Ecuador travel
El Ángel
Tourist attractions in El Ángel
Browse the tourist attractions you can visit in El Ángel
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.
Polylepis Forest
The Polylepis forest is qualified as a hierarchical - primary - ancient forest, considered unique in its kind due to the exclusivity of the species, which has developed in a valley of glacial origin from the Quaternary era (Pleistocene), with an antiquity between 2 and 4 million years ago, the dominant species in the canopy is the arrayán and undergrowth made up of puma maqui, oaks, pandala, uvilla, orchids, huicundo among others. You can see a waterfall whose waters cross the forest as streams. In addition, there are seasonal pools which are an important attraction for the development of ecotourism activities. It is considered unique in its kind due to the exclusivity of the species. There are approximately 40 trees in 500 m2, it should be noted that it is a relict of very old forest. In it you can see approximately 400 polylepis or polylepis incana trees, endemic trees whose bark has multiple layers that come off as if they were sheets of paper. In the middle of this habitat is the Polylepis Lodge, a private reserve that develops a type of responsible tourism with the environment. Its objective is to conserve one of the last remnants of the Ancient Forest of Polylepis Incana in the Ecuadorian Paramos.The Polylepis Lodge offers lodging service in ecological cabins, food, recreation with native guides, horseback riding, walks through the trails of the Polylepis Forest, tours of the frailejones moorland, mountain biking and sport fishing. What you can do in Bosques de Polylepis or El Colorado Birdwatching, Photography, Hike, Ecotourism Location It is located 30 minutes from the city of El Ángel, located in the buffer zone that adjoins the Ecological Reserve of El Ángel via a signposted road, in the sector known as the Colorado Canyon.
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.
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.
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.
El Ángel
About El Ángel
Region
sierra
Province
Carchi
Discover El Ángel, a charming city in the province of Carchi, in the sierra region of Ecuador. A destination for visitors who want to explore the cultural and natural richness of Ecuador.