Panama Birding at Canopy Tower and Lodge March 16–24, 2019 with Optional extension March 24 – 26, 2019 with Elissa Landre
Canopy Tower and Soberanía National Park, photo courtesy of Canopy Tower
This very special trip begins at Canopy Tower, located deep in the forest of Soberanía National Park, Panama's premier national park . The view from the top of the tower provides some incredible Panama birding opportunities! Here, you get a unique eye-level perspective of the rainforest canopy. Many birds, including toucans, parrots, tanagers, hawks, and dozens of others, as well as monkeys, two species of sloths, and other mammals are commonly seen. From this vantage point, you can also see ships transiting the Panama Canal, the majestic Centennial Bridge, and miles of rainforest! You may also want to watch the hummingbird feeders at the base of the tower for Long-billed Hermit, White-necked Jacobin, Violet-bellied and Blue- chested hummingbird, and White-vented Plumeleteer. Occasionally, a Snowy-bellied Hummingbird is spotted! This is a wonderful base—and we will fully explore all the birding hotspots nearby.
Following Canopy Tower, we’ll spend a few days in the higher elevations at El Valle. Staying at the lovely Canopy Lodge, this area offers opportunities to see a wonderful variety of tanagers, as well as exciting species such as the Emerald Toucanet, Orange-bellied Trogon, Spotted Barbtail, Black-faced Grosbeak, Rufous-capped Warbler, Gray-headed Kite, Tawny-capped Euphonia, White-tailed Emerald, and Violet-headed Hummingbird. If we are very lucky, we could find a Scaled Antpitta or Black-headed Antthrush. Join us for this fun and relaxing birding trip!
Panama Birding, Mar 16–24, 2019 with Wayne Petersen (extension Mar 24–26, 2019)
Day-to-Day Itinerary
Day 1: March 16 ~ Arrive in Panama Please plan to arrive at Tocumen International Airport near Panama City in the early afternoon. We will be met by hotel staff and driven to Canopy Tower. The one-hour drive passes by a portion of the Panama Canal where we may see shipping vessels transiting the canal and Magnificent Frigatebirds overhead.
As soon as we check in, we’ll gather on the roof of the tower to marvel at the beauty of the surrounding forest and see a wonderful variety of birds, including Red-lored Parrot, Keel- billed Toucan, Lesser Greenlet, Green Shrike-Vireo, Golden- hooded Tanager, Green Honeycreeper, Blue Dacnis, and Scarlet-rumped Cacique. We should also hear and see Mantled Howler Monkeys.
Overnight: Canopy Tower (D) http://www.canopytower.com/canopy-tower
Day 2: March 17 ~ Canopy Tower, Soberania National Park The predawn light and chorus of birds here is just beautiful, well worth an early wake-up to head to the rooftop to enjoy. After breakfast, we will explore the surrounding area with a walk down Semaphore Hill Road. During this comfortable walk on a paved road, we can expect to see an incredible variety of forest and edge birds including Olivaceous Flatbill, Lesser Greenlet, Black-breasted and White-whiskered puffbird, antshrikes, Slate-colored Grosbeak, Bay-headed and White-shouldered tanager, Black-throated Trogon, and more. Geoffroy's Tamarin, photo by Mark Faherty We’ll have lunch at the tower and then visit the famous Ammo Dump Ponds. Here, we will look for a variety of waterbirds including the commonly seen Least Grebe and Purple Gallinule, as well as the resident Rufescent Tiger-Heron and American Pygmy Kingfisher. This is the best place to see the elusive White-throated Crake. Birding here is excellent! After dinner, we will have a night outing, using flashlights to spot the eyeshine of Common Potoo, Olingo, and other nocturnal creatures.
