Tumbesian Endemic Birding Tour in Southern Ecuador
19-day birding tour in southern Ecuador, from Quito and Buenaventura Reserve through Macara and Zapotillo Roads, Podocarpus National Park and Cordillera del Condor to Cuenca. Overnights are at Hacienda Jimenita, Buenaventura Reserve, Macara, Loja, Valladolid, Zamora, Cordillera del Condor, Giron and Cuenca.
This 19-day, 18-night birding journey follows southern Ecuador from the Andean valley outside Quito to the western slopes, Tumbesian dry forest, eastern cloud forest, Cordillera del Condor foothills and the high páramo near Cajas National Park. We travel by private road transfers and domestic flights, with days built around reserve trails, forest roads, feeders and night birding.
We begin at Hacienda Jimenita, then fly to Santa Rosa for Buenaventura Reserve, staying at Umbrellabird Lodge to watch Long-wattled Umbrellabird at its lek. The route continues to Jorupe Reserve and Urraca Lodge, working the Macara and Zapotillo Roads for Tumbesian birds. From Loja we visit Podocarpus and Tapichalaca, with Casa Simpson as base for Jocotoco Antpitta, then descend to Copalinga and the Cordillera del Condor, staying at Yankuam Lodge for Orange-throated Tanager and neighbouring forest.
The final stages return toward Loja, Cerro Acanana and Giron, including Yunguilla Reserve and Pale-headed Brushfinch, before Cajas National Park at roughly 4,000 m. The trip suits birders who value endemic and restricted-range species, varied forest habitats and well-placed lodges, and who are comfortable with long road transfers and night birding.
Suitability & conditions
A practical overview of the pace, comfort, and conditions to expect on this journey.
What to expect
- Travel Style: Focus on Finest Experiences
- Lodging: Comfortable accommodations with character
- Transportation: Mix of public and private transport
- Dining Options: Meals are not included, except when specified in the program.
- Physical Rating: Light walking and hiking suitable for most fitness levels. Nothing too challenging.
What Not to Expect
- Guaranteed views of any named species; reserves and weather decide what appears on a given day.
- Luxury resort facilities; most nights are spent in reserve lodges reached by rough roads.
- A trekking or high-altitude mountaineering programme; walking here is mostly on roads and forest trails.
Who is it for
- Birders who want to work the reserves and roads of southern Ecuador over several days rather than tick off a single site.
- Travellers who accept early starts, long road transfers and patient waiting at feeders and leks.
- Photographers drawn to hummingbird feeders, antpitta stake-outs and lekking Umbrellabirds.
Who is it not for
- Travellers looking for a general sightseeing holiday with cities, markets and beaches.
- Anyone unwilling to spend many hours in a vehicle on mountain roads between reserves.
- Visitors who need a slow pace with late mornings and plentiful free time.
The journey at a glance
Following the route
The journey moves gradually through 6 chapters.
Route shown schematically for orientation.
Detailed itinerary
Arrival in Quito and Hacienda Jimenita
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Transfer Quito Airport –> Hacienda Jimenita
Hacienda Jimenita and the flight south to Santa Rosa
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Hacienda Jimenita Wildlife Reserve
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Transfer Quito Airport –> Santa Rosa
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Transfer Santa Rosa –> Buenaventura Reserve
Buenaventura Reserve
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Buenaventura Reserve
Buenaventura Reserve: the Umbrellabird lek and the feeders
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Buenaventura Reserve
The Macara and Zapotillo Roads to Jorupe Reserve
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Transfer Buenaventura Reserve –> Jorupe Reserve and Jorupe Lodge
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Macara and Zapotillo Roads / Jorupe Reserve
Jorupe Reserve and the Macara and Zapotillo Roads
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Macara and Zapotillo Roads / Jorupe Reserve
The Tumbesian dry forest around Jorupe
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Macara and Zapotillo Roads / Jorupe Reserve
Sozoranga Road, Utuana Reserve and Loja
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Transfer Jorupe Reserve and Jorupe Lodge –> Loja
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Sozoranga Road and Utuana Reserve
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Koepcke’s Screech Owl, Loja
Podocarpus National Park and Tapichalaca Reserve
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Transfer Loja –> Reserva Tapichalaca – Casa Simpson- Fundación Jocotoco
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Podocarpus National Park and Tapichalaca Reserve
Tapichalaca Reserve and the Valladolid Road
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Tapichalaca Reserve and Valladolid Road
The Zamora Road to Copalinga
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Transfer Reserva Tapichalaca – Casa Simpson- Fundación Jocotoco –> Cabañas Ecológicas Copalinga
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Zamora Road
Copalinga and Podocarpus National Park
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Copalinga Lodge and Podocarpus National Park
The Cordillera del Condor and Cabañas Yankuam
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Transfer Cabañas Ecológicas Copalinga –> Cabañas Yankuam
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Cordillera del Condor and Cabañas Yankuam
Cabañas Yankuam and neighbouring territories
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Cordillera del Condor and Cabañas Yankuam
The Cordillera del Condor: forest trails and night birds
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Cordillera del Condor and Cabañas Yankuam
Maycu Reserve and the return to Loja
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Maycu Reserve
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Transfer Cabañas Yankuam –> Loja
Cerro Acanana, Cerro de los Arcos and Giron
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Cerro Acanana and Cerro de los Arcos
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Transfer Loja –> Giron
Yunguilla Reserve and Dos Chorreras
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Yunguilla Reserve
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Transfer Giron –> Hosteria Dos Chorreras
Cajas National Park and departure
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Cajas National Park
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Transfer PN El Cajas (Área general) –> Cuenca Airport
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Transfer Cuenca Airport –> Quito Airport
Target Species
A curated selection of the iconic species we aim to encounter and photograph throughout our journey.
