Cajas National Park

Localization

South Ecuador; 30 km west of Cuenco (No. 7 in the map on Ecuador introducing page)

Access

Easy

Characteristic

285 km² ; Mountainous area (3 100 - 4 450 m) with many lakes (about 275) of glacial origine. Typical ecosystems: mountainous and alpine biotopes, mountainous steppe (páramo zone), in the western part of the park - thick cloud forest, lake and river ecosystems, wetlands (alpine tundra). Large biodiversity of plants and animals.

Fauna + Flora

Mammals:

44 mammal species

Marsupials - Shrew Opossums (Caenolestidae): Caenolestes tatei - endemic species

Rodents - Mice (Muridae): Chibchanomys orcesi - endemic species

- Pacas (Agoutidae): Mountain Paca

Carnivores - Bears (Ursidae): Spectacled Bear

- Procyonids (Procyonidae): Mountain Coati

- Cats (Felidae): Ocelot; Puma

Odd-toed Ungulates - Tapirs (Tapiridae): Mountain Tapir

Even-toed Ungulates - Deers (Cervidae): White-tailed Deer

Birds:

157 bird species

Tinamiformes - Tinamous (Tinamidae): Andean Tinamou

Podicipediformes - Grebes (Podicipedidae): Pied-billed Grebe; Silvery Grebe

Anseriformes - Gees, Swans and Ducks (Anatidae): Ruddy Duck; Spectacled Duck; Torrent Duck; Yellow-billed Pintail; Speckled Teal

Birds of Prey - American Vultures (Cathartidae): Andean Condor

- Hawks, Eagles, Buzzards, Kites and Old World Vultures (Accipitridae): Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle; Cinereous Harrier; Plain-breasted Hawk; Puna Hawk

- Falcons and Caracaras (Falconidae): Caranculated Caracara; Aplomado Falcon; American Kestrel

Gruiformes - Rails, Crakes, Coots and Gallinules (Rallidae): Slate-colored Coot

Charadriiformes - Wading Birds (Scolopacidae): Baird's Sandpiper; Pectoral Sandpiper; Spotted Sandpiper; Andean Snipe; Noble Snipe

- Plovers (Charadriidae): Andean Lapwing

- Gulls (Laridae): Andean Gull

Columbiformes - Pigeons and Doves (Columbidae): Eared Dove; Rock Dove; Band-tailed Pigeon

Psittaciformes - Parrots (Psittacidae): Red-faced Parrot

Strigiformes - Owls (Strigidae): Great Horned Owl; Short-eared Owl

Goatsuckers - Nightjars (Caprimulgidae): Band-winged Nightjar; Short-tailed Nighthawk

Apodiformes - Swifts (Apodidae): White-collared Swift

- Hummingbirds (Trochilidae): Mountain Avocetbill; Ecuadorian Hillstar; Giant Hummingbird; Sword-billed Hummingbird; Collared Inca; Tyrian Metaltail; Violet-throated Metaltail (endemic to Cajas); Viridian Metaltail; Glowing Puffleg; Sapphire-vented Puffleg; Rainbow Starfrontlet; Amethyst-throated Sunangel; Flame-throated Sunangel; Tourmaline Sunangel; Shining Sunbeam; Blue-mantled Thornbill; Purple-backed Thornbill; Rainbow-bearded Thornbill; Green-tailed Trainbearer; Mountain Velvetbreast; Sparkling Violet-Ear

Trogoniformes - Trogons (Trogonidae): Masked Trogon

Piciformes - Toucans (Ramphastidae): Grey-breasted Mountain-Toucan

- Woodpeckers, Wrynecks and Piculets (Picidae): Crimson-mantled Woodpecker

Perching Birds - Ovenbirds or Horneros (Furnariidae): Many-striped Canastero; Streak-backed Canastero; Bar-winged Cinclodes; Stout-billed Cinclodes; White-winged Cinclodes; Azara's Spinetail; Rufous Spinetail; Mouse-colored Thistletail; Andean Tit-Spinetail; Flammulated Treehunter; Pearled Treerunner