Overnight: Canopy Tower (BLD)
Mass Audubon ▲ [email protected] ▲ 800-289-9504 Panama Birding, Mar 16–24, 2019 with Wayne Petersen (extension Mar 24–26, 2019)
Day 3: March 18 ~ Plantation Trail and Chagres River
Thick-billed Euphonia, photo by Donna Hollinger
After breakfast, we’ll take a short ride to Plantation Trail, one of Panama’s premier birding areas. This easy trail passes through mature rainforest and follows a small creek (Rio Chico Masambi) where we’ll look for Golden- crowned Spadebill; Chestnut-backed and White-bellied antbird; Broad-billed and Whooping (Blue-crowned) motmot; White-whiskered Puffbird; Dot-winged, Checker-throated, and White-flanked antwren; Purple-throated Fruitcrow; Bright-rumped Attila; Gray-headed Tanager; Black-crowned and Fasciated antshrike; Red-capped and Blue-crowned manakin; Yellow-rumped Cacique; and Scaly-throated Leaftosser.
After lunch, our first stop will be in the picturesque village of Gamboa to look at the bird feeders in the backyard of the Canopy B&B. At the fruit feeders, we are likely to see Red-legged, Shining, and Green honeycreeper; Lemon-rumped, Crimson-backed, and Blue-gray tanager; Thick-billed Euphonia; Yellow-bellied and Variable seedeater; and Gray-headed Chachalaca, with Central American Agoutis lurking about under the feeders.
After observing these bright and beautiful birds, we’ll head off to the Chagres River, the main tributary for the Panama Canal. The birding along the river banks and the forest edges of Gamboa Resort can be spectacular! Here, we’ll search for Amazon, Green, and American Pygmy kingfisher as well as Whooping Motmot and Cinnamon Woodpecker. We could also see Gray-cowled Wood-Rail; Cocoi, Green, and Striated heron; Wattled Jacana; Pied-billed Grebe; Anhinga; Royal and Sandwich tern; Mangrove Swallow; Black-chested Jay; Lesser Kiskadee; Rusty-margined Flycatcher; Yellow-billed Cacique; Black-bellied and Buff-breasted wren; White- bellied Antbird; and perhaps Slaty-backed Forest-Falcon and Blue Cotinga.
Overnight: Canopy Tower (BLD)
Mass Audubon ▲ [email protected] ▲ 800-289-9504 Panama Birding, Mar 16–24, 2019 with Wayne Petersen (extension Mar 24–26, 2019)
Day 4: March 19 ~ World-Famous Pipeline Road (full day)
Gartered Trogon, photo by Mark Faherty
Today, we will search for the area’s super-rare specialties—the Rufous-vented Ground-Cuckoo and Harpy Eagle, both recorded here. Eight species of wrens, five trogons, four puffbirds, three motmots, many tanagers and flycatchers (including the unusual Brownish Twistwing), Great Jacamar, and Common Potoo, among others, are often found. We’ll listen for the calls of Streak-chested Antpitta and Black-faced Antthrush. Army ant swarms are found occasionally, attended by a host of birds including, Bicolored, Ocellated, and Spotted antbird. Plus, we will search for Golden-collared, Red-capped, and Blue-crowned manakin, always high on a birder's list of favorites!
Crossing several rivers, we’ll search for Sunbittern and Green-and-rufous Kingfisher. To maximize our time in the field, we will enjoy a delicious picnic lunch along Pipeline Road—but with scope and binoculars at the ready!
Raptors we may see include three forest-falcons, Tiny and Semiplumbeous hawk, and Ornate and Black hawk- eagles. We may also see Carmiol's and Sulphur-rumped tanager, Purple-throated Fruitcrow, Black-crowned and Masked tityra, Cinnamon and Crimson-crested woodpecker, Scarlet-rumped Cacique, Red-lored and Brown- hooded parrot, Collared Araçari, Pheasant Cuckoo, Speckled Mourner, Buff-throated Foliage-gleaner, Black- mandibled and Keel-billed toucan, Black-striped and Plain-brown woodcreeper, and Northern Barred- Woodcreeper.
