When it comes to birds, Panama boasts the highest diversity of species in Central America. The country’s distinctive geographic location makes it the prime respite for migratory birds from both North and South America. Whether you’re a novice birder or an expert, this program will provide astounding surveys of many beautiful bird species, along with other magnificent animals. Hike through a national park, visit noteworthy birding trails, and spend eight days immersed in Panama’s inviting culture and natural landscapes.

• ExplorePlantationRoad,ahistoricfour-miledirtroad,insearchofinteriorforestbirdslikeGray-headedTanager,Bi-coloredAntbird,andpossiblyRuddyWoodcreeper.

• Travel6,300feetabovesealeveltothehighlandsofVolcáninsearchoftheexceedinglyrareandmajesticResplendentQuetzal.

• Visittheworld-famousMirafloresLocksandmuseumofthePanamaCanal.

• DiscoverSoberaníaNationalPark,a55,000-acreforesthometoover400speciesofbirds,andhikethedistinguishedPipelineRoad.

• Climba130-foottowerforrareviewsoftheforest’scanopylevel.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

holbrooktravel.com | 800-451-7111

8 DAYS | Choose your dates | Best season to travel: OCT-JUL

• Bilinguallocalguide• Driver• Accommodations• Activities• Privatetransportation• Meals• Beverageswithmeals• Carbonoffsetting

WHAT’S INCLUDED?

Between Two Continents: Birding in Panama PANAMA

SILVER-THROATED TANAGER BY DOMINIC SHERONY

MIRAFLORES LOCKS

CUSTOMIZE

THIS

PROGRAM!

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.

THE FINE PRINT

Emerald Tanager and Rufous-browed Tyrannulet. Have lunch at a local family-owned restaurant within a farm that is devoted to conservation and birding. After lunch you’ll have the opportunity to spot some 25 species of mid-elevation hummingbirds. Overnight at Hotel El Bambito Resort. (BLD)

DAY 7 - PANAMA CITY After an early breakfast, check out of the hotel and travel back to David, Chiriquí to board the flight back to Panama City. Overnight at Crown Plaza Panama. (BLD)

DAY 8 - DEPARTURE Transfer to the airport for the flight home. (B)

DAY 1 - GAMBOA Upon arrival at Tocumen International Airport meet your guide and transfer to your hotel. Overnight at Gamboa Rainforest Resort.

DAY 2 - GAMBOA Breakfast and orientation at the hotel restaurant then depart for the world famous Pipeline Road at Soberanía National Park, a 55,000 acre woodland where nearly 400 species of birds have been recorded including the Black Hawk eagle, Black-cheeked Woodpecker, Black-breasted Puffbird, Broad-billed Motmot, Blue Cotinga, Purple-throated Fruitcrow, Masked Tityra, Gartered Trogon, Fasciated Antshrike, Shining Honeycreeper, and a great array of North American migrants. Later, travel to the Panama Canal’s famed Miraflores Locks for lunch and exploration of the museum, hopefully seeing a ship passing through the locks. Later in the afternoon spend time birding at the Ammo Dump Ponds. Overnight at Gamboa Rainforest Resort. (BLD)

DAY 3 - GAMBOA After breakfast journey to Plantation Road. This old, graded dirt road passes along a mature forest and is approximately four miles long. Go birding along the road in search of interior forest birds, such as Spotted, Bi-colored and Ocellated Antbirds, Gray-headed Tanagers, and Plain-brown, Northern Barred and (if you’re lucky) Ruddy Woodcreepers, following army ant swarms. Be on the lookout for the Hook-billed Kite, while Golden crowned Spadebills are regulars around the creek, and White-breasted Wood Wrens, Tinamous and leaftossers are easy to spot. Return to Gamboa for lunch, then visit the Panama Rainforest Discovery Center. Begin at the visitor center, observing up to 14 species of hummingbirds that have been recorded at the feeders. Continue along the trails observing birds of the undergrowth such as manakins, anteaters and trogons. Ascend the 130-foot tower to observe birds in the canopy layer such as the famous Blue Cotinga and toucans, before checking out the viewing platform by the lake to see aquatic birds like Wattled Jacana, Least Grebe, herons and Snail Kites. In addition to birds you will be able to see other animals like monkeys, crocodiles, coatis, and butterflies. Overnight at Gamboa Rainforest Resort. (BLD)

DAY 4 - CHIRIQUÍ After breakfast, travel to the airport for the flight to David, Chiriquí. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant then travel 6,300 feet above sea level to the highlands of Volcán in the Pila Hill Formation of Friendship International Park. Spend the afternoon in the highlands seeking out Quetzals before returning for dinner. These magnificent birds, with their emerald green two-foot tails flowing behind them, are exceedingly rare in Central America. Your chances of seeing them here are excellent and they are often accompanied by Emerald Toucanets. Overnight at Hotel El Bambito Resort. (BLD)

DAY 5 - CHIRIQUÍ After breakfast journey nearby to Los Quetzales Trail in Volcán Barú National Park. Established in 1976, the park is part of the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor and is home to over 250 species of birds including quetzals, Volcano Junco, Yellow-thighed Finch, Black-and-White Hawk- Eagle, Black Guan, skulking Wrenthrush, Silvery-throated Tapaculo, White-naped Brushfinch, and mixed flocks containing a wealth of colorful tanagers and warblers. Return to the hotel for lunch, before heading back out to Las Lagunas and the Janson Family Farm in nearby Volcán. Las Lagunas (“the Lakes”) are Panama’s highest elevation natural wetlands and sit 4,000 feet above sea level. Some of the species that can be found here include the Masked Duck, Chiriquí Yellowthroat, Blue-winged Teal, Lesser Scaup, Crested Guan and more. Return to the hotel for dinner and optional nocturnal birding in search of owls. Overnight at Hotel El Bambito Resort. (BLD)

DAY 6 - CHIRIQUÍ Today travel to the Chiriquí midlands, south of Volcán in search of species such as the Red-headed Barbet, Sepia-capped Flycatcher,

This program includes optional carbon offsetting with ClimateSafe. Learn more at holbrooktravel.com/climatesafe

BLD = BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER

ITINERARY

PROGRAM PRICING$2,630 (12 participants + 1 leader)$2,535 (10 participants + 1 leader)

International airfare, gratuities, and items of a personal nature are not included. Valid for travel in 2020.

holbrooktravel.com | 800-451-7111

Holbrook Travel purchases Travel Protection on behalf of all participants traveling in 2018 or beyond. These plans help provide coverage once the trip has departed and offer benefits for Baggage/Personal Effects, Accident & Sickness Medical Expenses, Emergency Evacuation and more. Refer to the Plan Document for more details.Optional additional coverage is available in the form of the Group Deluxe Plan, which offers benefits for Trip Cancellation/Interruption, in addition to many other insurance benefits and non-insurance assistance services. If interested in this optional plan, we can provide you with rates and plan details.

TRAVEL PROTECTION

GAMBOA RAINFOREST BY KATJA SCHULZ