Canopy Lodge
The Concept
The Canopy Lodge in El Valle de Antón, a project of businessman and conservationist Raúl Arias de Parra, is built next to a lovely mountain stream and adjacent to the protected area of Cerro Gaital Natural Monument.
Inches from your bedroom window, the cloud forest canopy is riotous with early morning bird life....Your birding guide leads you along a narrow forest trail beside the stream past a waterfall, then up into the cloud forest. The sounds and rewarding sight of new birds is constant..This is some of the best tropical birding there is!
El Valle is about 60 miles from Panama City. For many years this has been the favorite vacation spot for residents of Panama City. It is also the home of one of the best craft markets in Panama. Known as the "Sunday Market", locals sell their crafts all week long, and this is a good place for souvenir shopping. El Valle is also called Crater Valley, as it sits in the crater of an extinct volcano that exploded 5 million years ago. The resultant scenery is quite dramatic: a steep valley surrounded by jagged peaks and filled with flowers, streams and verdant forests.
Concept Accommodations Activities Rates & Itinerary Environmental Statement
The Accommodations
The Lodge consists of four buildings. The main building has the kitchen, dining room, library and living room. It is completely open and the birds fly in and out at will. Raul Arias' sister is a celebrity chef in Panama and has designed the menus. We think you'll be happy with the delicious and creative food, utilizing local produce.
The library has an extensive collection of bird guides and other natural history books. Another building houses eight beautiful and large bedrooms, each with two queen beds, private bath with hot water and hairdryer. The rooms have huge windows, and doors that open to large patios overlooking the gardens and stream. A limited number of smaller single rooms are available in the adjacent Canopy Cottage, and they share a bathroom. top
The Activities top
Rates & Sample Itinerary
Sample 3 Night All Inclusive Birding Itinerary
(Extra nights are available, as is a combined stay with the Canopy Tower. Packages are also available with meals and less touring.)
Day 1: You will be welcomed at your pick up point by a representative of the Canopy Lodge, who will escort you to the Canopy Lodge. (D)
Days 2 & 3: It's morning in El Valle and inches from your bedroom window, the cloud forest canopy is riotous with early morning bird life. Fruit, fresh-baked pastry, and hearty coffee (or tea) in hand, you sit on a veranda surrounded by hummingbirds and tanagers taking their breakfast. Spend your days hiking the many and varied trails in the area.
With almost too much to do, you are glad to return to your veranda, to check your field guide and put your feet up.(B, L, D)
Day 4: After breakfast, transfer to your next destination! (B)
2010 Price per person in double occupancy top
- December 15 to April 15: $896 (during Dec 23 - Jan 1, add $100)
- April 16 to September 15: $571
- September 16 to December 14: $697
Single rooms sharing bath deduct $125
Included
- 3 nights accommodations
- Meals as indicated including wine with dinner (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=Dinner)
- Non-alcoholic beverages
- 5% tourism tax
- Airport transfers (additional cost with other pick up and drop off points)
- Entrance fees to National Parks
- Internal Transportation
- Bilingual bird/naturalist guides
- Two tours daily
Not included
- Alcoholic beverages
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Tips (For accommodations, we suggest that a tip of $6 per night to be divided amongst the staff is appropriate. Birding guides should be tipped separately) top
Click here to Request a Reservation
Optional Activity:
The Canopy Adventure: a series of zip lines high in the canopy by which travelers can explore the rain forest using safe and modern climbing techniques. $50 per person.
A Socially And Enviromentally Responsible Lodge
Lodge Mission: Fostering appreciation and excitement about the neo-tropical rainforest, using birds as the focal point, with the purpose of generating enthusiasm for its preservation as well as generating employment in a sustainable activity.
Please note: the Canopy Lodge is a smoke-free lodge. top
