Podocarpus National Park

With elevations between 950 and 3,700m, This park possesses one of the highest bio-diversity areas on earth as well as many endemic species of flora and fauna that appear nowhere else on the planet.

The main reason for such bio-diversity is mainly attributable to the areas topographical alignment and merging of the Amazonian and Andean weather which has resulted in the melding of a one off micro climate and much rainfall which has stimulated further growth.

The park has over 146,300 hectares with a very wide band of habitation, for example, up to 90 varying tree types have been found in a single hectare, other species include the Podocarpus varied range of plants.

The major animals that inhabit the park are the Andean speckled bear, the Andean fox, pumas, mountain tapirs and a tremendous range of exotic bird Life.

The area itself is cut up into two main areas, an upper pre-montane section which has sensational walking routes, the tropical cloud forest that is superb for birdwatching and the lower subtropical section, with remoter areas including virgin forest and endemic species of flora and fauna.