El Cajas: A Magical Place Awaits You
- Claudia Segarra
- Apr 15, 2022
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 27
By Carolina Segarra
In 2013, UNESCO established the El Cajas Massif Biosphere Reserve which is situated directly in Cajas National Park, located just west of the city of Cuenca. It is a humid woodland made up of around 786 bodies of water with various sizes, flora, fauna, and a picturesque landscape surrounded by mountains in every direction.
The lake-filled woodland of Cajas is a unique site to see and explore, which is why it is one of the most highly recommended places to visit in Ecuador. There are so many things to do including hiking through the pre-drawn passages, sharing a cup of warm coffee while gazing at the frost-tipped mountains, or even fishing for your dinner in the man-made lakes and enjoying it on the spot! Before we get to that though, I want to tell you a bit more about this beautiful place.
Cajas has an area of 28,544 hectares, and is located in the province of Azuay just outside of Cuenca. It sits at a height of 3,160 to 4,450 meters above sea level and is characterized as cold but humid with unpredictable rains, there are also days when a dim sun will keep you warm. Cajas fauna is varied, including over 600 species of vascular plants, 43 mammals, and 157 birds, which include 24 species of hummingbirds, 17 different amphibians, and 4 species of reptiles. Its vegetation is extensive and covers the entire forest, you can find straw, romerillo, chuquiragua, achupallas, clubmosses, ferns, tulips, paper or quinoa trees, puma maqui, valerian, and orchids, among other species.
