Day 1
Cerro Punta and Volcan

Early morning you are picked up at your hotel in Panama City and transferred to the domestic airport of Albrook for a short flight to David, capital city of Chiriqui province.  Upon arrival we make our way by car up into the cool mountain highlands.

Considered the “bread basket” of Panama, most of the produce and dairy that you encounter in the country’s supermarkets is produced in this prosperous region where the local people work the land with love and pride.  And what better way to introduce the culture and history of the area than with a visit the farmland that skirts of steep hillsides of Volcan Baru to learn about what it takes for these products to make it to your plate.

The highlands of Chiriqui are also known for flowers, particularly orchids and our visit to Finca Dracula, one of the largest orchid collections in the world is amazing. Here you will be introduced to the fascinating natural history of the plants and the world of an orchid enthusiast.

After lunch and sampling some of the fresh produce, we will visit Sitio Barriles.  In 1947 eighteen human sized sculpted figures were found at this site, indication of a mysterious culture that lived that thrived in this region below the towering Volcan Baru.  Scientists believe that these statues (now at the Museum of Antropologyin Panama City), due to the nature of their stature are an evidence of the migration of early man.

Meals Included: L, D

Day 2
La Amistad International Park

Today we’ll spend the morning walking the trails of an international park that shares its 400,000 plus hectares of land with Costa Rica, creating a unique biological corridor.  La Amistad International Park is a World Biosphere Reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walking El Retoño trail we will learn about the forest dynamics of a tropical cloud forest and be on search for the Resplendent Quetzal, Silvery-fronted Tapaculo, Black and Yellow Silky Flycatcher.  In addition to birds, we may catch sight of Mexican Porcupine and White-nosed Coati.  

After a lunch of traditional Panamanian cuisine served to us at the park café where the chefs are local women, we will drive from the western side of Volcan Baru to its eastern flank and the town of Boquete.  This afternoon you will have the opportunity to explore the quaint mountain town with its artisan shops and gourmet coffee houses.  In the afternoon be on the lookout for the beautiful rainbows, often in multiples, that appear as the sun goes down and reflects off the clouds. 

Meals Included: B,L, D

Day 3
Finca Lerida & Caldera

After a farm fresh breakfast and locally grown coffee we make our way to explore the trails of Finca Lerida Coffee Estate and private reserve.  The protected forest of Lerida, adjacent Volcan Baru National Park, is a perfect example of the diligent effort to protect the buffer zones of the National Park system.  In the mist of the cloud forest bromeliads cling to ancient oak trees and quires of birds sing.  This morning will be on the search for the Resplendent Quetzal, Volcano Hummingbirds, and many of the other bird specialties found in the area.

What makes the Chiriqui Highlands such a fertile wonderland is the volcanic history of the region and this afternoon explore the remnants and evidence of Baru’s fiery past.  The first stop is a rare geologic site, an incredible columnar basalt formation created by a cooling lava flow thousands of years ago.  This formation is one of the finest columnar basalt formations in Central America because of its unusual symmetry.

Our next stop will be the hot springs of Caldera (boiling pot).  Here, there are four pools of mineral water each with different temperatures.  Soaking our tired bodies in these natural springs is a great way to spend a relaxing afternoon in the highlands of Chiriqui.

Meals Included: B,L, D

Day 4
Finca Lerida Cofee State / Panama

Boquete is renowned for growing and harvesting some of the best coffee in the world.  On our last morning in the Highlands of Boquete we will join the coffee experts of Finca Lerida for a tour of the finca where we will learn all about the farming, processing, and economy of the coffee industry.

This afternoon we make are way back to David for the flight to Panama City or your next Panama Adventure.

Meals Included: B,L