Sangay Overview
Sangay National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1983, is situated in the heart of Ecuador, spanning the provinces of Morona Santiago, Chimborazo, Tungurahua, and Cañar. Encompassing an area of approximately 2,730 square kilometers (about 1,054 square miles), this park is renowned for its spectacular natural diversity and geological features, including two of the country’s most active volcanoes, Sangay and Tungurahua. The park’s dramatic landscape is a testament to the powerful forces of nature that have shaped the Ecuadorian Andes and the Amazon basin.
The park’s varied ecosystems range from tropical rainforests in the Amazonian lowlands to glaciers and snow-capped peaks in the high Andes, offering habitats to a wide array of flora and fauna. This vast altitudinal gradient supports more than 3,000 plant species, including orchids and bromeliads, and provides a haven for wildlife such as the Andean condor, the mountain tapir, and the spectacled bear, making Sangay National Park a biodiversity hotspot of global significance.
Sangay National Park is not just a paradise for nature enthusiasts but also a critical area for scientific research and conservation. The park plays a crucial role in water regulation and climate control for the region, safeguarding the headwaters of several important rivers that flow into the Amazon basin.
For adventurers and trekkers, Sangay offers unparalleled opportunities to explore its pristine landscapes, from lush cloud forests to stark volcanic terrain. Despite its natural beauty, the park’s rugged and often inaccessible terrain means it receives fewer visitors than other national parks in Ecuador, offering a truly wild and untouched experience for those who venture into its depths.
The designation of Sangay National Park as a UNESCO World Heritage site underscores its outstanding universal value, highlighting the need to preserve its unique ecosystems and geological wonders for future generations. It stands as a symbol of Ecuador’s rich natural heritage and its commitment to conservation.
Park Map
