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Loja > Loja city
This part of the region of Ecuador has a great tourist attraction, based on the opportunity of going on adventurous expeditions, breathing fresh air, enjoying nature, and resting at the incredible lodges and spas that Loja has to offer.
The trip begins once you cross through “City Gate”, a construction based on the coat of arms, given by the King Felipe II of Spain. You will then encounter a seductive city, with churches that, at night, under full illumination, artificially show off their façades, domes and doorways.
At the San Francisco Square you will see the Franciscan Convent, as well as the Monument of the Field Marshall Alonso Mercadillo, founder of Loja. Continuing this route, you will see the Cathedral of Loja, a magnificent church with neoclassical style, which has a gold filled altar and incredible carvings. This is one of Ecuador’s largest churches.
A few blocks away there is the Santo Domingo Church, which was built in 1557 and decorated by Fray Enrique Mideros, who also was in charge of painting other well known churches in Ecuador, in Ibarra, Latacunga and Baños.
Walking around this area is peaceful and fun, ideal for a tourist who wants to have several days of adventure, sun and nature in the different lodges that are found in this region.
Relaxation and rejuvenate ..
Loja is a wonderful option for a vacation which combines rest and nature.
If you are looking for somewhere to rest and relax and to forget about the world, the excellent climate and beautiful scenery of Malacatos, Vilcabamba and Quinara is what you need.
These valleys are located approximately 30 km from the city of Loja, and are known worldwide as the “Valley of Longevity”. The people of the valley reach a very old age due to the ideal climate as well as the medicinal properties water of the rivers in the valley.
Healing is what the tourist packages are based on, since you can enjoy the marvelous spas, hotels and places where you can rest and revitalize your body and mind.
Adventure tourism..
Long walks through beautiful landscapes and horseback riding along winding paths, are some the many attractions that Loja offers.
The Podocarpus National Park, is known worldwide as the most humid forest with an enormous biodiversity. It has over 4.000 plants, 600 types of birds and animals in danger of extinction such as the amongst others. This area is surrounded by lagoons and has a distinct climate. It rains almost all year long, but it is ideal for excursions and visits during October, November and December. During these months the skies are clear and you have no problem when camping.
Saraguro: an indigenous community that maintain their own customs..
To the north of Loja you will find the predominant cultural group Saraguro. This experience offers the tourist an understanding of an indigenous community that lives by their own customs, dress and beliefs, having the modern influence upon them.
The Saraguro Indians are of direct descent of the mitimaes, who fought with the Incas. Time has passed and the Saraguros have become a focus for tourism for Experience Southern Ecuador. This community has a unique culture and is acknowledged for its wisdom, which they conserve with great respect towards people and their friends.
Saraguro has 31.000 inhabitants, 10.000 of whom are indigenous. The official language is kichua and they always dress in black, both men and women. Some say it’s because it avoids the heat on sunny days and others say that it’s because they grieve the death of their forefathers.
Experience Southern Loja offers in Saraguro the opportunity to get to know and interact with a different culture, that has great respect and love for life like never seen before; an internal organization that benefits the whole community, its rules are based on the Andean vision, which is to achieve a harmonious and human life.
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