As if they were gigantic sponges, the lands of the ecological reserve El Angel (county of Carchi), absorbs the humidity of the atmosphere to allow the growth and development of the frailejones, an endemic plant of the northern Andes.

The reserve El Angel is a spring where many rivers are born, the waters temporarily are deposited in the basins of Mira and El Ángel. This is the reason why these are the most humid moors in Ecuador and why the flora has adapted so well to the environment.

In the moor, you will feel a penetrating cold but, contradictorily, your skin will get bronzed, as if you were under the burning sunbeams of summer. This singular ecosystem that is generally humid and rainy, occupies 70% of the total of the reserve.

The frailejones (Espeletia pycnophaylla) that have adapted to this atmosphere, form a unique place in the world, due to their density and size. These plants grow one very close to the other and they occupy 85% of the 15,715 hectares of the reserve El Ángel.

This reserve was created in 1992, to protect to these peculiar species that were in serious extinction risk, due to the indiscriminate use of fertilizers and chemical products that degrade the vegetable layer of the floor.

The following places in this reserve should be visited:
Lagoons El Voladero, located in a glacier valley at 3,700 m.a.s.l. Here there is a great quantity of frailejones. To get to the place where you will be able to contemplate their waters you will go through a beautiful path (El Ángel-Tulcán). Dotted ducks, moor seagulls, patillos, rabbits, wolves and deer inhabit in these three lagoons.

Lagoon of Potrerillos: Located to the north of El Voladero. To get to this place, you will have to walk for almost two hours.

Mirador de Socavones: From here one can observe the whole lower area of the reserve El Ángel and admire the landscape of the pajonal and the frailejones.

Quebrada de Baños: Very popular thermal waters ideal for people who suffer of arthritis.

Lagunas Verdes: Located at the base of the Chilis volcano; their waters contain sulfur and are populated by algae. It is believed that they have healing properties.

Lagoon of Razococha: Surrounded by natural forest that serves as a refuge to hundred of birds. Condors can be observed in this area. The rainbow trouts that live in this lagoon grow up to a meter long.

La Calera thermal waters: They are near the northern city of The Ángel and they are surrounded by a beautiful forest.

Puente Ayora: Located next to the river of the same name. Here there are jets of water that flow combined with natural gas. Many people come here because of its healing properties.