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Ecuador » General Information » |
| National Protected Areas and National Parks |
With its relatively small territory (256.370
km2 or 98.985 square miles), 0.17% of the planet’s
land surface, Ecuador was ranked among one of the 17 most
biodiverse countries in the world.
Ecuador holds more than 11% of all the land vertebrates
in the world (mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles),
16.087 vascular plant species and approximately 600 species
of marine fish. And there is still a lot to learn about
Ecuador’s diversity, especially about invertebrates
and microoganims. Among the “mega diverse”
countries, Ecuador holds the biggest biodiversity of land
vertebrates per area.
What is the reason for all this diversity?
First of all, the Andes, which divide the country from
North to South; also Ecuador’s geographical location:
in the Tropic of Cancer, the warmest region of the planet;
finally, the influence of two oceanographic phenomenons:
“El Niño” that comes from the North
and is warm and humid, and the “Humboldt”
current, which comes from the South and is cold and dry.
As follows, you will find a brief description of Ecuador’s
National Parks. You can locate these Parks on the map
on the next page. As you may see on the map, besides these
National Parks, Ecuador holds another 21 National Protected
Areas. The country also includes other important private
protected areas and natural sites.
Two of Ecuador’s National Parks were declared “World
Heritage Natural Sites” by the UNESCO. These are
the Galapagos National Park (an Archipelago located 600
miles West off the Ecuadorian Coast) and the Sangay National
Park, located in the Amazonian region.
SANGAY
It is located between three Provinces: Tungurahua, Chimborazo
and Morona Santiago. Extension: 671,654 acres. Take the
Pan-American Highway to Riobamba (map
>>).
When reaching Alao you can ask for tourist information
at the park’s administration center, such as the
correct paths for mountain climbing, horse rental, etc.
There are three main mountains in this park: Sangay (17,154
ft. high), Altar (17,446 ft. high), and Tungurahua (16,452
ft. high). These mountains offer excellent opportunities
to hike, trek, and climb. However, he Sangay Volcano is
off limits because it is in permanent eruption, but you
can get close enough to take spectacular photographs.
Native communities live in this park: Quichua- Canelos
in the north and the Shuar in the south.
YASUNI
It is located in the Napo Province. Extension: 2 426.281
acres. This is an important biogeographical area where
endemic species of plants and animals have been preserved
since the Pleistocene Period (20,000 BC). According to
the "UNESCO", more than 700 species of vegetation
have been identified, there are 500 bird species and 200
different animals. The exuberant flora and fauna of the
jungle can be observed in this area. The Napo River is
the main access to the park. Recently, the Huaorani Indians
that live here, together with environmentalists, have
raised international awareness regarding the controversial
petroleum exploration of this area.
LLANGANATES
This park is home to one of the most exotic and inaccessible
regions in Ecuador. It includes rough moorlands, deep
valleys, rivers, lagoons, and abundant waterfalls. Most
of the park is covered by dense vegetation, and the weather
is mostly cold and rainy. Cerro Hermoso (15.618 feet)
is the highest mountain in the area.
The most common animal species found are moorland rabbits,
sacha (jungle) rabbit, and weasels. Another common species
that are very difficult to spot are the spectacle bear,
white-tailed deer, moorland deer, moorland fox, puma,
deer, tapir, cock of-the-rock, and the condor. Throughout
history, explorers and adventurers have been attracted
to this area in search of the elusive gold of Atahualpa,
which according to the legend is hidden in the Llanganates.
Nobody has found the gold, however, all visitors bear
witness to the region’s mysteries, and keep the
legend alive…
SUMACO-NAPO-GALERAS
With a surface of 507.181 acres, this National Park holds
a wide diversity of ecosystems, ranging from high mountains
to cloud and lowland forests. It includes altitudes from
1,968 to 12,792 feet. The Napo-Galeras mountain range
has various rivers and springs running through deep valleys.
