San Ignacio

Overview

This northern province is the wildest of Cajamarca. It is home to some 130000 people, with a population density of about 25 ppkm². This leaves room for large forest expanses, including the Sanctuario Nacional Tabaconas-Namballe , where rare species such as the spectacled bear and the Andean tapir are to be found.    

San Ignacio city is a cute town at the end of the road. Ecuador is nearby and crossing is possible via Zumba, though it might take some time to travel the unpaved roads. On the positive side: you'll be the only tourist in a while taking this spectacular route to Vilcabamba and Loja . The road goes south from San Ignacio to Jaén , through the Chinchipe valley. You'll travel through an almost fluorescent green mountain valley that at times comes close to being a cañon with a rather wild river.    

North-east is the district of San José de Lourdes . Through wonderful mountains you can reach the Rio Chirinos agricultural valley. Following this river upstream you reach huge expanses of forests, inhabited by the indigenous Apo people. These forests, it's inhabitants and the rivers it gives birth to are threatened by foreign mining interests: you might want to make clear to the local population you are not a miner!   

History