Podocarpus National Park
General
The Podocarpus park has more than 100
lagoons of various sizes, many rivers and
waterfalls, both in the Andean and Amazon
slopes. The administrative and welcome
center of the park is in the area of Cajanuma.
From this point there are several trails to get
to especially attractive areas, like the
Compadre lagoons, a beautiful and excellent
place for camping.
Access
Take from Loja the south road that goes to
Vilcabamba. 15 minutes away from Loja, you turn east to Cajanuma information center.
Species
The most important mammal species in this area are paramo deer, tapir, spectacle bear,
squirrels, raposas, white-tailed deer and puma. More than 400 species of birds have
been recorded in the park, like the cock of the rock, guan, barbed guan and the Andean toucan.
Plants
The park most important species is the romerillo, the only coniferous species found in Ecuador.
Other plants include the pumamaqui, canelo, guarumo and the endangered quinine tree.