After lunch, the search is on for more species, including Wing-banded Antbird, Spot-crowned Antvireo, Moustached Antwren, Ruddy Quail-Dove, and Marbled Wood-Quail!
Overnight: Canopy Tower (BLD)
Mass Audubon ▲ [email protected] ▲ 800-289-9504 Panama Birding, Mar 16–24, 2019 with Wayne Petersen (extension Mar 24–26, 2019)
Day 5: March 20 ~ Summit Ponds/Old Gamboa Road and the Panama Canal
Rusty-margined Flycatchers, photo by Donna Hollinger
Join us for an early coffee on the Observation Deck. After breakfast, we’ll head 10 minutes away to the Summit Ponds and Old Gamboa Road. These are great places to find Canal Zone birds of many types.
At Summit Ponds, we will scan for Green, Striated, Capped, and Boat-billed herons as well as Green, Ringed, Amazon (rare), Green-and-rufous, and American Pygmy kingfishers, which are all resident here. We’ll also seek out Rusty-margined and Streaked flycatcher, Mangrove Swallow, Bat Falcon, Cocoa Woodcreeper, and Lineated and Crimson-crested woodpecker.
We’ll bird straight through to Old Gamboa Road, a fantastic bird-dense area. This road passes through a variety of habitats and has plenty of specialties, including Blue Ground-Dove, Great Antshrike, Jet Antbird, Black- tailed and Royal flycatcher, Lance-tailed and Golden-collared manakin, and the delightful Rosy Thrush- Tanager. Other likely species include White-bellied Antbird, Yellow-bellied Elaenia, Yellow-backed Oriole, Boat-billed Flycatcher, Yellow-headed Caracara, and more. We’ll return to the tower for lunch.
In the afternoon, you have the option to relax on your own or you may visit the Miraflores Locks and Visitor Center to watch ships pass through the Panama Canal. In addition to seeing firsthand the operation of the canal, you may also explore the world-class museum there. Be sure to look for Magnificent Frigatebirds soaring overhead.
We'll meet up at Canopy Tower for dinner and evening birding from the rooftop.
Overnight: Canopy Tower (BLD)
Mass Audubon ▲ [email protected] ▲ 800-289-9504 Panama Birding, Mar 16–24, 2019 with Wayne Petersen (extension Mar 24–26, 2019)
Day 6: March 21 ~ Bus trip to El Valle de Antón, also known as Crater Valley No need to wake up early today. After a leisurely breakfast and a last look from the Observation Deck, we will board a comfortable, air-conditioned bus for the 2½-hour ride to Canopy Lodge, located in mountains El Valle de Antón, nestled against the cloud forests of Cerro Gaital Natural Monument. At 2,400 feet in elevation, you will immediately appreciate the noticeably cooler temperatures here! The scenery is magnificent―a steep valley surrounded by jagged peaks and filled with flowers, streams, and verdant forests.
Upon arrival, we’ll observe the bird feeders and grounds for: Crimson-backed, Blue-gray, White-lined, Flame- rumped, Dusky-faced, and Plain-colored tanager, along with Red-crowned Ant-Tanager. Also about are Thick- billed Euphonia; Chestnut-headed Oropendola; Streaked and Buff-throated saltator; Lineated and Red-crowned woodpecker; Red-legged Honeycreeper; Yellow-faced Grassquit; Social Flycatcher; Ruddy Ground-Dove; Barred Antshrike; Clay-colored Thrush; Rufous Motmot; Rufous-tailed, Snowy-bellied, and Violet-headed hummingbird; and Garden Emerald.
Overnight: Canopy Lodge (BLD) | http://www.canopytower.com/canopy-lodge
Day 7: March 22 ~ Las Minas Trail and Cara Iguana Trail
Whooping Motmot, photo by Mark Faherty
The patio overlooking the lodge’s feeding stations and a small mountain stream is the place to be for early- morning birding while you enjoy your coffee. The feeding trays often attract Red-legged Honeycreeper, Thick- billed Euphonia, and even a Rufous Motmot. The abundance of tanagers is always a favorite show.
