The tropical lowlands of Ecuador or "El Oriente" dubbed by the locals lies east of the Andes and is divided to the North and South by the River Pastaza. The Northern sector is far more popular than the Southern routes which are remoter and in the wilderness in comparison to the former.

You may enter the lowlands via Loja and Cuenca for southern routes while the northern routes are accessible via Quito and Ambato although do avoid these routes during the rainy seasons due to landslides especially as the roads are very narrow. In addition there are also air routes to some of the towns on route.

Some features of the Oriente include canoe trips into the heart of the Amazonian forests from Macas, an attractive jungle town, river rafting in the rapids of Rio Upano, or a tour to the Shuar Indian communities outside Macas.