Location: 60 miles Northeast of Quito Map
Area: 914,270 acres (3,700 km2)
Cayambe Coca Ecological Reserve (Reserva Ecológica Cayambe-Coca), also referred to as Cayambe Coca National Park, is one of Ecuador's most expansive and ecologically diverse protected areas, established in 1970 to safeguard Andean forests, páramos, and transitional ecosystems. Spanning approximately 403,103 hectares (about 996,090 acres or 4,031 km²), it is Ecuador's second-largest reserve in the Sierra region and encompasses a dramatic altitudinal gradient from high Andean peaks to Amazonian lowlands. Located along the Equator roughly 38-70 km northeast of Quito, the reserve straddles four provinces: Pichincha, Imbabura, Sucumbíos, and Napo, serving as a vital watershed that supplies water to Quito and feeds major rivers like the Coca and Napo, which ultimately flow into the Amazon. It is named after the iconic Cayambe Volcano and the Coca River, highlighting its role in bridging Andean and Amazonian biomes while protecting indigenous communities and biodiversity hotspots.
The reserve's geography is characterized by a rugged,
volcanic landscape with elevations ranging from about 500 meters in the
Amazonian foothills to 5,790 meters at the summit of Cayambe Volcano,
the highest point on the Equator and Ecuador's third-highest peak. This
altitudinal diversity creates a mosaic of ecosystems, including
high-altitude páramo grasslands, mist-shrouded cloud forests, subalpine
forests, Andean foothills, dense Amazonian rainforests, and glaciers.
Key features include the dormant Cayambe Volcano with its permanent snow
cap and glacier, active Reventador Volcano (3,485 m), peaks like
Sarahurco (4,725 m) and Cerro Puntas (4,452 m), and a hydrological
network of over 60 lakes (e.g., Papallacta system, Puruhanta, San
Marcos), rivers, streams, rapids, waterfalls (e.g., San Rafael, once
Ecuador's tallest at 131-150 m but altered by a 2020 sinkhole), natural
bridges, and volcanic hot and cold springs. The terrain is crisscrossed
by ancient trails, including parts of the Inca Trail, and includes
karstic formations like caves (e.g., Gruta los Tayos).
Climate varies
significantly with elevation: high páramo zones are cold (often below
10°C) with high humidity, strong winds, and frequent mist or fog, while
lower cloud forests and rainforests are warm, humid, and rainy
year-round. Precipitation is abundant, supporting the lush vegetation,
but glacial areas experience freezing temperatures, and the overall
climate is influenced by the Andean-Amazon transition, with potential
for sudden changes.
Established on November 17, 1970, as an ecological reserve, Cayambe Coca was later designated a national park to protect its water resources and biodiversity amid growing environmental pressures. Historically, the area has been inhabited by indigenous groups for centuries, with archaeological evidence including pre-Incan Pambamarca fortresses, Sun and Moon temples in Puntiatsil, and ancient ruins like "la Mesa" near Lake Puruhanta. The reserve holds cultural importance for communities such as the Quechua people of Oyacachi (Napo Province) and the Cofán people of Sinangoé (Sucumbíos Province), who maintain traditional practices tied to the land, including sustainable resource use and spiritual reverence for natural features like volcanoes and springs. It forms part of Ecuador's broader conservation framework, influenced by indigenous land rights and international efforts.
Cayambe Coca is a megadiverse hotspot, hosting over
100 endemic plant species and a wide array of wildlife across its
ecosystems.
Flora: The reserve protects diverse vegetation zones. In
the páramo, dominant species include frailejones (Espeletia spp.),
bunchgrasses, ferns, lycopods, chuguiahuas, moss, achupallas,
romerillos, and mortiños (Vaccinium floribundum). Cloud forests feature
orchids, bromeliads, towering trees, and epiphytes, while lower
rainforests have dense jungle flora with natural flowers and vines.
These plants play crucial roles in water retention and soil
stabilization.
Fauna: Mammal diversity includes 106-200+ species,
such as the endangered spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus), mountain
tapir (Tapirus pinchaque), Andean tapir, puma (Puma concolor), culpeo
fox, white-tailed deer, páramo rabbit, armadillo, neotropical river
otter, Andean coati, bush dog, squirrels, bats, rats, and monkeys.
Avifauna is exceptional with 395-900+ species, including the Andean
condor (Vultur gryphus), variable hawk, plate-billed mountain toucan,
sword-billed hummingbird, cock-of-the-rock, turkeys, parrots,
hummingbirds, and toucans. Reptiles (70-140 species) and amphibians
(116-110 species) abound, with many endemics adapted to humid habitats,
alongside insects and the giant otter.
As a critical component of Ecuador's National System of Protected Areas, the reserve safeguards one of the country's principal water sources, regulating hydrology for urban and agricultural needs while preserving megadiverse ecosystems in the Andean-Amazon corridor. It supports endangered species and endemic biodiversity, contributing to global conservation goals. Threats include illegal deforestation, mining, poaching, habitat fragmentation, and climate change-induced glacial retreat on Cayambe, which affects water availability. Conservation efforts involve the Ecuadorian government, NGOs, and community-based initiatives, including sustainable tourism, research, and watershed protection programs.
Highlights include climbing Cayambe Volcano (with the Ruales-Oleas-Bergé Refuge at base), soaking in Papallacta Hot Springs (mineral-rich thermal pools at 3,300 m), exploring waterfalls like Cascada Rio Malo and the altered San Rafael, hiking to lakes such as Puruhanta (with ancient ruins) and San Marcos (5-km trail), and viewing Reventador Volcano's activity. Activities encompass hiking on trails through forests and páramo, birdwatching (over 500 species), fishing in highland prairies, wildlife observation, spelunking in caves like Gruta los Tayos (guided for ~US$5), and cultural tours with indigenous communities to learn about traditions and sustainable practices. Mountaineering requires experience due to icy slopes, and ecotourism emphasizes low-impact exploration.
Access: The reserve has three main entrances: Cayambe
(Pichincha, for mountains), Papallacta (Napo, for páramo and forests),
and Santa Rosa de Quijos (for lowlands). From Quito, reach by bus (e.g.,
to Cayambe: ~US$3, 90 min; to Santa Rosa: ~US$10, 2 hrs) or taxi/rental
car; no direct bus to Papallacta—combine bus and taxi. Internal tracks
are limited, so choose entry based on interests.
Entry and
Regulations: Fee is ~US$10 (discounts for locals/children); guided tours
mandatory for some areas like caves or climbs. Reservations via
Ecuador's Ministry of Environment or local operators; respect indigenous
territories.
Best Time to Visit: Dry season (June-September) for
clearer weather, though year-round access is possible; avoid rainy
periods for hiking.
Accommodations and Tips: Options include the
Ruales-Oleas-Bergé Refuge for climbers, hostels in Cayambe town
(~cheap), or stays in Papallacta village (basic, ~600 residents).
Prepare for altitude sickness—acclimatize in Quito; wear layers,
waterproof gear, sunscreen; bring binoculars for birding. Guided tours
(cost-effective) enhance safety and insights; avoid solo high-altitude
ventures; support sustainable tourism by using local guides and
minimizing impact.
This reserve offers an unparalleled immersion into
Ecuador's natural and cultural tapestry, blending adventure with vital
conservation.