(700 msnm until something more than 3500 msnm)
The Podocarpus National Park stretches over some 1500 square kilometers between the provinces of Loja and Zamora. It has two main entrances: the entrance of the Bombuscaro sector and the entrance of the Cajanuma sector. Besides, there are also two lesser known alternative entrances, such as Cerro Toledo and Vilcabamba.
In the park there are 560 species of birds, representing 6% of the total bird species worldwide. There are also some very interesting mammals such as the spectacled bear or the Andean tapir, which are in danger of extinction.
Regarding the flora, we find more than 4000 species of plants distributed among different ecosystems, ranging from 900 meters in height to 3600. Among the species of plants in the park we must highlight the large number of orchids (63 species) and bromelias present. It is also interesting to note that 40% of plant species of Podocarpus are endemic.
From the entrance of the park you can visit different trails, the longest is about 7 hours.
The weather is very pleasant the months from September to March. You have to take into account that the more you go into the park you will see how the weather is changing, it is advisable to wear waterproof clothing because when you ascend there may be light rains typical of the Amazonian area of Ecuador.
A very important recommendation is to inform you at the entrance of the park by the guide who will give you indications of the weather, trails, rains, river growth, etc. landslides are very common because of the rains in these areas, which is why the information provided by the forest ranger will be very useful.
Desde el terminal terrestre de Zamora se puede llegar caminando a la entrada del parque nacional, en el redondel del terminal está señalado la dirección a donde se encuentra el parque, para llegar es aproximadamente 1 hora caminando.
Se puede tomar un taxi o una camioneta desde el terminal cobra aproximadamente $4, hay que comentarle al chofer si desean que los vaya a recoger en la tarde ya que a la entrada del parque no existe ningún tipo de transporte, (un tip muy importante, no pagar por adelantado).