After breakfast, we'll head to Las Minas, an excellent place to get a wide variety of birds. The road follows the ridge line, with sweeping vistas of forested mountains, speckled with grasslands and small farms. The views from the road are fantastic. If we have a clear day, we’ll be able to view both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans from the summit.
Specialties of the region include Black-and-yellow, Bay-headed, and Emerald tanager; Tawny-capped Euphonia; Scale-crested Pygmy-Tyrant; Spot-crowned Antvireo; Gray-headed Kite; Barred Hawk; Bat Falcon; Ornate Hawk- Eagle; Swallow-tailed Kite; Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer; White-tipped Sicklebill; Green Thorntail; Orange-bellied and Black-throated trogons; Wedge-tailed Grass-Finch; Tawny-faced Gnatwren; Plain Antvireo; the endemic
Mass Audubon ▲ [email protected] ▲ 800-289-9504 Panama Birding, Mar 16–24, 2019 with Wayne Petersen (extension Mar 24–26, 2019)
Stripe-cheeked Woodpecker; Spotted Woodcreeper; Red-capped and White-ruffed manakin; Band-rumped Swift; and Black Guan -- they've all been recorded here! A forested slope here is also our best chance for Black-headed Antthrush. Lunch will be back at the lodge.
Following lunch and a brief rest, we’ll head to Cara Iguana Trail to take advantage of outstanding foothill birding in some of the last high-quality areas of Pacific dry forest. Specialties we’ll look for in this bird-rich habitat are Lesser and Yellow-bellied elaenias, Yellow-olive and Panama flycatchers, Pale-eyed Pygmy-Tyrant, Lance-tailed Manakin, Rufous-breasted and Rufous-and-white wrens, Rosy Thrush-Tanager, Tody and Whooping motmots, and Long-billed Gnatwren. Also resident are Striped Cuckoo, Little Tinamou, Common Potoo, Dusky and White- bellied antbirds, Barred Antshrike, White-winged Becard, Tropical Screech-Owl, and Bat Falcon. Hummers to watch for are Garden Emerald, Long-billed Starthroat, and White-vented Plumeleteer. We’ll also look for Neotropical migrants such as Bay-breasted, Chestnut-sided, Black-throated Green, and Worm-eating warbler.
Overnight: Canopy Lodge (BLD)
Day 8: March 23 ~ Cerro Gaital and Valle Chiquito Today after breakfast, we’ll head to Cerro Gaital, the mist-shrouded mountain visible from the lodge. Cerro Gaital is the namesake of Cerro Gaital Natural Monument, which protects more than 825 acres of mature cloud forest. This area offers sightings of Black Guan, Blue-throated Toucanet, Orange-bellied Trogon, Spotted Barbtail, Silver-throated Tanager, Black-headed Antthrush, Slaty Antwren, Spot-crowned and Plain antvireos, Black-faced Grosbeak, Blue Seedeater, Rufous-capped Warbler, Gray-headed Kite, White Hawk, Tawny-capped Euphonia, Pale-vented Thrush, Northern Schiffornis, White-tailed Emerald, Green-crowned Brilliant, Violet-headed Hummingbird, and Crowned Woodnymph. Scaled Antpitta and Rufous- vented Ground-Cuckoo have been recorded here!
After lunch at the lodge, we’ll head to Valle Chiquito. Newly accessible by a paved road, we’ll pass through beautiful woodlands and over two rivers. At Rio de Jesus, we’ll search for Green Kingfisher and listen for Sepia-capped Flycatcher. We'll also try for Tody Motmot, White Hawk, photo by Donna Hollinger Yellow-throated Vireo, Yellow-backed Oriole, White-bellied Antbird, Gray-chested Dove, Yellow-billed Cacique, Zone-tailed and Gray-lined hawk, Black Hawk-Eagle, and so much more. Wrens are abundant here, with Black-bellied, Rufous-and-white, Bay, and Rufous-breasted wren all lurking about in the thickets. We’ll return to the lodge for our farewell dinner.
