NATIONAL PARKS AND RESERVES

Here you can find important information about some of the most beautiful National Parks and Reserves of Ecuador.travel

Machalilla National Park - Cotopaxi National Park - Chimborazo Forest Reserve - Cajas National Park - Petrified Forest of Puyango - Podocarpus National Park - Yasuni National Park - Cuyabeno Forest Reserve - Galapagos National Park

 COTOPAXI NATIONAL PARK AND RECREATIONAL AREA "EL BOLICHE"

COTOPAXI NATIONAL PARK
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Situated in the provinces: Cotopaxi, Pichincha and Napo
Created: July 26th, 1979
Size: 693.700 ha – 1.714.000 acres
Altitudinal Rank: 33.393 - 82.512 meters
Admission fee: US $10 to the park

Description of the zone

In the central andean zone of Ecuador it is located the Cotopaxi National Park. One access is about 29 kilomtres from Latacunga and 60 kilometres from Quito, the second possibility about 19 kilometres from Latacunga and 70 kilometres from Quito. The main attraction is precisely the highest (5897m) and most active volcano of the world: The Cotopaxi (name in quichua that in English means “ Neck of the Moon” ). An outstanding view of the moor and volcanic vestiges will catch your breath. Despite the altitude, it is possible to find in the park an impressing number of mammals, birds and flora adapted to this unique environment - curiquingues, deers, foxes… All these elements create tempting routes for climbers - who are always ready at the first hours of the dawn to conquer the summit. It is a big challenge for mountaineers, a fact making necessary to use a specialized equipment and to be assisted by an expert guide. During the ascent, at 4800 meters you will find the mountain refuge: Jose Ribas. From this point, a majestic sight will encourage you to the top.
The Rumiñahui inactive volcano (4757m) lays northwest, and it is an excellent trekking challenge for mountaineers. Occasionally, condors and other endemic bird species can be seen. Between these two giants volcanoes the valley of Limpiopungo lays down.

To the aborigines, the Cotopaxi was a sacred place, furthermore it was considered a kind of god. It has been told that in 1534, during a battle between the indigenous and the Spanish conquerors the volcano erupted. The frightened settlers run away while natives started to adore the furious volcano. In 1877, a new eruption left a mark in the Ecuadorian history. Lava and mud literally erased Latacunga city.

Beneath the National Park you can find “El Boliche”, a national recreation area. It is a beautiful pine forest, which was cultivated in 1928 for a scientific study “coniferous trees adaptability to high altitude ecosystems”. Here it is possible to camp or to spend a great picnic time with friends.

To the south, there are another amazing landscapes and treasures: lagoons, the páramo (cold high altitude grasslands) , aborigines’ vestiges such as old temples to adore the volcano… you will just need more time to explore them.

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 CHIMBORAZO FOREST RESERVE

CHIMBORAZO FOREST RESERVE
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Situated in the provinces: Chimborazo, Bolívar y Tungurahua
Created: October 26th, 1987
Size: 58.560 ha - 145.000 acres
Altitudinal Rank: 3.800 - 6.310 meters
Admission fee: US $10

Description of the zone

The Chimborazo forest reserve consists mainly of moor landscape. This area constitutes a habitat for various plants and animals of the Andean mountain chain. Also in this land, trees and romerillo, mortiño and chuquiraguas (the flower of mountaineers) bushes grow. In some parts there are as well quishuares, pumamaquis, piquilles and other unique species of the Andes. The Cimborazo is located between the towns Ambato and Riobamba.
The fauna mainly includes deers, wolfs and rabbits; once in a while some llamas hide themselves between the trees. Due to protection measures within the reserve, its population could recuperate this marvellous place within the past few years. Thanks to these projects, even the rare Andean camelid races Vicuña and Alpaca returned to this zone.
Without any doubt, the biggest attraction of the reserve is the Chimborazo Volcano, the highest mountain of Ecuador, covered with enormous glaciers and a crater with a diameter of 20 kilometers. Its neighbour, Carihuairazo, sometimes rivalled with the Chimborazo referring to being the highest one.

Both are located in the heart of the reserve. The melting water of the huge glaciers is a source for various rivers. 90 % of this water flows towards the jungle and supplies the Pastaza River with. 10 % flows towards eastern Ecuador.

Adventurers can climb this magnificent elevation that is covered with snow. The first refuge is at 4,800 meters, then at 5,000 meters you will find a second housing where you can rest and spend the night. The Oriental peak is the most difficult part to climb on the places known as Nicolás, Politécnica or Central. History tells us that Simon Bolivar on his fight for independence met this incredible volcano and wrote the poem called “My delirium on the Chimborazo”. This invaluable text let the world know about the volcano. The bodies of some climbers that challenged the immensity of the Chimborazo are buried on the second refuge.
This place is ideal for mountain cycling and on some routes it is better if you have the company of a qualified guide. The Machay Temple is a place where the indigenous people used to pray to the volcano.
Another attractive volcano to visit would be the Carihuairazo, that has an altitude of 4,900 meters. It has a crater of two kilometers-diameter, covered with snow and ice. The Chimborazo and the Carihuairazo can be visited in the walk Mocha-Mechahuasca that lasts two days walking between 8 and 10 hours daily. La Chorrera is a canyon formed by big vertical rocks of dangerous edges that are up to 100 meters high, and its visit gives tourists a spectacular view of the landscape.

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