National park · Ecuador
Cayambe Coca National ParkParque Nacional Cayambe Coca
Enter the park for a day: pay the entry fee (check), drive to the Cayambe entrance and attempt the Volcán Cayambe summit (a full-day glacier climb, not a short hike) in the dry season (check), or explore the páramo trails from Papallacta; avoid the collapsed Cascada San Rafael if you want a waterfall.
- 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
4,030 km² (1,556 sq mi)1,556 sq mi (4,030 km²)
approximate
Established
1970
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
- 4,030 km² (1,556 sq mi)1,556 sq mi (4,030 km²)
- Official size is about 403,000 ha (≈4,030 km²) per park authority; some maps show slight variations (check).
- Established
- 1970
- Best months
- —
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Quito
Cayambe Coca National Park spans the Andean highlands and the eastern lowland jungle, protecting the snow‑capped Volcán Cayambe, páramo grasslands, cloud‑forest waterfalls and a rich mix of wildlife, from Andean condors to spectacled bears.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1970.
Size and age
4,030 km² (1,556 sq mi)1,556 sq mi (4,030 km²) · national park since 1970
Official size is about 403,000 ha (≈4,030 km²) per park authority; some maps show slight variations (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Quito.
Why go
- Climb Volcán Cayambe, the third‑highest Ecuadorian peak on the equator.
- See diverse ecosystems from high‑altitude páramo to low‑land rainforest.
- Watch endemic birds such as the Andean condor and variable hawk.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunGo
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- Jancheck
- Febcheck
- Marcheck
- Aprcheck
- Maycheck
- Juncheck
- Julcheck
- Augcheck
- Sepcheck
- Octcheck
- Novcheck
- Deccheck
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spectacled bearAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Andean condorAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Variable hawkAll 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
Bus from Terminal La Ofelia (≈90 min) or taxi; bus fare US$3.
1.5 h
Open the page →
From Cayambe town
Local taxi or rental car to the Cayambe entrance (≈20 km (12 mi)).Local taxi or rental car to the Cayambe entrance (≈12 mi (20 km)).
30 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Cayambe entrance | Access to Volcán Cayambe, Ruales‑Oleas‑Bergé refuge, mountain trails. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Papallacta entrance | Paramo and forest trails, lagoons, birdwatching. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Santa Rosa de Quijos entrance | Low‑land jungle, Cascada San Rafael site. | Open with entry ticket. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
4 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 from official park website; approximate for trailheads.
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 | Free | person | 2026 estimate unknown; check with park authority |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Climbing Volcán Cayambe permit or guide
Park rules
- Drones
- Not allowed without park authority permission.check
- Camping
- Only in designated campgrounds; not in high‑altitude zones.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use stoves only.
Where to stay
Near the park
Cayambe town
Hostels and budget hotels, 20 min from entrance.
Near the park
Papallacta
Small lodges for paramo hikes.
Safety
Altitude sickness medium
Weather change medium
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
- Entrance roads reachable by car; trails are steep and not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in locally owned lodges; pack out all waste; respect wildlife distances.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Cayambe Coca National Park?
The entry fee is not confirmed; check with the park authority for the current 2026 price.
What are the best hikes in Cayambe Coca National Park?
The Volcán Cayambe summit (expert, full-day glacier climb) and the páramo trail from Papallacta (moderate, duration check) are the most popular.
When is the best time to visit Cayambe Coca National Park?
Seasonal conditions vary; check current forecasts before your trip.
Do I need a guide to climb Volcán Cayambe?
A guide is required for glacier sections; confirm current guide and registration requirements with park authorities before your trip.
Can I camp inside the park?
Camping is allowed only in designated sites; high-altitude areas are prohibited.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Cayambe Coca National Park
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