Ecuador - The Rough Guide to South America on a Budget - page 603

& Loja

VILCABAMBA

ACCOMMODATION
Izhcayluma
Jardin Escondido
Madre Tierra
Las Margaritas
Le Rendez-Vous

5
2
1
4
3

N

EATING & DRINKING
El Punto
Sambuca
Shantas
La Terraza
Vilcabamba Natural
Yogurt

2
5
4
3
1

6

ATM

Parque
Central

R

Bus Terminal

0 200

metres

& Cerro Mandango

El Tamal Lojano 18 de Noviembre. The best place
to sample local specialities like humitas , tamales and
empanadas for $1-2. Another branch on 24 de Mayo.
Topoli Café Bolívar, at Riofrio. Sandwiches, burgers, crêpes,
cakes and ice cream, all for less than $4.

Be warned that consuming San Pedro is
illegal and local police may deal severely
with anyone found taking it.

WHAT TO SEE AND DO
Perhaps the most impressive hiking trail
is up to the jagged hill Cerro Mandango .
Walk south of town along Avenida
Eterna Juventud to find the trail
entrance ($1.50). It's a steep 45-minute
climb to the first peak and then an
unnerving trek across the very narrow
ridgeline to the second peak. You can
loop around descending slowly
towards town, which means the entire
walk is about four hours. To shorten it,
retrace your steps back down from
the first peak.
Easier trails are found at Rumi Wilco
Nature Reserve ( W rumiwilco.com), just
ten minutes east of town. There are half

VILCABAMBA
VILCABAMBA has been attracting
travellers for years in search of relaxation
and the apparent secret to a long, healthy
life. Backpackers, hikers and hippies flock
to the “Valley of Longevity” to enjoy the
region's perfect climate and spectacular
scenery. The town itself is not brimming
with tourist attractions; the main draw is
in the surroundings, which offer great
hiking and horseriding opportunities.
Vilcabamba has also long been
associated with the hallucinogenic San
Pedro cactus, which grows in this region.