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The Podocarpus National Park is located in the South of Ecuador and stretches over three provinces - Loja, Zamora and Morona Santiago - and two main regions; the Andean highlands and the Amazon Basin. The park can be clearly divided into five life zones, each rich in biodiversity and characterised by different flora and fauna. Unique flora includes Podocarpus, the only indigenous Andean conifer and the famous Cinchona plant from which quinine was obtained to combat malaria.
The fauna is equally exotic and plentiful: woolly mountain tapirs, spectacled bears, cock of the rock, parrots and mountain toucans are common. Within Podocarpus is a beautiful collection of over one hundred glacial lakes and torrential waterfalls, which make up the lake complex. Due to the area's rich biodiversity, Podocarpus has become a hotspot for biological and ecological research, in addition to a popular trekking and bird watching destination.
SURTREK leads the visitor to an exciting adventure far off the civilization that partly requires a certain effort. But all of your effort will be rewarded with experiencing total seclusion. You will encounter harmony and silence; you will be enchanted by the singing birds and the rushing of the rivers and waterfalls.
Itinerary:
Day 01: Flight to Catamayo - walk from Cerro Toledo to Esmeralda
06:00 flight to Loja. We will pick you up from the airport in Catamayo and bring you to Loja. We will have breakfast in Loja at the Libertador Hotel. From there we will travel to Yangana. Lunch in Cerro Toledo. From here we will do a 3-hour hike, crossing the tropical forest of Podocarpus Park and areas of colonisation. We will also cross-beautiful landscapes we will reach the small village of Esmeralda. There we will set up a camp. B/L/D
Day 02: Esmeralda - Las Peñas
After breakfast we will hike to Las Peñas stream. Mules will carry the heavy gear and we will have a picnic lunch on the way. We will arrive at the stream late in the afternoon and we will set up our campsite there in the tropical forest. B/L/D
Day 03: Las Peñas - Margaritas lagoon - Capamaco Refuge
After breakfast we will hike to Lagunas Margaritas and we will go up from 1800 m. to 3200 m. We will eat lunch on the way. The highest point of the mountain, which we will cross, is at 3400 m. above sea level. We will stay in the Capamaco refuge, have dinner and spend the night. B/L/D
Day 04: Ride - refuge - Vilcabamba-Valley - Hostal Madre Tierra
In the morning we will do some horseback riding from the refuge at 2500m. to the Vilcabamba valley at 1600m. We will have lunch in the valley. Later we will be going to the Hostal Madre Tierra. In the afternoon we will have time to relax and enjoy the Hostal, which has a spa. We will also have dinner there and spend the night. B/L/D
Day 05: Flight back to Quito
Early in the morning we will drive to Loja and then to La Toma and fly back to Quito! B/-/-
B= Breakfast L= Lunch D= Dinner
Price 2007:
USD 855- per person
Minimum 2 People.
Included in the price:
Private Transportation in a 4X4 Jeep, flight Quito - Loja - Quito, sightseeing tours and transport over land according to program, lodging in double tents and at the Hostel Madre Tierra Spa Lodge, complete camping equipment (tents, dinner tent, mattresses, etc), animals for carrying the luggage, meals according to the program (B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner), entrance fees national park, bilingual guides, first aid, rubber boots. The guides are equipped with cellular phones and walky-talkies for emergencies.
In the price not include:
personal equipment, drinks, personal expenses, and tips, travel insurance, International flight airport tax (USD 41.- per person).
What to bring with you:
Rain clothing, flashlight, sun cream, binoculars, hat or cap as sun protection, warm clothing, and backpack for during the day, sleeping bag, canteen, photo camera.
Note:
The trek is a moderate trek, but can be very strenuous, when you are not properly acclimatized. It consists of roads, but also goes cross-country through mud and forest.
Don't expect well-marked roads, as in the Alps or in the North-American national parks.
If you need any additional information please write us:
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South America 
