Sumaco Napo-Galeras National Park, Nature reserve in Napo Province, Ecuador.
Sumaco Napo-Galeras National Park is a large protected area centered on the Sumaco volcano, which rises above diverse forest zones that change as elevation increases. The landscape ranges from lowland tropical forests to high mountain environments with distinct plant and animal communities.
The park received official protection status in 1994, marking the beginning of focused conservation efforts in the region. Since then, scientific research has expanded knowledge about the area's ecological diversity.
The Kichwa communities living near the park view the mountains and forests as sacred and live in connection with the natural rhythms of this landscape. This relationship shapes how they interact with and protect the environment around them.
Visitors can access the park through the Wawa Sumaco area, where an information center helps plan your visit and provides guidance on trails. Multiple routes lead to different elevations, so you can choose a path suited to your fitness level.
The park is home to rare amphibian species found only on the eastern slopes of the volcano, where researchers continue to study them. These creatures exist nowhere else on Earth.
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