CANAL ZONE BUDGET TOUR
With a 2-day trip to Cerro Azul and San Francisco Reserve
June 10 - 18, 2017 9 days / 8 nights
$1395 double occupancy*
$345 single supplement
*Group of 10; Small-group surcharges will apply for smaller groups.
White-necked Jacobin
Panama possesses incredible biodiversity sheltered in thousands of acres of protected forest, easily accessible due to excellent infrastructure. Panama has MORE BIRD SPECIES than all of the United States and Canada combined and MORE BIRD SPECIES than its neighbor to the west, Costa Rica!
Come with us and see why Panama is a birder's dream destination!
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrive in Panama City, Panama
Upon our arrival at the Tocumen International Airport, we will be transferred to the Radisson Summit Hotel near the Panama Canal and Soberania National Park. Most flights arrive in the evening, but if you arrive earlier in the day, you will have time to relax in the pool or stroll in the gardens where you can become acquainted with many species of Panamanian birds.
Overnight Soberania Field Station and Lodge (D)
All participants will enjoy birding at the following sites during the tour:
Soberania National Park/Gamboa
We will visit birding sites near the small town of Gamboa, including the Ammo Dump Ponds (where we might see White-throated Crake), the banks of the Chagres River, and the entrance to the famous Pipeline Road. We'll stop by the Soberania Field Station and Lodge to take a look at their feeders that often attract Red-legged and Green Honeycreepers; Blue-crowned Motmot; Crimson-backed, Blue-gray, and Palm Tanagers; Gray-headed Chachalaca; White-necked Jacobin and Rufous-tailed Hummingbird. Expect to see Agoutis beneath the feeders, and watch for Geoffrey's Tamarin in the trees near the patio. Near Gamboa, we usually see Keel-billed and Chestnut-mandibled Toucans. At the Ammo Dump Ponds, in addition to the elusive White-throated Crake, which is almost always heard but rarely seen, we might find Rufescent Tiger-Heron and other wading birds. Along the Chagres River, we will look for passerines as well as wading birds, shore birds, and raptors. We might find Capybara foraging among the lily pads with Purple Gallinule and Common Moorhen. Expect your first day's list to be chock-full of lifers!
Pipeline Road
We will have the opportunity to hike along the world famous Pipeline Road at the Soberanía National Park. With just over 48,287 acres, this park boasts outstanding biodiversity, including most of the 500 species of birds recorded for the Panama Canal area. Frequently you can come across a mixed-species foraging flock containing literally dozens of different birds like Dot-winged and White-flanked Antwrens, Fasciated and Western-slaty Antshrikes, Plain Xenops, Olivaceous Flatbill, Black-tailed Flycatcher, Cocoa Woodcreeper, and many more. This area is also famous for the occurrence of Army Ant swarms who, by raiding the forest floor, flush out many insects that in turn attract a series of properly named Antbirds. Possible are Spotted, Bicolored, and Ocellated Antbirds, along with many Woodcreepers including Northern-barred, Plain-brown, and Black-striped. In addition, you may come across a Gray-headed Tanager, or an opportunistic White-whiskered Puffbird, or even an elusive Streak-chested Antpitta. We will visit Pipeline Road twice, once in the morning and again on a different afternoon, when we are more likely to encounter an ant swarm.
Panama City Mudflats
Depending on tides and other variables, we might decide to drive into Panama City to observe shorebirds at the world-renowned mudflats. Because this visit must be timed not only for the best conditions with tides but also take into account the traffic we might encounter in the city, we will try to make this trip on a weekend day. If a visit to the mudflats is not possible, we will return to explore further on Pipeline Road, where we will be on the lookout for interesting inhabitants of the lowland rainforests including Black-chested Jays, Black-breasted Puffbirds, Purple-throated Fruitcrows, among many others. In addition, we will also search the skies above for raptors like White Hawk, Bat Falcon, Black Hawk-Eagle, and perhaps even a majestic King Vulture. Some rarities are possible here, including the elusive Pheasant Cuckoo.
Summit Ponds & Old Gamboa Road
We will visit Summit Ponds and walk along Old Gamboa Road. At Summit Ponds, we should see multiple species of Kingfisher and Boat-billed Heron. If we're exceptionally lucky, we may catch a glimpse of a Capped Heron. Along Old Gamboa Road, we hope to find a pair of Spectacled Owls that have been present in this area for many years. Other sought-after species that are possible include Lance-tailed Manakin and Black Hawk-Eagle.
