The Oriente (Amazon):

How to get there I Safety I Health I Eco-tourism in the Jungle

Overview: The Amazon known as the "Oriente" by most Ecuadorians is hot and wet all year round. The average Temperature is 30º C. There are six different provinces which make up Ecuador's Amazon region as follows: Sucumbíos, Orellana, Napo, Pastaza, Morona Santiago and Zamora Chinchipe.

From the map below select the province that you would like to visit.

 

Sucumbíos

CAPITAL.- Nueva Loja (Lago Agrio).
CLIMATE.- Hot and humid.
TEMPERATURE.- 23º C.

Nueva Loja.- Lago Agrio's official name is Nueva Loja, due to the first colonizers, which came from the province of Loja.

Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve.- A huge pristine rainforest covering over 603,000 hectares with several lakes, swamps and a very interesting wildlife.

Reventador.- The volcano, has over 3,500 m and is within the eastern edge of the Reserva Ecológica Cayambe-Coca.

San Rafael Falls.- The highest waterfall in Ecuador (over 140 m), with a great bird life in the area.

Orellana

CAPITAL.- Coca.
CLIMATE.- Hot and humid.
TEMPERATURE.- 24º C.

Coca's official name is Puerto Francisco de Orellana with some 20,000 inhabitants, is the capital of the Province of Orellana. Located at the junction of the Coca and Napo rivers. It has became the haunt of adventurous tourists looking for jungle tours.

Typical Food.- Masatos (prepared with yucca and green bananas); pango (meat cooked with green banana); chontaduro; chucula (banana drink); yucca soup; chinchicara; chonta liquor; and guayusa.

Napo

CAPITAL.- Tena
CLIMATE.- Hot and humid.
TEMPERATURE.- 24º C.

Tena.- Is the capital of the Napo Province with some 21,000 inhabitants. It was founded in 1560. A commercial agricultural center located at the junction of the Ríos Tena and Pano. The place is becoming an important tourist center.

Baeza.- Located further Río Reventador some 175 Km from Lago Agrio, surrounded by an outstanding bird life and settings. It is the most important village between Quito and Lago Agrio.

Sumaco Volcano.- The main access to this mountain is from Tena. With a dense vegetation and several trails to climb and enjoy the magnificent views of the rainforest.

Archidona.- A small mission village founded in 1560 (Same as Tena), located some 60 Km from Baeza. It has an interesting Sunday market held by the Quijo Indians.

Misahuallí.- This is a small port located at the junction of the Napo and Misahuallí rivers. Along with Tena, this is a very good access point to see the jungle.

Jatun Sacha.- Means "Big Forest" in the Quichua language, located 23 Km from Puerto Napo. This is a biological station and rainforest reserve that can be reached by road or river.

Pastaza

CAPITAL.- Puyo.
CLIMATE.- Humid and tropical.
TEMPERATURE.- 20º C.
POPULATION.- 54,000 inhabitants.

Puyo.- Is the capital of the province of Pastaza, with over 26,000 inhabitants, is an important trade center in the Oriente. From Puyo you can explore interesting places such as Omaere and Centro Fátima.

Omaere.- Is a 16 hectares ethnobotanical park located some 2 1/2 km north of Puyo.

Typical Food.- Eastern sancocho; soup; estofado; yucca bread and empanadas. Drinks: Yucca or plantain liquor.

Morona Santiago

CAPITAL.- Macas
CLIMATE.- Hot and humid.
TEMPERATURE.- 21º C.
POPULATION.- 128,000 inhabitants.

Macas.- Is the capital of the Morona-Santiago province, with some 32,000 inhabitants. Macas, is a modern and developing small city surrounded by tropical forest. It has magnificent views of the Sangay volcano.

Kapawi Ecological Reserve.- Is a fine jungle lodge built on the Achuar Indian territory.

Parque Nacional Sangay.- With over 517,000 hectares and three of the highest volcanos in Ecuador: Sangay, Altar and Tungurahua.

Sucúa.- Sucúa has a population of around 6,500 and is a Shuar Indian center. Famous for shrinking their enemies heads. This practice happened still just a couple of generations ago. Some of these Tsanzas (Shrunken heads) can be seen at their museums.

Méndez.- Its official name is Santiago de Méndez. A quiet small village with some 2,500 inhabitants.

Gualaquiza.- With around 5,000 inhabitants, is a pretty village at 950 m, surrounded by a dense tropical forest and a nice countryside.

Cueva de Los Tayos.- An awesome cave with over 85 m in depth.

Limón.- Also known as General Leonidas Plaza, with some 3,500 inhabitants. Is it located at the junction of the roads to Macas, Cuenca and Zamora.

Typical Food .- Smoked fish; ayampacos (with read meat, fish, or chicken base) and guata. Drinks: Corn liquor with yucca, chonta liquor, guachaca and guayusas.

Zamora Chinchipe

CAPITAL.- Zamora.
CLIMATE.- Subtropical, humid.
TEMPERATURE.- 25º C.
POPULATION.- 91,500 inhabitants

Zamora.- 64 Km from Loja. It was first founded in 1549 and is located at the junction of the Bombuscara and Zamora rivers.

Nambija and Zumbi.- Nambija is a small gold mining village a few kilometers away from Zamora.

The Oriente (Amazon):

How to get there I Safety I Health I Eco-tourism in the Jungle

Amazon provinces:

Sucumbíos I Orellana I Napo I Pastaza I Morona Santiago I Zamora Chinchipe

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