El Ángel Ecological Reserve

El Ángel is a nature reserve in Carchi Province, Ecuador, spanning elevations from 3,644 to 4,768 meters (11,955 to 15,643 feet). The terrain is dominated by wide moorland expanses where Frailejón plants, adapted to the harsh high-altitude climate, grow in dense clusters.

The reserve was established in 1992 to protect the moorlands and their native plant life. The region once belonged to the Pastos people, who maintained their independence against outside control for centuries.

The name comes from a distinctive rock formation that resembles an angel's profile when seen from certain angles. Visitors often see herders guiding their animals through the moorland areas, following routes that have been in use for generations.

Several marked trails run through the area, including a roughly 2.5-kilometer (1.5-mile) loop around a lagoon. The elevation requires slow walking and warm clothing, as conditions can shift quickly.

The Frailejones store water in their thick stems and release it slowly into the surroundings, acting as natural moisture regulators for the entire moorland. Some specimens can live over 100 years, forming forests of upright plants.