Gruta de Los Tayos
In El Chaco
- Last Updated: March 29, 2024
Discover the captivating allure of Gruta de Los Tayos, a magnificent cave soaring 30 meters high and a mere 20-minute journey from El Chaco.
Marvel at the migratory birds known as “Tayos” as they arrive between January and February, transforming the cave into a nursery filled with their adorable chicks throughout March and April.
Immerse yourself in the cave’s geological heritage, a testament to its formation spanning millennia. Uncover the diverse landscapes that grace the Inter-Andean Amazon Region. Prepare for an extraordinary exploration unlike any other!
Table of Contents
Gruta de Los Tayos: Details
To reach Gruta de Los Tayos you need to take a bus to El Chaco/Las Palmas and probably rent a taxi to get there or an easier way is to go by car:
- Highlights: Walk in a tropical forest, cross the river adventurously, explore Gruta de Los Tayos (Cave dimensions: 60 meters long and 30 meters high), and discover the Tayos birds (Oilbirds).
- Duration: 2-3 hours.
- Price: 5$ USD (7$ with lunch).
- For more information please consult the official El Chaco Tourism Guide.
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Gruta de Los Tayos: Curiosities
The geological formation of Gruta de Los Tayos is reminiscent of other notable caves in Ecuador, showcasing sedimentary layers and evidence of tectonic and volcanic changes spanning thousands of years. These caves, including Cueva de Los Tayos, Geositio Churro, and Mirador del Huataraco, offer insights into the region’s geological history.
Gruta de Los Tayos is a magnificent cave worth exploring. It stretches approximately 60 meters in length and reaches an impressive height of 30 meters. Within its depths, you can witness the presence of migratory birds known as “Tayos.” These nocturnal birds arrive between January and February, and their chicks fill the cave from March to April.
The nesting habits of Tayos birds are fascinating to observe. Using their beaks, they skillfully shape their nests to resemble round grinding stones. Gruta de Los Tayos is just one of many caves in the Ecuadorian Sub-Andean Amazon region where these remarkable birds can be found during their breeding months.
While Cueva de Los Tayos in Morona Santiago (known as Kuankus) may be the most renowned cave, it’s important to note that Tayos birds inhabit numerous caves throughout the region.
It’s worth mentioning that some tour companies may mislead visitors by selling tours to Gruta de Los Tayos and other caves as if they were the renowned Kuankus cave, where Neil Armstrong famously ventured in search of the Golden Library. However, exploring the Neil Armstrong cave is an extensive and costly expedition (250$ USD), typically lasting several days. It involves traveling to a Shuar community in Morona Santiago, navigating a boat ride through the Amazon, embarking on a challenging hike through the dense forest, and finally descending 50 meters through rappelling to access the cave. Notably, even Will Smith explored this cave last year for his documentary project.
While the Neil Armstrong cave may hold a legendary allure, it’s crucial to understand the significant time, effort, and cost associated with such an expedition. Gruta de Los Tayos and other caves in the region offer their own unique wonders and experiences, providing a glimpse into the captivating subterranean world and the natural beauty of the Ecuadorian Sub-Andean Amazon region.
What can i see in Gruta de Los Tayos?
The main attraction of the area is the presence of “Tayos” migratory birds, particularly the oilbird (Steatornis caripensis). These unique birds can be found in the northern regions of South America. The oilbird species belongs to the genus Steatornis, the family Steatornithidae, and the order Steatornithiformes. They exhibit fascinating behaviors and characteristics.
Oilbirds nest in colonies within caves and are primarily nocturnal. They feed on the fruits of the oil palm and tropical laurels, making them the only nocturnal flying fruit-eating birds in the world. While they forage during the night, they possess specially adapted eyesight and navigate using echolocation, similar to bats. This remarkable ability allows them to produce high-pitched clicking sounds at approximately 2 kHz, which can be heard by humans.
In addition to the migratory pattern of the “Tayos” birds, it is worth noting that they begin arriving at the Cave between the months of January and February, during their mating season. By March and April, the cave becomes a bustling environment with the presence of chicks. These birds stay in the cave until June when the young have grown and are ready to leave, marking the end of their nesting period.
