Cuenca & the Southern Highlands - Adventure Guide to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands - page 223

topography, Podocarpus is less visited than other national parks in
the country. Created to protect the region's biological diversity, en-
demic species, and the only large expanse of undisturbed forest in
southern Ecuador, Podocarpus is, ironically, one of the more threat-
ened areas in the country. Illegal colonization, hunting, and mineral
concessions are serious concerns in an area that lacks appropriate
funding for protection. Your visit and dollars are desperately needed
and will be amply rewarded with an incredible experience.

The park's entrance and administrative center is the Cajanuma en-
trance , located south of Loja on the road to Vilcabamba. Enter via
the marked dirt road on the left, heading east into the park. At the
visitor's center, lodging is available and various trails provide easy
access into the park. Some trails are short loops that take only a cou-
ple of hours, while others may require an overnight expedition
through various ecological life zones.

Unique to this area are the podocarpus trees , for which the park is
named. Three species of these coniferous trees can be found here. As
the park spreads east, misty, thick cloud forests quickly engulf the
landscape and provide habitat for incredible species like the spec-
tacled bear . This shy, endangered animal is the only bear found in
South America. Other creatures within the park include the solitary
puma, mountain tapirs, and the Andean fox. As the elevation drops,
the ecologymerges with that of the upper Amazon life zones andwild-
life typical of the Oriente.

Podocarpus is also a birder's paradise. Incredibly, some estimates
place up to 800 species of birds within the park's boundaries. In addi-
tion to an abundance of birds and other animals, Podocarpus boasts
several thousand vascular plant species, many of which have not yet
been catalogued. The number of unique species here, found nowhere
else in the world, is extraordinary in Podocarpus. The combination of
topography and unique weather patterns has created habitats found
nowhere else on earth.

To get there, head south toward Vilcabamba and take a left at the
sign for Cajanuma, about nine miles south of Loja. About five miles
later is the Cajanuma ranger station, which you can hike to. Or you
can catch a taxi fromLoja. Bunk beds and camping are available from
the ranger station and trails lead up to the lakes and páramo habitat.
Bring all camping gear and food. The park entrance fee is $10. Maps
of the area, including main entry points, are available at the
Ministerio del Ambiente in Loja, located on Sucre between Quito and
Imbabura, 7-571-534.