City: Ecuador
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The 10 Best National Parks in Ecuador, Ecuador
Coordinates: 2°00′S 77°30′W / 2.000°S 77.500°W / -2.000; -77.500
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1. El Cajas National Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,364 reviews
Known for its more than 275 Andean lakes and many waterfalls, this national park is a popular destination for trout fishing, rugged hiking and camping.
Reviewed By Elias_Rovielo - Sao Caetano do Sul, Brazil
As this is my last Andean country, I seriously thought if this tour would be worthwhile, the time spent to see the Andes mountains, bush (park) and lakes. I'm glad I didn't hear my mind! The tour has incredible trails around a lagoon with birds and flowers, then we go further up the high mountains to see high altitude lagoons with the reflection of the sky in them, unique high altitude forests and a lot of history. 1) First pond and complete lap around it; 2) The highest top of the park; 3) Another lagoon with a walk in the only high altitude forest; 4) Restaurant with lunch included; This shared tour was contracted with the great travel agency, Deep Ecuador Travel (Cuenca) with the fantastic guide Andrés León.
2. Parque Nacional Yacuri
3. Parque Nacional Yasuni
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 46 reviews
Reviewed By mikerutherford - Toronto, Canada
Yasuni is an amazing place to see the beauty of the amazon, the creatures that live there, and the lives of the people who are indigenous to the region
4. Reserva Ecologica Antisana
5. Mangahurco
6. El Altar
7. Cotopaxi National Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 631 reviews
Named for the highest active volcano in the world (5,897 meters), this national park is dedicated to protecting llama and other animals such as bears, wolves, puma and deer.
Reviewed By dslatts - Hinsdale, United States
We visited Quito for a few days prior to heading to Galapagos. One day Trip was to Cotopaxi National Park to hike up to the Refugio and glacier. We organized the trip with Lincoln Guaman from other Trip Advisor reviews. Lincoln did an outstanding job organizing the day hike for six of us. He helped us adjust to the altitude and climb higher than we imagined. It was a wonderful way to see the countryside around Quito along with seeing the wild horses who live at the base of the volcano.. Cotopaxi is magnificent. We wished we had more time to do more trips with Lincoln. Highly recommend using his services. He can be contacted at [email protected].
8. Sangay National Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26 reviews
The park features two active volcanoes, rainforests, glaciers. It is home to animals such as tapirs, ocelots, pumas and porcupines.
Reviewed By Fxtutti
This is an incredible place located in the Releche’s community on the slopes of Ecuador’s El Altar Mountain. The Hacienda provides bed and breakfast including showers, rest and game room, Wi-Fi, horseback riding, hiking and other activities. Mr. Oswaldo Cedeno can provide all the amenities, and much more including a journey thru the trails up to El Altar. For information about reservations, supplies and much more please contact Mr. Cedeno at [email protected]. Best time to visit: Any time of year. Supplies and What to wear: It is best to stop in Riobamba town for some supplies including a pair of rubber boots that you will use only in some parts of the trails. The trails are muddy after rain, but this could be a fun challenge. Always pack warm, waterproof clothing, hiking boots, sleeping bag, hat, etc. For a complete list of the supplies and prices you could contact Mr. Cedeno at [email protected]. How to get there: Hacienda Releche is about one-hour bus ride away from Riobamba Town. You will have to pass by Penipe Town first and then truth the small village of Candelaria continuing all the way to Hacienda Releche. Visitors can hike or horseback ride thru the trails up to “The Paramo”. This could be done in two days but I do recommend three days in order to have a complete experience and enjoy a magnificent place. I spend the first night at Hacienda Releche at the start of the trail, and taking off the next day between 6am and 7am. Hacienda Releche also has a small refuge at the foot of the volcano with running water, but you’ll need a sleeping bag. The hike could take from 3 to 6 hours to the small refuge, and another two hours up to the crater with the lagoon. Arriving at The Paramo I decided to enjoy the views, the nature and wildlife animal including the magnificent Andes’ condors, other birds, bears, foxes, etc. I was recommended to be back before 5pm the third day in order to catch the bus back to Riobamba. Third day. After spending the night in the small refuge, I hiked early in the morning all the way to the lagoon, which is incredible. About 12pm I started descending back to Hacienda Releche where I spend my last night enjoying a wonderful meal and a good sleep. Weather: The weather extremely unpredictable. Prepare for inclement weather at any time, including rain, fog, or even snow.
9. Parque Nacional Galapagos
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 103 reviews
The Galapagos National Park Directorate works to promote sustainable tourism in protected areas of Galapagos with a regional perspective, that ensures the conservation of ecological integrity and biodiversity of the archipelago and to contribute to an equitable socioeconomic development and solidarity of the local population.
Reviewed By SteveRainville99 - Orlando, United States
We had an incredibly awesome 4 days roaming the national park, as the wildlife is abundant, and all the cool birds flying around. Iguanas, Sea Lions, and Blue Footed Bobbies were my wife and I's favorites!
10. Parque Nacional Podocarpus
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 102 reviews
Reviewed By Robert937 - Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Podocarpus named after a species of tree (conifer) unique to Ecuador is a huge national park. The easiest entrance is from the west at a point called Caxanuma on the road between Loja and Vilcabamba. It can be reached by local bus from both directions. I took a bus from Vilcabamba which took 45 minutes (1.25$). Ask the driver to let you off at Caxanuma (parque entrance) at 2380m where you have to register. Admission is free. From the entrance you can walk up to a refugio at about 2800m at a distance of 8.5 km (took me 1 hour and 45 minutes). At the refugio there are three trail options. I took the trail up to Cumbre (summit) at 3400m on the Miradores trail. The weather was very bad (rain, wind and fog), but I reached the summit in 1 hour and 25 minutes. There was no view (no shelter) and I returned almost immediately as I could hardly stand on my feet because of the wind gusts. It took me 1 hour and 10 minutes to get down to the refugio again (same route). From there I walked back to the park entrance (1 hour and 30 minutes). Despite the bad weather a marvelous experience.
