DAY 1.- CUENCA – LOJA – VILCABAMBA

Early in the morning departure from the city of Cuenca to Loja.

Arrival in the city of Loja: ” Birthplace of art, letters and music” is characterized by an atmosphere of eternal spring, by its religiosity and its devotion to the Virgin of Cisne. We will visit the main tourist, historical and cultural places of the city:

Puerta de la Ciudad Museum, Central Park, La Gobernación, Municipality, the Cathedral Church, San Sebastián Church and Square, Jipiro Recreational Park, Lourdes Street, Benjamín Carrión Theatre, Culture Square.

Lunch at one of the city’s iconic restaurants.

In the afternoon we continue our journey to the Vilcabamba Valley or known as the Valley of the “Longevity”, a place of amazing color and beauty, it has a delicious and welcoming climate with low elevations and is considered a “Lost Paradise” in the mountains. Check in at the hotel in Vilcabamba.

Free time to tour the village.   Overnight in Vilcabamba.

DAY 2.- PODOCARPUS NATIONAL PARK

After breakfast, we will start our day with a visit to the Podocarpus National Park, Cajanuma sector. It is characterized by the inclusion of mountain and pre-montane type forests. It is named after the only conifer species native to Ecuador, commonly known as romerillo.

We will hike 5km approximately, visiting the upper zone of the Park, passing from the cloud forest to the bush paramo in a matter of minutes.

Overnight in Vilcabamba

DAY 3: HORSEBACK RIDING IN VILCABAMBA AND TRANSFER TO THE INDIGENOUS VILLAGE OF SARAGURO

After breakfast we will go for a horse ride (1 hour approx) through Vilcabamba and its surroundings.

We will check out at the hotel and then continue our adventure to the Saraguro village, one of the most important indigenous centers in South America. Saraguro culture and tradition that takes us to a magical ancestral time.

Check in at the hotel. Time to rest.

We will have the visit to a textile workshop where we will have a demonstration of the different types of looms.

Dinner with an indigenous family. Tasting of the typical drink “Guajango” slightly fermented drink that is prepared with the penco plant.

Return to the inn.

DAY 4.- BE A “LOCAL” IN SARAGURO – CUENCA

In the morning after breakfast we go to one of the sacred places, where they worship the Pachamama (Mother Earth) where we will have the opportunity to be part of a spiritual ceremony that consists of the purification of bad energies through medicinal plants, smoke, fire. Ceremony conducted by one or several Yakchas.

Return to the village to tour and get to know the town. Time for shopping.

Then we will participate in the “Pinzi Mikuna”, a traditional community meal based on grains, typical products produced by the Saraguros Indians. Products like corn, bread, potatoes, cheese, tortillas, chicken or guinea pig.

Return to Cuenca.

PROGRAM INCLUDES:

Private transportation

Professional bilingual tour guide

3 nights accommodation

Breakfast for each hotel night

Lunches

Native Guide in Saraguro

Activities mentioned in the itinerary

PROGRAM DOES NOT INCLUDE: extra food, extra drinks, tips, unspecified services.

For further information and availability please.

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