Pululahua Geobotanical reserve

Pululahua

• The Pululahua is located above an active volcano, that is why it has great mineral wealth and therefore its lands are very fertile and productive. This is the reason why there is such abundance in crops, which has been in high demand for more than 500 years since numerous agricultural terraces can be identified in this location.
• It has trails and recreational areas, perfect for walking with family while enjoying a spectacular view of the crater and the Boiler of the Pululahua Volcano.
•  In the Pululahua biological reserve you can practice trekking, bicycle touring, horseback riding, camping, pining and other activities adventure.
•  So, if you are thinking of a place away from the hustle and bustle of the city, this is the best place for you since here you can be in direct contact with nature.
•  Entrance to the Pululahua Reserve has a cost of 2 USD
•  What does Pululahua mean in Quichua? Its meaning means "water cloud"

Biodiversity of Pululahua

• Pululahua Quito owns great biodiversity, a true gift from mother earth.
•  More than 144 species of birds are identified, such as the black chested hawk and several species of hummingbirds.
•  Among mammals we can find moor wolves, small deer and armadillos.

Pululahua Location

The Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve is located in the north of Quito, 17 km away from the Middle of the World in the Province of Pichincha

1. . From the South of Quito
   • Cost: 0.40 Middle of The World - 0.25 Corredor or San Carlos
   • Route: Occidental Avenue to San Antonio de Pichincha
   • Option 1: :Take the South Road that reaches La Gasca (Occidental Avenue) or one that reaches the bus stop Mitad del Mundo, that leads to Hospital del Seguro (18th Avenue

     Septiembre and America). Here you can take the bus that goes directly to the Middle of the World.

   • Option 2: Take a San Carlos bus that goes to the Condado Shoping and here take the bus to The Middle of the WorldMundo.
2. From the North of Quito
   • Cost: 0.25 Metro Bus and 0.15 feeder
   •  Route: Av. La Prensa or Av América - La Ofelia - Middle of the World
   • Take the Metrobus at any of its stops at the Avenida la Prensa and Avenida América, arrive at the Ofelia station
   • Option 1: Take the bus Middle of the World - Kartodromo

To get to Pululahua you have 2 options:

• If you decided to go in your own car you must first reach the Caldera de Vía Calacalí, then you must pass a gas station until you reach the reservation.

• Rent a van, the cost of this service is:

  • $ 2.50 to the viewpoint - from this point to the boiler you should walk approximately 30 min.
  • ◦ $ 10.00 up to the boiler

Pululahua History

• Jan / 28/1966 Creation as a National Park
• Feb / 17/1978 Declared a Geobotanical Reserve
• The Incas remain the place for at least 75 years. After the Spanish arrived exploiting the place and creating the Haciendas of Pululahua, Calacalí, Caspigasí and Tanlagua.
• 1905 Given the Liberal Revolution in Ecuador by Eloy Alfaro the Pululahua was assiged to Public Assistance to help the people of scarce resources.
• 1964 The lands were divided among the poor families that worked at the Pululahua Hacienda, all this because all the land occupations of the Spaniards were finalized.
• These farm workers are better known as huasipungueros

Pululahua crater

• This formation occurred due to a strong eruption of the Pululahua Volcano, covering much of the southwest of the Ecuadorian Coast with ashes.
• With the eruption, several cultures were lost including Chorrera.
• It has three lava boilers that formed after the eruption:
  • Pondoña
  • The Goat
  • Sugar Bread
• The volcano collapsed and several elevations remained, one of them is Sincholagua.
• Ascent to Pululahua: There is a path in the biological reserve that allows you to reach the crater, during the tour you can observe different species of birds, butterflies, orchids, among others. The descent is much simpler and it takes half an hour. There is also another access through the Moraspungo sector that is located via Calacalí approximately 8 km from the Middle of World.
• Cost of the Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve Trail: The entrance is 1 USD for nationals and 5 USD for foreigners.

Pululahua camping

These are the points where you can camp, find their description by clicking on each one of them.

• Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve, Moraspungo sector, camping
• Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve, El Bucal sector, camping
• Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve, camping

Flora and Fauna of Pululahua

•  2900 endemic species
•  Andean Orchids
•  Andean flowers
•  Variety of insects
•  Variety of mammals
•  Numerous birds

Tourist Places of Quito that might interest you:

• Historic Center of Quito
• El Panecillo
• La Ronda
• Church of the Company of Jesus
• Street of the seven crosses
• The Basilica of the National Vote
• The Metropolitan Cathedral of Quito
• Museum of the City
• Alberto Mena Caamaño Museum of Art and History
• Sucre House Museum
• Camilo Egas Museum of the Central Bank
• National Museum of the History of Medicine
• Miguel de Santiago Museum of the Convent of San Agustín
• Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve
• Central Park of Tumbaco
• Churches and Chapels
• Cununyacu Municipal Spa
• Ilal Volcano or
• El Chaquiñán
• Tulipe Ceremonial Center
• Hidden Route to
• Eco Cycling Route Walk the Quinde
• Quito Cable Car
• La Carolina Park
• Vulcano Park