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. 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.
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.
As is the tradition with all of the Rockjumper guides that we've had the pleasure of being in the boonies with, Tuomas Seimola was outstanding. We enjoyed the trip a lot.
Forrest is truly a pleasure. His bird-finding skills, both by sight and ear, are phenomenal, but even more striking is his singular personality and people skills. Always enthusiastic. Not only would I travel with Forrest again, I preferentially would select a tour if he was guiding.
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.
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.
Tour Leader: Alexander Alvarado
Tour price (Per person): USD3,295 * GBP2,631 * EUR3,075 * AUD5,024
Single Supplement: USD610 * GBP487 * EUR569 * AUD930
Flight costs: USD280 * GBP224 * EUR261 * AUD427
Can be linked with: Panama - Best of Birding 2025
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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