Alto Coca Reserve
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Alto Coca Reserve.​
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This project was originally conceived by two environmentalists living in Quito, Ecuador. Now, the Fundacion Alto Coca is a dedicated community of persons interested in preserving, understanding, and sharing 1000 hectares of privately owned cloud forest located in the Eastern Andes of Ecuador. In 2013, the Alto Coca property received conservation status from the Ecuadorian Ministry of Environment, Water and Ecological Transition. We are seeking Socio Bosque status which will generate income to maintain the reserve.
The Alto Coca Reserve is located at the headwaters of the Amazon Basin in the foothills of the Andes between 1500 and 2000 masl. It conserves the transition zone between tropical rainforest and cloud forest. Both the cooler climate Andean spectacled bears and tropical jaguars live in the reserve, as well as 4 species of monkeys and hundreds of bird species. The reserve forms an important ecological corridor between the Sumaco Napo-Galeras and the Cayambe Coca National Parks.
The Alto Coca Reserve is one of the few conservation and ecotourism projects that offers comfortable accommodations deep inside the road-less wilderness of Ecuador. The reserve was started in 2001 by guidebook author Mark Thurber (Ecuador Climbing and Hiking Guide) and mountain guide Peter Ayarza to conserve a unique and threatened ecosystem. They decided to open it to visitors in 2013. There is no road access, you need to hike to get there.
It is a great place to volcano watch; bird watch; explore a systems of trails in primary forest; ramble down stream canyons and bath in pools below waterfalls; cook over a wood fire; or practice some yoga to the rumbling of eruptions of the Reventador volcano. Or just relax on the porch and enjoy the solitude of an isolated and untouched ecosystem.
The facilities include a basic but comfortable wood cabin that sleeps 16 people with a large porch to hang hammocks; a multi-use dining area also sometimes used for yoga; a kitchen with a wood stove; latrines with awesome views; and a unique waterfall shower. No electricity, so they use candles and solar lights.
Access to the reserve is from the village of San Carlos on the paved highway between Quito and Lago Agrio. It is a 3 ½ hour drive from Quito. You hike to the reserve on a spectacular trail that leads you up from the canyon of the Río Coca to a plateau of virgin forest. The hike takes 3 to 5 hours; but an easier 2 to 3 hours back to San Carlos.