Accommodation
Where you’ll stay
Price Details
Our tour prices are based on a tiered pricing model. more guests = lower price, per person. That means the prices go down on a per-person basis as more people book onto a specific tour departure.
Price Base
- Price for 2 people: 12.595 USD (663 USD / day)
- Price for 3 to 4 people: 10.895 USD (573 USD / day)
- Price for 5 to 6 people: 8.795 USD (463 USD / day)
- Price for 7 to 8 people: 7.595 USD (400 USD / day)
** Prices are based on double occupancy / twin share basis.
Included
- Hotels mentioned in the program
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Hotels mentioned in the program- Hacienda Jimenita — 1 night · Uncategorized Hotel
- Umbrellabird Lodge — 3 nights · Uncategorized Hotel
- Urraca Lodge (Jorupe Reserve, Macara / Tumbesian dry forest) — 3 nights · Uncategorized Hotel
- Grand Victoria Boutique Hotel — 2 nights · Uncategorized Hotel
- Casa Simpson (Tapichalaca Reserve, Valladolid / Zamora-Chinchipe) — 2 nights · Uncategorized Hotel
- Cabañas Ecológicas Copalinga — 2 nights · Uncategorized Hotel
- Yankuam Lodge — 3 nights · Uncategorized Hotel
- Santuario Hibiscus — 1 night · Uncategorized Hotel
- Hosteria Dos Chorreras — 1 night · Uncategorized Hotel
- Meals indicated in the program: 18 breakfasts, 17 lunchs, 17 dinners
- 1 cocktail before dinner
- Water is included
- Professional photographic guidance & instruction by Tristan Quevilly
- Transportation in comfortable vehicles
- Preparation Meeting (Pre-trip briefing and final Q&A session held via Zoom)
- 1h skype session of photo editing in Lightroom or Photoshop
- Restaurant gratuities / tips
- Pre-trip planning assistance
- Detailed trip notes with practical information and cultural insights
- Access to Remote Expeditions custom travel app
Not Included
- Lunch on Arrival day and Departure day, Dinner on Arrival day
- Tips
- International flights
- Travel, Medical & Cancellation insurance
- Additional drinks and meals
- Expenses not specified in the program
- Camera Equipment
Deposit
- 30% (2.639 USD approx)
Payment Options
- Bank Transfer (Recommended): Free
- Credit / Debit Card: Secure payment via Revolut. A 3% processing fee applies.
Booking Conditions
- Deposit: 30% to secure your booking
- Final payment: Due 90 days before departure
- Cancellation more than 90 days before departure: Deposit retained as a 4-year travel credit
- Read the full Terms & Conditions ↗
A few kind words
Colombia Photography Tour 2026
Top notch photographic experience for enthusiasts of nature, culture, and portraits. Tristan is well connected to the area and the local communities with a specialty in indigenous tribes and less-visited areas. Additionally, he is an excellent teacher and will provide incredibly helpful instruction on exposure, lighting, and composition. Our tour was incredibly well organized and ran on time, with full days of photography. I fully recommend Remote Expeditions for your photographic travels!
You are in good hands with Tristan!
Tristan does an amazing job at putting together a culturally rich experience. He also does a great job at adapting to his clients needs and interests. He responds well to feedback. He is both professional and personable. I feel as though I had the opportunity not only to photograph many different elements of Colombia, but that I truly experienced the country and its culture. Our adventure took us from birding in the mountains outside of Cali, to visiting remote indigenous tribes, to visiting active fishing villages, to learning about local and historical musicians and customs, to beautiful settings in the mountains and along the seashore.
I give Tristan the highest recommendation as a guide for Colombia.
Colombia Birding Tour
I visited Colombia with Tristan of Remote Expeditions and would highly recommend him. He put together a wonderful itinerary with great knowledge of the areas and attention to details to give us a wonderful sampling of the country. He is personally very gentle and fun by nature and you will return home feeling very happy and satisfied. Whatever your special interest is, I’m sure he can make an itinerary to exceed your goals.
The difference is in the details
Journeys shaped by experience
Every route is built from time spent in the field: knowing when to linger, when to move on, and which small details are worth noticing.
Room for the unexpected
The best moments are not always on the itinerary. We leave enough flexibility to follow a good conversation, an unusual sighting, or a changing landscape.
Local relationships that open doors
Our journeys are grounded in long-term relationships with people who know their home intimately and are proud to share it in their own way.
A small group, properly looked after
With only a few travellers, decisions remain personal. We can adapt the pace, answer questions, and make sure everyone feels part of the journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most Remote Expeditions journeys are arranged privately, so the pace and rhythm can be shaped around the people travelling together. When a scheduled group departure is offered, it is typically limited to four or five travellers.
No. Photography is one of the ways we observe and connect with a place, but it is not a requirement. Our journeys also welcome travellers drawn to slow travel, wildlife, culture, trekking, landscapes, and genuine encounters. You can join with professional equipment, a simple camera, or just your curiosity.
Every itinerary has its own rhythm. Some journeys are gently paced, while others include long walks, trekking, uneven terrain, altitude, or substantial travel days. The practical details on each tour page explain the expected walking, terrain, altitude, distances, and overall physical level so you can decide whether the journey suits you.
Tristan designs the itineraries and personally leads many Remote Expeditions journeys. Depending on the destination and the character of the trip, trusted local guides, drivers, cultural hosts, or specialist leaders may also join part of the route. This combination gives you direct personal support alongside local knowledge.
Often, yes. Private journeys can usually be shaped around your interests, pace, and available time. Fixed group departures have a defined route and dates, but it may still be possible to arrange additional nights, private extensions, or other travel before or after the main journey. Tell us what you have in mind and we will explain what is practical.
