CABAŅAS YANKUAM

 Explore the beautiful
Cordillera del Condor!

 By Ecuador's south-eastern border, shielded by the mountain range of Cordillera del Condor, flows the river of Nangaritza. Its altitude of approximately 1000 meters above sea level makes it one of the most highly located trafficable rivers in the world. The climate of the valley below is tropical or subtropical, while the climate of the plateau, with an altitude of 2900 meters above sea level, as well as of the surrounding mountains, is of a colder kind typical of the Andes. An area of more than 100 000 hectars, establishing a buffert zone to the national park Podocarpus, have been declared "bosque protector", which is similar to a nature-reserve.

 The region Nangaritza contains vast areas of rainforest with ravines and waterfalls. The flora here is extremely rich, and trees are shrouded in orchids, epifytes and lianes. Bears, jaguars, tapirs, anteaters, monkeys and other mammals makes their homes in the woods. Close to 600 spieces of birds have been registered here, including parrots, kingfishers, and humming birds. The highland sandstone plateaus offer isolated areas for several endemic plants.

 The Shuar-indians have inhabited Nangaritza for centuries. Teachings of the forest; its wealth, bounty and mysteries have been handed down for generations. The indians now allow us to take part of their traditions and stories. They gladly share their knowledge of medical and edible plants, their handicraft and architectural skills. Try dart-shooting with a blowoff-pipe, or taste "chicha de yuca", a local beer made of the yuca plant.

 Lindo Ecuador Tours will take you on a fascinating journey by boat up the river Nangaritza. You will find your stay in our junglelodge Cabaņas Yankuam comfortable and relaxing. Enjoyable meals of both local traditional, european dishes and exotic friuts are served in the restaurant. We arrange excursions to several places of interest in the Nangaritza valley, for example "la Cueva de los Tayos"; a cave with a depth of 100 meters and 20 meters of height, where the oilbirds nest, or "el Laberinto de las Mil Ilusiones", with its peculiar rock formations in the shadows of the jungle. For the more adventurous tourist we arrange expeditions to the forgotten and now ruined city of "la Cuidad Perdida", built by the conquistadores as a remote outpost in their fruitless searches for El Dorado.

 Many thanks to Chuck Feil, Murray Cooper, for their photos.