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RAINFOREST, HIGHLANDS & TROPICAL BIRDING PARADISE
Panama's Canopy Tower & El Valle's Canopy Lodge
Experience Panama’s tropical birding at its finest with two of the Neotropics’ most celebrated lodges. From the famous Canopy Tower—perched above the rainforest canopy of Soberanía National Park—to the tranquil Canopy Lodge in El Valle de Antón, this journey blends extraordinary birding with comfort and charm. We’ll explore legendary Pipeline Road, scan the canopy for Blue Cotinga and Green Shrike-Vireo, and enjoy vibrant feeders alive with tanagers, motmots, and hummingbirds. With access to both Caribbean and Pacific slopes, the tour delivers a remarkable diversity of birds and habitats, all at an easy pace with exceptional accommodations and cuisine.
Starting At
Coming Soon
12 Days
12 Days
10 Guests
Pace
Tour Overview
Panama is one of the premier birding destinations in the Neotropics—compact, accessible, and rich with life. Nowhere else can you experience such biodiversity so easily. This tour unites two of Central America’s finest ecolodges—the Canopy Tower and Canopy Lodge—for an unforgettable exploration of the country’s forests, foothills, and wetlands.
Our adventure begins at the Canopy Tower, a converted radar station rising high above the rainforest canopy. From its observation deck, we’ll watch dawn unfold over Soberanía National Park, greeted by the calls of howler monkeys and the sight of toucans gliding through the treetops. Here, we’ll enjoy close views of species usually hidden from sight—like the glittering Blue Cotinga, Masked Tityra, and Green Shrike-Vireo. Nearby, the world-famous Pipeline Road offers some of the best birding on Earth, with puffbirds, motmots, antbirds, and manakins among a host of tropical treasures.
From the Tower, we move to the cooler highlands of El Valle de Antón, a picturesque village cradled in the crater of an ancient volcano. Our home here, the Canopy Lodge, is surrounded by lush gardens and fruit feeders that attract a parade of colorful visitors: Rufous Motmot, Crimson-backed Tanager, Green Honeycreeper, and Violet-headed Hummingbird among them. Excursions to Cerro Gaital and Altos del Maria reveal a different side of Panama—misty foothill forest alive with trogons, antpittas, and hummingbirds like the exquisite Rufous-crested Coquette.
With excellent lodging, delicious local cuisine, and relaxed pacing, this journey offers both accessibility and adventure—a perfect way to experience Panama’s beauty, birds, and tropical spirit.
Ecosystems Experienced
Lowland rainforest, cloud forest, foothill woodland, and volcanic highlands—showcasing both Caribbean and Pacific slope biodiversity.
Expected Climate
Temperature
Warm and humid in the Canal Zone (70–90°F / 21–32°C); cooler and fresher in El Valle (65–80°F / 18–27°C).
Rainfall
Short tropical showers possible, especially in the afternoons; generally bright mornings and mild evenings.
Seasons
January marks Panama’s dry season—ideal for birding and wildlife viewing across both regions.
Key Species
Slaty-tailed Trogon
Rufous-crested Coquette
Dull-mantled Antbird
Green Shrike-Vireo
Rufous Motmot
Crimson-backed Tanager
Leader
+ Local Leader
Jeri Langham
Jeri M. Langham holds a Ph.D. in plant ecology and spent 38 years teaching biological sciences at California State University, Sacramento, earning multiple university awards for excellence and service. Born in Venezuela and fluent in Spanish, he has birded widely across the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Australia. Jeri is a former California Bird Records Committee member and a Founding Director of the Neotropical Grassland Conservancy.
Itinerary
Day 1
Travel for an evening arrival at Tocumen International Airport and transfer to the Canopy Tower above Soberanía National Park.
Settle in and rest amid the sounds of the tropical forest.
Day 2
Experience an early morning birding from the Canopy Tower’s observation deck—Keel-billed and Yellow-throated toucans, Masked Tityra, and Blue Cotinga often in view.
Explore the lush forest along Semaphore Hill, searching for Broad-billed Motmot, Chestnut-backed Antbird, and manakins.
Spend the afternoon at feeders for hummingbirds and tanagers before sunset in the canopy.
Day 3
Visit the legendary Pipeline Road, famed for its astounding diversity.
Watch antbirds follow army ant swarms; seek Rufous-vented Ground-Cuckoo, Golden-collared Manakin, and trogons.
Enter the Rainforest Discovery Center tower for panoramic views and flocks of honeycreepers, warblers, and raptors gliding overhead.
Day 4
Visit the legendary Pipeline Road, famed for its astounding diversity.
Watch antbirds follow army ant swarms; seek Rufous-vented Ground-Cuckoo, Golden-collared Manakin, and trogons.
Enter the Rainforest Discovery Center tower for panoramic views and flocks of honeycreepers, warblers, and raptors gliding overhead.
Day 5
Take a morning drive to Cerro Azul’s foothills for hummingbirds—Rufous-crested Coquette, Violet-capped Hummingbird, and Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer among them.
In the afternoon, stop along the Pacific coast for shorebirds, herons, and lapwings before returning to the Tower.
Day 6
Take a scenic drive to the highland crater valley of El Valle de Antón.
Attend afternoon birding at La Mesa for Emerald and Silver-throated tanagers, Northern Emerald-Toucanet, and Collared Trogon.
In the evening, arrive back at Canopy Lodge—welcome dinner and birdwatching at the feeders.
Day 7
Explore cloud forest and foothill woodland at Altos del Maria, seeking Tody Motmot, Black-crowned Antpitta, and White-tipped Sicklebill.
Enjoy a picnic lunch amid waterfalls and misty ridgelines.
Relax in the afternoon during garden birding back at the Lodge.
Day 8
Explore cloud forest and foothill woodland at Altos del Maria, seeking Tody Motmot, Black-crowned Antpitta, and White-tipped Sicklebill.
Enjoy a picnic lunch amid waterfalls and misty ridgelines.
Relax in the afternoon during garden birding back at the Lodge.
Day 9
Visit open country, wetlands, and rice fields for raptors, owls, and hummingbirds during the Pacific Lowlands Excursion (Juan Hombrón & Santa Clara)
Lunch and leisure at the private beachfront home of Raúl Arias de Para; optional swim or seaside birding.
Day 10
Zip around during the optional zipline excursion through the forest canopy near El Valle, or relaxed birding around the Lodge’s gardens and streams.
Depart in the afternoon for Panama City to stay overnight near the airport.
Day 11
Take a morning transfers to Tocumen International Airport for flights home.
What’s Included
Accomodations & Dining
Settle into comfortable accommodations with modern amenities. Enjoy freshly prepared meals that highlight local flavors and international favorites, with consideration for any dietary needs.
Guided Services & Gratuities
Experience each destination with the help of Leaders who share history, culture, and wildlife insights. Gratuities for crew and local guides are included, ensuring seamless service without extra concerns; tipping for your Leaders is discretionary and not included.
Active Essentials
Every tour includes the core elements that make our field experiences possible so you can stay engaged with a range of activities. All outings include the necessary equipment and full safety support, making it easy to join at your own pace.
Transportation & Logistics
We coordinate every transfer, from airport pickup to port boarding. Whether traveling by bus, boat, or charter, our team ensures smooth connections and stress-free travel.
FAQs
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