Panama: Mindful Birding Retreat

Panama: Mindful Birding Retreat

  • Next tour dates June 16-22, 2024 
  • Duration 7 days
  • Lodging 4 stars
  • Difficulty Easy
  • Group size Max. 8 people
  • Price $2,485 USD per person*

Overview

The cloud forests of the western Panama highlands are home to an incredible amount of biodiversity. Mount Totumas Cloud Forest, in particular, has over 250 species of birds, as well as iconic mammals such as jaguars, pumas, tapirs, and other elusive wildlife that call this reserve home. This makes it an exceptional location to engage in mindful birding and ornitherapy. It is a place where we can deeply connect with birds and nature in a beautiful natural setting and take in all of the benefits it provides.

This 7-day mindful birding retreat is set in the lush highlands of western Panama. It is one of the best places in the world to see the extravagantly beautiful Resplendent Quetzal, as well as Black-faced SolitaireLong-tailed and Black-and-yellow silky-flycatchersGolden-browed ChlorophoniaTalamanca and Fiery-throated hummingbirds among more than a dozen other species of hummers, Silvery-fronted TapaculoBuffy Tuftedcheek, and Collared Trogon are just some of the amazing birds we can see in this region. In addition to birds, we also can revel in the beauty of native orchids, butterflies and other wildlife.

On this retreat, we will be joined by Holly Merker, author of Ornitherapy: For your Mind, Body and Soul. At times we will gather for workshops about mindful birding, and plenty of time will also be available for optional mindful activities, including yoga, meditation, nature sketching, and free time to enjoy in nature.

Itinerary

DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN PANAMA CITY

Welcome to Panama! Today we will transfer to the hotel nearby the airport where we can begin to take in the beautiful tropical surroundings! Local garden birds include colorful Blue-gray and Crimson-backed tanagersTropical KingbirdRuddy Ground DoveYellow-headed CaracaraRufous-tailed and Sapphire-throated hummingbirds, and much more. Once everyone has arrived, we will meet for a short orientation and introduction of our Panama mindful birding retreat, and enjoy a relaxing dinner together.

Scarlet-rumped Tanager Panama Whitehawk Birding
Scarlet-rumped Tanager

DAY 2: FLIGHT TO CHIRIQUI & TRANSFER TO MOUNT TOTUMAS

This morning we will take a short flight to Chiriqui in western Panama. Upon arrival in David, we will meet our driver and transfer 2.5 hours to the Chiriqui Highlands! Along the way, we can enjoy nice views of the countryside as we head into the lush, cool “Tierras Altas.” The last portion of the trip traverses a rugged mountain road, crossing streams until we reach our paradise for the next 4 days – Mount Totumas Ecolodge, nestled in the cloud forests bordering La Amistad International Park.

We will get settled into our rooms, take in the beautiful scenery around us, and begin exploring the gardens and surroundings for their incredible bird life. Sulphur-winged ParakeetScarlet-rumped TanagerRufous-collared Sparrow, and Slate-throated Redstart are just a few of the birds that will delight us around the main lodge and cabanas. This afternoon we will take a slow, introductory bird walk on one of the nearby trails to get acquainted with the birds of the cloud forest and feel the initial benefits of mindful birding.

DAYS 3-5: MOUNT TOTUMAS CLOUD FOREST RESERVE

Awake to the sounds of the cloud forest birdlife! With a hot drink in hand, we can enjoy the morning bird activity from the comfort of our balconies and lodge deck. Several species of hummingbirds flurry around the hummingbird feeders – Violet SabrewingGreen HermitGreen-crowned BrilliantLong-billed Starthroat, and Stripe-tailed Hummingbird are all regular visitors. Over the next three days, we will immerse ourselves in the peacefulness of this unique place, with sweeping mountain vistas, 30 km of trails through old growth cloud forests where jaguars, tapirs and other shy forest mammals roam through the 400 acre private reserve and adjacent international park, shared with Costa Rica.

We can observe Slaty Flowerpiercers utilizing their uniquely shaped beaks to pinch the bases of flowers in the garden, “robbing” the flowers of their nectar; we will watch as flashy Red-headed Barbets adorn the trees with their bright colors; and if lucky, we may be able to observe a majestic Ornate Hawk-Eagle soar gracefully over the forest canopy. To top it off, we will revel in the intense beauty of a male Resplendent Quetzal as it takes sallying flights to pluck its favorite fruits off tree branches; its veil-like tail, three times the length of its body, leaves us astonished. Likewise, the birds concert a natural symphony of song. At dawn, we will listen for the mournful calls of Collared Forest-FalconsBlack-faced Solitaires sing a fluty, sublime song that resonates through the forest; from the forest floor we hear the tinkling thin notes of brushfinches, and of course, delight our ears and souls with the melodic songs of Gray-breasted Wood Wrens and Flame-colored Tanagers.

