Sangay National Park was made a World Heritage Site in 1983. This park spans the provinces of Tungurahua, Morono Santiago, and Chimborazo and is known for its many varied ecosystems, with glaciers, rainforests, plains, volcanoes, and more. Since the ecosystem is so diverse, many different species reside in the park. The park is located near many large cities making it an easy destination to travel to. It is located 160 km from Quito, 20km from Riobamba and 15km from Macas. There was worry in 1992 when the park was declared to be in danger due to road construction and poaching.
However, the situation was improved and by 2005 the park was no longer considered to be under threat. It is now considered to be a fantastic destination for ecotourists. This Park began as a Reserve in 1975 and was declared a National Park in 1979. In 1992, the park was substantially expanded, but only the original section is a World Heritage Site. The altitude and ecosystems of this area can vary greatly. However, most consider the park to have three main zones: the alluvial fans, the eastern foothills, and the volcanic High Andes. Sangay is home to two active volcanoes where visitors can occasionally see them spew volcanic material. It is also home to the place where several main rivers, the Palora, Llushin, and Upano, empty into the Amazon Basin. The park also boasts a 5 km long lake named Laguna Pintada. Overall, Sangay has a temperate subtropical climate with some variance in precipitation and temperatures across the various landscapes.