Overnight: Canopy Lodge (BLD)
Mass Audubon ▲ [email protected] ▲ 800-289-9504 Panama Birding, Mar 16–24, 2019 with Wayne Petersen (extension Mar 24–26, 2019)
Day 9: March 24 ~ Return to Panama City and flights home After a leisurely breakfast and some birding in the gardens surrounding the lodge, we’ll drive back to Panama City and catch our return flights home (please, no earlier than 1 pm). (B, meals aloft)
Optional Extension to Panama City and Achiote Road: March 24–26
Ext Day 1: March 24 ~ Panama City tour After a leisurely breakfast at Canopy Lodge and some birding in the gardens surrounding the lodge, we’ll drive back to Panama City. After dropping off those who are flying home today, the rest of us will then be transferred (around noon) to the Canopy B&B to drop off our luggage.
Our local guide will take us on a walking tour of the old city—Casco Viejo’s parks and narrow streets are lined with colorful buildings representative of Spanish, French, and early-American architectural styles. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage site, made up of renovated colonial houses, boutique hotels, fine-dining restaurants, and some of the best coffeehouses in town. We’ll stop for lunch (at our own expense) along the way.
After the walking tour, we’ll visit the Biomuseo, Panama City’s most famous museum. Located in Amador, it was designed by the famous architect Frank Gehry. Its eight galleries trace the origins of the Panamanian isthmus and its impact on the planet’s biodiversity. We’ll then visit the Punta Culebra Nature Center, a nonprofit visitor center located on one of the Amador Islands in Panama City. Run by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, it aims at increasing awareness of Panama’s biodiversity.
Dinner will be on our own in this Gamboa area.
Overnight: Canopy B&B || http://www.canopytower.com/canopy-bed-and-breakfast/ | (B)
Ext Day 2: March 25 ~ Birding the Achiote Road Big day for birding today! Start with an early breakfast, then off to Fort San Lorenzo National Park situated on the Caribbean side of the Panama Canal. The famous Achiote Road traverses the southern section of the park, a nearly 29,000-acre protected area of forests, pastures, and mangroves.
Achiote Road is the site of Panama Audubon Society's world-famous Christmas Bird Count, where up to 340 species can be found within a 24-hour period. The habitat along the road is relatively open, but the scattered trees, shrubbery, and wet pastures are excellent for finding trogons, flycatchers, and tanagers. The first part of the road is one of the most reliable places to find Blue Cotinga. Trogon Trail accessed from Achiote Road is an easy, level trail through the forested area in the southern section of the park. The trail offers some of the best birding on the Caribbean side of the Canal Zone. We will return to the lodge in mid-afternoon. Lunch will be a picnic provided by Canopy B&B. Dinner will be on our own.
Overnight: Canopy B&B || (BL)
Ext Day 3: March 26 – Return to airport for flights home Breakfast then transfer to the airport for flights home. (B, meals aloft)
Mass Audubon ▲ [email protected] ▲ 800-289-9504 Panama Birding, Mar 16–24, 2019 with Wayne Petersen (extension Mar 24–26, 2019)
About Your Accommodations
Canopy Tower is a birding lodge located on top of Semaphore Hill, 900 feet above sea level. It overlooks Soberanía National Park, a magnificent 54,000-acre tropical lowland rainforest with an impressive diversity of wildlife. The observation deck provides 360-degree visibility, and the large windows in the dining room provide additional views into the forest. We will see many species of exciting birds and some mammals from our dining tables. The floors just below the dining area house comfortable bedrooms with private baths with hot running water. The tower does not have air conditioning; however, each room is equipped with a fan and a large window to enhance natural ventilation
Canopy Lodge is a full-service lodge specializing in nature tourism, particularly birds. It is about 60 miles west of Panama City in the picturesque village of El Valle de Antón, right in the center of a gigantic volcano crater. It is surrounded by the Cerro Gaital Natural Monument. The Canopy Lodge’s guestrooms offer large comfortable beds and private baths. The grounds are a birder’s paradise. The gardens and walkways are often loaded with birds. In fact, it is not uncommon to record 60 species from the property alone in a single visit. Feeding stations attract hordes of birds every morning and afternoon. A beautiful clear stream tumbles past the open-air dining room and the guestrooms.
