El
Salto
del
Bravo
and
el
Charco
Vicente
Huge
rocks
exist
in
the
middle
of
the
riverbed
causing
an
extremely
noisy
waterfall,
which
is
situated
very
close
to
the
village
of
Corriente
Grande
.
The
Charco
Vicente
is
a
slow-flowing
stretch
of
water
of
the
same
river,
which
in
formation
is
similar
to
a
lake.
A
five-kilometre
long
pathway
begins
and
ends
here,
incorporating
bridges
crossing
estuaries
and
observation
points
above
the
trees.
El
Salto
de
Santiago
(Santiago
Cascade)
There
are
flat
stones
in
the
middle
of
the
river,
which,
along
with
the
torrential
river
flow
and
jungle-like
surroundings,
present
a
truly
unique
landscape.
By
boat
it
takes
three
hours
to
descend
towards
the
afro-population
of
Playa
de
Oro,
Gold
Beach
,
where
the
Reserve’s
administrative
centre
is
situated.
The
Administrative
Centre
can
offer
basic
accommodation
for
up
to
twenty
persons.
Basic
foodstuffs
can
also
be
purchased
here.
A
further
45-minute
trip
down
the
river
leads
to
the
waterfall,
el
Salto
de
Santiago
.
Cascada
de
San
Miguel
(San
Miguel
Waterfall)
Only
accessible
after
an
eight-hour
trek
from
Charco
Vicente
into
the
heart
of
the
Reserve,
the
trip
is
definitely
worth
it
as
it
is
not
uncommon
to
encounter
a
range
of
mammals
and
birdlife
along
the
way.
Laguna
de
Cuicocha
(Lake
of
Cuicocha)
At
the
heart
of
the
lake
there
are
two
large
islands
housing
three
volcanic
‘domes’,
which
can
be
visited
by
boat
and,
according
to
the
history
books,
were
used
as
prisons
by
the
ancient
Incas.
A
pathway
running
the
circumference
of
the
lake
allows
one
to
observe
flora
and
fauna
endemic
to
the
Andes
,
including
various
species
of
orchids.
Volcan
Cotacachi
(Volcano
Cotocachi)
Access
towards
the
base
of
the
volcano
is
possible
in
a
four-by-four
via
a
side
road
from
the
main
road
leading
to
the
Lake
of
Cuicocha
.
It’s
also
possible
to
ascend
from
the
same
spot
by
foot.
Suitable
climbing
gear
is
required
to
embark
on
this
trip.
Paramos
y
Lagunas
de
Pinan
(The
Paramos
and
Lakes
of
Pinan)
These
represent
some
of
the
finest
examples
of
scenic
beauty,
which
can
only
be
encountered
in
the
Ecuadorian
paramos
.
There
is
also
a
sign-posted
pathway
explaining
different
types
of
flora
and
fauna
that
can
be
found
in
this
sector.
Trout
fishing
is
permitted
and,
with
the
appropriate
equipment,
the
lakes’
surroundings
present
the
perfect
place
to
camp
out.
Cordillera
de
Toisan
(The
Toisan
Backbone)
The
beautiful
landscapes
of
virgin
forest
are
worth
the
effort
particularly
if
crossing
Toisan
from
El
Rosario
and
descending
its
western
slopes
towards
River
Las
Piedras
or
River
Rumiyacu.
However,
it
should
be
noted
that
access
to
this
area
is
difficult.
Cordillera
de
Lachas
(The
Lachas
Backbone)
Lachas
is
an
area
of
humid
tropical
rainforest,
valued
due
to
its
indemnity
and
pristinely-preserved
state,
almost
untouched
thanks
to
the
inaccessibility
of
the
terrain
and
the
control
exercised
in
the
sector.
Tropical
flora
and
fauna
can
be
observed
here
in
its
purest
form.
Tours
Sendero
Indio
Bravo
(The
Indio
Bravo
Path)
This
route
connects
two
towns:
Corriente
Grande
(near
to
Salto
del
Bravo)
and
Charco
Vicente.
It
takes
approximately
five
hours
to
complete
due
to
the
thick
jungle-like
vegetation
running
the
length
of
the
route.
Flora
and
fauna
characteristic
of
the
region
can
be
observed
here.
Sendero
Mario
Apolo
(The
Mario
Apolo
Path)
This
runs
between
Playa
de
Oro
and
Charco
Vicente.
The
route
crosses
rivers
and
ravines
and
takes
around
twelve
hours
to
complete,
taking
one
outside
of
the
Reserve’s
borders.
The
route
is
more
or
less
untouched,
therefore
going
in
groups
accompanied
by
a
local
guide
is
strongly
recommended.
Last
Updated
17th
July
2006