- Antbirds (Formicariidae): Rufous Antpitta; Tawny Antpitta

- Cotingas (Cotingidae): Red-crested Cotinga

- Tapaculos (Rhinocryptidae): Paramo Tapaculo; Spillmann's Tapaculo; Unicolored Tapaculo

- Tyrants (Tyrannidae): Bright-rumped Attila; Red-rumped Bush-Tyrant; Streak-throated Bush-Tyrant; Brown-backed Chat-Tyrant; Crowned Chat-Tyrant; White-browed Chat-Tyrant; White-crested Elaenia; Cinnamon Flycatcher; Ochre-bellied Flycatcher; Piratic Flycatcher; Streak-necked Flycatcher; Plain-capped Ground-Tyrant; Puna Ground-Tyrant; White-browed Ground-Tyrant; Lesser Kiskadee; Black Phoebe; Black-billed Shrike-Tyrant; White-tailed Shrike-Tyrant; Agile Tit-Tyrant; Tufted Tit-Tyrant; Torrent Tyrannulet; White-banded Tyrannulet; White-throated Tyrannulet

- Swallows and Martins (Hirundinidae): Purple Martin; Brown-bellied Swallow; Blue-and-white Swallow

- Crows and Jays (Corvidae): Turquoise Jay; Violaceous Jay

- Thrushes and Chats (Turdidae): Great Thrush; Pale-eyed Thrush; White-necked Thrush

- Dippers (Cinclidae): White-capped Dipper

- Wagtails and Pipits (Motacillidae): Paramo Pipit

- Wrens (Troglodytidae): Northern Nightingale-Wren; Grey-breasted Wood-Wren; White-breasted Wood-Wren; Mountain Wren; Rufous Wren; Sedge Wren; Song Wren; Thrush-like Wren

- Tanagers (Thraupidae): Black-backed Bush-Tanager; Gray-hooded Bush-Tanager; Blue-backed Conebill; Cinereous Conebill; Giant Conebill; Tit-like Dacnis; Plush-capped Finch; Black Flower-piercer; Black-headed Hemispingus; Superciliaried Hemispingus; Black-chested Mountain-Tanager; Buff-breasted Mountain-Tanager; Hooded Mountain-Tanager; Lacrimose Mountain-Tanager; Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager; Fawn-breasted Tanager; Golden-crowned Tanager; Grass-green Tanager

- Blackbirds, Orioles and Cowbirds (Icteridae): Yellow-billed Cacique; Peruvian Meadowlark

- Warblers (Parulidae): Black-crested Warbler; Russet-crowned Warbler; Spectacled Whitestart; Slate-throated Whitestart

- Buntings, American Sparrows, Juncos, etc. (Emberizidae): Pale-naped Brush-Finch; Rufous-naped Brush-Finch; Stripe-headed Brush-Finch; Slaty Finch; Black Flowerpiercer; Glossy Flowerpiercer; Masked Flowerpiercer; Band-tailed Seedeater; Paramo Seedeater; Plain-colored Seedeater; Plumbeous Sierra-Finch; Rufous-collared Sparrow

- Finches (Fringillidae): Hooded Siskin

Amphibians:

17 amphibian species

Frogs - Amphignathodontidae: Gastrotheca sp. 

- Dendrobatidae: Colostethus sp. 

- Toads (Bufonidae):  Atelopus sp.

- Ceratophryidae: Telmatobius sp.

- Eleutherodactylidae: Eleutherodactylus sp.

