Podocarpus National Park

Podocarpus is considered one of the areas where there are several ecosystems, and a great biodiversity. Its climate has allowed several species to develop. In this place you can see live, the most complete summary of the natural history of the mountain range.
The Podocarpus National Park (PNP) is located in the provinces of Zamora Chinchipe (70%) and Loja (30%), occupies 146,280 hectares.

Podocarpus Features

Podocarpus Biodiversity National Park

• It is considered a huge botanical garden for housing between 3,000 and 4,000 species of plants. It is also the ideal site for bird lovers, with more than 800 registered species.

Podocarpus National Park Attractions

• The reception center of Cajanuma is the main entry point towards the trail. In addition, lagoons del Compadre and Cerro Toledo, are strategic sites for birds and other species observation.

Podocarpus National Park activities

• Hiking, mountaineering, cycling and camping.

Podocarpus National Park Recommendations

• Warm and light clothing (depending on the area), rubber boots, drinks, sunscreen and mosquitoes may be required.

National Park Podocarpus Recognition

• Since 2007, it has been part of the Podocarpus - El Cóndor Biosphere Reserve, a recognition granted by UNESCO.

Podocarpus Protected Area

Podocarpus Protected Area Anniversary every December 15
It is part of the list of wetlands of international importance, recognized by the RAMSAR Convention and is the source of water consumed by the inhabitants of these provinces
In the country there are 50 protected areas in which live 4,000 species of plants and 600 species of birds, from which 40% are in the PNP, said Carlos Espinoza, zone coordinator 7 of the Ministry of Environment (MAE).

Podocarpus Ecuador (PNP), in Loja has the trails: Eye of Eyeglasses, 400 meters; Cloud Forest 700 meters; Los Miradores, 5 kilometers away and the highest, which leads to Lagunas del Compadre, a journey of 14.5 kilometers, said Enrique Armijos, who has been a park ranger for 15 years.

From the 2,000 national and foreign tourists, who visit the park on a monthly basis, 15% come from Europe, in this group are Ignasi Bau Erra and Alba Muñoz Nieto, Spaniards who made the park their world, for two days.

Ignasi Berrú is a gardener and does mountain tourism for 15 years. He took his vacation for two weeks and his goal is to tour the parks of Ecuador, from the south to the north.
They began their expedition in the petrified forest of Puyango (Las Lajas-El Oro and Puyango-Loja) and stayed in the PNP where they observed the majesty of flora, such as Romerillo (common name of the tree to which the name of Podocarpus comes), although his desire is to observe the spectacled bear.
For tourists who do not wish to camp near the park, they can do so at El Refugio (park administration) where there are five rooms, which cost $ 3 per night.
In the park 28 park rangers and three technicians work. In this year, with an investment of $ 172,000, work was done such as: infrastructure, equipment, sanitary batteries and internal conditioning

Podocarpus How to get there?
There are two main revenues to enter this natural treasure, located on the route of the Loja - Vilcabamba road, the Cajanuma sector 15 kilometers from the capital of this province and on the Bombuscaro River, 6 kilometers from Zamora. Admission is free and opening hours are Monday through Sunday from 08:00 to 17:00.

Podocarpus National Park, Zamora Chinchipe, camping
Podocarpus National Park Description
Enter the Via Zamora - Bombuscaro (7 km approx.). It is a place full of magic that can be enjoyed with large groups of people, you must bring supplies.

Podocarpus National Park technical information

• Location: Neighborhood / Sector: Bombuscaro
• Tourist Attraction: Tropical Forest, Waterfalls, River
• Owner: Ministry of the Environment of Ecuador
• Type: Public
• Address: Bombuscaro
• Distance: From Zamora 7 km
• Temperature Range: 8-22 ° C
• Hours of Operation: 8h00-17h00 365 days a day

Podocarpus National Park tourist services

• Showers
• Sanitary facilities
• Tables and benches