- Address: Located in the provinces of Morón-Santiago, Chimborazo and Tungurahua, south of Quito, Ecuador;
- Area: 5,178 km²;
- Date of Establishment: 1979.
Luxurious, calm, inspirational! So travelers say about the pearl of Ecuador - Sangai National Park. The natural reserve is unique with its majestic and pristine beauty, the richest plant and animal world.
Marvelous world of Sangaya
Sangay National Park is located in the provinces of Moron-Santiago, Chimborazo and Tungurahua, located in the central part of Ecuador. The area of the Sangai Park is more than five thousand square meters, and the height differences range from 1,000 to 5,230 meters above sea level. In the reserve there are three volcanoes - Altar, Tungurahua and Sangay, formed at least five thousand years ago. The park is unique in that it preserves lagoons and 327 picturesque lakes, waterfalls.
The large differences in heights have transformed Sangay into a whole region with the richest animal and vegetable world. It is inhabited by mountain tapirs, spectacled bears, opossums, jaguars, pumas, pygmy deer, more than 300 species of rare birds. Sangaya fauna is represented by royal palms, cedars, alders, olive and red trees, orchids.
What to see and do in Sangai National Park?
The journey through Sangai will be exciting if you plan ahead in advance. As the territory of the reserve is huge, tourists are recommended to pay attention to its best places:
- Black Lagoon. The picturesque place is in the system of the lakes of Atillo. Laguna is located in the center of Sangai National Park at an altitude of 3526 m above sea level. Features of the climate in the Black Lagoon area are such that in the mornings a cold wind often blows and thick fog sets in. Therefore, it is better to visit this lagoon in Sangai at noon, when the sun rises high.
- Mount Tungurahua. It is an active volcano of the Sangai Reserve, whose height reaches 5023 m above sea level. In its vicinity there is no rich nature, which is compensated by a fascinating spectacle of the eruption of Tungurahua.
- The Sangai volcano. The height of this peak with three craters is 5230 m above sea level. It was formed about 14 thousand years ago, frequent eruptions occur since 1934. It is possible to climb the Sangai not all year round, the path to the summit takes on average 9-10 days.
Also among the attractions of the Sangai National Park are the extinct Altar volcano, the Atillo lagoon, the El Placer thermal springs near the Sangay volcano. During a trip to the reserve, tourists go in for trekking, go on mountain bike tours, visit hot springs, ride horseback riding.
| | |
When is it better to visit Sangai?
To travel to Sangai National Park in Ecuador, you should hire a guide in advance. Accompanying can be found either in the travel agency, or among the inhabitants of the cities of Riobamba and Banos. In this case, it is recommended that you select a guide with a special certificate.
The rainy season in the Sangay region lasts from December to May, the high season is from June to September. During this period travelers take with themselves sunscreen, hats and glasses. For the rainy season, you need to take waterproof clothing, warm clothes, rubber boots - the roads in the Sangai reserve during this period are very blurred.
How to get to Sangai National Park?
The nearest neighbor from the Tungurahu volcano is the city of Banos (8 km), from the Sangay volcano it is 70 km away.
Most travelers first fly to the city of Quito , then by car or bus they reach Baños. Next, the road to Sangai runs along several pedestrian roads. One of them passes between the cities of Banos and Riobamba , others lead to the west of the park - to the volcanoes Altar, Sangay, Tungurahua. The Puyo-Makas highway rests on roads that lead to the eastern sector of the reserve. The ticket price to Sangai Park is $ 10.
| | | |
