Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve
General
The reserve includes western lowland forest,
cloud forest and paramos in the Cotacachi
volcano area (18,768 feet). The most visited
place of the reserve is the Cuicocha Lake,
very close to Otavalo.
Access
The higher areas are accessible by paved road from the Cuicocha Lake.
There is a beautiful four-hour hike around the rim of the crater. To get
to the lowland forest you have to take the road Esmeraldas to Borbón, but there is
no easy access, especially during the rainy season.
Species
The most common species are puma, ocelot, tapir, kinkajou, paca, paramo fox, black-headed
and red-headed vultures, condor, black-chested buzzard-eagle and boas.
Plants
The flora is very rich and diverse, with species such as chonta palm, barbasco vine, guarumo,
balsa tree and pumamaqui.
