Ecuador Southern Jocotoco Route — 7 Days
A seven-day southern Ecuador birding route linking Tapichalaca, Copalinga, Buenaventura and Cajas National Park.
Expedition Highlights
Itinerary At a Glance
Tapichalaca
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Tapichalaca to Copalinga
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Copalinga and Bombuscaro
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Buenaventura
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Buenaventura to Cuenca
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Cajas National Park
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Departure
Click to see on mapSuitability & conditions
A practical overview of the pace, comfort, and conditions to expect on this journey.
Seasonality
What to expect
- Lodging: Comfortable accommodations with character
- Transportation: Mix of Transport in a comfortable minivan with air conditioning and public transport (tuk tuk, public boats, etc...)
Detailed Itinerary
Tapichalaca
Pink-billed Cnemoscopus, Pale-naped Brushfinch, Swallow-tailed Nightjar, Pale-footed Swallow, White-throated Screech-Owl, White-throated Hawk, Red-hooded Tanager, Dusky Piha, Flammulated Treehunter, Undulated Antpitta
Tapichalaca to Copalinga
Pink-billed Cnemoscopus, Pale-naped Brushfinch, Swallow-tailed Nightjar, Pale-footed Swallow, White-throated Screech-Owl, White-throated Hawk, Red-hooded Tanager, Dusky Piha, Flammulated Treehunter, Undulated Antpitta
Copalinga and Bombuscaro
Green-tailed Trainbearer, Pale-footed Swallow, Chestnut-naped Antpitta
Buenaventura
Red-rumped Woodpecker
Buenaventura to Cuenca
Red-rumped Woodpecker
Cajas National Park
Slate-colored Coot, Purple-backed Thornbill, White-capped Dipper, Andean Teal, Andean Guan, Undulated Antpitta
Departure
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Breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel, included each morning of the stay. -
Flight Cuenca to Quito
Target Species
A curated selection of the iconic species we aim to encounter and photograph throughout our journey.
Birds
Flycatchers
Hummingbirds
Other Species
- Rainbow Starfrontlet
- Golden-headed Quetzal
- Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan
- Purple-throated Sunangel
- Bar-bellied Woodpecker
- White-throated Screech-Owl
- Black-faced Tanager
- Equatorial Antpitta
- Andean Pygmy-Owl
- Tufted Tit-Tyrant
- Ecuadorian Piculet
- Ash-colored Tapaculo
- Rufous-capped Thornbill
- Golden-plumed Parakeet
- Dusky Piha
- Blackish Tapaculo
- Plain-tailed Wren
- El Oro Parakeet
Sparrows
Swallows
Tanagers
Thornbirds
Woodpeckers
Wrens
Accommodation
Where you’ll stay
Casa Simpson (Tapichalaca Reserve, Valladolid / Zamora-Chinchipe)
Valladolid
1 night
Cabañas Ecológicas Copalinga
Zamora
2 nights
Reserva Buenaventura – Umbrellabird Lodge – Fundación Jocotoco
1 night
Hotel Victoria Cuenca
Cuenca
2 nights
Casa Simpson (Tapichalaca Reserve, Valladolid / Zamora-Chinchipe)
Casa Simpson is a simple birding lodge perched at 2,500 metres inside Tapichalaca Reserve in southern Ecuador, with sweeping views of Cerro Tapichalaca. Seven rooms built from local materials have private bathrooms and hot showers, and there is an on-site restaurant and free parking. The reserve's trails protect the Jocotoco antpitta and a wealth of high-Andean cloud forest birds.
Cabañas Ecológicas Copalinga
Altitude: 650m (2,133 ft)
Copalinga Ecolodge is set within the subtropical forest of Reserva Copalinga near Zamora. Its cabins have private bathrooms and the property provides a quiet base for birding in the surrounding forest.
Reserva Buenaventura – Umbrellabird Lodge – Fundación Jocotoco
Umbrellabird Lodge is a small birding lodge in the lower part of Fundación Jocotoco's Buenaventura Reserve in southwest Ecuador. The open restaurant and veranda look onto hummingbird feeders and fruit tables, so birds are never far away. Simple, comfortable rooms, full-board meals and guided trails make it a natural base for the reserve's rare Chocó species.
Hotel Victoria Cuenca
Hotel Victoria is a charming historic hotel in the centre of Cuenca, on Calle Larga beside the Tomebamba river and a short walk from the cathedral and old town. Rooms have free Wi-Fi and private balconies, with garden and city views, and the on-site restaurant El Jardín serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Free parking and a bar complete this comfortable base for exploring Cuenca and the Cajas highlands.
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.

















