panama - Holbrook Travel

PANAMA
THE GREAT
RAPTOR MIGRATION
Panama is an outstanding destination for
adventurers and nature lovers alike, with
more bird species than any other country
in Central America. This tour is offered
in October, allowing participation in
the Panama Audubon Society’s annual
hawk count as hundreds of thousands
of raptors migrate over Ancón Hill to
South America. Enjoy spotting Panama’s
endemic and migratory bird species
from a diversity of settings including
rainforests, cloud forests, and mangrove
ecosystems. Expand your life list as you
discover Panama’s tropical ecology,
biological diversity, and the current
conservation efforts that have been put in
place to protect this incredible country.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
•
Witness the spectacular raptor migration
and assist Panama Audubon Society with
their annual hawk count at Ancón Hill.
•
Search for upper stratum rainforest
species at the Rainforest Discovery Center.
•
Observe migratory shorebirds at the
mangroves of Punta Chame and the
historic town of Natá de los Caballeros.
•
Search for Yellow-backed Oriole, Crimsonbacked Tanager, Rufous-and-white Wren,
White-bellied Antbird, Lance-tailed
Manakin, Green Shrike-vireo, and Yellowcrowned and Paltry Tyrannulet.
•
Visit Summit Botanical Gardens and the
Harpy Eagle Educational Center.
•
Explore Pacific dry forest at Metropolitan
Nature Park.
CUSTOMIZE
AM
THIS PROGR
11 DAYS | 10 NIGHTS
AVA ILA BLE IN O CTO BER
ITINERARY
DAY 1 - PANAMA CITY
Upon arrival at Tocumen International Airport, transfer to
the hotel. Overnight at Holiday Inn - City of Knowledge.
DAY 2 - ANCÓN HILL
Orientation to the program is followed by morning birding
at Ancón Hill. Be on alert for kettles flying over! Enjoy
wonderful views of the Panama Canal, the Old City, and
downtown. After lunch is a lecture on the annual hawk
migration provided by the Panama Audubon Society.
Transfer to the Panama Bay Mudflats, Panama Viejo ruins,
and Costa del Este area for shorebird viewing. The mudflats
are a Ramsar wetland, a globally recognized Important Bird
Area, and a site of hemispheric importance by the Western
Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN). The Bay
of Panama is an important wintering habitat to thousands
of shorebirds including Western Sandpiper, Semi-palmated
and Black-bellied Plover, Willet, Whimbrel, and Short-billed
Dowitcher. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at Holiday
Inn - City of Knowledge. (BLD)
DAY 3 - PANAMA CITY
Full day field trip to Ancón Hill for a chance to witness
the raptor migration and assist with the Panama Audubon
Society’s annual hawk count. Lunch at a local restaurant,
then continue birding. Return to the hotel for dinner.
Overnight at Holiday Inn - City of Knowledge. (BLD)
DAY 4 - GAMBOA
Depart to Metropolitan Nature Park for birding. The
approximately 232 hectares (573 acres) of Pacific dry forest
were declared a national park in 1985. Nicknamed the
“lung of Panama City,” the park is part of an important
biological corridor that links the eastern shore of the
Panama Canal with Las Cruces Trail and the Soberania
National Park. Species within the park’s dry forest include
the Yellow-backed Oriole, Crimson-backed Tanager,
Rufous-and-white Wren, and Lance-tailed Manakin. The
corridor and nearby protected areas help maintain the rivers
and forests that supply the Panama Canal with enough
water to function. After lunch at a local restaurant, travel
to the famous Miraflores Locks. The 48 mile long Panama
Canal, constructed at the narrowest point between the
Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean, created a much shorter,
safer connection between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans,
transforming international trade and the course of world
commerce. Three sets of mechanical locks, or flotation
chambers, raise and lower ships between sea level and lake
level, taking ships up to a height of 85 ft above sea level. The
three locks are Gatún, Pedro Miguel, and Miraflores. An elite
group of pilots guide vessels through the locks, using electric
locomotives known as mules. Later, transfer to Gamboa for
late afternoon birding at the hotel. Overnight at Gamboa
Rainforest Resort. (BLD)
DAY 5 - GAMBOA
