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Photo: Ministerio de Turismo Ecuador · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Zamora, El Cisne and Vilcabamba

Four days from the Amazon to the Andes: Zamora and the Bombuscaro river, the Basilica of El Cisne and the Vilcabamba valley.

  • 4 days / 3 nights
  • Easy to moderate: short walks in the highlands and in humid forest.
  • El Cardenal Hotel, Loja
Ask for availability and price View photos (5)

The hotel’s most complete programme joins the highlands and the eastern lowlands of southern Ecuador. Day one descends to Zamora, gateway to the Amazon, a little over an hour from Loja: roadside waterfalls, the Giant Clock of Zamora, the banks of the Bombuscaro river and lunch by the water.

The following days take the El Cisne route —mass at the basilica, the market and the museum of the Virgin— and the Vilcabamba valley route, with Podocarpus National Park and Malacatos coffee. Every night, rest at El Cardenal.

Pale blue and white Gothic façade of the El Cisne Basilica and its tower, among the village rooftops and the mountains
Pale blue and white Gothic façade of the El Cisne Basilica and its tower, among the village rooftops and the mountains
Photo: Ministerio de Turismo Ecuador · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
The village of El Cisne on the hillside, with the pale blue basilica standing out above the tiled roofs
The village of El Cisne on the hillside, with the pale blue basilica standing out above the tiled roofs
Photo: Arabsalam · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
View of the Vilcabamba valley with the town on the valley floor, surrounded by green mountains
View of the Vilcabamba valley with the town on the valley floor, surrounded by green mountains
Photo: The lifted lorax (Wikipedia en inglés) · Dominio público · Wikimedia Commons
The city of Zamora on the valley floor, surrounded by rainforest-covered mountains
The city of Zamora on the valley floor, surrounded by rainforest-covered mountains
Photo: Carlosmedinav77 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Waterfall dropping between rocks and tropical vegetation on the outskirts of Zamora
Waterfall dropping between rocks and tropical vegetation on the outskirts of Zamora
Photo: Oswaldo Orellana · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Itinerary

  1. Day 1 · 09:00 · To Zamora

    After breakfast, the descent to Zamora Chinchipe, watching the waterfalls, plants and wildlife where the highlands meet the lowlands.

  2. 10:00 · Giant Clock of Zamora

    Visit to the 30-metre clock face built in 2004 on the hillside above the town.

  3. 11:30 · Bombuscaro river

    A walk along the banks of the Bombuscaro river and a traditional lunch on its shore.

  4. 15:00 · Zamora and return

    Zamora cathedral and a tour of the town; arrival in Loja around 18:00 and a stroll through the historic centre.

  5. Day 2 · Basilica of El Cisne

    Religious circuit: route through Cera, Taquil and Chuquiribamba, mass at the basilica, handicraft market, museum of the Virgin, traditional lunch and visits to San Pedro de la Bendita and Catamayo.

  6. Day 3 · Podocarpus, Malacatos and Vilcabamba

    A trail in the Cajanuma sector of Podocarpus National Park, highland coffee in Malacatos, traditional lunch and an afternoon in the Vilcabamba valley, with a snack and conversation.

  7. Day 4 · Breakfast and farewell

    Breakfast at the hotel and check-out.

Includes

  • Accommodation at El Cardenal Hotel (3 nights)
  • Executive transport throughout
  • Daily breakfast and lunch
  • City tours of Loja’s historic centre and Zamora
  • Tour guide and paramedic with first-aid kit
  • Visit to a coffee estate in Malacatos
  • Visits to San Pedro de la Bendita and Catamayo
  • Souvenir from each place

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
  • Insect repellent and light clothing for Zamora
  • Swimwear and a towel

Zamora, 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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