300 species of birds, 5 of them in danger
of extinction, nine vulnerable and 42 endemic, were the reason
for Bird Life to declare "Loma Alta" Ecological
Reserve as a site of international importance for the conservation
of birds. This Reserve is located in the Santa Elena Peninsula
(province of Guayas). Loma Alta includes about 6.000 hectares,
of which approximately 1.800 hectares make up the protected
forest.
Fundación Aves del Ecuador" (favesecuador@yahoo.com)
is currently in charge of a project to develop tourism in
this internationally recognized site. To visit Loma Alta,
you can contact Rosa Vela at the numbers 2552608 (in Guayaquil)
or 098 059 233. She is the founder of the foundation, and
also runs a club of bird watchers in Ecuador.
To reach Loma Alta you have to take a bus from Guayaquil to
Salinas ($3.60) and get off at the stop in Santa Elena. From
Santa Elena you have to take a bus from the company "2
de Noviembre" (the last bus departs at approximately
19h00) up to the town of Barcelona. This picturesque town
shines like gold with the "paja toquilla" (straw
of which the Panama hats are made) laid out to dry in the
sun. From Barcelona you can hire a motorcycle ride ($1) or
a pick-up ($0.50) to drive you up to the community house of
Loma Alta.
In total, the trip from Guayaquil to Loma Alta is approximately
3 hours long. The road is not in good conditions, but visiting
the reserve is worth the sacrifice.The community charges a
$3 fee to visit the forest. From the community house you can
rent a horse or continue on motorcycle up to the reserve.
People from the community offer lodging and meals for very
convenient prices.
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