What should i bring to Gruta de Los Tayos?
- Sunscreen – Ensure you have a minimum of SPF 50 as the Equator’s sun is more prone to causing burns compared to other regions.
- GoPro/Camera – It’s essential to remember your camera to capture the incredible moments during this experience.
- Outfit – Don’t forget to pack swimwear for crossing the river and exploring the waist-high water-filled cave. For the hike, bring along comfortable hiking shoes or rubber boots. Additionally, pack a hat, a rain jacket as a precautionary measure, and an extra set of clothes to conclude the adventure.
- Mosquito Repellent – Keep in mind that this is a tropical area where mosquitoes are common, so it’s advisable to have mosquito repellent on hand.
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My Experience on the Gruta de Los Tayos
I was in the company of a group of friends, and after exploring the impressive Cascada Mágica del Río Malo Waterfall, which is likely one of the most powerful and largest waterfalls in Ecuador (if not the largest), we made a detour to visit Gruta de Los Tayos on our way back to Quito.
One of my friends had previously visited the cave and insisted that it was worth the visit, so we thought, why not give it a shot?
The beginning of the Adventure
This was our second adventure of the day in the Ecuadorian Amazon region, and we were completely soaked. The rain, along with the massive cloud of mist from the waterfall, got us drenched, including our boots. We had to change our clothes and put on swim shorts before venturing into the jungle with our soggy boots.
The property owner explained the trail to us at the entrance, and we were joined by a group of tourists. Since the welcome hut was right by the road, it was common to have visitors, so we couldn’t expect to have the cave all to ourselves.
We followed my friend who already knew the way, and there were signs with arrows in case we got lost. When we reached a strong river, we stopped. The owner hurried ahead and called us over to show us how to cross to the other side.
We held hands and crossed the river with her. Afterward, we waited for the other group to pass, and then we continued our journey deep into the jungle.
Exploring the magic of Gruta de Los Tayos
Finally, we arrived at the cave entrance, where another group was already taking pictures. My camera got foggy, probably because of the humidity and water dripping everywhere (the earlier waterfall adventure didn’t help either).
We entered the cave, and sometimes the water inside reached up to our knees. It was a challenge to keep the camera dry.
As I mentioned, we had our boots in the water, and sometimes it felt like even if we had rubber boots it wouldn’t make much of a difference because water still seeped in. If my boots weren’t already soaked, I probably would have gone without them (I had a bad experience in Baños where I slipped while crossing a small river and ended up soaking my backpack and iPhone. Since then, I always cross rivers without shoes to avoid slipping on slippery rocks).
Inside the cave, we saw the famous Tayos birds. Compared to the Kuankus’ Cueva de Los Tayos adventure I had in August last year, where there were only a few Tayos left because it wasn’t breeding season, here there were so many. Hundreds, at least. We could see them flying around and resting on the rocks. They made a lot of noise, and they were quite big. The guide kept warning us to be careful and avoid them if they flew toward us. It was amusing.
After taking lots of photos and videos and truly enjoying the cave, which felt more like a corridor as it was only 60 meters long and 30 meters high, not like the closed caves we usually imagine, such as Cueva de Los Tayos of Kuankus, we ventured back into the wilderness and prepared for the return journey.
The way back was quick, except for crossing the river again. Finally, we reached the hut at the entrance, where my friends had a tasty-looking lunch, while I ate some pre-cooked food I had brought for the trip.
And that’s it! After lunch, we headed back to Quito. What an adventure! It was my first time driving from Quito to the Amazon, and I thought there would be many landslides on the road, but it turned out to be easier than I expected.
What about you, have you already been to the Gruta de Los Tayos? Leave me a comment down here if you have and what was your opinion.
Thanks for reading through and I hope you have fun on this adventure. I will drop more of my favorite shots underneath, enjoy!
Photo Gallery
The beginning of the Adventure
Exploring the magic of Gruta de Los Tayos
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