Roaming South America

El Pangui, Ecuador

August 18, 2025

El Pangui, Ecuador, was founded in 1991, and has a population of maybe 9,000. The name comes from the Shuar indigenous language, and the word panki which means "boa" as in the rather large snake. Supposedly, there are a lot of them in the surrounding foothills of the Andes Mountains along the Zamora River which runs nearby. El Pangui is known as "The Orchid of the Amazon" due to the many species of orchids commonly found in this valley. Being that this little town is in the Amazon region, it has a tropical climate to match. The year-round daily high average is 23° C (74° F) and the year-round average nightly low is 16° C (61° F), but the humidity averages in the mid-to-upper 80s percent. Often above 90%. The town sits at 748 meters (2454 feet) elevation.

History? Nothing of interest

The area of El Pangui was inhabited by the Shuar people for ages. The town itself started out as a cooperative of local indigenous people and farmers in 1974. The town was officially recognized in 1991.

In El Pangui

This town is small. Less than 20 blocks long by 15 blocks wide, at its widest points. But, it's quite a nice little town. I like this town. There are many murals on walls throughout the town, the main plaza and a second plaza across from the bus terminal are very pleasant. Parque La Alborada, the park across from the bus station, has a stream running through it. Parque Central is where you'll find the town's main church - Iglesia Católica Nuestra Señora de Fátima. And also the city administration building. The Parque Central is also quite nice, peaceful, not crowded.

Outside of El Pangui

• Condor Lookout (Mirador) - you need a permit to access the hiking trails as the area is under military control, but they do allow people in. The trailhead is about 48 kilometers from El Pangui. After a 30-minute hike to the summit, the views are vast - the Ecuador and Perú Amazon regions.
• Reserva natural los Háchales - 6.5 kilometers from El Pangui. From the starting point, visitors must walk for approximately 30 minutes through grasslands and floodplains, so expect a wet hike. Activities include jungle hikes, birdwatching, excursions through the remaining forest, and observing the flora and fauna native to the area.
• Zamora River - you can find river tours and maybe even visit some Shuar communities along the river.
• Orquideario El Pangui - these are nurseries that grow orchids that are sold in other cities in Ecuador.
• Chuchumbletza Pier - About 13 kilometers from El Pangui. You can get river boat rides, eat local fish, and do sport fishing.
• Pachicutza Waterfall - this is a 30-meter high waterfall. There is a trail to the waterfall, the trailhead is about 5 1/2 kilometers from El Pangui. It is not accessible. At the trailhead one must hike about 2.6 kilometers to the waterfall.
• Karlita Waterfall - this is only a 15 minute drive from El Pangui. Good hiking and photo ops here.
• Cascada Salto de la Gata y la Risa (The Cat and Laughter Waterfalls) - the Salto de la Gata is a 7 meter waterfall and the Risa waterfall is 10 meters high.
• Kunki Cave - this is in the Kunki community. At the trailhead you hike about 2.6 kilometers to the cave.
• Cueva de la Argelia - this is in the La Argelia community. From there it is a 30-minute hike to the cave.

I spent only a day-and-a-half (overnight) here in El Panqui, and only visited the town itself, which is, as mentioned above, very small. But, you'll find everything you'll need here. There is one negative point - no coffee shops. But, some of the bakerys and dessert shops (the ones with tables) also sell coffee. So, if you happen to be traveling through La Selva and passing through El Pangui, get some lunch or dinner, and have a look around, it's a very pleasant visit.