The Sumaco volcano (12.792 feet) stands isolated from
the rest of the Andes and is surrounded by lowland forest.
This National Park is rich in animal species, these include
the spectacle bear, bats, marsupials, armadillos, eagles,
guams, cock of the rock, and many species of reptiles
and amphibians. The most common plants found are cedar,
canelo, and rubber trees. Native Indian Quichua communities
and the archaeological sites of the Cosanga culture are
found close to this National Park.
CUYABENO RESERVE
The Cuyabeno Reserve is located in the Napo and Sucumbíos
Provinces of the Ecuadorian Amazon. The protected area,
founded in 1979, contains 603,380 hectares of tropical
rainforest stretching north towards the Colombian border
and east to the Peruvian border. A variety of canoe and
hiking tours are offered in the Reserve providing excellent
wildlife viewing opportunities. Frequently seen fauna
include several species of monkey, birds, caimans, pihranas,
turtles, and conga ants. Freshwater dolphins, giant armadillos,
anacondas, and manatees are also occasionally spotted.
The main watershed of the Reserve consists of the Aguarico
and the San Miguel Rivers, and the Cuyabeno River and
its tributaries. Halfway down the Cuyabeno there is a
system of 14 spectacular lagoons created by lowland rainforest
floods, typical of the wet season.
Since its creation, the Reserve's boundaries have changed
due to oil exploitation of the area that began shortly
after the protected area was designated. Petroleum extraction
and the activities derived from the oil industry such
as road building, colonization, and agriculture have negatively
impacted the environment. Responsible tourism, the involvement
of local populations, and various NGO's have helped preservation
efforts in the Reserve, but the battle continues to protect
this incredible habitat.
A variety of indigenous groups, including the Cofan, the
Siona, and the Secoya have traditionally inhabited the
area. Recently, the Lowland Quichuas have immigrated to
the area. Some of these indigenous communities are involved
in "Indigenous Community Controlled Ecotourism," and offer jungle tours that support responsible tourism.
The Cuyabeno Reserve is best accessed via Lago Agrio,
an oil town approximately seven hours east of Quito by
bus or 30 minutes by plane. Once there, you can join a
jungle tour, which generally passes through Puerto Chiritza,
down the Aguarico River and into the Reserve as far as
the Peruvian border.
LIMONCOCHA BIOLOGICAL RESERVE
The Limoncocha Reserve, located on the north shore of
the Napo River between the Coca and Aguarico rivers, is
on mostly level ground characterized by the presence of
wetlands and swamps. The Limoncocha Reserve is one of
the most bio-diverse areas in the world, but its flora
and fauna are continually threatened by increasing oil
activity. Scientific studies have identified over 450
bird species in the area and unique trees such as the
giant ceibo, cedars, laurel, the balsa, and the Pambil
are common. The Reserve also contains the Laguna Limoncocha,
which is famous for being an excellent bird watching site.
Lowland Quichua families live nearby the lagoon and grow
mainly subsistence products along with some cash crops.
Petroleum activities during the 1980s and 1990s have negatively
impacted this region and its people. Therefore, the community
is open to ecotourism and other alternative uses of their
fragile environment.
The best way to access the Reserve from Quito is by taking
a plane to Coca or Lago Agrio. Buses travel to these two
destinations as well as directly to the town of Limoncocha.
There is also fluvial transportation from Coca to two
small ports (Puerto de Palos and Puerto Pompeya).
PODOCARPUS
It is located in both the Provinces of Loja and Zamora
Chinchipe, and its extension is 351.436 acres. This park
has two ecological zones, jungle and highland, both with
great diversity of plant and bird life. Here you will
find exotic orchids, bears, pumas, humming birds, toucans,
reptiles and woodpeckers. It is the ideal place for botanical,
ecological and zoological investigations. If you enjoy
long walks, listening to the sounds of birds, running
rivers, waterfalls and camping, then this is a place you
shouldn’t miss.
