Reservas
Cotopaxi National Park
Cotopaxi National Park is a place which travellers to Ecuador cannot afford to miss. The park is located 60 km. to the south of Quito and is home to the 5,897 m. Cotopaxi volcano, the area's main attraction. The park covers approximately 34,000 ha. which are divided between Cotopaxi, Pichincha and Napo provinces. Despite its location, the park possesses a large variety of mammals, birds and endemic species.
Pumas, wolves, and the paramo rabbit all inhabit the area. Other animals such as deer, dwarf deer and marsupial mice also roam throughout the park's forests. The vegetation varies depending on the altitude of the terrain. Pumamaquis, romerillos and bilberries can all be found in the area. Lakes like Limpiopungo are another attraction of the reserve. The average temperature is 7.7 degrees centigrade; however, there are severe fluctuations between 0 and 20 degrees, especially when there is a lack of rain. The snow-capped Cotopaxi boasts a year round refuge capable of lodging dozens of tourists.
Llanganates National Park
The Llanganates National Park covers an area of 219,707 ha. between Tungurahua, Cotopaxi, Napo and Pastaza Provinces. The Llanganates mountain massifs are the central attraction of this Andean forest. The Cerro Hermoso massif, the Pisayambo lacustrine system and the torrents of mountain foothills all give form to the area. There are also exuberant amazon forests appropriate for eco-tourism. Legend has it that the treasure used as ransom for the Inca Atahualpa has remained hidden among the Llanganates for centuries.
The majestic condor, an endangered species, is one of several varieties of birds found in the area.
Cajas National Park
Cajas National Park, a beautiful mountainous area with altitudes ranging from 3,000 to 4,000 m, lies 30 km from Cuenca. It contains 275 lakes, several viewpoints and a large area of primary forest. Various rivers arise here, some flowing towards the Pacific Ocean and others to the Amazon basin. With an average temperature of about 10 degrees centigrade, the park is home to a variety of flora and fauna. Its surface area is over 28,000 ha., so visitors can venture out on unending, amazing walks and also try their hand at trout fishing.
Podocarpus National Park
Lakes Compadre and Bombuscaro are among the attractions which captivate tourists arriving at Podocarpus National Park, located on the border of Loja and Zamora provinces. Other attractions include cloud forests, rivers, waterfalls, canyons, birds, mammals and native vegetation. The altitude ranges from one thousand to three thousand metres, with temperatures fluctuating between 8 and 20 degrees centigrade. This 146,000 ha. park was created with the aim of protecting the podocarpus and chinchona, or cascarilla trees, the latter known as Ecuador's national tree. One access route is by the road leading from the town of Loja to Vilcabamba. For scientists and adventurers there are signposted trails and places to camp.
El Boliche Recreation Area
El Boliche Recreation Area is an ideal place for camping. It sits at 3,500 m. altitude and offers vast pine and cypress forests with a temperature that reaches 10 degrees centigrade.
Prominent among its wildlife are birds such as curiquingues, sparrow hawks, partridges and mammals such as wolves and pumas. There is also a notable population of whitetail deer. The park covers 227 ha. and is located 60 km. from Quito. One access route is by way of the railroad that crosses the southern highlands of the country.
Pichincha Protected Forest
Pichincha Protected Forest rises to the west of Quito, along the sides of Pichincha volcano. With an extension of 8,100 ha., the area is ideal for eco-tourism and offers various species of plants and animals. Travellers can also paticipate in sports such as mountain climbing and paragliding.
Mindo-Nambillo Protected Forest
The most important natural bird reserve in the country is located just 76 km. to the northwest of Quito in the area known as the Mindo-Nambillo Protected Forest. This location is ideal for observing approximately 500 species of birds that sweep in flocks through the sierra skies. Included are parrots, ovenbirds, humming birds and sparrow hawks. The 19,200 ha. area is frequented by ornithologists and other scientists. Its altitudes range between 1600 m. and 4,780 m. Semitropical humid forests, primary and secondary forests are all found in the reserve. Various mammals and colorful butterflies live among the exuberant fauna of the area. Rivers and waterfalls enhance the parks beauty and offer visitors the opportunity to participate in a variety of water sports. Other activities include several hikes offering varying levels of difficulty.
Pasachoa Protected Forest
Pasachoa Protected Forest is an area abundant in native trees like pumamaquis and alders. 120 species of birds inhabit the reserve, one of several protected sierra areas just an hour or so from Quito.
An important eco-tourism destination, it offers altitudes ranging from 2,700 m up to 4,200 m.. Temperatures fluctuate between 3 and 21 degrees centigrade. Mammals such as antelope, rabbits, bats, pumas and several types of rodents can all be found within its forests.
The area has two types of hiking trails: self guided and guided. The first group includes trails such as "Del Colibri" and "Amiga Naturaleza", which it is possible to complete in as little as 30 minutes with little effort. Others include "Mayguayacu", "Palma de Cera" and "Los Pantzas", which are possible to do in two, four and eight hours, respectively, with much greater physical effort. Pasachoa is the result of a volcanic eruption that occurred approximately 100,000 years ago. Physical and biological agents reacted with the lava flows, transforming and fertilizing the areas lands. Over the centuries these enriched soils gave rise to the flora and fauna that we appreciate today.
