National park · Ecuador
Llanganates National ParkParque Nacional Llanganates
Enter Llanganates for a day hike to Cerro Hermoso (4‑hour round‑trip, moderate) if you have a guide, or plan a multi‑day trek with permits; budget USD 5 – 10 for entry and guide fees.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
2,200 km² (849 sq mi)849 sq mi (2,200 km²)
approximate
Established
1996
Best months
—
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 8Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Ecuador ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Ecuador's Ministry of Foreign Affairs or an Ecuadorian consulate.
- Ecuador ↗The Galápagos has its own entry controls: a transit control card bought at the airport before departure, a national park entrance fee, and inspections for food and plants. Check official Galápagos rules before booking.
- Ecuador ↗Several coastal provinces (including Guayas, where Guayaquil is) are under official warnings and periodic states of emergency; read your government's advice before routing through them.
- Andean Highlands ↗Quito sits at about 2,850 m; give the first day to acclimatisation before any hike above 3,500 m.
- Andean Highlands ↗Ecuador uses the US dollar; carry small notes and coins for buses and markets.
At a glance
- Country
- Ecuador
- Area
- 2,200 km² (849 sq mi)849 sq mi (2,200 km²)
- Park covers over 220,000 ha (≈2,200 km²) as stated by official sources.
- Established
- 1996
- Best months
- —
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Quito
Llanganates National Park offers high‑altitude trekking on Cerro Hermoso, remote wildlife in paramo and forest zones, and a legendary treasure lore that draws adventurous visitors.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1996.
Size and age
2,200 km² (849 sq mi)849 sq mi (2,200 km²) · national park since 1996
Park covers over 220,000 ha (≈2,200 km²) as stated by official sources.
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Quito.
Why go
- High‑altitude trekking on Cerro Hermoso with panoramic Andean views.
- Remote wildlife spotting – llamas, vicuñas, spectacled bears and endemic birds.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunGo
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Llamas, vicuñas, alpacasAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Spectacled bear, mountain tapirMar–Sep | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Andean condor, hummingbirdsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Quito (UIO)
Bus to Salcedo (Cooperativa de Transportes Salcedo) then 30 km (19 mi) road to park gate.Bus to Salcedo (Cooperativa de Transportes Salcedo) then 19 mi (30 km) road to park gate.
2–3 h total
Open the page →
From Baños
Bus to Patate then local taxi to park entrance.
≈3 h
From Riobamba
Bus to Patate or Salcedo, then road to gate.
≈2 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Salcedo entrance | Main gate, visitor desk, parking, trailhead to Cerro Hermoso. | Open with entry permit |
| Cerro Hermoso sector | High‑altitude trail to the 4,570 m summit. | Guided or self‑guided with permit |
| Eastern forest zone | Remote wetlands, wildlife habitat, limited road access. | Restricted; guide‑only |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre points; exact trailheads may vary.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | US$5–10 | person | — |
| Guide for Cerro Hermoso hike | US$30–50 | person | — |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit permit or guide
Multi‑day trek permit permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$5–10
- US$30–50
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for any trek beyond the Cerro Hermoso trailhead.
- Camping
- Only in designated backcountry sites; no open‑fire camping.
- Pets
- Not allowed in the park.
- Drones
- Prohibited without special permission.
- Litter
- Carry out all waste.
Where to stay
Near the park
Salcedo town
Basic guesthouses and hostels, 15 km (9.3 mi) from gate.Basic guesthouses and hostels, 9.3 mi (15 km) from gate.
Near the park
Baños
Wide range of hotels and hostels, good base for multi‑day trips.
Safety
Altitude sickness medium
Sudden storms high
Lost in remote zones high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Salcedo entrance reachable by paved road; short walks to trailheads.
- Cerro Hermoso trail steep and not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Hire local guides to support community income.
- Stay in eco‑lodges that follow waste‑reduction practices.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Llanganates National Park?
Entry is about USD 5 – 10 per person; a guide for the Cerro Hermoso hike adds roughly USD 30 – 50. Fees can vary, so confirm at the gate.
What are the best hikes in Llanganates National Park?
The most popular is the Cerro Hermoso summit hike (≈4 h, moderate). For experienced trekkers, multi‑day backcountry routes cross paramo and forest zones.
When is the best time to visit Llanganates National Park?
June to October offers the driest conditions; July–August can bring heavy rain, so check forecasts.
Do I need a guide for any trail?
Yes, any trek beyond the main Cerro Hermoso trailhead requires a licensed guide.
Can I camp inside the park?
Camping is allowed only at designated sites with a permit; open‑fire camping is prohibited.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Llanganates National Park
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