Heya Niels,
Where have you been to in that area (S Colombia - N Peru) before? Are you more interested in getting the rarest/hardest birds, the most spectacular species, a big list, the most enjoyable destinations, or?
Casa Simpson/Tapichalaca is lovely, the birding is great for 1-2 days, and there is overlap with the upper part of PN Podocarpus for sure. When I was there a few years ago Andean Potoo was not to be found though it can be a good spot at times for that species. It's the best location for Orange-banded Flycatcher, and is probably the best place to actually see Chestnut-naped Antpitta, as well as being good for seeing Undulated Antpitta (both just in the trails early morning/late evening). I birded/worked in the range of Chestnut-naped Antpitta for probably 6 months before seeing it, finally, at Tapichalaca.
There's a spot for the rare Hapalopsittaca of S Ecuador up near the top of PN Podocarpus, as well as a couple other nice birds, that makes a good early morning visit if you want to try for the parrot. Beyond that, the upper part of the park is not usually on most people's lists though I'm sure it's nice.
The bottom entry to Podocarpus is key for a Pyrrhura parakeet, is a good spot for Foothill Elaenia among others, and has a different mix of birds. Jocotoco now owns Copalinga, which is the best spot to stay for the bottom end of PN Podocarpus. I presume they are still feeding Gray Tinamou, and is basically the only location to see that bird without a lot of luck and patience. If you're going to go down to Copalinga/Podocarpus bottom entrance, then you really ought to continue to Cabañas Yankuam / Cordillera del Condor. Orange-throated Tanager is the standout species there but the area in general is loaded with exceptional and hard birds that are specialists of outlying E Andean ridges (similarly to Rio Bigal, Plataforma, etc). You can drive to where the Tanager is. You can also do a day hike up to elfin forest atop a mesa and get Royal Sunangel (if you don't have it from N Peru), as well as the best location for Rufous-vented Whitetip. If you're into hard birds and cool locations, I think the areas accessible from Cabañas Yankuam and the area around Paquisha are some of the best birding in S America, to be honest. Things like Subtropical Pygmy-Owl, Spot-winged Parrotlet, Green-throated (aka Straw-backed) Tanager, Spectacled Prickletail (Paquisha is hands down the best place to see that bird). Lots more that I'm forgetting now, but it's a great area for a lot of hard birds. Seasonally one of the rare Coquettes is at Copalinga or in the flowers in one of the parks in Zamora.
Are you thinking of going to Jorupe and Buenaventura? I assume you're drive through El Cajas and pick up some of the specialties there? Other spots you're thinking of already?
Happy to try to help more and answer questions. I spent a good 3 months or so birding S Ecuador!
Cheers,
Josh