American Pygmy Kingfisher Panama Whitehawk Birding

Ornitherapy Tours

Our inspiration for ornitherapy tours: Recently, more and more scientific evidence shows that spending time in nature can be very beneficial to our health. Even a few minutes in a forest, at a beach, or in the mountains can help improve mood and the ability to focus on tasks. Therefore birding, an activity usually carried out in a natural setting, can also help to relieve stress and promote relaxation. At the same time, it requires one’s consistent attention and helps improve concentration. The term ornitherapy – the healing power of birding in nature – used for the first time by Robin A.F. Cox in a letter he wrote for the British Medical Journal in 1974, stems from this principle.

With this in mind, we offer ornitherapy tours for those seeking a more relaxed pace while birding. These tours focus on spending more time with each species, observing their behaviors, studying the details of their plumage, and enjoying their songs.

Ornitherapy tours combine birding with other optional therapeutic activities, such as yoga and meditation. These trips are ideal for those who would like to use their vacation time to release the stress and strain that everyday life can put on our minds and our bodies. They also are perfect for those who may wish to travel with a partner who isn’t as avid a birder, or for yoga lovers who would like to learn more about the natural world. Either way, an ornitherapy tour will provide you and your travel partners with a rewardable, enjoyable birding and mindful experience.

Our Ornitherapy Tours

Red-headed Barbet Panama Whitehawk Birding

PANAMA: MINDFUL BIRDING RETREAT

Dates: June 16-22, 2024
Spaces Available: 3

Price: $2,485 pp
Max Participants: 8

This retreat is designed to help you develop your own mindful birding practice. Set in the beautiful, lush highlands of western Panama, we immerse ourselves in nature and receive its many benefits for our health and well-being.

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PANAMA: INTRO TO BIRDING & YOGA

Dates: OPEN*
Spaces Available: 8

Price: TBD
Max Participants: 8

Panama combines the perfect setting for natural exploration and relaxation. Extensive forests, endless miles of pristine coastline, and hundreds of species of colorful birds make Panama a top choice for immersion in tropical nature. 
* Private group tour

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BELIZE: MINDFUL BIRDING & YOGA

Dates: OPEN*
Spaces Available: 8

Price: TBD
Max Participants: 8

Natural beauty and relaxation are two ways to best describe Belize. While exploring this birder’s paradise, we will take our time to truly enjoy the beauty and wonder of the birds we see. Along the way, we will visit breathtaking waterfalls, roaring rivers and winding jungle trails.
* Private group tour