ITINERARY IN BRIEF

(all inclusive 7 days 6 nights)

Day 1   Early drive to Darien?with a most detour to Nusugandi and Bayano.  Overnight in Torti.                   Go Back

In Darien Lowland - Eastern Panama are many good sites to bird.  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, locals and endemics.

Day 2   San Francisco Reserve and Pe?s Blancas.  Overnight in Torti.

Day 3   Inland Darien and Filo de Tallo Reserve.  Overnight in Meteti.  

Day 4   El Salto and the Private Foundation Reserve.  Overnight in Meteti.   

Day 5   Yaviza forest, wetlands and Cemetery.  Overnight in Meteti.  

Day 6  Nuevo Vigia Trails and Chucunaque river.  Overnight in Meteti.

Day 7  You will be drive backto Panama city . On the road we will stop at several places looking for the birds that have eluded us at places like Lago Bayano   and trails, Mono bridge and more.  Time permitting a visit  Cerro Azul is probable and drop-off at your next destination.  For those of you continuing with the Tour Extension(4 day of birding in Central Panama Canal) will be taken to the Hotel/B&B in Panama city.

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ABOUT DARIEN                   Go Back

Visiting the Darien can be a bit tricky, as the presence in the extreme eastern and coastal portion of Colombia narco-traficantes makes the Panamanian border police very nervous about the safety of tourists.  We will be visiting areas well-away from any danger, but even so may find ourselves turned away as we go farther east, so we always have a "Plan B"-- there are many good sites to bird.  A lot of the remaining forest in the region belongs the indigenous Kuna and Embera peoples, so in case we have to make use of this contingency plan, we will hire a local fellow to help us navigate the protocols to gain access to the best areas.  The birding will be excellent no matter where we go, an any additional time west might actually earn us some species that can be missed in the east, so this is a win-win situation.

Note: Don't expect luxury.  The Darien lowland lodging will be rustic, but clean and safe. No hot water but air condition in rooms available.  The traditional meals of rice, fruits, plantains, chicken or fish will be at the only restaurant-fonda in town.

FITNESS 
Easy and moderate long walks daily required.

CLOTHING
Dress for tropical hot humid weather and be ready for rain. Rubber boots can be of help during rainy season trips but not necessary.

GEAR
Binoculars, scope (optional), field guide, notebook, camera (optional ), insect repellent and sun block