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Photo: Rowinsg · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Zamora: Town, Copalinga and the Bombuscaro River

The gateway to the southern Amazon: Copalinga reserve, the Giant Clock of Zamora and the banks of the Bombuscaro river.

  • 1 day
  • Easy.
  • El Cardenal Hotel, Loja
Ask for availability and price View photos (6)

Zamora, capital of Zamora Chinchipe, lies just over an hour from Loja, already in the eastern lowlands. On this route we visit Copalinga, a private forest reserve beside the Bombuscaro river, about 3 km from town, much loved by birdwatchers and for its Amazonian plants.

We have lunch on the banks of the Bombuscaro, walk along the river and around town, with its cathedral and the Giant Clock of Zamora on the hillside.

The green Bombuscaro river among large boulders and rainforest, at the Zamora entrance to Podocarpus
The green Bombuscaro river among large boulders and rainforest, at the Zamora entrance to Podocarpus
Photo: Rowinsg · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
The city of Zamora on the valley floor, surrounded by rainforest-covered mountains
The city of Zamora on the valley floor, surrounded by rainforest-covered mountains
Photo: Carlosmedinav77 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Zamora seen from above: the river runs through the town between houses and green mountains
Zamora seen from above: the river runs through the town between houses and green mountains
Photo: amalavida.tv · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Green-and-gold tanagers and other birds eating fruit on a wooden feeder in Zamora Chinchipe
Green-and-gold tanagers and other birds eating fruit on a wooden feeder in Zamora Chinchipe
Photo: Carlosmedinav77 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Golden-eared tanager, with green, black and orange plumage, at a banana feeder in Copalinga near Zamora
Golden-eared tanager, with green, black and orange plumage, at a banana feeder in Copalinga near Zamora
Photo: Gary L. Clark · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Spangled coquette hummingbird feeding on a purple flower in Copalinga, near Zamora
Spangled coquette hummingbird feeding on a purple flower in Copalinga, near Zamora
Photo: TonyCastro · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Itinerary

  1. Breakfast at the hotel

    Breakfast at La Campiña restaurant: American style or à la carte with Loja specialities (humitas, tamales, green-plantain bolones).

  2. 08:00 · To Zamora

    A drive watching waterfalls, plants and wildlife on the way down to the Amazon.

  3. 09:30 · Copalinga reserve

    Visit to the eco-lodge and the reserve’s forest.

  4. 13:00 · Riverside lunch

    Traditional lunch on the banks of the Bombuscaro river.

  5. 14:00 · Bombuscaro banks and town

    A walk along the river, the cathedral and the Giant Clock of Zamora.

  6. Back at the hotel

    Arrival at El Cardenal, where a cup of Loja coffee and a snack await you.

Includes

  • Breakfast at the hotel
  • Transport from and to the hotel
  • Guide
  • Traditional lunch
  • Loja coffee and a snack on return

Not included

  • Drinks
  • Dinners
  • Entrance fees to museums, zoos and other sites
  • Handicraft purchases
  • Anything not listed in the programme

What to bring

  • Layered clothing and a warm jacket
  • Rain jacket or poncho
  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Sunscreen and a cap
  • Water bottle
  • ID document
  • Cash for handicrafts
  • Insect repellent
  • Binoculars for birdwatching

Zamora: Town, Copalinga and the Bombuscaro River

Ask for availability and price

We quote it according to the date and the size of the group. Tell us when and how many are travelling and we will reply with availability and price.

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