Vilcabamba - Activities

Endowed with a dramatic topography and a variety of climatic zones, vegetation, birds and wildlife, Vilcabamba has many activities to offer. It's picture-book valleys and fairy tale landscapes, dramatic skies and rich colors undoubtedly make it a favorite location for: walking, hiking, horsetreking, mountain biking, an ideal location for photographers, painters, biologists and bird watchers. Maps and directions for walks, horsetreking and biking trails to local scenic spots are available from the Tourist office, AVETUR, and some hotels.

Aside from outdoor activities, the Valley has several hotels offering a variety of health and relaxation treatments such as; massage, reflexology, steam baths and saunas.At night time you can sit at the plaza in one of the many "cafes" or enjoy a dinner at one of several restaurants offering international, Tipico or vegetarian meals.

BIRDING SITES
For birding, two areas must be mentioned. The first is the headwaters of the Yamburara valley, due east of the town of Vilcabamba. The Upper Yamburara valley is noted for its large frugivores, including Bearded Guanand,Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan. These species are currently the focus of a study centered in Cajanuma, Loja, to help define a conservation strategy to protect these magnificent birds.

In the Lower Yamburara valley the Rio Yambala & Capamaco area is farmed, while scrub forest covers the lower slopes. These drier scrub forest and thickets support their own interesting avifauna, harboring several tumbesian dry forest endemic.
The second area worth visiting is "El Bosque" Biological Reserve, east of San Pedro de Vilcabamba. The reserve is privately owned and managed. Lodging facilities,guides and help are available at the several birding sites.

For more information see bird list

WALKING & TREKING
Take delight in a walk or hikes in and around the valley. You can select from a short "stroll around town" to a several day guided hiking trip to Podocarpus National Park. You can climb the "Mandango" and enjoy an excellent view of the valley (2 to 3 hrs). Walking along the Vilcabamba river in the direction of Chaupi you will relish the lushness and variety of cultivated fields and the activity of peasant life.

CAMINATAS ANDES SUREÑOS
Jorge in a local guide with profound knowledge of nature in general and medicinal plants in particular. Walk with Jorge and learn about medicinal plants and wildlife. Share his lifelong passion and help him protect nature for future generations"
For more information visit www.vilcabamba.org/CaminatasAndesSurenos.html

HORSEBACK RIDING:
There are several people who offer different horse trips. You can rent a horse for the day and go off on your own, or you can take tours that include guide, food and lodgings.1-3 day trips available to the Park and surrounding areas.
The area is known for having Paso Fino horses, that have a special smooth trot. During the carnival in February and in July there are horse contests and rodeos, where locals and people from the province compete.

Centro Ecuestre ...tours de caballo
Tel: 593 7 673-151
e-mail: centro-12@latin mail.com

Monta Tours/Refugio Solamaco:
tours de caballo al refugio Solamaco junto al parque poducarpus

GAVILAN HORSES
Horse Tours
info@vilcabamba.org
http://www.vilcabamba.org/gavilan/

BIOTOURS
Tourism and Ecology
Nature, adventure and culture at your hands
http://www.biotours.net

VILCABAMBA CARNIVAL
In later February ,there is the annual carnival where people come from all over South Ecuador for a long weekend of live music, horse contests, sound systems, dancing, drinking and general mayhem.

VILCABAMBA - LOJA - ECUADOR

Web Designer
germa_r@yahoo.com