Quijos - Napo - Ecuador

It is a canton of the Province of Napo, Ecuador. Its cantonal head is the city of Baeza.

Quijos, loves for the joy of its people and its impressive Amazonian landscapes. Easy access is located just two hours from the city of Quito. The intense contrasts and seduction exerted by its magnificent waterfalls and rivers, crowned by its green mountains and jungle, a mixture that is enriched by the energy that radiates its culture, gastronomy and tradition, invites a trip that stimulates all the senses. It has tourist attractions such as Termas de Papallacta, Papallacta Lagoon, Quijos River, Antisana Volcano, Guango, Sanctuary of the Virgin, Campiña del Quijos, Condijua Viewpoint, Las Caucheras, Machángara River Waterfall, among others.

Climate Canton Quijos

The hydro-thermal richness of the waters is due to the fact that Papallacta is located between the Cayambe and Antisana volcanoes. The temperature of the thermal baths at its origin varies between 30 and 70 ° C (86 to 158 ° F) and in the pools it fluctuates between 36 and 40 ° C (97 to 104 ° F).

Flora Canton Quijos

The surrounding vegetation is dominated by stipa, calamagrostis and fescue. In the Papallacta zone, the plant formation of Páramo Herbáceo and Arbustivo can be distinguished.

Fauna Cantón Quijos

Among the representative fauna of the Papallacta Lagoon we can mention the following: guatusa, guanta, turkey, rooster, brown duck, birds of different colors, curiquingues, waterfowl as the Andean egret, the Andean duck, chupiles, some hummingbirds, among others

Economic development Canton Quijos

The main economic activity of the canton Quijos is livestock, with the production of milk; second, agriculture with crops such as: tree tomato, kidney tomato, naranjilla, family gardens, school gardens, with short-cycle crops, under greenhouses.

Trade is still an undeveloped activity due to several causes such as: very small population centers, the proximity of the capital of the Republic, the absence of industrial zones, since the milk is taken to the Province of Pichincha to the dairy factories .

Typical Food Canton Quijos

Trout: This gastronomic attraction is found in all the restaurants of Quijos. The trout is the special dish of this sector, the same one that has varied preparations according to the tastes and demands of the client.

Maitos: Meat of armadillo, guanta, guatusa and fish: it consists of wrapping these meats in banana leaves or bijao (similar to the banana leaf) then place it on the stove.

Chicha de Chonta: Drink used by the natives in rituals and festivities, consists of cooking the chonta, peeling it, taking out the seed and grinding it in the fulling mills, then chonta is crushed with the help of concave stones. In our environment it is liquefied (sugar is added).

Places to visit in the Canton of Quijos

Path Ecological Waterfalls II And III Of Machángara Canton Quijos

The Ecological Path has 1900 m. crossing the forest; This allows access to the two waterfalls of the Machángara River, part of the path is horseshoe; the same one that was restored, since it was used by the first inhabitants of the canton. Cascade II has a triple water fall and comprises a height of approximately 16 m. by 4 m. wide, the ford that forms is small. Corresponds to the following coordinates: 00 ° 27'33 "South latitude and 77 ° 53'34" West longitude. Cascade III has an approximate drop of 22 m. for 5 m. wide, the ford is 7 m. wide by 5 m. long. It includes the coordinates: 00 ° 27'31 "South latitude and 77 ° 53'33" West longitude. The waterfalls are surrounded by a great diversity of flora and fauna,
own of the area.

Ethno-Botanical Reserve Cumandá Canton Quijos

"The concept of brother gardens was established in 1998 with the purpose of creating a network of gardens to encourage the documentation, conservation, education and maintenance of native vegetative material of atinoamérica." 4 gardens have been initially established and it is proposed to add 5 more gardens to the net". In this last group Cumandá consists. The purpose of the garden is to unite critical habitats in the Quijos river basin between existing national parks and ecological reserves, educate visitors on ethno-botanical knowledge and ecology of the region.

Baeza Colonial Canton quijos

It is the cantonal head of Quijos, 2 hours and 30 minutes travel by vehicle from Quito, crossing Papallacta by a completely paved road. Its configuration was the same as that of a typical Spanish city, identifying a grid pattern and particularly the presence of the Machángara River on one side. The area varies from a temperate, humid climate, tropical rainy climate. The temperature ranges from 9 to 25 ° C, with an average of 18 ° C. The peripheral area of ​​Baeza is located on the terminal flanks of the Eastern Cordillera. The houses are located on a platform with piles, slightly separated from the ground or on tiled platforms. The structural elements are quadrangular sections assembled with the horizontal ones by means of a spike or half wood, and the 'walls' are made of board or planks of a single edge, and sometimes as a partition. Most exhibit balconies and living areas directly connected to the exterior. Inside the circulation or is through the environments that make up or serves a central corridor where the income of the environments flow. The peculiar characteristics of their houses are: small windows, large balconies and patios in front and back of the house; house in general of two floors superimposed in a way and some up to three floors.

