Best Trips ~ Best Value!    888.875.9453

Panama Canal Zone and Pipeline Road Birding

Olive-backed Euphonia Our trip will be based at the luxurious Gamboa Rainforest Resort for 8-days and 7-nights, only minutes from world-class birding along the famous Pipeline Road where we will visit on two separate days. Other locations we will visit on the Pacific side include Semaphore Hill, Plantation Road, Summit Gardens and the Harpy Eagle project, Summit Ponds and Metro Park to seek Lance-tailed Manakin and Rosy-thrush Tanager. All locations are minutes away from Gamboa.
Best known for the Canal, the narrow strip of land that forms Panama runs almost east-west between its Central American neighbor, Costa Rica (sharing the mountain range), and the South American country of Colombia. As a land-bridge between two continents, Panama funnels a tremendous diversity of birds and other wildlife. Over 900 species of birds have been recorded within the borders of Panama.

We will drive to Caribbean side for a full day of exploration, birding Escobál and Achiote Roads to seek additional species such as Dusky-faced Tanager and Pied Puffbird before enjoying a close-up and personal visit to the Gatún Locks on the Panama Canal. At the end of the day we will take the scenic Trans-Continental Train back to Panama City, returning again to Gamboa Rainforest Resort.

Focus and Highlights
Panama offers fantastic birds, but also monkeys, anteaters and other great wildlife. We will also explore the engineering marvel, the Panama Canal, with close-up looks at Gatún Locks while watching a ship or two pass through. A ride on the Panama Canal Trans-continental Train and a visit to a local Artisian’s Market will round out this fun adventure!

Location
Central Panama, known as the ‘Canal Zone’, from the Pacific to the Atlantic/Caribbean all while based at the luxurious Gamboa Rainforest Resort.

Optional Extension
We are working on an option pre- or post-trip extension for this tour that may include visiting a Harpy Eagle nesting area… IF the Harpy Eagles are active at the nest. Once we have reports about the expected activity for January, we will create this extension and let registrants know!

Optional Extension
ACTIVE HARPY EAGLE NEST!

  • Tour Cost
  • Number of Days (Length of Tour)
    8 days / 7 nights

     

    Cost
    $2800.00 per person, based upon double occupancy and 8-12 participants from Panama City, PANAMA.

     

    Single Supplement
    If a single room is preferred, or we are unable to get a roommate for you, a single supplement fee of $490.00 will be assessed.

     

    What is Included / Not Included in the Cost
    Included: in the cost are all accommodations, meals, local transportation, entrance fees and permits from Panama City, Panama. NOT included: International flights, passport fees, airport taxes, alcoholic beverages, laundry services, phone calls, additional taxes or anything of a purely personal nature.

     

    Deposit
    A deposit of $500 is required to join this trip.

     

    How to Book
    In order to hold your space, you must make your deposit and complete the Wildside Nature Tours Registration Form, available for download, and submit it to us by mail or fax.

     

    Final Payment
    The balance due or full payment, by check (made payable to Wildside Nature Tours), is due 120 days prior to the departure date (no later than September 15, 2012).

     

    Final Payment
    Make checks payable to Wildside Nature Tours
    Mail to:
    Kevin Loughlin
    Wildside Nature Tours
    241 Emerald Drive
    Yardley, PA 19067

  • Itinerary
  • Basic Itinerary

     

    Tuesday, January 15 - Tuesday, January 22 - Panama: One Lodge ~ Many Birds!
    Day 1/Jan 15: Arrive and transfer to Gamboa Rainforest Resort
    Day 2/Jan 16: Birding grounds of Resort all day - Easy, relaxing birding.
    Day 3/Jan 17: Bird Summit Gardens (and Harpy Eagle aviary/breeding program) in morning, picnic lunch at Gardens, birding Summit Ponds in afternoon.
    Day 4/Jan 18: Bird sections of Pipeline Rd all day with box lunch.
    Day 5/Jan 19: Pre-dawn departure for Caribbean Coast, birding all morning on Achiote Rd and Escobal Rd and vicinity (box lunch or local restaurant), afternoon birding before visiting Panama Canal locks. Return by Trans-Continental Train along Canal.
    Day 6/Jan 20: Birding more sections of Pipeline Rd all day with box lunch.
    Day 7/Jan 21: Birding Metro Park all morning, visit Artisanal Market and Semiphore Hill and Plantation Rd in afternoon.
    Day 8/Jan 22: Departure to USA

     

    DETAILED ITINERARY

     

    DAY 1 - Arrival in Panama
    Arrive in Panama and transfer to our lodge located about 30 minutes from Panama City. The beautiful Gamboa Rainforest Resort is a unique property nearby the Soberánia National Park Rainforest, on the banks of the Chagres River and Panama Canal. Surrounded by forested hillsides and the scenic river, birdlife abounds at the resort.

    If you care to take some time off from birding, relax at the spa or beside the wonderful two-level pool that overlooks the river.

     

    DAY 2 - Birding the Resort Property
    Today we will spend enjoying the property of the resort, birding along the river in the morning then venturing to the riverside cafe for lunch. After lunch we will explore the forest trails until dark.

     

    DAY 3 - Pipeline Road
    Today we will get a very early start to explore the world famous Pipeline Road. Green Shrike-vireos, Broad-billed Motmots, Shining Honeycreepers and so much more can be found here. We may even be lucky enough to see the elusive Rufous-vented Ground-Cuckoo.

