Knowing Loja in 4 days

We tell you in this new guía turística our experience knowing Store on 4 días, a large province in southern Ecuador with tremendous potential.

On a slightly improvised trip and taking advantage of a graduationón from $70 dólares round trip with Tame EP, we travel to Loja, formerly known fate, but for the first time to goíamos más in depth.

Post written by Sil – Instagram: @smc_sock
With photos of Sil and Nicolás

Other post by Sil:

• ¿Travel by land in Ecuador? This is what you need to know.
• Polylepis Lodge Experience.
• The mábeautiful city of Cusco.
• Tips for visiting the Gal Islandsápaid.
• Orlando 101: Guíto see the parks
• Así you can get to know Iguazú in two daysías

Knowing Loja in 4 días

Height

Loja isá located at 2.060 meters above sea level.

Whaté carry

layered clothing, Loja's climate can vary fromñanna in the afternoon, así It is recommended to wear fresh outfits for the day.ía and in 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 carówill in an approximate time of 12-13 travel time. We recommend travel by vía aérea for comfort and to make the best use of time.

Día 1

When you arrive, you are in the Catamayo City Airport, a city located at 1 Loja city time.  It is a small airportñor but cóway, which offers at the exit, transportation optionsónumber of taxis.

We plan a car trip, así that we previously contracted this service, and we received the car at the airport exit.  With an approximate cost of $75 dóhomes for díwith 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 Señpart of The Swan, where its constructionón and architecture stands out in the landscape of the area. Prepárate to go up and down many steps and be surprised by the sizeñthat of this prominent place.

Afterés to know such a striking town of El Cisne, We begin our journey to the city of Loja, between mountsñas verdes, we were received by a good díto sun. Loja welcomed usó in all its glory, adíto sunny, colonial streets wellñalized, and squares full of people.

The lodging was in a downtown hotel called Hotel Podocarpus that offers comfortable accommodation.ón cómoda, double beds, parking lot, breakfast at an acceptable price.

The food of Loja is recognized because it is made up of several dishes, including preparationón con plágreen den, cassava and its delicious and highly recognized cecina meat.

Highly recommended to visit Jipiro Park, a place full of nature, little oneñthe buildings of various places around the world, and animals that have made this park their home.

Día 2

After breakfast we started our first trip, towards Vilcabamba, A childñor town approximately 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 coffee.é intense, with a lot of flavor, así If you are a lover of this drink you have to try the famous coffeeé lojano.

Vilcabamba is famous because it is said that its inhabitants are very long-lived, some exceeding 100 añyou of age.  Legend indicates that the inhabitants live many yearsñthanks to the crystal clear waters of the famous Río Vilcabamba and its mysterious benefits.

On the way back we visited the power plantíto eólica in Villonaco, to some 15 minutes from Loja, (hereí a jacket is welcome, since it is very windy and coldíO) the view of this place is incredibleíble, You can see Loja from above with a panoramic landscapeáspectacular monkey.

Día 3

Early in the morningñhe, We start the tour to visit the guayacanes, which are some áemblematic trees of this area, which bloom once a yearñor with an intense yellow color.  Pitifully, the éflowering season is in the úlast díDecember and beginning of January… habíwe have arrived a little late.

Our detour took usó a 4 hours towards the Petrified Forest of Puyango where in the middle of the road there is an entrance to a house and we were received by one of the guides.ías.  We waited a few minutes for the guíto direct us in your car, at the entrance of the forest.

Price of the entrance ticket per person: $3 dólares for nationals and foreigners. $1.50 niños and seniors.

The forest tour is a walk of approximately one hour.  Increíably, the climatic floorático changes totally to a tropical climate, húmedium and hot.  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 it makesños, This part of the earth was submerged in salt water after large volcanic eruptions.áunique, and it's from thereí that the átrees petrified until they reached this current state.

Continuing the trip we stayed in a smallñor hostel in the town of Alamor. A place with a central square and very steep streets.

Día 4

We venture to the city of Macará, about 2 hours más al on, very close to the border with Peruú.  The weather turns más tempered, it's not so húmean but it's not fr eitheríO. 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 visit the old airport that has been left in the middle of áresidential areas and todayía is used más like a áRecreation area for people on bicycles or walkers.

Finally, upon return to Catamayo, We passed through the market hoping to try the delicious Lojano tamales.  For our bad luck, the vendors of this food begin their activities at 5 PM. Así that we return to Quito happy, but wanting meás local food.

Store, recommended

Definitely, The province of Loja and its surroundings offer endless activities and tourist spots.ístics to know and calmly, it will be possibleían will require a pair of días más to enjoy más of its food and friendly people in a más calm.

Despite this, four díThis turned out to be a very good time to be able to at least, know the más important destinations, although without a doubt, we are left wanting meás, above all to return to know and live the Flowering of the Guayacanes.