Realm of the Harpy Eagle

Lost World Adventures itineraries can be tailor-made according to your plans and preferences: budget, hotel selections, travel dates, optional excursions, length of trip, etc.

Day 1 : Panama City – Punta Patiño Nature Reserve – Gulf of San Miguel

Early this morning you will be met at your hotel lobby by your Naturalist Guide at your hotel lobby. Set off for a scenic 4-5 hour ride from Panama City along the Pan-American Highway, east to Puerto Quimba, Darien.

Along the way, your Naturalist Guide will give you an introduction to your 4-day adventure while traveling from a vibrant cosmopolitan city to small farming towns and indigenous villages; from multi-lane highways to narrows country roads; from skyscrapers to simple houses along rivers with meadows and forests.

In a small village along the way stop for a typical Panamanian breakfast where you will enjoy an arrange of local fritters, fresh fruits, freshly brewed coffee and more local specialties.

Late morning arrive to Puerto Quimba, embark a motorized boat and go on an approx. 1.5 hour boat ride along the Tuira River and the Pacific Ocean to the private 65,000-acre Punta Patiño Nature Reserve.

After a short hike to the lodge you settle into your private rustic cabin. After a light and refreshing lunch overlooking the Gulf of San Miguel you will head out on your first excursion of the trip.

Lead by your Naturalist Guide you will hike into the forest in search of nature creatures and exquisite flora. You will learn about the work that the National Association for the Conservation of Nature (ANCON) is carrying out to protect the reserve and how the rainforest is regenerating.

This evening you will take a short walk to the wetlands in search of the Capybara, the world’s largest rodent and the northernmost range being Panama. You will also look for caiman, owls and other nocturnal species.

Overnight at Punta Patiño Lodge. All meals included today.

Day 2 : Punta Patiño Nature Reserve

After a hearty breakfast you will hike the Piedra Candela Trail where your guide will describe the importance of this tropical dry forest. This type of forest is quickly vanishing due to deforestation.

After lunch the afternoon is open to continue exploring the area surrounding the lodge on your own, enjoy the view from the second floor veranda or take a siesta in one of the hammocks at your cabin. Late this afternoon you board a boat for a coastal tour of the reserve and the sea bird’s nesting areas of El Morro.

Overnight at Punta Patiño Lodge. All meals included today.

Day 3 : The Harpy Eagle of the Mogue River

This morning you embark on a motorized dugout canoe and head for the Mogue River. You will look for the Roseate Spoonbill, Ibis, Osprey and Raccoons fishing along the river. The trip upriver takes you through millenary mangroves making for an extraordinary boat ride.

You arrive at the village of Mogue where the local inhabitants greet you. In search of the recently discovered Harpy Eagle active nest* you will go on a 14 km hike (round trip, mostly even terrain).

From a safe distance as not to disturb the chick or scare the mother you will have the opportunity to have one of the most unique encounters with nature.

The Harpy Eagle, Panama’s National Bird and the most powerful bird of prey in the Americas is endangered. Controlled visits to the area are generating income to the nearby village, which in turns creates an interest for the protection of the birds and their habitat.

You return to the village in the afternoon to mingle with the Embera people and learn about their customs and traditions. Tonight you will sleep in the guest “Tambo” (thatch roof stilted house). You may opt to sleep in hammocks or screened tents with mats (provided).

Overnight at Mogue Village. All meals included today. *Contact us for more information on the current status of the Harpy Eagle nest (currently active nest!).

Day 4 : Return to Panama City

You say goodbye to your new friends early this morning as you head back to Panama City via boat/land. On the way you will stop for lunch along the Panamerican Highway at a local restaurant and arrive back at your hotel late afternoon. Breakfast and lunch included today.