    Many mammals have been seen along the road as well and we will look for Timandua (Vested Anteater), Geoffrey’s Tamarind, Mantled Howlers and maybe even an Ocelot.

     

    DAY 4 - Summit Garden
    Today we will enjoy birding Summit Gardens looking for Blue Cotinga among others. We will enjoy the Harpy Eagle Breeding Program Visitor Center as well. After a box lunch at the park, we will explore Summit Ponds in search of more species, including, hopefully, Spectacled Owl.

     

    DAY 5 - The Caribbean and Canal
    Today’s adventure will take us to the Caribbean side of Panama... to the north. Getting a very early start, we will drive to the Caribbean and bird along Achiote and Escobál Roads. This will be an all-day excursion, ending with a visit to Gatún Locks to get a close-up view of the engineering marvel, the Panama Canal... hopefully enjoying a ship passing through while we are there.

    After the Canal we will board the Panama Trans-Continental Train to make our way comfortably back to Panama City, and then to Gamboa in time for a late dinner.

     

    DAY 6 - Metro Park and More
    Today we will make our way to Metro Park in Panama City. This is the best location to find Lance-tailed Manakin and Rosy Thrush-Tanager. We should also find many honeycreepers, tanagers and euphonias.

    After lunch we will visit a local artisan’s market in search of the souvenirs, including Darien Baskets and Molas—both Panamanian specialties.

    In the afternoon we will visit Semaphore Hill and Plantation Loop trail in search of raptors, motmots, tyrannulets and so much more.

     

    DAY 7 - Pipeline Road
    Today we will head back to Pipeline Road to find species we missed on our previous visit. Pipeline Road is well known for its ant swarms that attract many species close to the trail. Each visit we hope to witness this incredible birding event!

     

    DAY 8 - Return Home
    Morning flights back to USA

  • Accommodations
  • Gamboa Rainforest Lodge
    Gamboa Rainforest Resort is a high-end, luxury hotel with incredible facilities, including a multi-level pool. The resorts sits along the banks of the Chagres River and the Panama Canal. The grounds offer excellent birding and wildlife viewing with Southern Lapwings and capybara roaming the lawns and colorful tanagers in the forest. The resort allows close access to Summit Gardens, Metro Park and the world famous Pipeline Road -- where over 400 species of birds have been recorded!

     

     

    Meals
    Most Meals will be at the Gamboa Resort and are usually served as a buffet. Some lunches and at least one breakfast will be picnic meals while birding.

  • Additional Info
  • birdsofpanamaRecommended Field Guide:

    The Birds of Panama

    (Cornell University Press, 2010)

    by George R. Angehr and Robert Dean

     

     

    Travel Insurance
    As with all tours, we highly recommend purchasing Travel Insurance to cover your investment. Please see our section on the website about Travel Insurance

     

    Point of Departure (Getting There and Back)
    The tour begins and ends from Panama City, Panama. Wildside will help you with choosing the best flight schedule options.

     

    Transportation
    We will using a 20-passenger bus, driven with professional driver for most of the tour. We will also use ride on the Trans Continental Train.

     

    Physical Requirements
    Walking will be easy over mostly dirt roads and along paths in the forests. Note that on a couple trails there may be some muddy or rocky ruts, ditches and creeks. NO high elevation walking! All birding will be less than 1000 ft. above sea level.

     

    Climate
    January weather should be fairly consistent with daytime temps in the mid-80s and night-time temps in the low 70s. Although January is the dry season, this is a rainforest, so be prepared for a shower on any day, through a full day of rain is the exception.

     

    Sunrise / Sunset
    Eastern Standard Time (EST is UTC-5) Sunrise: 6:40am Sunset: 6:15pm

     

    Biting Insects
    No-see-ums and mosquitos are possible in the lowlands. Insect repellents will help to keep these away, along with long-sleeve shirts, and trousers tucked into your socks.

     

    Additional Details about the Trip
    Don’t forget a day pack to use on hikes that can include carrying bug spray, a field guide, binoculars, hat, umbrella and lots of water.
    By all means bring a spotting scope, though you will not need it for many of the birds!
    Expect breakfast to be about 6am (with at least one the road) and we will aim to get to dinner about 6:30pm to give us time to do the checklist and have dinner.

     

    Recommneded Field Guide
    Birds of Panama; Robert Ridgely
    Mammals of Central American; Fiona Reid

     

    Other Books
    A Neotropical Companion; John Kricher
    Tropical Nature; Adrian Forsyth and Ken Miata
    Shopping
    Shopping and purchasing opportunities will be somewhat limited, however, the resort has a gift shop and we will certainly visit the local Artisanal Market for some incredible souvenir opportunities!.

     

    Final Information
    Final Information about the trip including, contacts, meeting locations, etc., as well as checklists and luggage tags, will sent about 90 days prior to the trip departure.

     

    Disclaimer
    The trip itinerary is developed many months ahead of time. Occasionally, despite our best planning, changes may occur during the trip, or we may be forced to alter our plans. Changes may occur because of weather, road conditions, group viewing permits, safety concerns or other circumstances. In these situations, it is the leader(s) responsibility to carefully consider and implement appropriate alternatives. Any additional costs incurred because of changes will be the responsibility of each individual participant. Refunds will not be issued as a result of itinerary changes.