COTOPAXI
The Cotopaxi National Park, named after the highest active
snow capped volcano in the world (19.347 ft above sea
level), is located 60 km of Quito. It is an hour drive
to this national site consisting of 83,829 acres. The
park’s altitudes range from 11.152 ft to 19.347
ft above sea level.
The Cotopaxi Volcano is one of the most important monuments
of this park. It is the highest active volcano in the
world. Adventurous professional mountain climbers are
attracted to this site along with many tourists who take
pride in reach the top. The volcano offers climbing experiences
for all skill levels.
The immense plain that surrounds the volcano offers a
wonderful landscape with extraordinary geological conditions
and numerous flora and fauna. This park is home to dears,
pumas, condors, wild horses and llamas.
The Limpiopungo lagoon, located close to the Rumiñahui
volcano (15,492 feet above sea level), is the next place
to stop for taking pictures or camping.
The Pucará Ruins are an Incaic fortress that should
be visited too. These three areas are close to each other
and should can easily be seen on a full day tour. At the
foot of Cotopaxi you will also find the Inca Palace, built
by Tupac Yupanqui in the XVth century, turned into a monastery
by the Catholic Augustinian Order in the XVIIth century.
At this site you will enjoy a beautiful view of the volcanoes.
Currently it houses a beautiful small hotel called San
Agustin de Callo.
CAJAS
This National Park is only 21 miles away from Cuenca.
It ranges in altitude from 9,840 to 11,480 feet. Its 71,186-acre
area includes mountains and 232 glacial lagoons, connected
to each other by small rivers and streams. Two of the
rivers surrounding Cuenca, Tomebamba and Yanuncay, begin
in this area.
The Park his home to mammals such as the white-tailed
deer, spectacle bear, puma, paramo deer, paramo rabbit,
and the Andean tapir. Some of the most important bird
species are the caracara, condor, Andean toucan and spectacle
duck. The most common vegetation includes: chuquiragua,
paramo grasses, yagual (Polylepis), romerillo, chachacoma,
genciana, romerillo and the sarar. The Park also has some
archeological Inca sites in the area of Molleturo, which
historians believe have been a ‘tambo’ (resting
areas for the Inca couriers from Cuzco to Quito).
MACHALILLA
Located in the province of Manabí, Machalilla takes
its name from one of the pre-Columbian cultures that inhabited
this area. The Valdivia, Chorrera and Manteña Cultures
lived in this land of mild climate and extraordinary landscape.
One can still visit archeological sites within the park.
We recommend especially Agua Blanca and Salango. The park
occupies 136.000 acres. Its yearly temperature averages
at 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
The influence of the Humboldt Current in the Pacific conserves
the amazing tropical humid and tropical dry forests.
One of the main attractions of the park is "Isla
de la Plata" (Silver Island). It was named at the
end of the XIV century, when the pirate Francis Drake
took treasures from Spanish ships and hid them on this
site. "Plata" means silver, but it is also how
Ecuadorians commonly refer to money. According to the
legend, much of this treasure was never claimed and is
still hidden here. "Isla de la Plata" is a favorite
spot for scuba diving. The Island is surrounded by Coral
Reefs, so the marine life is exciting and plentiful. Some
excellent scuba-diving services are offered here. The
Island has two guided hiking routes, both with awesome
sights. You will find a rare colony of blue-footed boobies,
masked boobies, frigate birds, albatrosses, as well as
interesting plant life. Guides are well versed on the
subject.
In the months of June-September Machalilla has an exceptional
attraction. Humpback whales come to mate here and can
be observed off the beaches of the park and its surroundings.
To visit the park, one must purchase a 5-day pass for
a fee of 25 dollars. With this ticket one can visit all
the sites of the National Park.
Besides these protected areas, Ecuador includes more
National Protected
Areas , and other important private protected areas
and natural sites.
Article © by This is Ecuador Magazine
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