Ecological Reserve "El Angel" - Ecuador

                                                (16541 hectares, Open all days 8AM-5PM, 3400-4200 MSL)
The ecological reserve EL ANGEL is part of the paramo in the ecuadorian Andes mountains. It´s main atraction is the Frailejones forest(Espeletia) that covers most of the reserve. The entrance is free and you will get an army of Frilejones all around.
The Frailejones in this reserve is one of the 175 species that exist in Ecaudor Colombia and Venezuela. They grow around 1-5 cm per year and in this reserve there are up to 6 meters height.The Frialejones thick trunk, with succulent white hairy leaves disposed in a dense spiral pattern.These leaves aisolate the plant from the hard climate condition.
There are three entrances to the reserve: EL VOLADERO, EL SALADO and TUFIÑO. The first entrance EL VOLADERO is 17Km from el Angel city. This is the most visited place because there is a pathway in the midlle of the Frailejones army. The pathway reach a lagoon with spectacular views. The second entrance (EL SALADO) is 15Km from el Angel city. There was a lagoon, but now there is a water reservore called Geovany Calles. There you can fish and walk around. Also, there is a lookout and a private polylepis forest ($40 entrance). The tird entrance is by Tufiño village 25km from Tulcan in the border with Colombia. There are hotspring with high precense of sulfur, green lagoons and the myrtle forest.
In the reserve, you can watch wild White-tailed deer, condor, curiquinges, rabbits, foxes, wolves and spectacled bear.
There is not allowed to camp in the reserve. However, you can camp in the entrance el Voladero in the guard control. In order to make expeditions inside the reserve, there is necesarry an authorization by the "Direccion Provincial de Ambiente del Carchi" or to the administration of the reserve in el Angel city (M to F, 8AM-5PM, +59362977597). In order to research in the area, there is necesary an authorization by "Direccion Nacional de Biodiversidad" in Quito.
The wheather is hardly predicted and there is significant change from day to day (0-8 celcius degree) so the rain (2000mm -3000mm per year) and the fog can apper anytime. It s recommended to take water proof dress and a 4WD to reach the entrances.

                                        

                                                        EL VOLADERO ENTRANCE:
In order to arrieve this entrance you have to depart from el Angel city (17Km). In the central park, you can get a 4WD taxi which takes you to the reserve and wait for you to come back ($30, 3 hours). The first 2 Km are paved and the last 15Km are third order road. There is necesary a 4WD vehicle and around one hour each way.
From Ibarra to el Angel City ($1.6, 90 min, 66Km, Espejo bus company, departure every hour)
From Tulcán to el Angel city ($2, 100 min, 75Km, Bus company MIRA, departure every hour)

EL SALADO ENTRANCE:
In order to arrieve this entrance you have to depart from el Angel city (15Km). In the central park, you can get a 4WD taxi which takes you to the reserve and wait for you to come back ($30, 3 hours). The first 7 Km are paved and the last 8Km are third order road. There is necesary a 4WD vehicle and around one hour each way.
From Ibarra to el Angel City ($1.6, 90 min, 66Km, Espejo bus company, departure every hour)
From Tulcán to el Angel city ($2, 100 min, 75Km, Bus company MIRA, departure every hour.

TUFIÑO ENTRANCE:
The entrance is around 25Km from Tulcan by a paved road.
                                                        
                                                    

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Phone

+59362977597

                                                                Lunes a Domingo de 8am a 5pm