Summit Park On one afternoon, we will visit Summit Park where we will enjoy an exhibit featuring a Harpy Eagle. We will learn about this raptor and see a Harpy Eagle in captivity. As a bonus, the grounds of the park are good for many common (and some not-so-common) species.
Cloud Forest birding at Cerro Azul
After an early drive this morning, we will be birding the foothills of the Chagres National Park. With over 320,000 acres, this is the largest protected area in the Panama Canal Watershed. Here we can find humid forest species like Rufous-crested Coquette, Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer, White-tipped Sicklebill, and even the endemic Stripe-cheeked Woodpecker.
We will visit the house of some of Panama Audubon members in the area who keep bird feeders with dozens of hummingbirds species attending, including Green Hermit, Snowy-bellied Hummingbird, Violet-headed Hummingbird and the nearly endemic Violet-capped Hummingbird. Fruiting trees in their backyards may also prove interesting with multiple tanagers, as well as Green, Red-legged, and Shining Honeycreepers.
We will continue driving to the east to a small town called Torti, where we will check in to the Hotel Avicar for the night, positioning ourselves to bird the nearby San Francisco Reserve early the next morning.
San Francisco Reserve and Bayano Forest
Our overnight stay in Torti will afford us the luxury of birding San Francisco Reserve and the Bayano Valley without the very early (4:30 AM!) departure that was once required to be on site by 7:00 AM. Bayano Valley is an important birding locale because it represents the western-most limit of the range of many Darien endemic and specialty birds. The habitat in the valley consists of forests that protect the Bayano River watershed, riverine woodlands, scrub, and open savanna. Birding can be done by road and along several trails within the valley. A reservoir within the valley provides habitat for a variety of aquatic birds and is nearly the northern-most limit of the range for Cocoi Heron.
The most notable target species is the Black Antshrike, whose range is limited to Darien Province of eastern Panama and adjoining northern Columbia. Other species of special interest that can be seen in the valley include Gray-cheeked Nunlet, Rufous-winged Antwren, Green Manakin, White-eared Conebill, Golden-Green Woodpecker, Rufous-winged Antwren, One-colored Becard, and Orange-crowned Oriole.
Rainforest Discovery Center
Early one morning we will visit the Rainforest Discovery Center where we will enjoy viewing canopy species from a tower that stands 100 feet above the forest floor. From here, we have had stunning looks at Blue Cotinga, Black-mandibled and Keel-billed Tourcans, Gray-headed Kite, Scaled Pigeon, Squirrel Cuckoo, Cinnamon Woodpeckers, and many others.
Miraflores Locks On the first day of the tour, we'll visit the Miraflores Locks of the Panama Canal. Here we can view a short video, tour the museum, and watch ships as they move through the locks.
Cheepers! Birding on a Budget LLC reserves the right to make changes in the itinerary if the need should arise
due to unforeseeable circumstances such as weather, landslides, and other natural phenomena, as well as suggestions by local guides in order to take advantage of an unusual birding opportunity. Lodging is subject to change based on availability.
PRICING DETAILS
Price includes:
~ Seven nights' lodging at Radisson
~ One night's lodging at Avicar Hotel, Torti
~ All meals from breakfast on day 2 through breakfast on day 9
~ All land transportation within Panama
~ Transfers
~ Entrance fees
~ Expert bilingual birding guide
~ Cheepers! tour leaders
~ Pre-trip gift package
~ Post-trip electronic group checklist and photo disk
Price does NOT include:
~ International airfare to and from Panama City
~ Alcoholic drinks, soft drinks
~ Travel insurance
~ Gratuities
~ Expenses of a personal nature such as laundry, phone calls, extra drinks and snacks, etc.
PAYMENT INFORMATION:
Deposit of $400 with registration (registration form available soon). Balance is due on or before Mar. 10, 2017.
Checks should be made payable to Cheepers! Birding on a Budget and
mailed with the registration form to:
Cheepers! Birding on a Budget
Post Office Box 385
Spring Valley, OH 45370
Cancellation policy:
Cancellation should be made in writing (email or snail mail)
More than 6 months prior to departure – full refund of deposit
Between 4 and 6 months prior to departure – 50% refund of deposit
Less than 4 months prior to departure – No refund of deposit
If cancellation occurs after full payment is made, a refund will be given only if the vacant spot is filled.
Trip insurance is recommended.
