Panama: Gamboa and The Darien
Greetings Everyone!

I am currently reading a book that weighs about 3 pounds, seriously, it doesn't travel well.... It is the complete history of the Panama Canal, written by David McCullough and titled "The Paths Between the Sea". I'm about two thirds through the book. It is excellent, and everything you ever wanted to know about the 400 hundred year history of people who dreamed, attempted, and built the Panama Canal. The book was published in 1977 and so ends just before the time that President Jimmy Carter negotiated the Torrijos-Carter Treaty, which was ratified by the U.S. Senate in 1978 and gave the Panamanian government control of the canal.

Tomorrow I am traveling to Panama for the upcoming tour that focuses on raptor migration, and we will see plenty of other birds and wildlife as well. Last April we were in Panama for the spring migration, and it was so amazing that we decided we had to return for the fall migration. It is not too late to sign up for the November trip. We expect to see about 300 different species of birds.

Has it been a long time since you left the country? And maybe you just need to get your feet wet again to feel comfortable with international travel? 

If so, then the Panama City and Gamboa areas would be a great first choice.  Panama City is very safe and during the pandemic had strict mask wearing protocols, which everyone followed.  The vaccination rate is nearly the same as the United States. I spent nearly 6-weeks traveling in Panama this past year during December/January and March/April, and it was awesome.

Covid Testing: As of June 12th, you no longer need a Covid test to enter Panama or re-enter the United States. Yeah!! You only need to be fully vaccinated.

Due to the pandemic, Panama has become a great place to visit and I have added several trips for this fall and winter/spring.

Our Gamboa trip, November 1 - 7, 2022, is during peak raptor migration! 4 spots left

Click here to view the webpages: Panama or click on the individual trips for itineraries
 
  • Dates: January 26 - February 6, 2023
  • Group Size: 7 travelers, plus guides (3 spots left)
  • Trip Length: 12 days
  • Rates: $5,150 per person, ($800 extra for single occupancy)
  • Rates include: Domestic transfers, lodging, breakfast, lunch, dinner, scheduled group tours, park entrance fees and basic travel insurance.
  • Not included: International airfare, customs & immigration fees and visas, alcohol, trip cancellation insurance, Covid testing.
  • Adventure level: Easy for the Gamboa part, and moderate for the Darien part of the trip, please check the “Welcome” page for definition

Special offer:  Included with your trip (one per room) is a copy of the field guide “The Birds of Panama” by George Angehr and Robert Dean. You will receive this when you reserve your trip so you will have time to study and know the beautiful birds of Panama.
Below is a video I took with my cell phone through the scope.
This male Harpy Eagle was sitting above the nest, overlooking a young chick. The eagle was there for about an hour, and then flew away. Check out the neck rotation of this bird! This bird can be seen on the 2023 tour that goes to the Darien.
(This is a checklist of the birds that we have seen on this trip)

Animals we saw on the last trip: Four species of monkeys (including Night-Monkeys), Anteaters, both 2-toed and 3-toad sloths, Coati, Agouti, Squirrels, and Capybara. Many of the mammals had babies. We also saw many reptiles and amphibians including the spectacled Caiman and the American Crocodile.

If you would like to see photos from the trip, please click here:

Panama Photo Gallery
Time to Sign- up for Panama!
Travel Schedule 2022
  • Panama Gamboa November 1 - 7th
  • Colombia Andes/Amazon November 21 - December 6th
  • Stockholm Christmas December 20 - 27th
  • Iceland New Years December 30 - January 5th

Travel Schedule 2023
  • Argentina Iguazu January 12 - 21st
  • Panama January 26 - Feb 6th
  • Colombia Bogotá Basin February 10 - 19
  • Colombia Amazon February 20 - 28th
  • Taiwan April 9 - 18th
  • Taiwan Taroko April 19 - 22nd
  • Santa Fe Opera & Birding August 20 - 26th
  • Taiwan Nov 1 - 10th
  • Taiwan Taroko Nov 11 - 14th
  • Colombia Andes November 28 - December 13th
  • Stockholm Christmas December 20 - 27th
  • Iceland New Years December 30 - January 5th
Kaiyote Tours www.KaiyoteTours.com +1 970-556-6103