Andean Fishing Expedition

Sample itinerary

• Tour hours
• 1

  Cajas National Park

  Cajas National Park is located about 33 km west of Cuenca in Southern Ecuador. The park covers about 285 km2 at an altitude of between 3100m and 4450m above sea level. It is famous for its characteristic tundra vegetation covering hills and valleys. There are about 270 lakes and lagoons throughout the park. The name of the park comes from the Quichua word cassia which translates as gateway to the snowy mountains, though some link it to the Spanish word cajas meaning boxes due to the hundreds of lakes.

• 2

  Polylepis trees

  Also known as Quinoa or the paper tree, Polylepis trees grow above 3300 meters and shed their bark in thin layers to prevent growth of parasites.

• 3

  Birds

  With over 150 species identified so far, Cajas National Park is a birdwatchers paradise. If you are looking to do some bird watching there are plenty of hummingbirds, including the giant hummingbird. Other birds known to live in the park include the Andean Condor, Curiquinga, the violet-throated metaltail, the great-horned owl, the gray breasted mountain toucan, the powerful woodpecker, turquoise jay, Andean ruddy duck and the caranculated caracara.

• 4

  Mammals

  Cajas National Park is home to a wide range of animals including endemic and endangered species. Within Cajas National Park you might have the chance to see the American rabbit, the common South American fox, white-tailed deer, the domesticated lama and alpaca, different kinds of opossums, cats and bats, pumas, coatis, weasels, skunks, porcupines, shrews and the Cajas water mouse.