Plants:

Lycophytes:

Lycopodiales - Lycopodiaceae: Clubmosses (Lycopodiella sp., Lycopodium capellae); Running Ground Pine (Lycopodium clavatum, L. compactum, L. contiguum, L. jussiaei, L. magellanicum and L. thyoides)

- Huperziaceae: Antilles Clubmoss (Huperzia reflexa) and Clubmosses (Huperzia capellae, H. compacta, H. crassa, H. hippuridea, H. hypogaea, H. hystrix, H. lindenii, H. polylepidetorum, H. rufescens, H. scabrida, H. sellifolia, H. talpiphila and H. tetragona)

Isoëtales - Isoëtaceae: Quilworts (Isoetes andina and I. novo-granadensis)

Epherdopsida:

Ephedrales - Ephedraceae: Jointfirs (Ephedra americana and E. rupestris)

Ferns:

Cyatheales - Dicksoniaceae: Diamondleaf Fern (Lophosoria quadripinnata) and Lophosoria contracta

Polypodiales - Polypodiaceae: Rockcap Fern (Pecluma curvans); Dwarf Polypody (Grammitis moniliformis); Polypodies (Polypodium mindense and P. murorum); Narrow Strapfern (Campyloneurum angustifolium) and Strapferns (Campyloneurum asplundii, C. densifolium and C. solutum)

- Dryopteridaceae: Hollyfern (Polystichum orbiculatum); Tongueferns (Elaphoglossum lasioglottis, E. minutum, E. ovatum, E. paleaceum and E. yatesii)

- Pteridaceae: Eriosorus cheilanthoides and E. rufescens; Jamesonia alstonii, J. boliviensis, J. cinnamomea and J. goudotii; Golden Lipfern (Cheilanthes bonariensis)

- Woodsiaceae: Brittle Bladder Fern (Cystopteris fragilis)

- Spleenworts (Asplenidaceae): Singlesorus Spleenwort (Asplenium monanthes) and Spleenworts (Asplenium cuspidatum, A. fragile and A. triphyllum)

- Thelypteridaceae: Maiden Fern (Thelypteris pilosula)

- Dennstaedtiaceae: Beadfern (Hypolepis crassa)

- Blechnaceae: Midsorus Fern (Blechnum loxense)

Ophioglossales - Ophioglossaceae: Bulbous Adderstongue (Ophioglossum crotalophoroides)

Hymenophyllales - Hymenophyllaceae: Bristle Fern (Trichomanes sp.); Filmy Fern (Hymenophyllum trichophyllum)

Gleicheniales - Gleicheniaceae: Gleichenia simplex; Umbrella Ferns (Sticherus revolutus and S. simplex)

Horsetails:

Equisetales - Equisetaceae: Horsetail (Equisetum bogotense)

Conifers:

Podocarpales - Podocarpaceae: Plum Pine (Podocarpus sprucei)

Dicotyledons:

Laurales - Lauraceae: Sweetwood (Ocotea infrafoveolata)

Ranunculales - Ranunculaceae: Anemone (Anemone jamesonii); Buttercups (Ranunculus flagelliformis, R. geranioides, R. limoselloides, R. peruvianus and R. praemorsus); Meadow-rue (Thalictrum podocarpum); Oreithales integrifolia

- Berberidaceae: Barberries ( Berberis lutea, B. pichinchensis, B. pindilicensis and B. rigida)

Brassicales - Crucifers (Brassicaceae): Bittercress (Cardamine bonariensis); Brayopsis colombiana; Drabas (Draba confertifolia, D. stylosa and D. violacea); Eudema nubigena and E. rupestris; Mustard (Brassica sp.); Watercress (Nasturtium officinale)

- Tropaeolaceae: Nasturtium (Tropaeolum smithii)

Caryophyllales - Caryophyllaceae: Catchfly (Silene sp.); Mouse-ear Chickweeds (Cerastium danguyi and C. mollissimum); Sandwort (Arenaria sp.); Starwort (Stellaria leptopetala)

- Portulacaeae: Redmaids (Calandrinia acaulis)

- Polygonaceae: Dock (Rumex tolimensis); Common Sheep Sorrel (Rumex acetosella); Maidehair Vines (Muehlenbeckia tamnifolia and M. volcanica)

- Nyctaginaceae: Colignonia pentoptera

Santalales - Viscaceae: Tree Destroyers (Dendrophthora lindeniana and D. pearcei)

- Lorantahaceae:Tristerix longebracteatus

Malvales - Malvaceae: Indian Mallow (Abutilon vexillarium); Nototriche sp.

