Cuyabeno
Reserve
In the northeastern part of Sucumbíos, this reserve
covers a territory of 655,781 hectares, between the river
basins of the San Miguel and the Aguarico. One of the
main objectives of the Cuyabeno Reserve is to preserve
an area of the Amazonian ecosystem, the most complex ecosystem
in the world. This protected area is characterized by
its high biodiversity and the interactions between species.
It houses a forest with a tropical climate and immense
lakes like Zancudococha. Many species of birds, some in
danger of extinction, and a large variety of fauna also
live in the ecological reserve.
Limoncocha
Biological Reserve
This is basically made up of the Limoncocha Lake, the
adjacent area and the lake Yanacocha or Black Lake. The
reserve is approximately two and a half square kilometers
in size and houses an enviable biological diversity.
Yasuní
National Park
It is made up of an infinite succession of small, soft
hills that are the result of the millennia of passing
rivers. Like most of the remaining pristine rainforest,
Yasuni houses an impressive biodiversity. The Park includes
important watersheds of the Napo, Yasuni, Tiputini, Nashiño,
and Cononaco rivers and several tributaries of the Curaray,
the river which borders the park to the south.
Sumaco-Galeras
National Park
In the provinces of Napo and Orellana, this Park covers
an area of 205,249 ha. Two main centers make up the reserve:
Sumaco volcano and its peaks and the mountains of Negro
and Pan de Azúcar; and the Napo Galeras whose flanks
take in an area very rich in streams and springs. For
visitors to this Park there is a trail that crosses six
altitudinal peaks before reaching the Sumaco volcano.
Sangay National
Park
The Sangay National Park extends from the Andes Mountains
and is shared by the provinces of Tungurahua, Chimborazo
and Morona Santiago. Its altitude ranges between 800 and
5,400 meters, favoring the existence of different animals
like the mountain tapir, spectacled bear and the ocelot.
The main mountains of this reserve are the Sangay, El
Altar and Tungurahua and there are many areas of virtually
unaltered highland and lowland forest. Recent field investigations
have confirmed the singularity of the ecology of the region
and cite the high levels of species diversity in the north
while the south has a high level of endemism. These facts
caused the area to be declared a Natural Heritage of Humanity
by UNESCO in 1983.
Kapawi Reserve
Kapawi Lodge is located in one of the most remote regions
of the Ecuadorian Amazon. You reach the area in a small
plane arriving at the community of Scharamentsa. From
there, you travel in canoe to Kapawi. It was constructed
by the Achuar Indians following their traditional construction
techniques. The guests are housed in 20 comfortable double
cabins, each with a private bathroom, hot water (produced
by solar energy) and electricity produced by solar energy.
You can relax on the terrace and watch the daily visitors:
ducks, hummingbirds, herons, parrots, etc.
One of the great advantages of Kapawi is that there is
no pre-set or fixed program, but the excursions (with
maximum 10 people) are adapted to the interests of the
guests. A naturalist guide will tell you all about the
secrets of the tropical rainforest. You can also visit
an Achuar village where you will learn about the exceptional
way of life of this indigenous group.