You can compare prices offered by various trip insurance companies at this website:
http://www.quotewright.com/?sub_id=6056
Contact us:
email: cheepers@sbcglobal.net
oz1221@sbcglobal.net
snail mail: PO Box 385, Spring Valley, OH 45370
Phone: 937-862-4505
Download registration form here:
Come with us and see why Panama is a birder's dream destination!
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrive in Panama City, Panama
Upon our arrival at the Tocumen International Airport, we will be transferred to the Radisson Summit Hotel near the Panama Canal and Soberania National Park. Most flights arrive in the evening, but if you arrive earlier in the day, you will have time to relax in the pool or stroll in the gardens where you can become acquainted with many species of Panamanian birds.
Overnight Soberania Field Station and Lodge (D)
All participants will enjoy birding at the following sites during the tour:
Soberania National Park/Gamboa
We will visit birding sites near the small town of Gamboa, including the Ammo Dump Ponds (where we might see White-throated Crake), the banks of the Chagres River, and the entrance to the famous Pipeline Road. We'll stop by the Soberania Field Station and Lodge to take a look at their feeders that often attract Red-legged and Green Honeycreepers; Blue-crowned Motmot; Crimson-backed, Blue-gray, and Palm Tanagers; Gray-headed Chachalaca; White-necked Jacobin and Rufous-tailed Hummingbird. Expect to see Agoutis beneath the feeders, and watch for Geoffrey's Tamarin in the trees near the patio. Near Gamboa, we usually see Keel-billed and Chestnut-mandibled Toucans. At the Ammo Dump Ponds, in addition to the elusive White-throated Crake, which is almost always heard but rarely seen, we might find Rufescent Tiger-Heron and other wading birds. Along the Chagres River, we will look for passerines as well as wading birds, shore birds, and raptors. We might find Capybara foraging among the lily pads with Purple Gallinule and Common Moorhen. Expect your first day's list to be chock-full of lifers!
Pipeline Road
We will have the opportunity to hike along the world famous Pipeline Road at the Soberanía National Park. With just over 48,287 acres, this park boasts outstanding biodiversity, including most of the 500 species of birds recorded for the Panama Canal area. Frequently you can come across a mixed-species foraging flock containing literally dozens of different birds like Dot-winged and White-flanked Antwrens, Fasciated and Western-slaty Antshrikes, Plain Xenops, Olivaceous Flatbill, Black-tailed Flycatcher, Cocoa Woodcreeper, and many more. This area is also famous for the occurrence of Army Ant swarms who, by raiding the forest floor, flush out many insects that in turn attract a series of properly named Antbirds. Possible are Spotted, Bicolored, and Ocellated Antbirds, along with many Woodcreepers including Northern-barred, Plain-brown, and Black-striped. In addition, you may come across a Gray-headed Tanager, or an opportunistic White-whiskered Puffbird, or even an elusive Streak-chested Antpitta. We will visit Pipeline Road twice, once in the morning and again on a different afternoon, when we are more likely to encounter an ant swarm.
Panama City Mudflats
Depending on tides and other variables, we might decide to drive into Panama City to observe shorebirds at the world-renowned mudflats. Because this visit must be timed not only for the best conditions with tides but also take into account the traffic we might encounter in the city, we will try to make this trip on a weekend day. If a visit to the mudflats is not possible, we will return to explore further on Pipeline Road, where we will be on the lookout for interesting inhabitants of the lowland rainforests including Black-chested Jays, Black-breasted Puffbirds, Purple-throated Fruitcrows, among many others. In addition, we will also search the skies above for raptors like White Hawk, Bat Falcon, Black Hawk-Eagle, and perhaps even a majestic King Vulture. Some rarities are possible here, including the elusive Pheasant Cuckoo.
Summit Ponds & Old Gamboa Road
We will visit Summit Ponds and walk along Old Gamboa Road. At Summit Ponds, we should see multiple species of Kingfisher and Boat-billed Heron. If we're exceptionally lucky, we may catch a glimpse of a Capped Heron. Along Old Gamboa Road, we hope to find a pair of Spectacled Owls that have been present in this area for many years. Other sought-after species that are possible include Lance-tailed Manakin and Black Hawk-Eagle.
Summit Park On one afternoon, we will visit Summit Park where we will enjoy an exhibit featuring a Harpy Eagle. We will learn about this raptor and see a Harpy Eagle in captivity. As a bonus, the grounds of the park are good for many common (and some not-so-common) species.
