DESTINATIONS IN ECUADOR
Here you can find a description of the different regions in Ecuador.
Highlands
- Coast - Rainforest
- Galápagos
RAINFOREST
Amazonia
- what to bring
"In the tropical rainforest, while walking silently along the
shady paths, and while admiring every following view, I wished to
find a language to express my ideas. One descriptive word after
another has been found, to weak to describe this feeling of delight
which the spirit is experiencing to those not having visited these
tropical regions"
Charles Darwin
In no other country you can visit the lowlands of the Amazon easier
than in Ecuador. The largest area of Ecuador constitutes the Amazon
region, also called the 'Oriente', east of the Andean range. The
Región Amazónica covers an area of 140.000km²
and is divided by the Pastaza River into a northern and southern
part. The source region of the river is located in the Eastern Cordillera
and disembogues into the Amazon River at the border to Peru. 30
years ago the Amazon region had mostly not yet been developed. Today
there are numerous relatively well-maintained streets and airfields
connecting the single villages and towns among each other as well
as with the highlands. Presently, 500.000 people live in the Oriente,
that is only a 25th part of the country's population in almost half
of the whole Ecuadorian territory.
You can travel to the rainforest from the North or the South. The
northern part can be reached via Quito - Baeza resp. Ambato - Baños
- Puyo and the southern part via Loja - Zamora. A roundtrip from
Quito via Puyo, Misahuallí, Tena, Coca, Baeza and back to
Quito is possible in only a few days and offers tourists an insight
into the diverse and breathtaking flora and fauna of the rainforest.
Many rainforest lodges allow a relaxing and at the same time exciting
stay in the Amazon region with excursions conducted by experienced
guides. For example the Kapawi Ecolodge & Reserve about 1 ½
hours downstream Pastaza River which has been built in 1996 or the
Sacha Lodge at the southern bank of Napo River. Some lodges also
work together with local indígenas to develop an entire new
ecotourism model.
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• backpack or small daypack
• lightweight long pants (quick drying material preferred;
avoid jeans)
• long sleeved cotton shirts
• short sleeved cotton t-shirts
• shorts
• light wind breaker
• sweater or fleece jacket
• pair of cotton hiking socks for each day in the rainforest
• pair of comfortable walking shoes
• sandals (possibly rubber boots)
• underwear (avoid synthetics)
• hat (suitable for both sun and rain)
• water-proof poncho
• bathing suit
• glasses/contact lenses (extra pair, if possible)
• sunglasses with a strap
• sun block lotion (SPF 30 or 45 is recommended)
• insect repellent
• personal first aid kit
• anti-malaria pills
• tampons or sanitary napkins
• bright flashlight (headlamp models recommended)
• alkaline batteries
• self-sealing plastic bags
• Swiss Army knife
• reading material
• small notebook and pen or pencil
• sewing kit
• water bottle
• binoculars
• camera
• dry bag for camera equipment
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