The
province of
Napo is perfect
for jungle-lovers
due to its
wide rivers,
varied vegetation
and abundance
of flora and
fauna species.
Some indigenous
communities
invite visitors
to acquaint
themselves
with their
customs and
traditions.
All tours
require boat
crossings.
Tena
Tena,
located at
an altitude
of 500 metres,
is the capital
of the province
and it situated
between the
rivers Tena,
Misahualli
and Pano.
The climate
is hot and
humid. There
is ample tourist
infrastructure,
including
hotels and
is connected
to the interandean
region by
asphalted
roads. There
is also air
transportation
connecting
Quito and
Tena. Various
tourist agencies
offer jungle
tours. Hotel
Jaguar is
found on the
banks of river
Coca and the
port Francisco
de 0rellana
is the main
departing
point for
tours and
excursions.
Lake Limoncocha
is among one
of the principle
attractions.
A guide is
required for
most travel
throughout
the area.
Las
cuevas de Jumandi
(Jumandi Caves)
The
Jumandi caves
are located
5km away from
Archidona.
They are a
principle
tourist attraction
for the presence
of stalactites.
Yasuni
National Park
The
Park’s geomorphology
constitutes
an infinite
succession
of small hills
which are
the result
of thousand-year
old river
straits consequently
giving the
area impressive
biodiversity. The
Park comprises
important
river basins
of the rivers
Napo , Yasuni,
Tiputini,
Nashino, Cononaco
and tributaries
of rivers
Curaray, which
borders the
Park towards
the south.
From the town
Francisco
de Orellana
(Coca) towards
Nuevo Rocafuerte,
the River
Napo extends
for approximately
300 km , creating
more than
120 islands
along the
way. It’s
possible to
navigate theentire
river. Other
rivers in
Yasuni National
Park have
different
origins. Some
originate
in the Andes, known as
white waters
due to high
quantity of
sediment which
they carry
from the mountains.
Others originate
in the Amazon
known as clear
waters given
that they
contain a
certain amount
of decomposing
vegetation.
Finally, there are so-called
black waters,
due to their
permanent
contact with
dead leaves
and their
tannin,
which colours the
water and
from where
palm swamps
originate.
According
to Holdridge
Classification,
the entire area
is recognised
as being tropical
rainforest.
Within this,
three different
types of jungle
have been
identified
– firm terrain,
not subject
to flooding
and located
in the upper
sector; seasonal
forest, subject
to seasonal
flooding, and
permanently
flooded forest
also known
as igapo vegetation.
In
spite of the
fact that
the Park and
its ecosystems
are in exceptionally
good condition,
threats to
the pristine
state of the
Park do exist,
mainly from
petroleum
companies
and increased
human settlement
in the zone.
LastUpdated 23rd
August 2006
(DLW)
