Ecuador Nature
National Parks & Protected Reserves
Ecuador, a cradle of life, is crossed by the Andes Mountain Range (the longest in the world) from north to south, with the Pacific Coast to the west and the mystical Amazon Rainforest to the east. This privileged location allows it to boast great variety in various aspects. With altitudes ranging from sea level to 6,263 meters / 20,548 feet (the Chimborazo Volcano), our small country is gigantic in terms of animal and plant life, supported by the different microclimates created by nature.
Conservation efforts began in the 1930s with the Galápagos Archipelago and continued with the creation of National Parks, Ecological Reserves, Wildlife Production Reserves, Marine Reserves, and more. The National System of Protected Areas (SNAP) is the authority in charge, and as of 2023, it encompassed 73 different protected areas in various categories nationwide. To protect its great biodiversity and ensure the sustainable use of resources, each region of Ecuador protects different portions of its territory to varying extents: 9.51% in the Andes Highlands, 27.8% in the Ecuadorian Amazon Rainforest, 7.95% on the Pacific Coast, and 99.8% in the Galápagos Islands belong to protected natural reserves.
We have listed some of the most emblematic protected areas in Ecuador, and we continue doing it! Have a look at them, get some information, and prepare for your next adventure!
20% of Ecuador’s territory is protected…
From the northern reserves as the “El Ángel” to the southern ones as the “Podocarpus National Park” you will undertake accesible as well as challenging adventures across the highlands!
MOVE AROUND :
Quito is located in the northern Andes, from there you can move on vehicle or flight between mayor cities (Cuenca & Quito)
ACTIVITIES :
Trekking, Hiking, Climbing, High-Mountain, Cultural Activities, MTB, Horseback Riding…
MILESTONES :
The Cotopaxi National Park, The Chimborazo Reserve, El Ángel Reserve…
Galápagos (ecuador’s region) include two protected areas: the Galápagos National Park covering the 97% of the land territory and the Marine Reserve extending beyond…
MOVE AROUND :
To get to the Galápagos Islands, you have to take a domestic flight either from Quito or Guayaquil. Once there, you can visit the Islands by cruise or land-based.
ACTIVITIES :
Diving, snorkeling, Kayaking, surfing, hiking, biking…
MILESTONES :
The Galápagos islands is a world apart, yet some of our favorites include Española, Cabo Rosa Tunnels…
Located to the east the Amazon might be divided into two: primary and secondary, both offering a different approach to travelers. Discover the Yasuní or the Cuyabeno…
MOVE AROUND :
To get to the Amazon you can either flight (primary) or travel by car (primary/secondary). Times vary from 4 to 7 hours depending on your destination.
ACTIVITIES :
Canoe expeditions, cultural visits, hiking, wildlife observation, extreme sports (secondary amazon)…
MILESTONES :
The Yasuní National Park & The Cuyabeno Reserve
Prepare yourself for a unique adventure across a country that can be crossed in just one day! You might start your day on the Pacific Coast in a charming sea-front hotel, travel across the highlands (the Sierra), and finish the day in a lovely lodge in the heart of the primary Ecuadorian Amazon Rainforest. Embark on a Unique Adventure…