The Upper Amazon Basin - Adventure Guide to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands - page 333

The ongoing US War on Drugs in Colombia has
also resulted in a ripple of guerilla activity that
has made certain parts of the jungle, such as the
Cuyabeno region, less safe, particularly for
American travelers. Check with the South
American Explorers in Quito ( /fax [phone],
[e-mail]) for the latest safety report.
Don't rely on the advice of tour operators, who
are trying to sell trips.
From Quito to Baeza
Cayambe-Coca Ecological Reserve
The Quito-Baeza Road into the Oriente cuts along the southern edge
of the massive Cayambe-Coca Ecological Reserve. At one extreme,
Cayambe-Coca encompasses alpine life zones and summits that
reach over 19,000 feet, with opportunities for mountaineering, hik-
ing, rock climbing, and ice climbing (discussed in Northern High-
lands , page 132). At the other extreme, the altitude drops to 2,600 feet
and the reserve borders the road from Baeza to Lago Agrio. In be-
tween are páramo grasslands, numerous high-altitude lakes, and
low-lying cloud forests.
The reserve was not created with tourism in mind, and much of its 10
million acres remains undisturbed and rugged. Only guides and
skilled explorers will find it easy to venture into and around the re-
serve. If you want peace and quiet in the massive wilds of the Andes,
then this is definitely the place to go.
There are no formal entry points or facilities within Cayambe, so
camping and hiring a guide who knows the area well are the only
practical options, unless you are a skilled backcountry navigator and
map-reader. Inquire with trekking and mountaineering outfitters in
Quito.
San Rafael Falls
From Baeza, the Quito-Baeza Road splits toward Lago Agrio to the
north (Baeza-Lago Agrio Road) and Tena to the south. Heading
northeast through the Río Quijos valley toward Lago Agrio, the first
major natural attraction you'll come to is San Rafael Falls. Also
known as Coca Falls, this awesome 425-foot cascade is Ecuador's tall-
est.