Gallery Los Troncos Cantonese Art Quijos

The works are the product of wood waste through trunks, branches and roots, some that have been knocked down and abandoned by the logger and others that are carried by the river. The best creations come from trees that were laid down two, three, four decades ago and maintain their vitality.

Comprehensive Municipal Farm "Quijos"

It is located in Baeza, Nueva Andalucía urbanization, Los Nogales neighborhood. From Los Quijos avenue, in front of the San Rafael hostel, walking or transporting 300 m through 13 de Abril street. It has an area of ​​40,000 m2. In the farm there are projects of practical model agro productive in an area of ​​15.000m2 and raising of smaller species in a demonstration system; The advantages of this activity are to improve family nutrition, generate fertilizers through its waste, and improve family income. The species that are being raised on the farm are worms, guinea pigs, dairy goats; stable cattle, all of them with a validated process already apt to transfer applied techniques, to the communities. Habitats have been built for native species such as: tapir, saíno, guatusas, An eco museum is located in an area of ​​25,000 m2 degraded by overgrazing, soil compaction and all the negative impacts that this management entails. In order to enrich the forest, the analogous forest system is used, which consists in obtaining a sampling and inventory of a primary forest and then transferring it to the area. Within this technique, enrichment trails have been started to cultivate arboreal species, heliconias, palms, epiphytes, orchids, and in this way consolidate the formation process. In the same way an orchid garden has been established where the visitor can appreciate many varieties of this species. It has ecological trails, one of which goes to waterfalls 2 and 3 of the Machángara River located in the interior of the farm on the north, in the direction of the grasslands of an adjacent private farm, following a path of east-west. In its route, besides appreciating the flora and fauna and crossing three small wooden bridges built in the old fashion covered with straw in imitation of the huts belonging to the Quijos, we have a panoramic view of the Quijos River, the valley formed by it and of the great biodiversity guardian mountain range.

Protected Forest Guango Canton Quijos

Guango in the Quichua language means a place of great mountains that intersect, whose waters converge to form powerful rivers in deep valleys covered by the cloud forest of the Andean slopes, under an ever changing climate and a typical drizzle. This 'braid' of geographical and climatic factors makes Guango an authentic 'mountain mouth' as ​​before defined these steps to the rainforests of the East or West. Guango was always the obligatory step in the traditional route from Quito to the Napo River, and will continue to be so. Guango, as an integral part of the Papallacta region, is the point of contact between the cold forest and the Andean páramo, between the Amazonian ethnic groups and the Reyno de Quito.

Peña De Pivico Canton Quijos

The rock of Pivico is located in Cuyuja, you can enter by any of its streets, bordering the parish stadium, by Huila street, the same that leads to the bridge over the Papallacta river, crossing we are at the foot of the majestic rock . To access, you must contact Mr. Fernando Espinosa (062320650). It is composed of minerals, the formation and destruction is for thousands of years, by water, the wind that cause erosion. It has a panoramic view of the Cuyuja parish. You can watch and listen to birdsong such as: eagle (Pandion haliaetus), black and chestnut eagle (Oroaetus isidori), blue-tailed kennel (Aglaiocercus kingi mocoa), hummingbird tie (Coeligena torcuata), tanagers (tangara sp.), Blackbird (Turdus fuscater), curiquingue (Phalcoboenus carunculatus), pilco (Pharomachrus antisianus), mason's bird (Campephilus sp), pigeon (Columba fasciata), etc.

Ecological Reserve Antisana Canton Quijos

The name "Paso del Cóndor" is attributed to Mr. Carlos Humberto Tandayamo, belonging to the El Tambo Commune. It is because on November 22, 1999, at 11.45, he saw three condors pass by, towards the Antisana volcano: father, mother and their son in the middle. From that day, the two parents rarely returned or only one to their old habitat, to return immediately. There is very little geological knowledge about the Antisana volcano and its surroundings, "however it is possible to make a brief summary of its volcanic character based on the descriptions of Meyer (1907), Wolf (1892), Sauer (1965) and others. , the young volcanic zones overlay a series of lavas and older pyroclastic layers (probably from the Pliocero), which were deposited on the metamorphic socle The last two groups of rocks clearly appear in the section of the road, one kilometer west These volcanic rocks seem to be remnants of volcanoes, vents, volcanic chimneys, and boilers of a Pliocene volcanism.The Antisanilla peak, sculpted by glaciers, seems to be the remnant of an older volcano west of Antisana.

Ecological Reserve Cayambe-Coca Canton Quijos

This Reserve was created on November 17, 1970, through ministerial agreement No A818 and occupies a territorial area of ​​403,103 ha, equivalent to 4,031.03 Km2, occupying the fifth place in extension of the existing protected areas in Ecuador. The approximate area within the limits of Papallacta is 800 ha and is formed by a large group of large bodies of water of small surface, which have been used in several projects of drinking water, irrigation and hydroelectric; the water comes mainly from the snowmelt of the snow-capped Cayambe and Sarahurco, in addition to many emissaries that originate in the backs of the paramos. It is located northwest of the city of Quito, occupying the territories belonging to the provinces of Pichincha, Napo, Sucumbíos and a small part in the province of Imbabura. It extends from the western slope of the Cayambe, to the confluence of the river Due, in the Aguarico.

