THE ECUADOR AMAZON RAIN FOREST AND NATIONAL PARK TOURS

Mindo Sixty-seven kilometers northwest of Quito is the small agrarian community of mindo, located in an isolated pocket valley surrounded by tall-forested ridges, known locally as the `Valley of Eternal Spring´, Mindo has a reputation of one of the best places for birdwaching, with more than 400 species including the Cock of the Rock. The Mondo-Nambillo Reserve offers exceptional trails to explore one of the last untouched forests on the western slope of the Ecuadorian Andes. Mindo is a district in the canton of Los Bancos 84 km west of Quito, with a rapidly growing tourist industry based on Ecotourism in the Mindo-Nambillo Protected Forest. Small commercial enterprises exhibiting butterflies, hummingbirds, orchids and bromeliads abound. The Mindo area ranges from approximately 1400 to 4780m above sea level, and its most popular attractions are typical of the cloud forest flora and fauna. Temperatures range from about 15ºC – 24ºC (60ºF – 75ºF), and rain storms are common throughout the year, although the climate is driest from May – September. The Amazon Rainforest The Amazon or jungle region, located to the east of the Andes, is one of the most accessible and traveler-friendly areas of the upper Amazon basin, the biologically richest area anywhere on earth. There are innumerable varieties of flora, including many of Ecuador's 4,500 species of orchids, and many plants with medicinal value. Wildlife such as butterflies, bats, monkeys, sloths, parrots, macaws, river dolphins and caimans are all relatively easy to view. The Ecuadorian Amazon offers a wide range of activities including swimming, canoe journeys, rain forest walks, bird watching, animal spotting and visits to local jungle communities. The Amazon accounts for little more than 5% of the total population but here there are small communities of Indians such as the Huaorani, Cofan, Shuar, and Siona-Secoya who live in jungle villages and carry on with many of their ancient traditions. The Amazon also has some of the finest white water rafting routes in the country. The Amazon Basin with the greatest biodiversity on earth, not only for its wildlife but also for an intense cultural gathering. Journeys available to suit everyone´s demand, from first class accomodations to simple but comfortable ones, programs and excursions with plenty opportunities to experience the rainforest and intercultural meetings. Machalilla National Park Established in 1979, Machalilla National Park near Puerto Lopéz rests along the Pacific coast. It incorporates beaches, fog forest, dry forest, small islands and two larger islands, Salango and Isla de la Plata, the latter named for a legendary hoard of silver left by Sir Francis Drake In 1990 the park was named an internationally important wetland under the Ramsar Convention. Wildlife includes armadillos, two species of monkeys and birds of more than 270 species.Many of the large mammals in Machalilla National Park are regionally and locally endangered. Machalilla National Park is the only habitat outside of the Galapagos Islands of waved albatross. The ocean regions of the park also provide a breeding ground for humpback whales. Vegetation includes opuntia cactus, palo santo trees, kapok trees and the algaroba tree. Plunge into the past and unveil Valdivia, South America's earliest civilization. Learn about its existence as you admire artifacts and ruins. discover Ecuador's rich environment, with over 400 multicolored fish species, sea turtles, dolphins and whales in "La Isla de la Plata". Whale watching programs are available from June to October. We can customize any Ecuador tour or travel package  > at no additional charge in order to fit your budget and time schedule.

For more Ecuador Tour information call: 1-800-493-8426 OR send us your Ecuador Tour and Travel Request Copyright © 2002-2008 Tico Travel - All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Tico Travel is prohibited. Prices and information are subject to change without notice.