Rosales - Rosaceae: Acaena (Acaena ovalifolia); Avens (Geum peruvianum); Blackberries (Rubus coriaceus and R. glabratus); Cinquefoil (Potentilla dombeyi); Hesperomeles obtusifolia; Lachemilla andina, L. angustata, L. galioides, L. hispidula, L. nivalis, L. orbiculata, L. rivulorum, L. uniflora and L. vulcanica; Polylepis incana, P. lanuginosa, P. reticulata and P. weberbaueri -"Paper trees" - the only trees can be found above 3300 m; Woodland Strawberry (Fragaria vesca)

- Urticaceae: Nettle (Urtica sp.)

Oxalidales - Cunoniaceae: Weinmannia fagaroides

- Elaeocarpaceae: Vallea stipularis

Saxifragales - Saxifragaceae: Saxifrage (Saxifraga magellanica)

- Crassulaceae:  Echeveria quitensis; Pygmyweed (Crassula venezuelensis); Water Pygmyweed (Tillaea aquatica)

- Grossulariaceae: Currant (Ribes andicola, R. erectum, R. hirtum and R. lehmannii)

- Haloragidaceae: Andean Watermilfoil (Myriophyllum quitense)

Fabales - Fabaceae: Alfalfa (Medicago sp.); White Clover (Trifolium repens); Lupines (Lupinus microphyllus and L. tauris); Otholobium mexicanum; Vetch (Vicia setifolia)

- Polygalaceae: Monnina crassifolia, M. ligustrifolia, M. pseudoaestuans, M. revoluta and M. salicifolia

Fagales - Myricaceae: Sweetgale Myrica parvifolia

Proteales - Proteaceae:  Lomatia hirsuta; Oreocallis mucronata

Malpighiales - Violaceae: Greenviolet (Hybanthus parviflorus); Violets (Viola bangii and V. pygmaea)

- Elatinaceae:  Elatine ecuadoriensis

- Hypericaceae: St. Johnsworts (Hypericum aciculare, H. brevistylum, H. decandrum, H. quitense, H. silenoides and H. sprucei)

Geraniales - Geraniaceae: Geraniums (Geranium maniculatum, G. multipartitum and G. sibbaldioides)

Sapindales - Meliaceae: Trichilia obovata

Myrtales - Melastomataceae: Brachyotum confertum, B. jamesonii, B. ledifolium and B. lindenii; Johnyberries (Miconia chionophila, M. pernettifolia and M. salicifolia)

Apiales - Apiaceae: Arracacia elata; Azorella biloba and A. pedunculata; Wild Carrot (Daucus sp.); Eryngo (Eryngium humile); Schaffner´s Grasswort (Lilaeopsis schaffneriana); Hydrocotyle sp.; Niphogeton azorelloides; Oreomyrrhis andicola

Ericales - Ericaceae: Blueberry (Vaccinium floribundum); Disterigma empetrifolium; Macleania rupestris; Pernettya prostrata; Snowberry (Gaultheria glomerata)

- Symplocaceae: Sweetleaf (Symplocos nana)

- Myrsinaceae: Myrsine andina and M. dependens 

Escalloniales - Escalloniaceae: Escallonia myrtilloides

Gentianales - Gentianaceae: Dwarf Gentians (Gentianella cerastioides, G. foliosa, G. hirculus, G. hyssopifolia, G. longibarbata, G. rapunculoides and G. saxifragoides); Gentian (Gentiana sedifolia); Spurred Gentians (Halenia minima, H. serpyllifolia, H. taruga-gasso and H. weddelliane); Bitter Herb (Centaurium erythraea)

- Asclepiadaceae: Cynanchum sp.

