Panama | Birding and Culture at the Crossroads of the Americas

Upon arrival at Tocumen International Airport in Panama City, meet your driver and transfer approximately 45 minutes to the hotel, which is situated along the Amador Causeway. Check-in begins at 3 pm. This is an international arrival day, with most flights arriving in the evening; therefore, no activities are planned today.

This morning meet for a welcome breakfast and orientation to the program and Panama City before heading out to explore the historical wonders of the city. The first stop is Panama Viejo. Founded in 1519, Panama Viejo (Old Panama) was the first Spanish city established on the Pacific coast of the Americas and was one of the most important trade routes in the history of the American continent. Together with the historical district of Panama, it forms a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. Highlights include the Catedral Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, Bishop House, Convent of the Nuns, and the Panama La Vieja Museum. Visit the Centro Municipal de Artesanias Panameñas for shopping then have lunch. Next, head to the Miraflores Locks Visitor Center to view the locks at work and enjoy the museum's interactive displays. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon. This evening meet a member of the Panama Audubon Society to learn about their important conservation work then have dinner at a local restaurant on the causeway.

Visit Finca Bayano just east of Panama City. Bird this private rice farm that is an ideal birding spot for marsh and lowland bird species such as the Cocoi Heron, Savanna Hawk, Laughing Falcon, Pale-breasted Spinetail, Pearl Kite, Straight-billed Woodcreeper, and the Pied Water-Tyrant among more. Later, visit Cerro Azul (house of Jerry and Linda Harrison) for hummingbird observation. Return to the hotel and have dinner.

Depart for Gamboa this morning with another stop at Centro Municipal de Artesanias Panameñas and the Agua Clara Visitor Center overlooking the new Panamax locks. Late afternoon bird walk after arrival at Gamboa Rainforest Resort.

After breakfast, transfer toward Lake Alajuela, with discussions en route about indigenous cultures and their history in Panama. Upon arrival at the Chagres River, board dugout canoes for the journey through the dense jungle. Upriver, step out of the dugout canoes and experience a short hike (which could be a bit muddy) to a beautiful waterfall in the midst of the rainforest. Those who want to cool off can take a swim in the refreshing pool just beneath the waterfall. Continue to the village of the Emberá, one of seven indigenous tribes in Panama. The people of the Emberá community will provide a warm welcome and share about their life. The village chief will explain the history of the tribe, its traditions, cultures, beliefs, and handicrafts. After a typical lunch of fish and plantains prepared by the Emberá women, experience a traditional dance and have the opportunity to shop for handicrafts. The sale of local products directly benefits the village and helps fund schooling for the children. There is also the opportunity to get "inked" with a temporary Emberá tattoo painting. Later this afternoon return by boat to the dock and transfer by bus to Gamboa Rainforest Resort. Settle in and have dinner at the hotel.

This morning, visit Soberanía National Park. Created in 1980, it stands as one of Panama's natural jewels and is one of the country's most accessible tropical rainforests. Next, visit Summit Ponds for birding and Summit Botanical Gardens, which hosts a research center for development of tropical biology and horticulture. The botanical garden showcases a representation of plant species from tropical and subtropical countries around the world and from the native species of Panama. Afterwards, return to the resort for lunch. This afternoon enjoy a presentation with the founder of the Pan American Conservation Association. Learn about wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, their work to transition injured animals back into the wild, animal relocation during canal expansion and meet their animal ambassadors.

Today, visit the Rainforest Discovery Center, located at the world-famous Pipeline Road. 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 and trogons. Ascend the 130-foot tower to observe birds in the canopy layer such as the Mealy and Red-lored Parrots, Keel-billed and Yellow-throated Toucans, Blue Cotinga, Masked Tityra, and Green and Red-legged Honeycreepers. Continue birding along Pipeline Road, looking for Crested Eagles and Hook-billed Kites. Golden-collared Manakin, White-bellied and Blue-throated Antbirds, and Pheasant Cuckoo may also be seen. This afternoon, take a ride on Gamboa's Aerial Tram, a journey of almost 2,000 feet aboard a gondola that rises above the rainforest, to appreciate viewpoints otherwise unachievable on the ground. At a height almost touching the treetops, you may see a wide variety of nesting birds, sloths, and several species of monkeys. At the end of the tram ride, you will find an impressive 100-foot-high observation tower with a 360-degree view of the Soberanía National Park, the Emberá indigenous communities nearby, and the famous intersection where the Chagres River feeds the Panama Canal and subsequently fills Gatun Lake to ensure the passage of ships.

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, Bicolored 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. Enjoy a picnic lunch, and then head out for birding at Metropolitan Nature Park, perhaps the only forest reserve within a major capital city in Latin America. Despite proximity to Panama City, it boasts rich avifauna. A member of the Audubon Society will accompany you. Farewell dinner this evening.

This morning transfer to the international airport for the flight to the United States. Participants with later flights can keep their hotel rooms until check out at 12 pm. Except for breakfast, all other meals are on your own today.