The western slopes of the Pichincha volcano are dressed
with a wonderful dense ecosystem: the
cloud forest. This ecosystem, also called "Andean
eyebrow", is one of the most diverse in the world.
Many of its characteristics are similar to the rain forest.
However, given the fact that it is not on a plain but
on a slope, the sunrays are able to penetrate deeper inside
the forest, thus giving place to endemic flora and fauna.
The cloud forest is perhaps the ecosystem that holds the
greatest variety of birds and plants in the world. It
includes birds and plants from the rain forest, some from
the highlands, and others that have evolved in this unique
ecosystem. Some of the most impressive bird species of
the cloud forest are: Cock of the Rock, an abundance of
Hummingbirds, Tanagers, Mountain Toucans, Cotingas, Manakins,
among others.
Ecuador is a paradise for bird
watchers and ornithologists! Of the 32 Bird World Life
Zones, 26 are found in Ecuador. Although this small country
occupies approximately 0.02% of the world's land surface,
it holds about 10% of all the bird species of the planet.
Many of these species are endemic to the different ecosystems
found in the country.
Mindo is a very special site, not only for birdwatchers.
The town of Mindo itself has a beautiful orchid display,
a butterfly center, and other tourist and scientific attractions.
Opportunities for rafting in the nearby rivers are also
offered. The people from the town have also invented a
fun water sport: rafting on big water tubes on not-so-wild
rivers.
Ranging from approximately 1400 to 4780m of altitude on
the cloud forest that climbs up the Pichincha volcano
is the natural reserve Mindo-Nambillo
Protected Forest. This reserve holds a vast variety
of flora and fauna species. Among the flora, the most
spectacular are the hundreds of orchid and bromeliad varieties.
A number of waterfalls and small rivers are also featured.
The best accommodations in Mindo are offered by "Mindo
Gardens", one of the resorts included in the "Casablanca
Circuit".
Text by: Cristina Vallejo D.
Article © by This is Ecuador Magazine
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