- Rubiaceae: Arcytophyllum capitatum, A. ciliolatum, A. filiforme, A. setosum and A. vernicosum; Bedstraw (Galium corymbosum and G. hypocarpium); Makole (Coprosma granadensis)

Boraginales - Boraginaceae: Popcornflower (Plagiobothrys linifolius); Soldierbush (Tournefortia polystachya)

Lamiales - Mints (Lamiaceae): Clinopodium (Clinopodium nubigenum); Sage (Salvia corrugata); Savories (Satureja jamesonii and S. nubigena); Marsh Woundwort (Stachys elliptica)

- Plantaginaceae: Broadleaf Plantain (Plantago major), Mexican Plantain (Plantago australis) and Plantains (Plantago linearis, P. rigida, P. sericea and P. tubulosa)

- Lentibulariaceae: Butterwort (Pinguicula calyptrata)

- Scrophulariaceae: Alonsoa meridionalis; Bartsia crisafullii, B. flava, B. laticrenata, B. pedicularoides and B. stricta; Slipper Flowers (Calceolaria ericoides, C. mexicana, C. nivalis, C. perfoliata and C. rosmarinifolia); Lousewort (Pedicularis incurva); Ourisia chamaedrifolia and O. muscosa; Indian Paitbrush (Castilleja ecuadorensis, C. fissifolia, C. nubigena, C. pumila and C. virgata); Sibthorpia repens; Thyme-leaf Speedwell (Veronica serpyllifolia)

- Buddlejaceae: Butterflybush (Buddleja incana)

Solanales - Solanaceae: Jessamine (Cestrum peruvianum); Forked Nightshade (Solanum furcatum) and Nightshades (Solanum nitidum and S. ruizii); Potato (Solanum tuberosum); Saracha quitensis

Dipsacales - Viburnaceae: Viburnum hallii and V. triphyllum

- Valerianaceae: Valerians (Valeriana bracteata, V. cernua, V. henrici, V. hirtella, V. humboldtii, V. microphylla, V. niphobia, V. plantaginea, V. pyramidalis, V. rigida, V. secunda and V. tomentosa)

Asterales - Asteraceae: Achyrocline alata; Aphanactis villosa; Baccharisses (Baccharis alaternoides, B. arbutifolia, B. buxifolia, B. caespitosa, B. genistelloides, B. macrantha, B. teindalensis, B. tricuneata and B. trinervis); Barnadesia arborea; Beggarticks (Bidens humilis and B. trplinervia); Catsear (Hypochaeris sessiliflora); Chrysactinium acaule; Max Chrysanthemum (Leucanthemum maximum); Chuquiraga jussieui - endemic species of Ecuador; Cotula mexicana; Crownbeard (Verbesina kingii); Cudweeds (Gnaphalium dombeyanum and G. tenue); Culcitium sp.; Diplostephium ericoides, D. espinosae, D. glandulosum, D. hartwegii; D. macrocephalum, D. oblanceolatum and D. rupestre; Dorobaea pimpinellifolia; American Everlasting (Gamochaeta americana); Fleabane (Erigeron ecuadoriensis); Gynoxys baccharoides, G. buxifolia and G. miniphylla; Hawkweed (Hieracium frigidum); Hempvine (Mikania sp.); Horseweed (Conyza sp.); Lasiocephalus involucratus, L. lingulatus and L. ovatus; Llerasia assuensis; Loricaria thuyoides; Monticalia peruviana and M. vaccinoides; Munnozia sp.; Mutisia alata and M. lehmannii; Oritrophium crocifolium, O. limnophilum and O. peruvianum; Pentacalia andicola, P. arbutifolia, P. empetroides, P. myrsinites, P. peruviana and P. vaccinioides; Perezia multiflora and P. pungens; Plagiocheilus solivaeformis; Ragworts (Senecio chionogeton and S. tephrosioides); St. Paul´s Wort (Sigesbeckia sp.); Snakeroot (Ageratina cuencana); Sowthistle (Sonchus sp.); Thoroughwort (Eupatorium sp.); Tridax angustifolia; Werneria humilis, W. nubigena and W. pygmaea; Xenophyllum humile and X. roseum

- Campanulaceae: Lysipomia cuspidata, L. multiflora, L. sphagnophila and L. vitreola; Siphocampylus giganteus

Piperales - Peperomiaceae: Peperomias (Peperomia galioides and P. hartwegiana)

Monocotyledons:

Alismatales - Pondweeds (Potamogetonaceae): Podweed (Potamogeton paramoanus)

- Juncaginaceae: Awl-leaf Lilaea (Lilaea scilloides)

Liliales - Melanthiaceae: Tofieldia sp.

