 photography, especially of hummingbirds. We can also have lunch here and go hiking on the various small trails on the property and on some of the outdoor areas close to the property. The place is famous for the Fiery billed Aracaris that usually arrive in the morning or late afternoon at the feeders, as well as for the large number of endemic birds and hummingbirds. Target species: White-throated Mountain Gem, Charming Hummingbird, Orange Collared Manakin, Black Hooded Antshrike, Riverside Wren, Fiery billed Aracari, Chiriqui Foliage-gleaner, parrots and parakeets among others.

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 birdwatching for an hour or so, then down to the coast for lunch in a local restaurant, then on to the port where you will take the boat to your next destination. Target species: Gartered Trogon, Blue and Gold Tanager, Black Bellied Hummingbird, Azure-hooded Jay, Orange bellied Trogon, White-bellied Mountain Gem, Lattice Tailed Trogon, toucans and sloths.

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 area is rich in habitats, including Atlantic lowland wetland forests, Raphia palm swamps, freshwater river courses, seashore and mangroves. Access to this verdant area is by boat, via the historic Snyder Canal, as the birds fly easily through the gallery forest in either direction of the waterway. If you’re lucky, you may spot monkeys, raccoons, coatis, otters, manatees and dolphins. Soropta Beach, important for migratory and resident shorebirds, is also a nesting ground for sea turtles, iguanas, lizards, boas, caiman and crocodile. The river mouth and shoreline could be home to Parasitic and Pomarine jaegers and Roseate Spoonbill. In the afternoon, sea conditions permitting, we pass just two miles offshore from a breathtaking reserve and rookery known as Swan’s Caye.

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 to the mainland. A two-kilometre boat trip takes us to a dense gallery forest surrounded by the rich mangrove lagoons of nearby Isla Popa. We’ll bird this phenomenal area by boat, peacefully enjoying the flights of Keel-billed and Black-mandibled toucans, Crimson-fronted Parakeets, Brown-hooded Parrots, Slaty-tailed Trogon, Golden-hooded Tanager, Red-legged Honeycreeper. Plumbeus and Swallow-tailed kites, Pale-billed, and Lineated woodpeckers, Mangrove Cuckoo, American-pygmy Kingfisher and, with a bit of luck, we’ll see male Snowy Cotingas sunning themselves. This mangrove lagoon has beautiful sea turtle grasses where we can observe sponges, starfish, sea urchins and jellyfish.

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.