Nature & Wildlife | Photography

Ecuador Southern Jocotoco Route — 7 Days

A seven-day southern Ecuador birding route linking Tapichalaca, Copalinga, Buenaventura and Cajas National Park.

Ecuador Country
7 days Duration

Expedition Highlights

Itinerary At a Glance

Tapichalaca
Day 1

Tapichalaca

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Tapichalaca to Copalinga
Day 2

Tapichalaca to Copalinga

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Copalinga and Bombuscaro
Day 3

Copalinga and Bombuscaro

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Buenaventura
Day 4

Buenaventura

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Buenaventura to Cuenca
Day 5

Buenaventura to Cuenca

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Cajas National Park
Day 6

Cajas National Park

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Departure
Day 7

Departure

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Suitability & conditions

A practical overview of the pace, comfort, and conditions to expect on this journey.


Seasonality

JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC

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

  • Flight Quito to Cuenca

  • Transfer from Cuenca to Tapichalaca

  • Tapichalaca Jocotoco Antpitta Session (Tapichalaca Reserve)

  • Dinner

  • Casa Simpson (Tapichalaca Reserve, Valladolid / Zamora-Chinchipe)

    Casa Simpson (Tapichalaca Reserve, Valladolid / Zamora-Chinchipe) - Room - Valladolid, Zamora-Chinchipe Province, EcuadorCasa Simpson (Tapichalaca Reserve, Valladolid / Zamora-Chinchipe) - Building - Valladolid, Zamora-Chinchipe Province, EcuadorCasa Simpson (Tapichalaca Reserve, Valladolid / Zamora-Chinchipe) - Public Areas - Valladolid, Zamora-Chinchipe Province, Ecuador
DAY 2

Tapichalaca to Copalinga

Overnight Altitude: 650m (2,133 ft)
  • Breakfast

    Breakfast at the hotel, included each morning of the stay.
  • Tapichalaca Jocotoco Antpitta Session (Tapichalaca Reserve)

  • Lunch

  • Transfer from Tapichalaca to Copalinga

  • Cabañas Ecológicas Copalinga

    Altitude: 650m (2,133 ft)
DAY 3

Copalinga and Bombuscaro

Overnight Altitude: 650m (2,133 ft)
  • Breakfast

    Breakfast at the hotel, included each morning of the stay.
  • Bombuscaro Foothill Birding (Podocarpus National Park / Bombuscaro)

  • Lunch

  • Cabañas Ecológicas Copalinga

    Altitude: 650m (2,133 ft)
DAY 4

Buenaventura

Possible Sightings:
Red-rumped Woodpecker
  • Breakfast

    Breakfast at the hotel, included each morning of the stay.
  • Transfer from Copalinga to Buenaventura

  • Buenaventura Reserve Birding (Buenaventura Reserve / Umbrellabird Lodge)

  • Reserva Buenaventura – Umbrellabird Lodge – Fundación Jocotoco

    Umbrellabird Lodge - RoomUmbrellabird Lodge - Building
DAY 5

Buenaventura to Cuenca

Possible Sightings:
Red-rumped Woodpecker
  • Breakfast

    Breakfast at the hotel, included each morning of the stay.
  • Buenaventura Reserve Birding (Buenaventura Reserve / Umbrellabird Lodge)

  • Lunch

  • Transfer from Buenaventura to Cuenca

  • Hotel Victoria Cuenca

    Hotel Victoria Cuenca roomHotel Victoria Cuenca buildingHotel Victoria Cuenca restaurant
  • Breakfast

    Breakfast at the hotel, included each morning of the stay.
  • Cajas Paramo and Lakes (Cajas National Park)

  • Lunch

  • Dinner

  • Hotel Victoria Cuenca

    Hotel Victoria Cuenca roomHotel Victoria Cuenca buildingHotel Victoria Cuenca restaurant
DAY 7

Departure

  • Breakfast

    Breakfast at the hotel, included each morning of the stay.
  • Flight Cuenca to Quito

Accommodation

Where you’ll stay

Travel at a human pace

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.

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