Fodor's Expert Review Parque Nacional Cajas
A short drive from the sunny city of Cuenca are the cold, cloudy moors of the publicly owned, privately administered Parque Nacional Cajas, where the average elevation is 10,500 feet. The rugged terrain is the legacy left by glaciers as they retreated some 5 million years ago. Today the nearly 70,000 acres of this national park are home to Andean condors, hawks, and the elusive gray-breasted mountain toucan, as well as wolves, gazelles, and white-tailed deer. The area's 230 trout-filled lakes are accessible by boat, and fishing trips can be arranged through local tour operators and hotels.
Cajas is best explored with an experienced guide, because visitors can easily become disoriented in the stark landscape. A guide will point out the unique páramo vegetation and select the best place to set up camp each evening. Be prepared for strong sun, cold wind, and the possibility of rain. Sunglasses and sunscreen are necessities. There is a ranger station near the entrance where you can... READ MORE
A short drive from the sunny city of Cuenca are the cold, cloudy moors of the publicly owned, privately administered Parque Nacional Cajas, where the average elevation is 10,500 feet. The rugged terrain is the legacy left by glaciers as they retreated some 5 million years ago. Today the nearly 70,000 acres of this national park are home to Andean condors, hawks, and the elusive gray-breasted mountain toucan, as well as wolves, gazelles, and white-tailed deer. The area's 230 trout-filled lakes are accessible by boat, and fishing trips can be arranged through local tour operators and hotels.
Cajas is best explored with an experienced guide, because visitors can easily become disoriented in the stark landscape. A guide will point out the unique páramo vegetation and select the best place to set up camp each evening. Be prepared for strong sun, cold wind, and the possibility of rain. Sunglasses and sunscreen are necessities. There is a ranger station near the entrance where you can sometimes sleep for a small fee, although if the accommodations are full you'll have to make other plans.
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