Llanganates National Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Llanganates National Park |
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IUCN Category II (National Park)
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High elevation páramo at Llanganates NP
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 Llanganates National Park
Location in Ecuador
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| Location | Ecuador Cotopaxi Province, Napo Province, Pastaza Province and Tungurahua Province. |
| Area | 219,707 ha |
| Established | January 18, 1996 |
Llanganates National Park (in Spanish: Parque Nacional Llanganates) is a very special protected area in Ecuador. It covers parts of four provinces: Cotopaxi, Napo, Pastaza, and Tungurahua. This park is famous for a hidden treasure called the Treasure of the Llanganatis.
Inside the park, you can find a tall mountain called Cerro Hermoso. Its name means "beautiful mountain." It stands 4,570 meters (about 15,000 feet) high and is a popular spot for hikers. You can reach the park from several towns. Most visitors come through places like Salcedo, Patate, Pillaro, Baños, and Rio Verde.
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Nature and Wildlife in Llanganates
Llanganates National Park has two main natural areas. Each area has its own unique plants and animals.
Western Zone: High Mountains
The western part of the park is high up in the Andes mountains. This area is called the páramo. It looks like a wild, empty landscape with many mountain peaks and deep valleys. The air here is thin and cool.
You can find South American animals like vicuñas, llamas, and alpacas living here. These animals are related to camels and are well-suited to the cold, high-altitude environment.
Eastern Zone: Cloud Forests
The eastern part of the park is on the other side of the Andes. This area has thick montane forests, also known as cloud forests. These forests are full of different kinds of plants and animals. The trees often look twisted and are covered in moss.
This part of the park is very hard to reach. Most people can only explore it by walking. Many rivers flow through this area, making it even harder to cross. Recently, scientists have found new plant species here. Some of these include rare types of Andean Magnolia trees.
Exploring the Park's Secrets
In 2013, a group of explorers made an exciting discovery in the park. They came from Ecuador, Britain, France, and America. They found a huge structure made of stone. It was about 260 feet tall and 260 feet wide. This structure was built from hundreds of very heavy stone blocks, each weighing about two tons.
The explorers believe there might be more similar structures nearby. The discovery area is about 20 miles from the town of Baños. However, it takes about eight hours to hike there. The path goes through swampy and mountainous jungle. This mysterious area is located high up, at about 8,500 feet above sea level, in a cloud forest.
