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South Ecuador Family Experience

Thirteen family days from the Andes to the coast: Loja, Vilcabamba, Saraguro, Yacuambi, Zamora, Zaruma, Machala and Jambelí.

  • 13 days / 12 nights
  • Easy to moderate; adapted to the children’s ages.
  • Ciudad de Catamayo airport or El Cardenal Hotel, Loja
Ask for availability and price

The hotel’s long journey, designed for families: it begins in Loja with easy days to acclimatise —the Reinaldo Espinosa Botanical Garden, Jipiro Park, a coffee workshop in Vilcabamba— and continues to the Saraguro market, the lakes of Yacuambi on horseback and Santa Cleotilde Waterfall.

Then it goes down to Podocarpus National Park in Zamora, back to Loja for a pottery class and across to El Oro province: the mining town of Zaruma, a banana estate in Machala and the beach at Jambelí, before flying home from Catamayo. Each stage is quoted to suit the family.

Itinerary

  1. Day 1 · Arrival in Loja

    Transfer to the hotel, time to acclimatise and a visit to the Reinaldo Espinosa Botanical Garden.

  2. Day 2 · Vilcabamba

    A full day in Vilcabamba with a visit to an artisan coffee workshop.

  3. Day 3 · Loja and transfer to Saraguro

    Regional animals at the Loja zoo, Jipiro Park and private transfer to Saraguro.

  4. Day 4 · Saraguro

    Early animal market and handicraft shopping.

  5. Day 5 · Yacuambi

    The Three Lakes area on horseback and transfer to Yacuambi.

  6. Day 6 · Santa Cleotilde Waterfall

    Waterfall and river, and private transfer to Zamora.

  7. Day 7 · Podocarpus National Park

    A tour of the park and the valley of waterfalls in Zamora; free afternoon.

  8. Day 8 · Pottery and transfer to Zaruma

    Back to Loja for a pottery class and transfer to an inn in Zaruma.

  9. Day 9 · Zaruma

    Farm activities and a mine visit.

  10. Day 10 · Machala

    Visit to a banana estate.

  11. Day 11 · Jambelí

    Sightseeing and a beach day.

  12. Day 12 · Back to Loja

    Transfer to Loja and a free afternoon.

  13. Day 13 · Farewell

    Transfer to Ciudad de Catamayo airport.

Includes

  • Accommodation (4 nights at El Cardenal Hotel and the rest in lodgings at each destination)
  • Three meals a day
  • Private transport throughout
  • Transfers to Ciudad de Catamayo airport
  • Guide on excursions

Not included

  • International and domestic flights
  • Drinks
  • Entrance fees to sites and museums
  • Personal expenses

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
  • Insect repellent
  • Swimwear and light clothes for the coast
  • Rubber boots for Yacuambi

South Ecuador Family Experience

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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