More than 230 Andean glacial lakes in a relatively compact area near the colonial city of Cuenca
Area
285 km²
Protection category
IUCN II
Parque nacional —
Designated in
1996
Declared in 1996, El Cajas holds more than 230 lakes of glacial origin in a relatively compact area a short way from the colonial city of Cuenca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its páramo vegetation includes forests of Polylepis, a genus of extremely slow-growing Andean tree adapted to the extreme conditions of the equatorial high mountains.
Location
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2 dive sites within 300 km are also shown.
El Cajas: 18 documented species
Mammals6Birds11Fish1
Threatened:
Flora and ecosystems
Ecosystems found in Ecuador, where El Cajas lies.
Tropical rainforestMarine / coastalTundra / polar
Experiences in this park
Diving and snorkellingBirdwatching
Nearby dive sites
Where can I dive near here?
243 km away
266 km away
Wildlife you can see now
What is worth looking out for this month in Ecuador?
Now is a good time: Whale shark and hammerhead aggregation at Darwin and Wolf (June to November (cool season))
Now is a good time: Whale shark and hammerhead aggregation at Darwin and Wolf (June to November (cool season))
Similar parks
Which other parks are like this one?
Same country: Ecuador
Same country: Ecuador
Same country: Ecuador
Same country: Ecuador
Keep exploring
Based on what we already know about this park.
Ecuador
