The enormous Sangay National Park in the Andes mountains ranges in altitude, from 3,280 to 17,158 feet (1,000 to 5,230 meters), creating a variety of ecosystemsu2060—which means an extraordinary diversity of vegetation, from lichens and bryophytes in the high páramo zones to royal palms and tropical plants such as guayacum, bromeliads, and orchids in the subtropical rainforest. Animal lovers will be on the look at for pumas, Andean foxes, spectacled bears, ocelots, mountain tapirs, and giant otters, and birdwatchers will keep their binoculars glued to their faces to catch condors, giant hummingbirds, and the elusive Andean cock-of-the-rock. Most tours include an overnight, as two days is a minimum amount of time needed, and different mobility options such as hiking, biking, and horseback riding.
Sangay National Park is located in Morona-Santiago, about 174 miles (280 kilometers) south of Quito. Most visitors come to the park on an organized tour. If you are self-driving, follow the Panamericana Sur highway from Quito toward Riobamba, which is about 45 miles (73 kilometers) northwest of the park. Buses run from Riobamba to Candelaria, a village near El Altar volcano.
Due to its wide range of ecosystems and elevations, weather conditions in the park may vary. Additionally, depending on whether you are climbing glaciers or trekking in the tropical rainforest, you may want to visit at different times of the day or year. As a rule, the dry season in this area isxa0 June to September, which also coincides with the winter in Ecuador.
Sangay National Park encompasses several major volcanoes including three stratovolcanoes within its highlands. Tungurahua (16,480 feet/5,023 meters) in the north near Baños; Altar (17,450 feet/5,319 meters) in the northwest, and Sangay (17,159 feet/5,230 meters) in the southwest. While all three are active, Sangay spits fire regularly and is one of the most continuously active volcanoes in the world.