Panama's Butterflies

Tour Code: PAN05

A 9-day holiday to enjoy the rich diversity of butterflies in this Central American country.Staying at El Valle (Canopy Lodge) in the foothills of the western highlands and in Soberanía National Park (based at the world-famous Canopy Tower) in Central Panama.

9 days from
£3,695 (Inc flights)
Land only price from
£2,795
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Highlights

Summary

Summary

On this new 2-centre holiday we will explore Panama’s western highland cloudforests and central lowland rainforests in search of butterflies. Our tour begins in the central lowlands with a 3-night stay at the Canopy Tower in Soberanía National Park. This rainforest eco-lodge boasts a 50-foot observation deck providing the opportunity to view canopy species such as Broad-banded Swallowtail at eye level. We then transfer to western Panama for a 4-night stay at the Canopy Lodge in El Valle de Anton. The lodge’s gardens are full of butterfly-friendly flowers, attracting a host of interesting species and there is a wonderful variety of Lepidoptera in the forest surrounding the lodge including Blue-and-orange Eighty-eight. Join our expert local guides as we explore this hospitable and wildlife-rich country in search of an exciting variety of butterflies.

  • Chance to see over 200 of Panama’s 1,000+ butterfly species
  • Green-celled Cattleheart, Brilliant Greenmark & Golden-headed Bolla, Canopy Lodge
  • Look for Banded Owl-butterflies & Blue-patched Eyed-metalmark, Cerro Gaital
  • Pink-tipped Satyr & stunning Menelaus Morpho fly among moss-laden trees
  • Regal Hairstreak & White-tipped Cycadian, Soberanía National Park
  • Ilus Swallowtail, Sky-blue Hairstreak & Glorious Blue-skipper, Pipeline Road

Grading

This is a traditional lodge-based tour with no strenuous walking involved, although some trails at El Valle are steep and can be slippery.

On this 2-centre holiday we will explore Panama’s western highland cloudforests and central lowland rainforests in search of butterflies — we have a good chance of seeing over 200 of the country’s 1,000+ species. Our tour begins in the central lowlands with a 3-night stay at the Canopy Tower in Soberanía National Park. This rainforest eco-lodge boasts a 50-foot observation deck which provides the opportunity to view canopy species at eye level. Possibilities include Broad-banded Swallowtail, the spectacular Regal Hairstreak and White-tipped Cycadian. On the nearby Pipeline Road (of legendary status amongst birdwatchers) which penetrates 17 kilometres into the rainforest, we will look for Ilus Swallowtail, Sky-blue Hairstreak and the stunning Glorious Blue-skipper, whilst the dry forest of the Metropolitan Natural Park in Panama City is also rewarding, with species such as Emerald-patched Cattleheart, Polydamas Swallowtail and Tropical Chequered Skipper all possible. We then transfer to western Panama for a 4-night stay at the Canopy Lodge in El Valle de Anton. The lodge’s gardens are full of butterfly-friendly flowers, attracting species such as Green-celled Cattleheart, Brilliant Greenmark and Golden-headed Bolla. There is a wonderful variety of Lepidoptera in the forest surrounding the lodge including Starry Cracker, Zebra Longwing and Blue-andorange Eighty-eight, whilst the lower slopes of nearby Cerro Gaital (1,066 metres) are home to Giant Forest and Banded Owl-butterflies, Blue-patched Eyed-metalmark and Blue-grey Satyr. The epiphyte and moss-laden trees here play host to the gorgeous Pink-tipped Satyr and stunning iridescent blue Menelaus Morpho (with a wingspan of 15 centimetres). Meanwhile, on the mountain trails of the Altos del Maria we may encounter White-patched Emesis, Lotus Ruby-eye and the impressive Creon Skipper.

At both lodges a ‘black light’ will be run at night to attract some of the country’s numerous moths, including large and spectacular sphinx and silk moths. So please do join our expert local guides as we explore this hospitable and wildlife-rich country in search of an exciting variety of butterflies and moths.

DETAILED INFORMATION
Itinerary

Outline Itinerary

Day 1
In flight, transfer to Canopy Tower
Day 2
Pipeline Road
Day 3
Metropolitan NP and Old Gamboa Road
Day 4
Transfer to Canopy Lodge
Day 5
Las Minas and La Mesa
Day 6
Cerro Gaital and Cara Iguana
Day 7
Santa Clara
Day 8
Canopy Lodge, in flight
Day 9
Arrive UK
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What's Included

What's Included?

  • Flights
  • Accommodation:

    The Canopy Tower is an eco-lodge converted from a former radar station and look-out tower. The Canopy Lodge is located in the caldera of a long-extinct volcano. See full tour itinerary for detailed information on accommodation.

  • Food: All included in the price
Reviews
Dates & Prices

Dates & Prices

2025

Departures Availability Cost
Wed 15th Oct – Thu 23rd Oct SPACES £3,695
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Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£2,795 
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Butterfly Watching Holidays Led by Expert Naturalists


Who can fail to be delighted by butterflies – the intensity and variety of their colours, their delicate beauty and fascinating life cycles? Our tours allow butterfly-watching enthusiasts to observe marvellous species all around the world. Sadly, butterflies are in decline in many regions. To help prevent the loss of these beautiful creatures, our butterfly holidays make a direct contribution to their conservation.




Naturetrek Butterfly Tours


    

  • We offer an excellent range of dedicated butterfly holidays
    • 

  • All tours are led by a Naturetrek butterfly-watching expert
    • 

  • Although butterflies are the main focus of our butterfly tours, we also take time to observe other wildlife
    • 

  • By booking one of our dedicated butterfly holidays you will automatically be making a contribution to their conservation.
    • 



Here’s a selection of our dedicated butterfly tours:
Although we include butterfly-watching in many of our holidays, we offer a wide selection of dedicated butterfly tours, including:



Naturetrek & Butterfly Conservation 
As a top category ‘Gold’ corporate sponsor of Butterfly Conservation (BC), we donate around £1,500 annually to the charity. As well as this, since 2002 we have donated 10% of all income generated by our annual programme of butterfly tours that we run in partnership with BC, and give BC membership to all non-members joining the tours.




Our specialist recommends...







"I'd recommend Naturetrek's Butterflies of South Africa holiday. On this butterfly holiday we look for butterflies in the Wajkkerstrom (montane grassland), which supports a wonderful diversity of species. Closer to home I'd suggest our Butterflies of Hungary tour, or Butterflies of Croatia for unspoilt landscapes and a density of butterfly-life rarely seen in western Europe now." 

Tom Brereton - Operations Manager




 


All Butterfly Watching Tours



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Why Naturetrek?

Why Naturetrek?

At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:

  • The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
  • Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
  • Outstanding value and exceptional customer service

Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!