This park has as main attractions three volcanoes (two of them active), an infinity of lagoons with amazing stories, like that where hundreds of birds come to die, and a huge biodiversity. The park extends over the Eastern Cordillera protecting páramos, high Andean forests and subtropical forests. For all this wonderful geography and extraordinary biodiversity, in 1983 UNESCO declared it Natural Heritage of Humanity. In the park are the springs of the Upano, river bordering the eastern city of Macas and then flows into the Pastaza towards the Amazon. The other important river is the Paute that also marks the limit in the south eastern part; Its dammed flow generates until now the largest source of hydroelectricity for the country. The Paute then flows into the Santiago River in the Amazon.
In the mountainous and high part of the park inhabit the descendants of the towns Cañari and Puruhá, and in the zone of forest are the territories of the nationality Shuar.
From Quito. It is directed by the South Panamerican from Quito to Riobamba (194 km). From this city you can access several sites. Atillo. Take the road to San Luis until you reach the Guamote - Macas road that leads to the community of Atillo (74 km).
Ozogoche. Take the Panamericana Sur to the detour of Charicando, in the Palmira area (64 km); From there you will travel 35 kilometers on paved road along the road that leads to the "Y" of the community of Totoras. Here you take a route of second order until you reach Ozogoche Alto.
The altar. Take the road to Penipe (22 km) and then continue along a second-order road until you reach the Candelaria parish where you will find the checkpoint and entrance to the park.
Way of the Inca. Take the road Riobamba - El Tambo. To the trail you can enter from the town of Achupallas or from the lagoon of Culebrillas (to arrive at this site it starts from the population of El Tambo).
Laguna de Culebrillas. Take the Panamericana Sur from the city of Riobamba to 2 km before El Tambo. On the left is the entrance to Pillcopata
Volcán Sangay Friday 21 February 2025
Tourism
