Panama: The Darien Wilderness: Feb 19—28, 2009

Great Curassow — Photo: Peter Roberts

A true wilderness adventure to arguably the most important faunal reserve in Central America. All of the large birds and mammals still survive in this region, plus an amazing array of endemics and species hard-to-find anywhere.

Wilderness is the word that comes to mind when the Darien Province of Panama is mentioned. The very name conjures up images of unbroken rainforest, a jungle so thick that the last leg of the Pan-American Highway still has not been cut through it. This image is largely correct for this remote area on the doorstep of South America, yet the region has never been more accessible to birders. In conjunction with ANCON Expeditions of Panama (AEP), VENT is pleased to offer this tour to the Darien, traveling by charter flight to the Cana/Cerro Pirre area of the huge Darien National Park. Without a doubt, this vast wilderness is the richest single area for wildlife in Central America. All of the large indicator species are still present here, including jaguar, tapir, large raptors, Great Curassow, and four species of macaws, plus a phenomenal assortment of other top-quality species. In addition, the Darien supports a number of endemic or range-restricted birds, so many that an entire plate in A Field Guide to the Birds of Panama is devoted to them.

The bulk of our time will be spent at the old mining camp at Cana, our base in the foothills of Cerro Pirre. Quite simply, this is one of the "birdiest" places that we have ever seen. The small clearing and airstrip here are surrounded by a melange of secondary-growth of varying ages, while the ridges above are largely untouched forest, making for almost non stop birding action. Some groups have recorded over 100 species during their first morning around the clearing! We will spend a full week here, working well-established trails out from Cana, and spending two nights camping on the mountain, thereby putting the upper-elevation endemics within our reach. Access is by charter aircraft, our flight taking us over the Pacific coast and lowlands until the last clearings are left behind and we turn inland over unbroken forest. Accommodations here are basic, but adequate—a large wooden cabin partitioned into rooms, with shared bathrooms and showers—while on the mountain we will have comfortable tents set up for us.

For those who love birding in a wild place, combined with hiking, camping, and a taste of adventure, this trip is a must.

Basic accommodations, with camping several nights; birding on foot on well-established foot trails; hike up Cerro Pirre for foothill specialties; warm and humid climate.