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National Parks and Protected Areas of Ecuador |
With its relatively small territory (109.483 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 mountain range divides the country from North to South; secondly, Ecuador’s geographical location in the Tropic of Cancer, the warmest region of the planet; and finally, the influence of two oceanographic phenomenons: “El Niño”, the current that comes from the North and is warm and humid, and the “Humboldt” current, which comes from the South and is cold and dry.
On the following pages, 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 is home to 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: the Galapagos Archipelago and the Sangay National Park (Amazonian region).
SANGAY NATIONAL PARK
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 NATIONAL PARK
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.
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LLANGANATES NATIONAL PARK
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 NATIONAL PARK
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 NATIONAL PARK
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 NATIONAL PARK
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 NATIONAL PARK
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 NATIONAL PARK
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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