Ecuador Attractions
Description
Venue: Vilcabamba Valley When: Daily
Vilcabamba Valley, near Loja in southern Ecuador, is renowned for its outstanding natural beauty. The area is also known as the Valley of Longevity due to the unusual number of residents over 100 years of age. The propensity of the natives to live so long is commonly attributed to the clean mountain air and the ideal mineral balance of the drinking water.
Vilcabamba, which means Sacred Valley, was an ancient Inca citadel and the last outpost of the Inca empire in the 16th century as it strove to resist conquest by the Spanish. Today the valley attracts many to enjoy its stunning countryside. Several hotels offer health and relaxation treatments such as massage, steam baths and saunas. The Podocarpus National Park, named after Ecuador's only native species of conifer, is perfect for hiking and has diverse natural habitats, with altitudes ranging from 950 to 3700 metres. There are also opportunities for mountain biking and horse trekking in the park and the surrounding area.
The valley is home to a rich variety of wildlife, including mountain tapirs, armadillos, ocelots, spectacled bears and jaguars and at least 500 native species of bird. Two spots renowned for their birds are the headwaters of the Yamburara Valley and El Bosque biological reserve.
The valley has two distinct seasons, the rainy season from October to May, and the dry season, when visiting is recommended, from June to September.
Vilcabamba Valley, near Loja in southern Ecuador, is renowned for its outstanding natural beauty. The area is also known as the Valley of Longevity due to the unusual number of residents over 100 years of age. The propensity of the natives to live so long is commonly attributed to the clean mountain air and the ideal mineral balance of the drinking water.
Vilcabamba, which means Sacred Valley, was an ancient Inca citadel and the last outpost of the Inca empire in the 16th century as it strove to resist conquest by the Spanish. Today the valley attracts many to enjoy its stunning countryside. Several hotels offer health and relaxation treatments such as massage, steam baths and saunas. The Podocarpus National Park, named after Ecuador's only native species of conifer, is perfect for hiking and has diverse natural habitats, with altitudes ranging from 950 to 3700 metres. There are also opportunities for mountain biking and horse trekking in the park and the surrounding area.
The valley is home to a rich variety of wildlife, including mountain tapirs, armadillos, ocelots, spectacled bears and jaguars and at least 500 native species of bird. Two spots renowned for their birds are the headwaters of the Yamburara Valley and El Bosque biological reserve.
The valley has two distinct seasons, the rainy season from October to May, and the dry season, when visiting is recommended, from June to September.
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Looking for things to do around Ecuador? Here are some of the events and attractions happening in the area.
| Easter Week in Quito |
Mar 2009 (annual) Old Town, Quito |
| Zero Latitude Film Festival |
8 - 18 Oct 2008 (annual) Quito |
| Fruit and Flower Festival |
Jan - Feb 2009 (annual) Ambato |
| Quito Bullfighting Fair - Feria de Quito Jesús del Gran Poder |
Nov - Dec 2008 (annual) Plaza de Toros de Quito, Quito |
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