The Canopy Bed and Breakfast is located about 50 minutes from Tocumen Airport in the quiet village of Gamboa. With well-appointed spacious rooms, each with private bath & A/C, your stay includes a hearty Panamanian breakfast and internet access. Located in a restored canal house dating back to 1937, our Gamboa Bed and Breakfast is just a 15 minute walk to the world famous Pipeline Road and a 45-minute drive to Panama City. Located right on the Panama Canal, Gamboa serves as an historical landmark and a chance to view the canal up close and personal! The Canopy B&B now has two new (2014) high-quality mountain bikes available for rental, a perfect way to visit Pipeline Road and enjoy the scenic town of Gamboa.
About the Main Tour
Focus: Birds. Our days will be filled with birding, without neglecting opportunities to observe other fauna, flora, and cultural highlights. We will spend a fun half-day at the Panama Canal locks and museum.
Pace and comfort: Full days of birding: transportation in vans or open trucks; walks and birding are on easy- to-moderate trails (distances up to 3 miles). A flexible and relaxing trip.
Weather: Generally warm (80-90F), sometimes humid, occasional rainfall.
Mass Audubon ▲ [email protected] ▲ 800-289-9504 Panama Birding, Mar 16–24, 2019 with Wayne Petersen (extension Mar 24–26, 2019)
About Your Mass Audubon Naturalist Elissa Landre is Sanctuary Director of Mass Audubon’s Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary. She has led tours in Belize, Hawaii, Trinidad, and Tobago, Costa Rica, Hawaii, Ecuador, Bhutan,and Mexico.
She has consulted on interpretation, guide training, and marketing for ecotourism at national parks in Bolivia and Poland, holds a master’s degree in biology, runs a bird-banding station at Broadmoor, and is a past president of the Association of Field Ornithologists. Elissa is always interested in exploring how protected conservation land is managed for birds and native plants.
Keel-billed Toucan, by Donna Hollinger
Mass Audubon ▲ [email protected] ▲ 800-289-9504 Panama Birding, Mar 16–24, 2019 with Wayne Petersen (extension Mar 24–26, 2019)
Price, Terms, and Conditions
Main Tour Price: $ 4400 per person, double occupancy. Single supplement: $400 (Single rooms are very limited. Travelers who choose a single room should be aware that the single rooms at Canopy Tower are considerably smaller than the regular rooms and share a bathroom).
Price includes: All meals and accommodations as shown in the itinerary Services of Mass Audubon naturalist leader Local guides and naturalists All excursions and entrance fees Extensive trip preparation notes and bird checklist Transportation within Panama All tips and gratuities (included if we have the minimum of 10) Medical evacuation insurance Carbon offset credits for your international flights
Price excludes: International airfare Passport and visa fees; trip cancellation insurance Airport taxes; excess baggage charges Items of a personal nature, including alcoholic beverages, laundry, and telephone calls; other items not specifically mentioned as included.
