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We tell you in this new tourist guide our experience knowing Store on 4 days, a large province in southern Ecuador with tremendous potential.
On a slightly improvised trip and taking advantage of a promotion from $70 dollars round trip with Tame EP, we travel to Loja, formerly known fate, but that for the first time we would go deeper.
Post written by Sil – Instagram: @smc_sock
With photos by Sil and Nicolás
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Knowing Loja in 4 days
Height
Shop is located at 2.060 meters above sea level.
what to bring
layered clothing, Loja's weather can vary from morning to afternoon, so it is recommended to wear fresh clothes for the day and a semi-thick jacket for the night.
time and route
Loja is located 1 hour in direct flight from Quito, However, you can go by car in an approximate time of 12-13 travel time. We recommend travel by air for comfort and to make the best use of time.
Day 1
When you arrive, you are in the Catamayo City Airport, a city located at 1 hora de la ciudad de Loja. Es un aeropuerto pequeño pero cómodo, which offers at the exit, taxi transportation options.
We plan a car trip, so we previously contracted this service, y recibimos el auto a la salida del aeropuerto. With an approximate cost of $75 dollars per day with limited mileage, all details can be negotiated in advance.
We did the car rental in Loja with Space Rent A Car. +593999668418
Before going to the City of Loja, we moved to El Cisne, where its main attraction is the Sanctuary of Our Lady of El Cisne, where its construction and architecture stands out in the landscape of the area. Prepare to walk up and down many steps and be amazed by the size of this prominent place.
After knowing such a striking town of El Cisne, We begin our journey to the city of Loja, between green mountains, we were greeted by a nice sunny day. Loja received us in all its glory, a sunny day, well marked colonial streets, and squares full of people.
The lodging was in a downtown hotel called Hotel Podocarpus that offers comfortable accommodation., double beds, parking lot, breakfast at an acceptable price.
The food of Loja is recognized because it is made up of several dishes, including preparations with green plantains., cassava and its delicious and highly recognized cecina meat.
Highly recommended to visit Jipiro Park, a place full of nature, small buildings from various parts of the world, and animals that have made this park their home.
Day 2
After breakfast we started our first trip, towards Vilcabamba, a small town about 50 minutes from Loja. It has a very colorful central square, The atmosphere of the town is one of absolute tranquility and many of its members are foreigners who have chosen this tranquility as their home together with the renowned grandparents of Vilcabamba..
One of the drinks that makes Loja famous throughout Ecuador is its intense coffee, with a lot of flavor, so if you are a lover of this drink you have to try the famous lojano coffee.
Vilcabamba is famous because it is said that its inhabitants are very long-lived, some exceeding 100 year old. La leyenda indica que los habitantes viven muchos años gracias a las cristalinas aguas del famoso Río Vilcabamba y sus misteriosos beneficios.
On the way back we visit the wind power plant in Villonaco, to some 15 minutes from Loja, (here a jacket is welcome, since it is very windy and cold) the view of this place is amazing, you can see Loja from above with a spectacular panoramic landscape.
Day 3
Early in the morning, We start the tour to visit the guayacanes, which are flagship trees of this area, los cuales florecen una vez al año con un color amarillo intenso. Pitifully, the flowering season is in the last days of December and beginning of January… we had arrived a little late.
Our detour took us to 4 horas hacia el Bosque Petrificado de Puyango donde en medio de la carretera se encuentra una entrada a una casa y fuimos recibidos por uno de los guías. Esperamos unos minutos para que el guía nos dirija en su auto, at the entrance of the forest.
Price of the entrance ticket per person: $3 dollars for nationals and foreigners. $1.50 children and the elderly.
El tour en el bosque es una caminata de aproximadamente una hora. Incredibly, the climatic floor changes totally to a tropical climate, húmedo y caluroso. The route consists of walking up and down along various natural trails. Light clothing is recommended, sunscreen and water.
The short story of this forest is that years ago, this part of the earth was submerged in salt water after large volcanic eruptions, and it is from there that the trees became petrified until they reached this current state.
Continuing the trip we stayed in a small hostel in the town of Alamor. A place with a central square and very steep streets.
Day 4
We ventured to the city of Macará, about 2 hours further south, muy cerca de la frontera con Perú. El clima se torna más templado, It's not that humid but it's not cold either. It feels very much the commercial part of the city with streets full of merchants and a large church in the middle of the central square.
We visited the old airport that has been left in the middle of residential areas and today is used more as a recreation area for people on bicycles or walkers.
Finally, upon return to Catamayo, pasamos por el mercado con la esperanza de probar los deliciosos tamales lojanos. For our bad luck, the vendors of this food begin their activities at 5 PM. So we returned to Quito happy, but looking forward to more lojana food.
Store, recommended
Definitely, The province of Loja and its surroundings offer endless activities and tourist spots to visit and quietly, A couple of more days could be required to enjoy more of your food and friendly people in a calmer way.
Despite this, four days turned out to be a very good time to be able to at least, know the most important destinations, although without a doubt, we are left wanting more, above all to return to know and live the Flowering of the Guayacanes.
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The tour they offer looks very good to me. Are 2 Ecuadorian seniors and we want to enjoy your tour in mid-January 2022. what is the price p?
Hello Victor, I did this tour on my own., without travel agency or guide.
what good info, very nice places ; I will keep it in mind for the next trip to Ecuador.
We are waiting for you 😉
Nice province with friendly people, the one who does not know Loja, does not know Ecuador!