Pipeline Road, Soberania National Park
Natural History and Birdwatching
Soberania National Park is considered to be one of the most accessible areas for bird watching and wildlife observation in Central America. Pipeline Rd. is world famous among birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts due to its high yield in terms of wildlife diversity.
2009 Departure Dates: Scheduled at your request year around.
2009 Rates: $125 per person plus 5% government tax with a minimum of 4 people; $145 per person plus 5% tax with only 2 people.
Early in the morning you are picked up at the lobby of your hotel by our Naturalist Guide and transferred to Soberania National Park in the Panama Canal Watershed. We will reach world renowned Pipeline Rd. by vehicle and start our hike from the entrance. Pipeline Rd. is the site where Audubon Society held its world Christmas bird count record for 19 years straight, with 357 species of birds identified in a period of 24 hours.
During World War II, a pipeline was built along the Panama Canal to transport fuel from one ocean to the other in the event the waterway was attacked. Fortunately, it was never used. Today, the road built to maintain the pipeline provides excellent access to primary rainforests within Soberania National Park. Only 45 minutes from Panama City, Soberania's 55,000 acres boast some 525 species of birds including the Black Hawk-eagle, Black-cheeked woodpecker, Black-breasted puffbird, Broad-billed motmot, Blue cotinga, Purple-throated fruitcrow, Masked tytira, Violaceous trogon, Fasciated antshrike, Shining honeycreeper, and a great array of migrants (during the North American winter months).
By late morning we take a short drive to nearby Summit Botanical Gardens where we have a picnic lunch.
We do some last minute birding around Summit Ponds to look for Boat-billed Herons and Spectacled Owl before returning to your hotel in Panama City.
WHAT TO BRING: Binoculars, camera, cap or hat, sunscreen lotion, insect repellant, light clothing, light raincoat, good traction footwear, bird field guide.
Tour Pick Up Times:
Pick up time at hotel in Panamá City: 6:00am Return to hotel in Panamá City: 1:30pm.
Bilingual Naturalist Guide. Lunch included (picnic).