- Alstroemeriaceae: Bomarea chimborazensis, B. glaucescens, B. multiflora and B. torta

Poales - Grasses (Poaceae): Aciachne flagellifera; Northern Betgrass (Agrostis mertensii) and Bengrasses (Agrostis breviculmis and A. tolucensis); Bluegrass (Poa paramoensis); False Brome (Brachypodium mexicanum); Rescue Brome (Bromus catharticus) and Bromes (Bromus lanatus and B. pitensis); Crowngrass (Paspalum bonplandi a P. humboldtianum) Deyeuxia coarctata; Fescue (Festuca subulifolia); Yorkshire Fog (Holcus lanatus); Sweet Vernal Grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum); Oatgrass (Trisetum irazuense); Silver Hairgrass (Aira caryophyllea); Annual Meadow-Grass (Poa annua); Muhly (Muhlenbergia ligularis); Neurolepis aristata and N. villosa; Ortachne erectifolia; Quakinggrass (Briza mandoniana; Reedgrasses (Calamagrostis ecuadoriensis, C. intermedia - dominant grass of páramo, C. jamesonii, C. ligulata, C. nitida, C. nuda, C. steyermarkii and C. teretifolia); Spike Trisetum (Trisetum spicatum)

- Juncaceae:  Distichia acicularis and D. muscoides; Arctic Rush (Juncus arcticus), Slender Rush (Juncus tenuis), Toad Rush (Juncus bufonis) and Rushes (Juncus microcephalus, J. pallescens, J. procerus and J. stipulatus); Woodrushes (Luzula gigantea, L. racemosa and L. vulcanica)

- Cyperaceae: Beaksedges (Rhynchospora hieronymi, R. macrochaeta, R. oreoboloidea a R. ruiziana); Bulrushes (Scirpus rigidus and Trichophorum rigidum); Oreobolopsis inversa; Oreobolus goeppingeri; Sedges (Carex crinalis, C. jamesonii and C. tristicha); Birdcatching Sedge (Uncinia hamata)

- Cattails (Typhaceae): 

- Bromeliaceae: Airplant (Tillandsia complanata); Puya clava-herculis

- Eriocaulaceae: Paepalanthus espinosianus

- Xyridaceae: Yelloweyed Grassw (Xyris subulata)

Asparagales - Iridaceae: Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium palustre); Orthrosanthus chimboracensis

- Amaryllidaceae: Stenomesson aurantiacum

- orchids (Orchidaceae): Aa colombiana and A. maderoi; Fernandezia myrtillus; Gomphichis macbridei; Masdevallia sp.; Myrosmodes sp.; Odontoglossum angustatum; Adder´s-Mouth Orchids (Malaxis hoppii and M. quadrata); Babyboot Orchids (Lepanthes alticola, L. monoptera and L. mucronata); Bonnet Orchids (Pleurothallis declivis, P. deflexa, P. jamesonii and P. spiralis); Dancing-Lady Orchid (Oncidium cultratum); Helmet Orchid (Cranichis sp.); Pansy Orchid (Miltonia sp.); Star Orchids (Epidendrum excisum, E. geminiflorum, E. holmnielsenii, E. pteroglottis and E. scabrum); Pachyphyllum sp.; Pterichis parvifolia; Stelis muscosa; Shadow Witch (Ponthieva sylvicola)

Possible activities

Walking tourism and trekking of various difficulty - very good net of marked footpaths

Mountaineering, fishing.

Note

An old Inca road traverses through part of the park connecting Tomebamba (Cuenca) with Paredones.

Best time to visit VIII - I

Picture - source photogallery of Albatros Travel and Expeditions