Field trip to the Rainforest Discovery Center, located at the
world-famous Pipeline Road. The 100 ft high observation
tower provides a unique chance to observe birds residing
in the upper stratum of the rainforest. Look for Mealy
and Red-lored Parrot, Green-shrike Vireo, Keel-billed and
Chestnut-mandibled Toucan, Golden-hooded, White-
shouldered, and Plain-colored Tanager, White-vented and
Scaled Pigeon, Blue Cotinga, Masked Tityra, Green and
Red-legged Honeycreeper, King Vulture, and more migrating
raptors. Continue birding along Pipeline Road, looking for
Crested Eagle, Golden-collared Manakin, White-bellied and
Blue-throated Antbird, Pheasant Cuckoo, and Hook-billed
Kite. After lunch, head to the Summit Botanical Gardens,
home to over 15,000 plant species and the Harpy Eagle
Educational Center. Return to the hotel for late afternoon
birding. Overnight at Gamboa Rainforest Resort. (BLD)
DAY 6 - EL VALLE
Early morning birding at Campana National Park, Panama’s
first protected area. Campana is situated at an altitude of
approximately 800 m (2,600 ft). The cloud forest habitat
among Campana’s 31 square miles harbors some middle
elevation species such as Black-and-Yellow Tanager,
Plain Antvireo, Rufous-collared Sparrow, White-ruffed
Manakin, White-throated Thrush, Bay-headed Tanager
and many others. Transfer to Punta Chame, on Panama’s
Pacific coast for birding activities. This small peninsula is
located approximately 30 minutes from Coronado and
contains mangrove patches and ponds that are frequented
by migratory shorebirds and seabirds. Lunch at a local
restaurant, then transfer to the hotel. Enjoy some time
at leisure to rest, update your checklist, or enjoy hotel
amenities. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight at Hotel Rincon
Vallero. (BLD)
DAY 7 - EL VALLE
Early morning birding at Cerro Gaital National Monument.
The lush 827 acre nature reserve protects the mountainous
terrain surrounding El Valle de Antón and is home to more
than 300 bird species. Some of the best birding is done along
the fringes of the reserve where vegetation is less dense. Look
for Tawny-crested Tanager, Chestnut-capped Brush Finch,
Orange-billed Nightingale Thrush, Green Hermit, Spotted
Woodcreeper, and Barred Hawk. Visit local hot springs,
evidence of the valley’s volcanic origins. After lunch at a local
restaurant, enjoy a visit to the small town of El Valle and its
local market. Take a stroll around the market stands and rub
shoulders with locals as they go about buying and selling
fresh produce and handicrafts such as molas, hammocks, and
ceramics. Spend the rest of the afternoon birding along the
Cara Iguana Trail. The tropical dry forest is a middle altitude
habitat and is home to Rosy-Thrush Tanager, Long-billed
Starthroat, Little Tinamou, and Gray-headed Chachalaca.
Dinner at the hotel. Overnight at Hotel Rincon Vallero. (BLD)
DAY 8 - CHITRÉ
Transfer along the Pan-American Highway to the Cocle
Grasslands. The grasslands encompass areas considered to
be Important Bird Areas and has a habitat similar to the
Tocumen Marshes. The rice fields, marshes, and pasture lands
here are good sites to search for dry forest and open country
specialties such as the Savanna Hawk, Aplomado Falcon,
Veraguan Mango, Pearl Kite, Scaly-breasted Hummingbird,
Crested Bobwhite, and Crested Caracara. Briefly stop at
Penónomé, Panama’s geographic center. After lunch, visit
the town of Natá de los Caballeros and the historic Basílica
Menor Santiago Apóstol. Natá de los Caballeros was founded
in 1522 as a Spanish outpost. Visit the Aguadulce Salt Pans
(Las Salinas), home of the second largest concentration of
migratory shorebirds in Panama. Transfer to the hotel for
dinner. Overnight at Hotel Versalles. (BLD)
DAY 9 - CHITRÉ
Early morning birding at Las Macanas Marsh, a large wetland
ecosystem. Scan for migratory ducks and aquatic species.
Highlights could include Wattled Jacana, Purple Gallinule,
Glossy Ibis, Roseate Spoonbill, Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl,
Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture, and Brown-throated Parakeet.
Have lunch at the hotel, followed by leisure time. Take an
afternoon field trip to the desert-like Sarigua National Park
in search of migratory species. Return to the hotel for dinner.
