Golden-plumed parakeet Ecuador

Some recomendations to get to the Tapichalaca Reserve..

This Endemic Parakeet is found mostly in South of Ecuador, in the Zamora Chinchipe Province at the cloud forest of the Tapichala Reserve. To get to Tapichalaca Reserve you flight first to Loja, to the Catamayo airport, then you go on trasnportation on a drive that takes about 2h30. There are 2 ways to go to tapichalaca. From catamayo there is a short cut on a pavement way that takes you to malacatos town, then Vilacabamba and the way to Tapichalaca; This option from catamayo to malacatos gives you a chance to see some birds on the way, althoug the way is a little narrow and with many curvs. The another way is heading from catamayo to the city of Loja (40 minutes), and then takes the way to the south east to malacatus, Vilcabamba; Yangana Town and Tapichalaca Reserve. The total drive from Loja is 2h20!!, If you get to Loja in the morning of course you have chance to make many stops along the way. For reference that you are near the reserve, first you have to get to Yangana, then You start going up to the hill (paramo) to the province divide. when you start going down there are about 20 minutes to the reserve, you will see already some signs; You will have to cross like a river crossing the road ( now there is a little bridge); sometimes is low and others a little increased. But I think is safe always. From here there are about 15 minutes or less to get to the lodge. First you will see on the right side a little white house of concret, from here 1km !! and you are at the reserve which is at the left side.

If you have more questions, let me know. Pablo Andrade +593981286507