Los Ilinizas Ecological Reserve
General
This reserve is a recently protected area with
very rich occidental cloud forests. This area is
very productive and very rich in endemism,
making the Ilinizas area extremely valuable
for the conservation of endangered species.
It includes the North and South Ilinizas
volcanoes (16,818 and 17,268 feet) and the Corazón (15,705 feet), and the western slopes
of the Andes to the Toachi river. One of the most visited areas is the Quilotoa crater
(11,808 feet), which has a beautiful lake. There are many Indian communities in the area
that sell their products and artisanies in the Zumbahua, Guangaje and Saquisilí markets.
Access
The Ilinizas volcanoes can be accessed from the Panamerican road going the little village
of El Chaupi. From there you will need a four-wheel jeep to get to the mountains. To go to
the Quilotoa take the Latacunga to Pujilí road and then continue to the crater.
Species
The most common animals are paramo fox, long-tailed weasel, spectacle bear, paramo deer, puma,
pudu, parrots, guam and carunculated caracara.
Plants
Some of the most characteristic species are mimosa, achupalla, orchids, romerillo, cedar,
arrayan, drago, quinine tree, chuquiragua and pumamaqui.
