San Pedro de la Bendita – El Cisne Route
The route of Loja’s faith: mass at the Basilica of El Cisne and an afternoon in San Pedro de la Bendita, birthplace of the “El Cardenal” story.
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Photo: Ministerio de Turismo Ecuador · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
El Cisne and Vilcabamba
Three days of faith and nature: the Basilica of El Cisne, Podocarpus National Park and the Vilcabamba valley.
- 3 days / 2 nights
- Easy: short walks on mountain trails.
- El Cardenal Hotel, Loja
A journey to the two best-loved destinations in Loja province. The first day climbs to the sanctuary of the Virgin of El Cisne, southern Ecuador’s great Marian devotion, through villages of potters and earthen houses; on the way back it stops in San Pedro de la Bendita, the village where the story of “El Cardenal”, after whom the hotel is named, began.
The second day changes the scenery: the cloud forest of Podocarpus National Park, the highland coffee of Malacatos and the mild climate of the Vilcabamba valley, in the shadow of Cerro Mandango. In the evening, Loja’s historic centre.
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Itinerary
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Day 1 · 08:00 · Breakfast
Breakfast of local food at La Campiña restaurant.
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08:30 · To the Basilica of El Cisne
Departure through the province’s north-western route, past the villages of Cera, Taquil and Chuquiribamba, towards the sanctuary of the Virgin of El Cisne.
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10:00 · Mass and handicraft market
Mass at the Gothic-style Basilica of El Cisne and a stroll through the parish handicraft market.
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12:00 · Museum of the Virgin
Visit to the museum holding the robes and offerings of the Virgin of El Cisne.
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14:00 · Traditional lunch
Lunch of traditional local food.
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15:00 · San Pedro de la Bendita and Catamayo
Visit to San Pedro de la Bendita, the village where the story of “El Cardenal” began, and to the main square of Catamayo.
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18:00 · Loja by night
Return to the hotel and an evening walk through Loja’s historic centre.
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Day 2 · 08:00 · Breakfast
Breakfast at La Campiña restaurant.
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09:00 · Podocarpus National Park
Drive to the Cajanuma sector of Podocarpus National Park: arrival at the ranger station and a walk along one of its cloud-forest trails.
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11:00 · Coffee in Malacatos
In the parish of Malacatos, visit to a coffee estate with a presentation of its highland coffee.
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13:00 · Traditional lunch
Lunch of traditional local food.
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14:30 · Vilcabamba valley
A tour of Vilcabamba, Yamburara recreational park and the municipal senior centre, where we talk about life and customs in the valley, beneath Cerro Mandango.
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17:00 · Snack and conversation
A snack and a chat before heading back to Loja; arrival at the hotel around 19:00.
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Day 3 · Breakfast and farewell
Breakfast at the hotel and check-out.
Includes
- Accommodation at El Cardenal Hotel (2 nights)
- Executive transport throughout
- Daily breakfast and lunch
- Evening tour of Loja’s historic centre
- Tour guide and paramedic with first-aid kit
- Visit to a coffee estate in Malacatos
- Visits to San Pedro de la Bendita and Catamayo
- Local souvenir
Not included
- Drinks
- Dinners
- Entrance fees to museums, zoos and other sites
- Handicraft purchases
- Anything not listed in the programme
What to bring
- Layered clothing and a warm jacket
- Rain jacket or poncho
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Sunscreen and a cap
- Water bottle
- ID document
- Cash for handicrafts
El Cisne and Vilcabamba
Ask for availability and price
We quote it according to the date and the size of the group. Tell us when and how many are travelling and we will reply with availability and price.
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