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Sucumbios
While the biggest attraction in the Sucumbios province is the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve, there are a number of other tourist hotspots scattered in and around the area covered by the reserve.
Although the city of Lago Agrio (also known as Nueva Loja) doesn’t have as much to offer to tourists, it also is a great starting point for excursions into the park, because it is highly developed and accessible by bus or plane. In the 1960s, Lago Agrio became a base for oil explorers, specifically those working with the Texaco oil company. A visit to the city will certainly show visitors just how devastating the oil industry has been on the local environment. Lago Agrio is just a 45 minute flight away from Quito so is really easy to get there.
Visitors to the Zabalo community in the Cuyabeno reserve will get the opportunity to sleep in Cofan huts, navigate the rivers in wooden canoes, and taste the local cuisine. The Cofan have been opening their villages to outsiders since 1978 and they are certain to provide an unforgettable and unique jungle experience. All package prices include meals, lodging, activities, guides and transportation from Lago Agrio. Outside and inside Cuyabeno reserve are several lodges that are offering fine facilities to do a wildlife tour inside Ecuador´s Amazon rainforest.
The bird watching in the areas around the Cuyabeno reserve is some of the best in the world, because there are five hundred different species of birds that can be found in this area, including hummingbirds, toucans, parrots, macaws, hawks, eagles and river birds.
The bird watching in the areas around the Cuyabeno reserve is some of the best in the world...
The many lakes of the Sucumbios province offer opportunities for kayaking, canoeing and wildlife watching. This includes the Laguna Lago Agrio, Laguna Julio Marin, Laguna de Cuyabeno and Laguna Negra. The wildlife species here include caimans, frogs, piranhas, guatusas, barbudos capybaras, a variety of snakes and ducks. Ask at lodges and tour guide agencies for information on canoe and kayak tours and rentals. Many places will offer tours on one of the many rivers that intersect with the lakes. Visitors can also enjoy the views from one of the many lakeside lodges of the region.
Napo
One of the Amazon’s most accessible regions from Quito is the Napo province. Its popular destinations include the Papallacta thermal hot springs, the Antisana Volcano Reserve, the San Rafael Waterfall, the Reventador Volcano (permanently active and easy to access the lava flows), the Napo River, the Limoncocha Ecological Reserve and the town of Misahualli. The Napo province hosts world class lodging facilities.
Tena, the capital of Napo province is 5 hours away by bus from Quito on a good road. It is easy to reach and you can see the transition between Andes Highlands in the Papallacta area to the Amazon basin. The landscape is very attractive and nature lovers will enjoy this trip.