Intermingled among our time observing birds, we will gather for mindful birding workshops, a great opportunity to learn about all of the benefits birds can bring us and ways to incorporate mindful birding into our lives. Over these three days, there will be optional activities to promote mindfulness, including Yoga sessions, guided meditation, nature sketching, and journaling. Also, feel free to go at your own pace through your own mindful birding journey, and enjoy some time in solitude in nature.

Our days will be enhanced further with delicious home-cooked meals presenting a colorful array of locally grown fruits and vegetables at every meal, treating our palates to a blend of local fare. In the evenings, we can gather to quietly listen to the sounds of the night forest, perhaps picking up the calls of owls and nightjars in the distance.

Mount Totumas Cloud Forest Trail Panama Whitehawk Birding

DAY 6: MOUNT TOTUMAS, & RETURN TO PANAMA CITY

Once again we will enjoy the morning surrounded by the birds and scenery of western Panama. We can take a relaxed pace today, stroll the trails once more, spend time observing the feeders, sketch or journal in the moment, or just listen to the sounds of the forest around us. After lunch, we will say our goodbyes and thanks to our friendly hosts at Mount Totumas and retrace our steps back to David to catch our return flight to Panama City. This evening we will enjoy a final dinner together and reflect on the experience of this time together, sharing our favorite encounters and moments.

DAY 7: DEPARTURE

After breakfast, our Panama mindful birding retreat concludes. We will transfer to Tocumen International Airport to catch your return flights home.

Species

BIRDS

  • Highland Tinamou
  • Gray-headed Chachalaca
  • Spotted Wood-Quail
  • Chiriqui Quail-Dove
  • White-necked Jacobin
  • Violet Sabrewing
  • Volcano Hummingbird
  • Green-crowned Brilliant
  • White-throated Mountain-gem
  • Lesser Violetear
  • Fiery-throated Hummingbird
  • Ornate Hawk-Eagle
  • White Hawk
  • Costa Rican Pygmy-Owl
  • Resplendent Quetzal
  • Collared Trogon
  • Red-headed Barbet
  • Northern Emerald-Toucanet
  • Acorn Woodpecker
  • Hairy Woodpecker
  • Barred Forest-Falcon
  • Barred Parakeet
  • Sulphur-winged Parakeet
  • Silvery-fronted Tapaculo
  • Spot-crowned Woodcreeper
  • Buffy Tuftedcheek
  • Ruddy Treerunner
  • Chiriqui Foliage-gleaner
  • Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner
  • Streak-breasted Treehunter
  • Barred Becard
  • Mountain Elaenia
  • Tufted Flycatcher
  • Dark Pewee
  • Ochraceous Pewee
  • Yellowish Flycatcher
  • Rufous-browed Peppershrike
  • Yellow-winged Vireo
  • Brown-capped Vireo
  • Blue-and-white Swallow
  • Ochraceous Wren
  • American Dipper
  • Black-faced Solitaire
  • Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher
  • Golden-browed Chlorophonia
  • Sooty-capped Chlorospingus
  • Costa Rican Brushfinch
  • Large-footed Finch
  • Wrenthrush
  • Flame-throated Warbler
  • Black-cheeked Warbler
  • Golden-crowned Warbler
  • Wilson’s Warbler
  • Collared Redstart
  • Flame-colored Tanager
  • Black-thighed Grosbeak
  • Scarlet-rumped Tanager
  • Silver-throated Tanager
  • Slaty Flowerpiercer

Mammals

  • Jaguar
  • Puma
  • Ocelot
  • Baird’s Tapir
  • Mantled Howler
  • Panamanian White-faced Capuchin
  • Central American (Geoffroy’s) Spider Monkey
  • Tayra
  • Nine-banded Armadillo

TOUR BASICS

Guide: Jenn Sinasac & Marta Curti
Single Supplement: US$150
Lodging: We will spend 4 nights at the lovely Mount Totumas Cloud Forest Lodge, situated on a 100-acre private reserve, protecting old-growth cloud forest and 30 km of self-guided nature trails. We will spend two nights at a high-quality airport hotel at the beginning and end of the retreat.
Food: Very good local and international cuisine.
Weather: Cool and humid in the highlands, hot and humid in the lowlands. Rain can be expected.
Difficulty: Easy with short walks at a gentle pace. Some trails may be muddy and/or on uneven surfaces with some inclines.

This special retreat is designed to help you create your own mindful birding practice, and participants are welcome to incorporate other mindful activities during the retreat.

*For more information on what is included/not included, as well as our booking and cancellation policies, please review our Terms & Conditions.

* With smaller groups, an additional fee will be charged.


LEARN MORE

Upcoming tour dates:
June 16-22, 2024

Trip Reports:
2023 Mindful Birding Retreat Trip Report

From our blog:
Our Guide to Ornitherapy – Getting Started
Ornitherapy: Birding for the Soul