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About this place
Located in the south of Ecuador, at the outskirts of the Amazon, jungle lovers can take many different paths of varying skill level connecting raging waterfalls and jaw dropping viewpoints.
At 970m above sea level in one of the most bio diverse places on earth one entrance to Podocarpus National Park can be reached by way of the small city of Zamora. This side of the park hosts jungle and cloud forest climate and vegetation.
ARRIVE: Zamora is about 1.5 hours by bus and 3 USD from the city of Loja. You can take a taxi to the park entrance on the Bombuscaro river from anywhere in the city of Zamora for 4 or 5 USD. From the entrance it is about a 15-20 minute walk to the visitor center where there is information on a dozen trails of varying lengths and skill sets. The trails allow sightings of powerful waterfalls, birds, Dr Seuss-like plants, and incredible viewpoints.
Just across from the visitor center begins a pleasant trail that leads to La Chismosa, a stunning waterfall seemingly straight out of a fairy tale. A smooth 5-10 minutes will bring you nearly to the base of this cascade, named for the way it sounds like a group of people conversing at night.
It rains often and the road from Loja is often closed due to landslides during the rainy season. Be sure to bring gear to help you stay dry or embrace the rain!
SLEEP: If you arrive early enough you can camp or stay in a basic cabin for 5 USD and fall asleep to the sounds of the birds, river, and rain. Otherwise, there are cheap options for staying overnight in Zamora ranging from 5-10 USD.
More information: http://areasprotegidas.ambient...