This is our number one all inclusive 12 Day birding package dedicated to birding savannas, marches, lowland, foothills and highlands in the Panama tropical forest, covering the most and least frequented birding hotspots and secluded areas of Central Panama (world known) like Pipeline Road, Old Gamboa Road, Plantation Trail, Achiote Road and adjacent foothills of El Valle, Cerro Campana,  Cerro Azul, Cerro Jefe, Darien and Chiriqui. Being conservative, expect between 300 and + birds during this trip.

Central Panama (Canal + Atlantic and Pacific side)  

 DAY 1 – Metropolitan Nature Park –

A 470 acres of dry second and young growth forest with patches of grassy areas in search for Lance-tailed Manakin, the endemic Yellow-green Tyrannulet, Rosy Thrush-Tanager (uncommon), After lunch, visiting Panama Bay and coastal mudflats searching for Magnificent Frigatbird, Cocoi Heron, Mangrove Black-Hawk… Overnight in Panama City.

DAY 2 – Pipeline Road –

In search of Southern Bentbill, Spotted Antbird, Long-billed Gnatwren… also in Ammo Pond for Snail Kite, White-throated Crakes, Seedeaters, Rufescent Tiger-Heron, Anis and more. Afternoon back to Pipeline rd for birds that eluded us earlier.  Overnight in Panama City.

DAY 3 – Achiote Road –
An early start to Gatun Locks/Dam in the Caribbean site and other great spots… walk along parts of Achiote Road, searching for Spot-crowned Barbet, White-headed Wren, Blue Cotinga, Montezuma Oropendola and  other local species.. After lunch on route to Fort Sherman and San Lorenzo for Straight-billed Wood creeper, White and Black-tailed Trogon, Rufous Motmot … back to Panama. Overnight in Panama City.

DAY 4 – The Rain Forest Observation Tower..flight to Chiriquí –

Back to Pipeline and to The Rainforest Observation Tower for canopy birds Green-shrike Vireo, Gray Elaenia, Keel-billed Tucan, Black-mandible Tucan, Blue Cotinga, hummingbirds… later visit Old Gamboa Rd for Oropendolas, Collared Aracari, Boat-billed Heron, Green Heron, Amazon Kingfishers, and more.  Flight to David in the afternoon.  Overnight next to La Amistad International Park.

Western Panama - Chiriquí Highlands and Foothills
  
DAY 5 – Los Quetzales Trails –

An  early start to Los Quetzales Trail in the Parque Internacional La Amistad with a high concentration of endemic and mountain forests species, such as Buffy Tuftedcheek, Ruddy Treerunner, Spotted Barbtail and Scaly-throated Foliage-Gleaner hummingbirds like White-throated Mountain-Gem, Fiery-throated Hummingbird, Volcano-Hummingbird dedicating time to find the Resplendent Quetzal... Overnight next to La Amistad International Park.

DAY 6 – Volcan Lakes and Macho de Monte –

Good place for foothills species not found on the higher slopes of Cerro Punta…possibilities are the Northern Jacana, Olivaceous Piculet, Collared Trogon …After lunch at Rio Macho de Monte where a number of endemic species of the western Pacific can be found like the Riverside Wren, Fiery-billed Aracari, and Orange-bellied Trogons.  Overnight next to La Amistad International Park.

DAY 7 –  Santa Clara –

Early drive-birding along the way for Roadside Hawks, Bat Falcons, and Double-toothed Kites.  Foothills species not found around Volcan. Visit Finca Hartman a shade-grown coffee farm to find the Turquoise Cotinga, White-crested Coquette, White-tailed Emerald... In the afternoon, look for Flame-coloured Tanager, Yellow-winged Vireo and Warblers...return flight to Panama City.  Overnight in Panama City.

 Eastern Panama – Darien Lowlands
There are many good sites to bird. In Darien birding sites are spread out a bit, and some extensive drive time is unavoidable, but you will get a great a taste of South American species.

DAY 8 – Bayano –

Early drive to Darien… In Darien birding sites are spread out a bit, and some extensive drive time is unavoidable, but you will get a great a taste of South American species. Breakfast plus birding at roadside areas along Bayano Bridge and Lake and various trails will be grat.  Expect the Red-throated Caracara, Barred Puffbird, Plain-brown Woodcreeper, Jet Antbird, Black-striped Woodcreeper. The afternoon birding is at Torti Arriba looking for Scaly-breasted Hummingbird, Orange-crowned Oriole and birds missed early during the day… Overnight in Torti. 

The Darien lowland lodging will be rustic, but clean and safe. No hot water but air condition in rooms available. Don’t expect luxury. All meals will be in small local restaurants we call "Fondas" (breakfast, lunch, dinner)... with the traditional local menu of rice, fruits, plantains, chicken or fish  and at low price.

DAY 9 – San Francisco Reserve and Peñas Blancas –

Passing through pastures, younger second growth with scrubs, creeks and taller secondary forest birding at a Private Reserve look for the King Volture, Gray-cheek Nunlet, Stripe-throated Wren, Rufous-winged Antwren. In the afternoon a visit to the Peñas Blancas can yield us Mealy Amazon Parrot, Pied Puffbird, Greater-billed Ani, and Laughing Falcon.  Afternoon ride into the Darien frontier.  Overnight in Meteti.

DAY 10 – Inland Darien and Filo de Tallo Reserve  –

Our first stop is a nice patch of lowland forest home to Double-banded Graytail, Golden-headed Manakin, Bare-crowned Antbird, and Orange-crowned Oriole +…farther east well find the Black-capped Donacobius, Gray-breasted Crake and Large-billed Seed-Finch. After lunch visit the Reserva Filo de Tallo good place to get foothills species not found on the lowland...Overnight in Meteti.