NATIONAL PARK BOXES

Cajas National Park covers an area of ??28.808 hectares and was established on July 4, 1977, is located in the province of Azuay and its management is carried out in conjunction with the National Park Municipal Building Corporation, which also manages the Interpretation Centre Park La Toreadora. We found just 33 km from Cuenca and is accessible from this city, can hike, horseback riding, camping, fishing and bird watching.
The park is renowned for its many lakes. Animals more easily seen in the park include rabbits, ducks and trout. There are also white-tailed deer, spectacled bear, puma, deer of the moor, heath rabbit and the mountain tapir. Birds are the most important caracara, the Andean condor and the toucan.
Located south of Ecuador, in the province of Azuay, Cajas National Park has a unique lake in the country, including about 235 glacial lakes. In addition to being located on the Continental Divide closest to the Pacific coast of South America, Andean ecosystems transition houses (3.160 to 4.450 m), integrates to other conservation areas and thus ensures the conservation of the Andean forest and moors.
Cajas National Park can maintain the functions and environmental services required to maintain the quality and quantity of water needed to supply water to the towns of the canton of Cuenca.
Cajas National Park is a mirror of 235 faces, formed by numerous lagoons, which highlights the Toreadora, which regulates and keeps the streams of the area and is one of the main attractions of the place. It is very common consumption of trout caught in the same place.
Usually access to the park are opened, all in Cuenca. From there the Cuenca-Molleturo Surocucho Control through in just over 30 minutes away. Later that same road is the edge of the lagoon Toreadora, where the Administrative Center and park information.
Following the above procedure to Molleturo, we know the northern sector of the park and winds through several major and minor gaps. To access the park from the coast, the road Molleturo-Cuenca is also the best option.
If we know a little historical background we noted that during the integration period (500 to 1450 AD), it gave the manor Cañari, comprised of 96 villages, 24 chiefdoms and 72 smaller communities, which formed an alliance with a cult federal the moon, lakes and mountains, considered sacred places. After Canaris came the Incas and founded the royal city of Tomebamba. According to some historians, that was located in the same place where today is Cuenca.
The construction that could certify the presence of the Incas in the park, is the Inca Trail, a vestige of a road connecting the Tambo Tomebamba Walls (Molleturo) and permitted the development of the peoples of the area through the ongoing trade with Costa.
In 1878, Humboldt was the following account of this way: “I was surprised to look there to a height far exceeding that of the top of the peak of Tenerife, the magnificent remains of a road built by the Incas of Peru. Is a road, limited by large hewn stones, can be compared, perhaps, the most beautiful roads I have seen the Romans in Italy, France and Spain, is perfectly aligned and keep the same address for six or eight thousand meters. ” (Quoted by Federico González Suárez Sites and Tomebamba ruins and monuments of the Incas. León, 1983).
Today, the Inca Trail can be walked over four miles within the park restored between the cave and lagoon Luspa Mamamag.
The park has no native cultures, however, there surrounding towns and villages. Most of the population close to Sayausí area is located between Cuenca and the park itself.
Among the most important gaps are: Lagartococha Osohuaycu, Mamamag or Taitachungo, Quinoascocha, The Toreadora Sunincocha, Films, Windows and Tinguishcocha. This large amount of gaps regulates and maintains the streams of the area because of drainage. Rivers like the Tomebamba, Mazan, and Migu Yanuncay born in El Cajas and drinking water supply catchment; at a time, are the main tributaries of the hydroelectric complex pattern, which provides electricity to most of the country. Lagartococha Lagoon is the largest. Several trails lead to it from the road and takes about three hours walk to reach it.
The wet heath occupies the largest area, with characteristic flora of this area of ??life. Agricultural and livestock activities in surrounding communities are a threat to the preservation of the park. Frequent burning of grassland, and the constant movement of livestock, are factors that destroy the ecosystem.
In the eastern boundary of the park stands the forest, composed mainly of trees and shrubs with a wide variety of orchids, ferns and mosses. In the western boundary, abundant timber.
Like the northern Ecological Reserve El Angel, the lagoons of the boxes are well known and popular for its trout. Furthermore, in the park there are endangered species by the unconscious hunting is traditionally done in the sector.

Fot this great trip, if you dont have anough budget, you can get help from fastcash.com. Next to the Lagoon was built Toreadora Administrative and Information Center of the Park, with easy access, regardless of the road leading to Molleturo.
Avilahuayco is a hill that can easily top an hour and half walk.
Due to the ease of access, the lake Taitachungo (Mamamag) receives many visitors. Similarly, the gaps of Burin, Burin sector are visited for fishing.
Meanwhile, the summit of the Hill of Three Crosses is another natural view of the area, to over 4,200 meters above sea level. South Park is the area of ??Windows, which you enter by road to the village of Angas.
Other places visited by tourists are the Camino de García Moreno and Lake Cucheros offering a splendid view of the traveler. On the other hand, you can visit the Garden sector of El Cajas, dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
Usually, in the Ecuadorian highlands, and particularly in Azuay, the weather is cool, forcing him to wear adequate clothing to withstand low temperatures, such as sweaters and trousers jean. If you plan to reach a higher altitude, we recommend using thermal coats, wool trousers, hiking boots, hats and gloves.