Optional Extension Price: $800 per person; single supplement TBD
Price Includes: 2 nights at Canopy B&B 2 Breakfasts, 1 box lunch City excursions and entrance fees with cultural guide Birding guide on Achiote Rd Transportation to the airport
APPLICATIONS, RESERVATIONS, DEPOSITS: Early applications are strongly encouraged. Trip rosters usually must be finalized 4 months before departure! All applications must be accompanied by a completed reservation form and $500 deposit. Deposits can be by check or credit card (Visa or MasterCard). We reserve the right to decline your application. In the case of questionable health, we reserve the right to require a physician’s certification to affirm you are capable of the activities. Final payment is due 90 days before the departure date. Final payment must be by check or money order.
RATES: All tour prices are based on double occupancy. If you would like us to find you a roommate, we will do our best, but cannot guarantee a share. If we cannot find a share, you will need to pay the single supplement. All forms and fares are accurate at the time of publication (May 2018) but are subject to change at any time prior to departure. It is our policy to only pass on the actual amount of any increases in airfares or land costs such as those increases due to the devaluation of the dollar. Rarely, a price increase may be called for if the group falls below the minimum, as listed in the itinerary.
Mass Audubon ▲ [email protected] ▲ 800-289-9504 Panama Birding, Mar 16–24, 2019 with Wayne Petersen (extension Mar 24–26, 2019)
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: A U.S. passport valid for at least six months beyond the trip’s departure date is required.
FLIGHTS: You, the traveler, are responsible for booking and paying for your own international flights. Once you reserve your space, we will provide you with suggested flights and tell you which flights our staff will take. You may book flights directly with the airline, online, or with a travel agent. Please be aware that most tickets are non-refundable, therefore you should not book your flight arrangements until you have checked with us to be sure the tour has the minimum number of participants for the trip to go. We ask that you provide us with your flight details.
TRIP INSURANCE: A brochure and application for optional trip cancellation, illness, and baggage insurance will be sent to you upon registration. We strongly recommend that you purchase trip cancellation insurance to protect yourself. See www.insuremytrip.com.
PHOTOS: Mass Audubon reserves the right to make use of any photographs taken by our guides on the tour. We guarantee that no photos of a compromising nature will be used. If you have questions or concerns, please contact us.
CANCELLATION POLICY: If you need to change your booking, you must inform us immediately in writing. All cancellations must be done in writing and are effective upon receipt in the Massachusetts Audubon Travel Office. Cancellations received up to 121 days prior to departure will be refunded deposits less a $300 per person fee. For cancellations between 120 and 90 days prior to departure, all deposits are forfeit, but any balance paid beyond that is refundable. There are no refunds of any kind for cancellations 90 days or less from departure. We strongly urge all travelers to purchase trip cancellation insurance. You will be sent information from the Massachusetts Audubon Society upon receipt of your deposit.
YOUR RESPONSIBILITY: Although every precaution is taken to safeguard you and your belongings, group travel trips by their nature involve a certain amount of risk. Trip participants should understand that the domestic and international trips sponsored/operated by Massachusetts Audubon Society (Mass Audubon Tours) - hereafter collectively “M.A.S.” - involve known and unknown risks. M.A.S. assumes no responsibility for injuries, death, financial losses or damage to clients’ property caused by or occurring during participation in any of the travel trips sponsored/operated by M.A.S. Trip participants must assume responsibility for having sufficient skill and fitness to participate in the trips and activities offered or sponsored by M.A.S. Trip participants must also certify that they have no medical, mental or physical conditions which could interfere with their abilities to participate in the activities and/or trips they are participating in and they must assume and bear the cost of all risks that may be created, directly or indirectly, by any such condition. It is the responsibility of trip participants to have in place adequate insurance to cover any injury, damage or emergency transportation costs related to their travel and/or participation in trip activities and/or to bear the costs of such injury, damage or emergency transportation costs. Because of the risks associated with the travel trips sponsored by M.A.S. we urge all trip participants to supplement their own insurance with travel or vacation or emergency response types of insurance. M.A.S. requires that all trip participants acknowledge and assume these risks by reading and signing an M.A.S. Release and Waiver and Assumption of Risk contract prior to departure.
