The topography of the reserve is marked by the Cotacachi volcano, whose western ridges are very rugged. Here we find the Toisan mountain range, a particularly rough and hilly area of the north Andes. Cradled by cloudy forest in its hillsides, many rivers are born that will later feed the watersheds of Santiago, Cayapas, Guayllabamba, Esmeraldas and Mira. The main rivers within the reserve are the Puniyacu, Agua Clara, Barbudo, and Piedras rivers. The scenery is completed with the lagoons of the high areas, including Cuicocha, which is one of the most visited attractions of Ecuador. A notable aspect of the reserve´s geology has to do with the volcano´s last eruption: the expelled magma found a lateral exit, which ended up forming a small volcano, the Cuicocha. When the lava withdrew, the magma chamber collapsed and the crater was formed, that after being filled with water is what we can see and admire now. The two islets that exist in its interior (Teodoro Wold and Yerovi) are the result of a subsequent eruption within the cauldron.

The high area has an interpretation center next to Cuicocha, the camping and lodging sites are the following:

Higher Area

Ruta Sagrada is found next to the Cuicocha lagoon and has an extension of 320 meters. It runs through four stations that represent various aspects of the Andean cosmovision.

Gorky Campuzano. Surrounds the Cuicocha lagoon, and has a total length of 10 km. There are several options or routes for hiking it.

Cerro Cotacachi: is a 14 kilometer trail from the checkpoint to the antena´s area, it is an advance difficulty trail and requires the support of a mountain tour guide.

Yanahurco. From the community of Sachapamba you take a horseshoe shaped trail of 10 kilometers towards the Yanacocha lagoon and then another one of 5 kilometers towards the summint of the Yahahurco. You are required to have a guide and camping equipment, it is an advanced difficulty trail.

Lower Areas

Carco Vicente. (San Miguel area) This is a self-guided trail with primary forests. It´s a 3.5 kilometers circle trail.

Playa de Oro (Golden Beach) Community. There are several trails through the tropical rain forest offered by the community.

The great ecological variety also has a great impact on the culture and history of the area, very different on between the low and high areas. The Andean area where there are several Kichwa nationality communities. The pre-hispanic habitants of the area included several ethnicities that are remembered in some place names. In the low area there are indigenous populations of Awa, Chachi, Epera nationalities as well as afroecuadorian and mestizas. There are ancient and recent settlements of migrants from every corner of the country, which have related differently with the scenery and resources of the protected areas. The original communities settle around the great rivers located within and close to the reserve. The afroesmeraldeño communities integrated later and brought elements unique to their original culture, among which is the marimba music.

The altitudinal and ecologic variation of the reserve mean an amazing biodiversity from which it is difficult to extract representative elements. Nevertheless, we present an attempt to review the most interesting species. In the reserve there are 2,107 plant species, of which 201 are orchids. In the high areas there are grass moorlands and paper trees or yahual woodlands. In the Andean forests there are alder, bayberry, aguacatillo, and Cuicoccha piquil. In the tropical forest there are chipero, lignum vitae, monkey saltshaker, chanul, a relative of cherimoya, anthuriums or cartidges, bromelias and gian leeches. The reserve has 139 mammal species, 689 of birds (which makes it the richest protected bird area of Ecuador), 111 reptiles, and 124 amphibians. Within its rivers and lagoons there are 39 fish species, of which seven are used by the people that live in the low areas of the Santiago and Cayapas rivers.

In the high area there are moorland wolves, goat-stag, white tail deer, pumas, bunnies, chucuri or Andean bear. In the lagoons such as Cuicocha and Piñan you can see several species of ducks, coots silver diver. In the moorlands we see birds flying such as Andean condor, and the Andean seagull. There are lizards, In the Andean and cloud forests there are jambato frogs, cutines frogs and marsupial frogs. Among the birds there are several hummingbirds, Andean tucanes, and wild turkeys among many others.

In the low area there are spider monkeys, coastal howler monkey, and capuchin monkey, additional to the peccaries, ocelots, jaguars, sloths, and otters. Birds include la arpia, laughing falcon, parrots, turkeys, macaws, Choco´s tucan and the umbrella bird. Amphibians include tree frogs, glass frogs, jambatos frogs, cutin frogs and geckos. In the lower area there are also lizards and snakes such as the as chonta, fake coral and coral snake.

Cotacachi Volcano

It has a height of 4,939 meters and it is the highest point of the reserve. It has a conic shape and is occasionally covered in snow.

Piñan

To the west of the Yanahurco hill you´ll find the town of Piñan, with its moorlands and lagoons, within which we find Donoso, Jaricocha, and Cristococha. The lagoons are surrounded by moorlands within which trout fishing is practiced.

Lower Area

You´ll be able to explore the Choco rain forest and navigate the rivers that are found in this area are the reserve´s main attractions. The places to visit are located in the town of San Miguel (navigating Cayapas River). From here you arrive to Charco Vicente, San Miguel waterfall, and to the Bravo river jump. If you take the Santiago River, on the other hand, you will arrive to the afroesmeraldeño community Playa de Oro in the buffer zone of the reserve.

Clothing

Higher area: warm clothes, water poncho or water resistant sweater in case of rain or drizzling Appropriate shoes, awlking boots in case of long or medium walks.

Lower Area: light clothes, and rubber boots to walk on the trails of the area.