Safari in Southern Andes & Loja Province
Explore the unique cloud forests, páramos, and biodiverse reserves of Ecuador's southern Andes, a hotspot for endemic species and stunning mountain scenery.
Southern Andes & Loja Province Parks Map
Explore safari parks across Southern Andes & Loja Province
Southern Andes & Loja Province Safari Parks
Explore safari parks in Southern Andes & Loja Province
Área de Bosque y Vegetación Protectora de la Subcuenca Alta del río León y Microcuencas de los ríos San Felipe de Oña y Shincata
Área de Bosque y Vegetación Protectora de la Subcuenca Alta del río León y Microcuencas de los ríos San Felipe de Oña y Shincata is a protected area in Ecuador.
Area de Bosque y Vegetacion Protectores "Microcuenca Río Shio-Santa Bárbara"
Area de Bosque y Vegetacion Protectores "Microcuenca Río Shio-Santa Bárbara" is a protected area in Ecuador.
Area Nacional de Recreación Quimsacocha
Area Nacional de Recreación Quimsacocha is a protected area in Ecuador.
Bosques Protectores Acanamá-Guashapamba-Aguirre
Bosques Protectores Acanamá-Guashapamba-Aguirre is a protected area in Ecuador.
Bosque y Vegetación Protectora del Collay
Bosque y Vegetación Protectora del Collay is a protected area in Ecuador.
Bp016 (B. P. Casacay)
Bp016 (B. P. Casacay) is a protected area in Ecuador.
Bp116 (B. P. Moro Moro)
Bp116 (B. P. Moro Moro) is a protected area in Ecuador.
El bosque protector Corazón de Oro
El bosque protector Corazón de Oro is a protected area in Ecuador.
LA MOLIENDA L
LA MOLIENDA L is a protected area in Ecuador.
Parque Nacional Cajas
Parque Nacional Cajas is a protected area in Ecuador.
Parque Nacional Podocarpus
Located in southern Ecuador, this park is a biodiversity hotspot, particularly known for its cloud forests and high-Andean páramo ecosystems. It's a paradise for birdwatchers, with over 600 species, and also home to spectacled bears, pumas, and mountain tapirs, though these are more elusive.
Parque nacional Río Negro-Sopladora
Parque nacional Río Negro-Sopladora is a protected area in Ecuador.
Parque Nacional Yacuri
Parque Nacional Yacuri is a protected area in Ecuador.
Reserva Biológica Cerro Plateado
Reserva Biológica Cerro Plateado is a protected area in Ecuador.
Reserva Comunal Bosque de Angashcola
Reserva Comunal Bosque de Angashcola is a protected area in Ecuador.
Siete Iglesias
Siete Iglesias is a protected area in Ecuador.
Compare Parks in Southern Andes & Loja Province
Side-by-side comparison of safari parks in Southern Andes & Loja Province
| Park | Area | Wildlife | Lodges | Crowds | Malaria | Airport |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parque Nacional Podocarpus | - | 543 | - | Quiet | Moderate | SEBZ (29km) |
| Área de Bosque y Vegetación Protectora de la Subcuenca Alta del río León y Microcuencas de los ríos San Felipe de Oña y Shincata | - | 265 | - | Very Quiet | Moderate | SEGZ (54km) |
| Area de Bosque y Vegetacion Protectores "Microcuenca Río Shio-Santa Bárbara" | - | 365 | - | Very Quiet | Moderate | CUE (36km) |
| Area Nacional de Recreación Quimsacocha | - | 265 | - | Quiet | Moderate | CUE (30km) |
| Bosque y Vegetación Protectora del Collay | - | 365 | - | Quiet | Moderate | CUE (35km) |
| Bosques Protectores Acanamá-Guashapamba-Aguirre | - | 265 | - | Very Quiet | Moderate | SE16 (32km) |
| Bp016 (B. P. Casacay) | - | 374 | - | Very Quiet | Moderate | SEPS (16km) |
| Bp116 (B. P. Moro Moro) | - | 374 | - | Very Quiet | Moderate | SEPS (33km) |
| El bosque protector Corazón de Oro | - | 543 | - | Quiet | Moderate | SE16 (16km) |
| LA MOLIENDA L | - | 543 | - | Very Quiet | Moderate | SEBZ (26km) |
| Parque Nacional Cajas | - | 265 | - | Very Quiet | Moderate | CUE (31km) |
| Parque nacional Río Negro-Sopladora | - | 339 | - | Very Quiet | Moderate | MZD (24km) |
114 species recorded in Southern Andes & Loja Province10 threatened
We love the sheer drama of Ecuador's southern Andes; the air here is thin and crisp, carrying the scent of damp earth and unseen blossoms. The cloud forests are a world unto themselves, a vibrant green tapestry where every branch seems alive with moss and ferns. Higher up, the páramo opens out, a starkly beautiful landscape under vast skies, and we always find ourselves captivated by the sheer abundance of life clinging to these high-altitude realms.
Terrain & Altitude
Steep, rugged mountain ranges with deep valleys and high plateaus characterize this dramatic Andean landscape.
1,500-4,500m above sea level
Vegetation
Dense cloud forests draped in mosses and epiphytes transition to windswept páramo grasslands at higher elevations.
Water Sources
Numerous fast flowing rivers carve through the valleys, fed by glacial melt and abundant rainfall, with mist often obscuring smaller streams.
Unique Features
The region is a critical biodiversity hotspot, particularly for hummingbirds and orchids, thriving in its distinct altitudinal zones.
While Quito and Guayaquil offer the most flight options, we often find flying into Cuenca and driving north provides a more relaxed introduction to the southern Andes. For those seeking true remoteness, consider chartering a small plane to one of the region's less accessible reserves, though this requires careful planning and is weather dependent.
Nearest Airports
Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO), Quito
450km / 6-7 hour drive
Extensive international and domestic connections
José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport (GYE), Guayaquil
400km / 5-6 hour drive
International and domestic connections
Driving Routes
From Quito
We recommend taking the Panamericana Sur highway. The road is generally good tarmac, but can be busy. Allow extra time for potential roadworks or local traffic, especially near towns.
From Cuenca
A scenic drive through the Andes. The route involves mountain passes and can be winding. We find the views spectacular, but drive with caution, especially in fog or rain.
Temperature
11.8°C
53°F
Rainfall
249.9 mm
Heavy rains
Humidity
88.5%
Sunshine
8.9 hrs/day
Data source: Open-Meteo Archive API
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Health & Travel Info
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