RouteBaños

Baños to Puyo: Descending Into the Amazon

The road from Baños to Puyo — descending from 1,820m to 950m in 60 km through the Pastaza canyon — is one of Ecuador's most dramatic drives; the descent from Andean cloud forest to the Amazon's edge passes seven waterfalls and multiple ecosystems

Google Maps Apple Maps

1
Elevation transition zone
The Baños-Puyo Corridor is one of the world's most compressed ecological transitions — from Andean cloud forest through montane forest to Amazonian pre-montane forest in 60 km; the density of biodiversity in the transition zone is extraordinary
2
Pastaza River Canyon
The Pastaza River—carrying snowmelt from the Tungurahua and rain from the cloud forest—carved the canyon that descends from Baños; the canyon walls of volcanic rock, the many waterfalls and the power of the river create a constant drama
3
Orchid-rich cloud forest
The cloud forest corridor above Pastaza Canyon has an extraordinary diversity of orchids and bromeliads — the mossy trees dripping with epiphytes, the birds feeding at the cloud forest flowers, and the mist creating an atmosphere of surreal beauty
4
Río Verde Village
The village of Río Verde — 20 km from Baños — is the closest access point to Pailón del Diablo; the village has the canyon's best restaurants and the footbridge that leads to the waterfall viewing platforms; the location between the waterfalls and the canyon landscape is extraordinary
5
Chiva Bus Descent
The Chiva - an open-sided bus with passengers hanging from the sides - is the traditional way to descend the waterfall path; the combination of the open-air bus, the waterfall stops and the canyon scenery make the chiva descent a memorable Ecuadorian travel experience
6
Amazonian biodiversity at Puyo
Arriving at Puyo — at the edge of the Amazon — after the descent from Baños reveals the transition from Andean to Amazonian biodiversity; the macaws, toucans and access to the Napo Wildlife Center near Puyo represent the beginning of the Amazon experience