Lagoon of Papallacta Canton Quijos

A flow of lava, called Potrerillos, in blocks penetrated and partially filled the old glacial valley of the Papallacta River, dammed a drainage of the Tambo River caused by the eruption of the Antisana volcano in 1773, forming the Papallacta lagoon.

Tourist Complex Santa Catalina Canton Quijos

The thermal waters contain minerals of high healing power to relieve diseases of the liver, stomach, nervous system, arthritis, varicose veins, rheumatism and bronchial problems of children and also for people over 65, with temperatures between 35 and 64 ° C, odorless , discolored, with a slightly salty taste. The sources are conserved and used in swimming pools for recreational and medicinal use. Therapeutic effects, due to the high temperatures of the water, produce: vasodilatation, causing a better circulation of the blood through the organism; analgesic, pain decreases, natural relaxing. It is administered by the Parish Council of Papallacta and is a favorite destination for school trips in the area, due to its extensive facilities.

Termas De Papallacta Canton Quijos

Las Termas Papallacta built its facilities respecting the natural environment; It has a SPA, first in Ecuador with thermal water. It is also composed of aromatherapy, massage, rest, sauna, Turkish, jacuzzi, among other assistance. Additionally it offers accommodation and food service. The Exploratory conforms the following premises: Exhibitions, permanent and free. Geographic information Biological information including inventories of plants, mammals, birds and other animals. Multiple use for exhibitions, presentations and screening of films and documentaries. It also has an area of ​​approximately 300ha of Andean forest managed by the Terra Foundation, with four accesses:

1. Path of the river.
2. Path of the paillon.
3. The waterfall.
4. The island.

These trails are self-guided and guided, with different length and difficulty.

Quijos River

It is located in the canton of the same name, born from the
Eastern faults of the Antisana volcano and its course takes a northeast direction, to later cross parallel to the Interoceanic route forming a valley that includes the jurisdictions of the cantons Quijos and the Chaco, from which it takes the name of Coca river (inferior route) to finally empty into the Napo River. Its course is at an average height of 1,963 m.s., with a temperature of 16 ° C and rainfall of 2,500 mm3. It is the main one of the zone, mountain river with many rapids and jumps in its route. Its basin is formed by numerous rivers being 11 the main, has a route of 44.5 km. The potential for exploitation is vast, both for hydroelectric generation and the supply of water treatment systems for the city of Quito, as well as for tourist activities: the importance of this river for kayaking and rafting is so high internationally for its 4+ categorization that the Amazonas Cup was developed on 1 occasion and a world championship in October 2005. Considering that the course of the river runs parallel to the main road, it can be reached by several accesses of the Quijos canton. For rafting and kayaking, the income is from the Quijos 2 bridge, by pass and Borja parish. These sports are attracted by all tourists who like adrenaline and adventure.

Sanctuary of the Virgin of Quinche Canton Quijos

This cultural event has a structure whose capacity is 80 faithful. In the façade there are paintings with color ranges drawn the image of the Virgin of the Quinche through mosaics, built with tiny ceramics. In the upper part of the sanctuary made with cathedral glass, pool as guardian of the parish; also in the windows there are divine figures such as saints, angels, Jesus and the Virgin. In front of the church, the remodeled park is located, where the bell is brought from the city of Loreto, which was left by Jesuits in antiquity, in the year 1947 by an expedition of 9 men, who were the first settlers of Borja to place in your new chapel.

The Sumaco Napo-Galeras Park Canton Quijos

Occupying an area of ​​205,364 ha. It was created on March 2, 1994, through ministerial resolution R009 having as objectives
basic, all those that apply to National Parks in general. The reserve is irrigated by the main eastern rivers and with heights ranging from 500 to 3700 m.s.m .; average annual rainfall between 10 and 25 ° C., which determine
that occupy the climatic floors corresponding to the pre montane, montano bajo and montano. With all the territories of the Amazon, there is a predominance of the rainy season.

Yanayacu Biological Station Quijos Canton

Yanayacu, means black river that waters the vegetation of the reserve and this river of the same property is born. In the reserve there is great diversity of flora, typical of the area; among the most relevant species we have families: lycopodiaceas, poaceas or grasses or composites, rosaceae, bromeliaceae or huaicundos, orchideaceae, solanaceae, polygalaceae, melastomatáceas, araltaceas; inside of the
site there is a butterfly, carry out projects of birds, beetles, insects and plants. They have 5 cabins for accommodation, recently a room for painting, music and poetry was increased. The existing infrastructure is with capacity for 40 people, there is a resting place with hammocks.