CONDITIONS OF TRAVEL: Travelers will be provided with an itinerary and trip preparation information. It is expected that travelers will read this information prior to trip departure. Travelers will be responsible for completing an application reservation form, including the personal information and a release of liability (see attached). Travelers will be expected to abide by the terms set for in the invoice. During the tour, travelers are asked to respect and follow the directions of their guide and leader.
Mass Audubon ▲ [email protected] ▲ 800-289-9504 Panama Birding, Mar 16–24, 2019 with Wayne Petersen (extension Mar 24–26, 2019)
Mass Audubon Natural History Travel Trip Application Form
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Mass Audubon ▲ [email protected] ▲ 800-289-9504 Panama Birding, Mar 16–24, 2019 with Wayne Petersen (extension Mar 24–26, 2019)
Massachusetts Audubon Society, Inc. RELEASE AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK
Name: ______
I would like to participate in the birding and nature tour named above (the “Tour”) organized by Massachusetts Audubon Society, Inc. (“Mass Audubon”). I am aware that participation in a Mass Audubon tour involves risk, including, but not limited to, the hazards of living in and traveling over unpredictable terrain often in remote areas without adequate medical facilities, exposure to disease and infection, being subject to the forces of nature, and travel by airplane and motor vehicle. In addition, I understand and acknowledge that, if I participate in the Tour, one or more of the risks described above or set forth below could result in or cause bodily injury or death to me or damage to personal property of mine: physical exertion; travel by foot, plane, train, auto, vans, bus, boat or other conveyance; consumption of food and beverages; civil unrest, terrorism, banditry, or criminal activity; high altitude; inadequate medical facilities or service.
I acknowledge that I have received and read carefully information describing the Tour, including, but not limited to, the Terms and Conditions and the paragraph in the Terms and Conditions entitled “Your Responsibility.”
I acknowledge that the enjoyment and excitement of touring is derived, at least in part, from the inherent risks incurred by travel and activity beyond the accepted safety and routine of life at home or work, and that part of the reason I have decided to participate in the Tour is to experience this enjoyment and excitement. I further acknowledge that I have had the opportunity to discuss with my medical provider the medical risks involved in the Tour. I have also had the opportunity to research the Tour and to understand fully the risks involved.
Therefore, notwithstanding the risks of participating in the Tour set forth and as described above, and in consideration of Mass Audubon permitting me to participate in the Tour: (1) I AGREE TO ASSUME AND ACCEPT ALL RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE TOUR; AND (2) I HEREBY RELEASE AND FOREVER DISCHARGE AND COVENANT AND AGREE NOT TO SUE, AND AGREE TO INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS, MASS AUDUBON AND ITS DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS (COLLECTIVELY, THE “RELEASEES”), AND EACH OF THE RELEASEES, FROM AND AGAINST AND IN REGARD TO ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, DEMANDS, ACTIONS, SUITS, LOSSES, COSTS, DAMAGES, AND EXPENSES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ATTORNEYS’ FEES), AND ANY AND ALL LIABILITIES AND OBLIGATIONS OF EVERY KIND AND DESCRIPTION, WHICH I SHALL OR MAY HAVE AGAINST THE RELEASEES OR ANY ONE OR MORE OF THEM ARISING OUT OF, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, MY PARTICIPATION IN THE TOUR.
I agree that this Release and Assumption of Risk shall be (a) binding upon me and my heirs, executors, legal representatives, successors, and assigns, and (b) deemed a contract made under seal under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the internal laws of said Commonwealth without regard to its principles of conflict of laws.
I HAVE CAREFULLY READ, UNDERSTAND, AND VOLUNTARILY SIGN THIS RELEASE AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK.
Signed: ______Date: ______
Signed: ______Date: ______
Name (please print) ______
Name (please print) ______
Mass Audubon ▲ [email protected] ▲ 800-289-9504