Tourist attractions in Ecuador
Polylepis Forest
Polylepis Forest
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Places to visit within 30 km.
Swallows Protective Forest
The Golondrinas Protected Forest is located in the province of Carchi, in the cantons of Tulcán, Mira and Espejo. It has an extension of 1500 hectares. The Cerro Golondrinas Protected Forest encompasses montane cloud forest areas of the western foothills of the Andes, where the vegetation is stunted. The chaparro is found adjacent to paramo areas, vegetation that is dominant in the El Ángel Ecological Reserve. In the lower parts there are disturbed forests and deforested areas in regeneration; near the neighboring towns there are lands destined for agriculture (corn, pineapples, fruit trees, sugar cane, beans) and pastures for cattle. In the upper part, the unprotected areas are converted to agricultural land, mainly potato crops. The forest is a source of food for all the numerous animal birds that inhabit it. One of the most representative mammals is the spectacled bear that roams the region. Within this forest we find three attractions that enhance the value and beauty of this site: the Santa Rosa Waterfall, the Chorro Blanco Waterfall and the Blanco River. 78 species of mammals have been registered, approximately 312 species of birds, in addition to between 70 and 140 woody species, of approximately 470 existing species of flora.
3.97 Km.
El Angel Ecological Reserve
The El Angel ecological reserve has an extraordinary biodiversity made up of frailejones paramos and polylepis forests. In the reserve you can go trekking in the forest. It is recommended to go with a guide, between 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., to avoid the fog. The rains are of long duration and low intensity, and it has two seasons: dry (June to October) and rainy (November to May). On the site you can walk between wetlands and lagoons. It is recommended to taste the traditional dish: Trout, local fish. How to get? From Quito By the Panamericana Norte, passing through Ibarra (123 km); At the Mascarilla police control, 30 km from Ibarra, take the road to El Ángel (35 km). From Tulcan To Lagunas Verdes and Chiles. A first order road leads to the town of Tufiño. From here to the lagoons the road is of the third order. Hours of operation El Ángel Ecological Reserve They attend 365 days a year, they can stay for free in the facilities of the guest house located at the entrance of the El Angel Ecological Reserve. There is no set schedule, but it is recommended to take advantage of natural light. Permits and restrictions El Angel Do not throw trash. Do not carry weapons. Respect the life of all beings that inhabit the area. Do not collect species without authorization. Avoid campfires. Pay the entrance fee.
9.89 Km.
La Calera Spa
They are ferruginous underground thermal waters that originate in the Iguán hill. They bear this name because near this place there are several lime mines. The water temperature fluctuates between 26º and 28 ºC. They are ferruginous calcareous waters, pale yellow in color, and transparent in the case of mineral waters. The thermal spring is used for healing skin and arthritic infections. The combination of thermal and mineral water is recommended for neuralgic problems. The thermal and mineral water pools are located at the bottom of a ravine, with moderate slopes. The landscape presents typical vegetation of the inter-Andean valley. You can see the crossing of the El Ángel river in the lower part. The presence of lime mines in the sector is notorious, hence its name. A few meters from the spa, descending about 100m, there is a 3.5m high cave, possibly formed by the filtration of water and the dragging of minerals, which has caused the roots of the cholán located in the upper part to compact and give rise to formations similar to stalactites. There are two swimming pools, a small warmer one and a large one for swimming with crystal clear water, Turkish bath, cafeteria, parking lot and changing rooms. Location The La Calera Spa is located 30 minutes from the city of El Ángel, in the canton of Espejo, in the province of Carchi. Legend A narrow path leads from the lands of El Ángel to the thermal springs of La Calera, located next to the El Ángel River. Up to this place the inhabitants of the high parts of the moors came to improve their health broken by the cold. At the time of the conquest, many Indians came to this place carrying large amounts of gold, botijuelas with chicha, plates decorated with figures of monkeys, they danced around the hot springs while their enemies, coming from the other side of the Chota River, tried to capture them. a dense fog in broad daylight came out of the waters and the river bed, enveloped all the dancers and they disappeared as if by enchantment. They affirm that the Indians disappeared as if by enchantment and were transformed into little birds that sing happily around the place.
11.21 Km.
Voladero Lagoons
Lake complex that is part of the El Ángel Ecological Reserve. Its transparent waters have an average temperature of 10 °C.These lagoons originate after the formation of glaciers during the Pleistocene. In previous times it was a single lagoon but over the years they have been divided into three.It is an area very rich in slopes and swamps that have allowed, together with the action of rains and feeding of rivers, its formation. Considered as the star attraction of the province of Carchi due to the innumerable influx of national and foreign visitors.Around these lagoons there are ecosystems of paramo lagoons and relicts of native vegetation in the ravines, and between the hills. There are small streams that feed the lagoons, diversity of flora and fauna, being its maximum representative the frailejón, whose species exists abundantly throughout the region.The access road is covered with sigzes that allow you to reach a natural viewpoint of the valley where the lagoons are located. Its banks are marshy, with relicts of native vegetation in the western foothills. Location The Lagunas del Voladero, are located 40 minutes from the old road El Ángel - Tulcán, they belong to the El Ángel Ecological Reserve. What you can do in Lagunas del Voladero Photography, Fauna observation, Ecotourism, Hike Legend Legend has it that a legendary cacique from Carchen, before being captured by Spanish law, decided to fly to these lagoons and get lost in the crystal clear waters, never giving up. It is said that he was a tough, strong and kind man, named Jerónimo Tudpué.
11.25 Km.
Potrerillos Lagoon
They are plains with small undulations where small creeks are formed that feed the lagoon. There is a diversity of both flora and fauna typical of the moors and the frailejones stand out, a species that has colonized large spaces, in the vicinity of the lagoon there are pads, important species for this ecosystem since they accumulate water so that in this way they keep the loopholes. The soils are forms inherited from the paleoglacials, the climate is cold, typical of the paramo area. Description of the riverbanks: The banks are covered by straw and frailejón. Location: The Potrerillos lagoon is located within the El Angel ecological reserve, in the La Libertad parish. Business hours: 365 days a year from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Observations: It is recommended to visit in summer time due to the fog that the place presents and the different existing swamps.
11.41 Km.
Green lagoons
They are a complex of three small lagoons located to the south-west of the Chiles Volcano in the province of Carchi in northern Ecuador. Considered a true scenic beauty due to the contrast of the coloration of the lagoons and the environment. They originate as a result of internal springs and slopes of the Chiles Volcano. They owe their name to the emerald green color of their waters resulting from a high content of chemical substances, especially sulfur. Three of its lagoons are the largest and have an approximate diameter of 200 meters. The landscape that these lagoons show in clear dawns is incredible, it has allowed to photograph images published worldwide, gaining the attention of thousands of observers, a true scenic beauty due to the contrast of the coloration of the lagoons and the environment. Among the activities that can be done in this beautiful place are: walks, photography, appreciation of flora and fauna. Location They are located to the south-west of the Chiles Volcano, 2 kilometers from its point of ascent towards the volcano, 20 kilometers to the north-west of the Tufiño parish and 40 kilometers from Tulcán, capital of the province of Carchi.
11.48 Km.