ALL PHOTOGRAPHS ARE THE COURTESY OF JEAN LOUIS LACAILLE MUZQUIZ EXCEPT THOSE ATTRIBUTED
OTHERWISE.
- El Cielo is an ecological reserve as are some of the other
areas mentioned on this site. Intelinet Mante and her sponsors wish to inform you that
there are not developed tourist areas. On the contrary there are special zones and areas
for the camper and explorer and one may, at best in some cases, count on the very basic of
services. In most areas you will find yourself alone with nature and special places for
the ecological tourist adventurer in search of the best. We reiterate that for any
clarification or doubt to please communicate with Ing. Jean Louis Lacaille or with
Intelinet Mante in order that we may put you in touch with the person or persons capable
of the proper disbursement and utilization of these places. Many of these areas are
extremely dangerous and are far from any human or public assistance.
 The community
of San Jose in the biosphere reserve "El Cielo" at 1400 Meters (4593 feet) above
sea level. Is one the communities visited more frequently by tourists.
The Water
Cave is probably the most frequently visited in the biosphere reserve, and it is only a 20
minutes away by foot from the San Jose community.
These double
traction vehicles are the remains of the intensive lumber exploitation of the forests in
this zone from the 1950's to the 1970's.
The town of
Alta Cima (High Peak), located at some 950 Meters (3117 feet) above sea level, is one of
the most important communities in the biosphere reserve "El Cielo". It is common
to see wooden houses with tile roofs which give to them this picturesque touch in these
mountain communities.
These
accidental rock formations of limestone are abundant in the topography of the reserve. The
"Cerro de la Campana" (Bell Hill) is one that draws the attention of visitors
when they go the Canindo Station at San Jose.
The
inhabitants of the biosphere reserve of "El Cielo" are a simple, kind and
hospitable people. They actually view tourism as an alternative to the family income, and
many of them offer lodging in rustic cabins and simple meals for a moderate price. In this
photograph is Doña Romanita in her kitchen.
In the
Mesofilo Forest of the Mountain or the Niebla (Fog) Forest are many epiphytal vegetable
communities (parasitical plants living upon other plants), such as moss, ferns, bromeliads
and orchids.
Waterfall of
Canindo. During the rainy season there are innumerable waterfalls decorating the reserve.
The Karstica
topography of the biosphere reserve in El Cielo favors the formation of innumerable caves
and underground passages that draw a great number of spectators.
The Joya de
Celas Cellar is one of the more important national caverns discovered and visited since
1965 by north american cave explorers who have been able to descend to a depth of 376
meters (1234 feet).
Bromeliads
are some of the epiphytal plants that are found on the biosphere reserve El Cielo. This
particular one has the characteristic of being able to retain the water between it's
leaves.
Orchids, like
the Lycaste Deppei, are perhaps the most beautiful ones on the reserve.
The tiger
flower is a plant that produces very beautiful flowers that adorn the residences of the El
Cielo reserve.
One of the
great attractions of the reserve is the incredible flora that decorates the area.
Mushrooms
form an important part of the ecology of the El Cielo biosphere reserve, since they help
in the breakdown of the organic material.
The Morph
Butterfly is easily found in the tropical forest because of it's size and bright colors on
it's wings.
In the
biosphere reserve's caves and caverns there exists a very interesting troglodyte fauna
that is characterized by the lack of eyes and pigmentation. They are organisms that have
adjusted to life in the subterranean regions, in total darkness, such as this water isopod
in the Water Cave.
The coral
snake is one of the most venomous serpents that exist within the El Cielo reserve. Extreme
caution must be taken when one is hiking in areas of dense vegetation. It is a timid
serpent thus giving one the advantage.
The jaguar is
the most powerful of felines within the El Cielo forest reserve. It is very difficult to
even see a jaguar at a distance due to it's nocturnal habits and also because their number
has been greatly reduced due to their being illegally hunted. |
