TRAVEL SPECIAL ...............NATURE TRAILS WITH FAMILY WORLD SPECIAL (4)

NATURE TRAILS WITH FAMILY WORLD SPECIAL (4)

ON THE EDGE

ANDES, AMAZON & INGAPIRCA

REGION: Ecuador The Andes range is vast and how! The range is the longest continental mountain range in the world that extends from north to south through seven South American countries: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina. The Cotopaxi National Park, Quito, is an interesting landscape of volcanic sand and boulders from the Cotopaxi composite volcano. The Trek of the Condor is a three to four-day hike from the village of Papallacta to the base of Cotopaxi.
    The Amazon rainforest stretches through 9 countries — Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana. While Ecuador’s borders contain a small slice of the Amazon, the rainforest in this South American country is diverse, with quiet blackwater lagoons, dark brown rivers, dense tree canopies and flooded forests. The Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve is said to be the best place to see the Amazon Rainforest in Ecuador. The reserve is the only Amazon park close to the Andes with a dense network of beautiful lakes and navigable creeks. You have to get to Lago Agrio, canton to reach the reserve. Private transportation is provided by local eco-lodges. Well, remember not to step out of the lodge at any time, you’re in a jungle. Also be careful, not to disturb or disrupt the surroundings.
    www.ecuador.travel/en 
ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR TREKS IN ECUADOR IS TO THE RUINS OF INGAPIRCA. THE HIKE BEGINS IN THE VILLAGE OF ACHUPALLAS, NORTH OF CUENCA, 15KM A DIRT TRACK EVENTUALLY GIVES WAY TO A COBBLED FOOTPATH LEADING TO A PASS. BE READY TO SQUEEZE THROUGH A SMALL CAVE AND REST BY THE SPARKLING WATERS OF THE HIGH MOUNTAIN LAKE LAGUNA LAS TRES CRUCES (LAKE OF THE THREE CROSSES)
VISA REQUIREMENTS:
Indian citizens do not require a visa to enter Ecuador for up to 90 days. This ‘automatic’ tourist visa is known as the 12-X. If you plan on staying longer that 90 days, working or immigrating to Ecuador you will need a visa. Visit www.ecuador-travel-guide.org