Overnight at Hotel Versalles. (BLD)
DAY 10 - PANAMA CITY
Morning birding at Chitré’s Agallito Beach Mudflats. The
mudflats and mangroves attract birds include the Blackbellied Plover, American Oystercatcher, Western Sandpiper,
and many other coastal species. After visiting the mudflats,
explore the town of Chitré including the Herrera Museum,
which displays an interesting collection of archaeological
artifacts from various regions in Panama. Next head 2.5
miles south to Villa de los Santos and visit the Museo de
La Nacionalidad and the Iglesia de San Antanacio. La Villa
residents are especially proud of their town’s role in Panama’s
fight for independence. Lunch at the hotel, then transfer
to Panama City. Farewell dinner at the hotel. Overnight at
Holiday Inn - City of Knowledge. (BLD)
DAY 11 - FAREWELL!
After breakfast transfer to Tocumen International Airport for
the return flight. (B)
This program can be customized.
PROGRAM PRICING
ADDITIONAL NOTES
Binoculars are required for this program. We recommend
wide angle binoculars, something within the range of
7x35, 8x40 or even 10x50 with good light gathering
characteristics. Although light and comfortable, pocket
binoculars don’t work as well in low light conditions.
Participants should be in good physical condition and able
to walk unassisted for several hours each day.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Holiday Inn - City of Knowledge
The Holiday Inn - City of Knowledge is located just 15 minutes
from the center of Panama City. The property is surrounded by
tropical vegetation and overlooks the Panama Canal.
Room amenities: Private bathrooms, TV with cable, Wi-Fi,
radio/alarm clock, iron and ironing board, coffee maker, hair
dryer, mini bar, security box, air conditioning.
Facility amenities: Swimming pool, fitness center,
restaurant, bar, business center, Internet access, laundry services.
Gamboa Rainforest Resort
Gamboa Rainforest Resort is strategically located on the banks
of the Chagres River and the Panama Canal, near the Soberania
National Park. The lush surroundings and quiet neighborhood
are a nice refuge from the hustle and bustle of Panama City, just
30 minutes away.
Room amenities: Private bathrooms, tropical furnishings,
internet access, patio with hammock.
$2,695 (12 participants + 1 leader)
Facility amenities: Pools, business center, laundry services,
restaurants, bar, spa services, tour desk, room service, gift shop.
Includes: activities, accommodations, meals as stated in
the itinerary, local guide, in-country transportation.
Hotel Rincon Vallero
Not included: International airfare, gratuities, travel/
trip cancellation insurance, optional activities, items of a
personal nature, alcoholic beverages.
Rate is based on double occupancy for participants. Single
supplement is an additional $475 per person (limited
availability). Valid for travel in 2015.
THE FINE PRINT
A $200 per person deposit and enrollment form is due
upon booking and no later than four months prior to
departure. This deposit is refundable until 95 days prior
to departure excluding a $100 cancellation fee. Final
payments are due no later than 95 days prior to departure.
Cancellations received less than 95 days prior to departure
are not refundable.
Travel/trip cancellation insurance is strongly
recommended. For more information call Travel Insured
at 800-243-3174 or visit travelinsured.com. Holbrook
Travel’s agency number is 15849.
Set among a volcanic landscape and beautiful gardens, Hotel
Rincon Vallero offers a great location for bird watching and
nearby archaeological sites.
Room amenities: Air conditioning, hot water, phone,
television, mini bar, personal safe.
Facility amenities: Conference room, entertainment room,
Wi-Fi, swimming pool, spa, sauna, mini zoo, restaurant, bar.
Hotel Versalles
Hotel Versalles is an oasis of tranquility surrounded by the
excitement of one of the fastest growing areas in Panama.
Room amenities: Private bathroom, air conditioning, hot
water, phone, television, Wi-Fi.
Facility amenities: Restaurant, bar, conference rooms, WiFi, swimming pool, guest laundry.
This program includes carbon offsetting with ClimateSafe.
Learn more at holbrooktravel.com/ClimateSafe.
CONTACT INFORMATION
PHOTOS BY
Visit holbrooktravel.com/birding or reach a travel consultant
at 800-451-7111 or travel@holbrooktravel.com
Ariel Aguirre