Tour Leader: Robert Wilcox
Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated and dates may change*
Tour price (Per person): USD3,400 * GBP2,711 * EUR3,272 * AUD5,459
Can be linked with: Panama - Best of Birding 2026
The Chiriquí Extension visits the Western Highlands, a chain of volcanic mountains straddling the Panamanian and Costa Rican border. They host a unique and interesting avifauna that includes many regional highland endemics, and some of the world’s most spectacularly beautiful birds! We will try to locate as many of the 50+ highland endemic species as time permits. One of the obvious targets will be the awe-inspiring Resplendent Quetzal, along with a host of highland hummingbirds, tanagers, trogons, and many others! We will visit the lush mid-elevations of the Caribbean slope, which harbours a very different suite of birds to those seen thus far, where possibilities may include the bizarre Bare-necked Umbrellabird, Emerald and Rufous-winged Tanagers and White-bellied Mountaingem whilst also dedicating time to finding the recently split Chiriquí Yellowthroat.
Resplendent Quetzal; Wrenthrush; Flame-throated & Black-cheeked Warblers; Yellow-thighed & Large-footed Finches; Turquoise Cotinga; Three-wattled Bellbird; Black-and-yellow Phainoptila; Silvery-fronted Tapaculo; Long-tailed Silky-Flycatcher; Collared Whitestart; Prong-billed Barbet; Sooty-capped Bush Tanager; Black Guan; Red-fronted Parrotlet; Bare-necked Umbrellabird; Chiriqui Yellowthroat; Chiriqui Quail-Dove; Fiery-billed Aracari; Orange-collared Manakin; Blue-and-gold, Spangle-cheeked & Emerald Tanagers; Slaty Flowerpiercer; American Dipper; Lattice-tailed Trogon; Brown-billed Scythebill; Dull-mantled Antbird; Rufous-rumped Antwren; Rufous-browed Tyrannulet; Golden-bellied Flycatcher; Black-and-white Becard; Azure-hooded Jay; Blue-throated Toucanet; Spot-crowned Woodcreeper; Dark Pewee; Ochraceous & Timberline Wrens; Black-faced Solitaire; Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush; Mountain Thrush; Golden-browed Chlorophonia. Hummingbird fans: Snowcap (rare), Scintillant, Volcano, Snowy-bellied, Stripe-tailed, Black-bellied & Admirable Hummingbirds, White-throated Mountaingem, Green Hermit, Violet Sabrewing, Green Violetear and Green-crowned Brilliant.
cloud forest, montane forest, alpine scrub, volcanic slopes, volcanic lakes, marshes, grasslands
hot and humid in the lowlands, cool in the cloud forests to very cold atop Volcan Baru
8 with 1 Rockjumper leader & local birding leader
MODERATE TO CHALLENGING: This tour requires a good level of fitness, stamina, and overall health. It’s best suited for experienced birders who are comfortable with a more active itinerary. Please note that it may not be ideal for avid photographers, new birders, or those with mobility or health concerns.
Moderate. Suitable for most birding / wildlife interest levels. Both extensions are moderate with some more taxing (optional) elements. A good level of fitness is necessary.
Comfortable.
Mostly easy, with several trickier forest species. Garden & lodge birding typically provides good visuals of most species.
Worthwhile to good. Several fruit & hummingbird feeders. Photography more difficult within closed forest canopy.
Both guides and trip were great. Especially glad that Adam Walleyn offered to stay at the Rufous-vented Ground-Cuckoo location and skip lunch if any others wanted to also skip lunch to try to view the bird. Only two of us skipped lunch to stay with Adam and all three of us got to see the bird.
Kudos to the entire Rockjumper team for making this tour on the cusp of a global pandemic a complete success: Rob for remaining in the present during our week in the highlands, always congenial, informative and entertaining despite facing complete uncertainty about being able to return to the UK; our superb local guide, who immediately found sites outside the closed national parks for our target birds. For five magical days we had good birds, good coffee, and good vibes all around.
Forrest is an outstanding guide. I often have trouble getting on a bird and he was very patient with me. He lived up to all the hype my friend told me. Looking forward to more trips with Rockjumper and especially with Forrest.
I really enjoyed the tour. Guides were knowledgeable and helpful, the group dynamics were good and - most importantly, we saw loads of exciting birds. I would undoubtedly have missed many species without the expert guidance and knowledge of Tuomas Seimola and the team.
This was my first international birding tour experience, and so while I have no basis for comparison, I was completely satisfied by this tour. The guides were excellent. Their knowledge was near encyclopaedic, and most importantly, never-ending. I would actively seek to go on tour with Tuomas Seimola again.
Panama - Highlights (Relaxed) 2024 - April 2024
Panama - Best of Birding 2022 - March 2022
Panama - Best of: Darien Extension 2022 - March 2022
Panama - Best of Birding 2019 - March 2019
Panama - Best of Birding 2018 - March 2018
Panama - Best of: Darien Extension III 2017 - April 2017
Panama - Best of Birding I 2017 - March 2017
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