The Destination

The Cayambe Coca Protected Area

The Cayambe Coca Ecological Reserve (RECAY) was created in 1970 and became part of Ecuador’s National System of Protected Areas, under the authority of the Ministry of Environment of Ecuador (MAE). It has an area of 403,103 hectares and ranges from 1,600 to 5,790 meters above sea level. It is one the largest protected areas in Ecuador with the highest level of biodiversity, both in flora and fauna, in the region.

The reserve is home to:

• more than 100 species of endemic plants,
• 106 mammal species,
• over 400 birds,
• 70 reptiles,
• 116 amphibian species.

The Lake System of Papallacta, a complex of 60 lakes surrounded by paramo, wetlands and Andean forest is located near Oyacachi in the Reserve.

Also in the Reserve are the volcanoes Cayambe (5,790 meters above sea level), Reventador (3,485m), Sarahurco (4,725m)
and Puntas (4,425m).