Cloud Forest birding at Cerro Azul
After an early drive this morning, we will be birding the foothills of the Chagres National Park. With over 320,000 acres, this is the largest protected area in the Panama Canal Watershed. Here we can find humid forest species like Rufous-crested Coquette, Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer, White-tipped Sicklebill, and even the endemic Stripe-cheeked Woodpecker.
We will visit the house of some of Panama Audubon members in the area who keep bird feeders with dozens of hummingbirds species attending, including Green Hermit, Snowy-bellied Hummingbird, Violet-headed Hummingbird and the nearly endemic Violet-capped Hummingbird. Fruiting trees in their backyards may also prove interesting with multiple tanagers, as well as Green, Red-legged, and Shining Honeycreepers.
We will continue driving to the east to a small town called Torti, where we will check in to the Hotel Avicar for the night, positioning ourselves to bird the nearby San Francisco Reserve early the next morning.
San Francisco Reserve and Bayano Forest
Our overnight stay in Torti will afford us the luxury of birding San Francisco Reserve and the Bayano Valley without the very early (4:30 AM!) departure that was once required to be on site by 7:00 AM. Bayano Valley is an important birding locale because it represents the western-most limit of the range of many Darien endemic and specialty birds. The habitat in the valley consists of forests that protect the Bayano River watershed, riverine woodlands, scrub, and open savanna. Birding can be done by road and along several trails within the valley. A reservoir within the valley provides habitat for a variety of aquatic birds and is nearly the northern-most limit of the range for Cocoi Heron.
The most notable target species is the Black Antshrike, whose range is limited to Darien Province of eastern Panama and adjoining northern Columbia. Other species of special interest that can be seen in the valley include Gray-cheeked Nunlet, Rufous-winged Antwren, Green Manakin, White-eared Conebill, Golden-Green Woodpecker, Rufous-winged Antwren, One-colored Becard, and Orange-crowned Oriole.
Rainforest Discovery Center
Early one morning we will visit the Rainforest Discovery Center where we will enjoy viewing canopy species from a tower that stands 100 feet above the forest floor. From here, we have had stunning looks at Blue Cotinga, Black-mandibled and Keel-billed Tourcans, Gray-headed Kite, Scaled Pigeon, Squirrel Cuckoo, Cinnamon Woodpeckers, and many others.
Miraflores Locks On the first day of the tour, we'll visit the Miraflores Locks of the Panama Canal. Here we can view a short video, tour the museum, and watch ships as they move through the locks.
Cheepers! Birding on a Budget LLC reserves the right to make changes in the itinerary if the need should arise
due to unforeseeable circumstances such as weather, landslides, and other natural phenomena, as well as suggestions by local guides in order to take advantage of an unusual birding opportunity. Lodging is subject to change based on availability.
PRICING DETAILS
Price includes:
~ Seven nights' lodging at Radisson
~ One night's lodging at Avicar Hotel, Torti
~ All meals from breakfast on day 2 through breakfast on day 9
~ All land transportation within Panama
~ Transfers
~ Entrance fees
~ Expert bilingual birding guide
~ Cheepers! tour leaders
~ Pre-trip gift package
~ Post-trip electronic group checklist and photo disk
Price does NOT include:
~ International airfare to and from Panama City
~ Alcoholic drinks, soft drinks
~ Travel insurance
~ Gratuities
~ Expenses of a personal nature such as laundry, phone calls, extra drinks and snacks, etc.
PAYMENT INFORMATION:
Deposit of $400 with registration (registration form available soon). Balance is due on or before Mar. 10, 2017.
Checks should be made payable to Cheepers! Birding on a Budget and
mailed with the registration form to:
Cheepers! Birding on a Budget
Post Office Box 385
Spring Valley, OH 45370
Cancellation policy:
Cancellation should be made in writing (email or snail mail)
More than 6 months prior to departure – full refund of deposit
Between 4 and 6 months prior to departure – 50% refund of deposit
Less than 4 months prior to departure – No refund of deposit
If cancellation occurs after full payment is made, a refund will be given only if the vacant spot is filled.
Trip insurance is recommended.
You can compare prices offered by various trip insurance companies at this website:
http://www.quotewright.com/?sub_id=6056
Contact us:
email: cheepers@sbcglobal.net
oz1221@sbcglobal.net
snail mail: PO Box 385, Spring Valley, OH 45370
Phone: 937-862-4505
Download registration form here:
| panama_bdgt_registration_form_june2017.pdf |