Malacatos and Vilcabamba Valley, Loja feature among the most visited tourist attractions in Loja. Get to know more about Malacatos and Vilcabamba Valley, Loja through Ecuador Travel Guide.
Loja Info
Loja is located in Loja province in Eucador. It is the the capital city of Loja province. Logja province is nestled in the glacial Cuxibamba valley towards the south of the country of Ecuador. It is situated between the Peruvian sechura and Amazon Basin. The region is landscaped by jungles and cloud forests.
Malacatos and Vilcabamba Valley, Loja: Malacatos Valley in Loja
The Malacatos Valley is situated outside the city of Loja, towards the south. The town of Malacatos is nestled in the valley and is dotted with wooden houses pained in various colors. The houses can be found encircling a central square. Every Sunday you will get to hear live music at the Central Square. The Valley houses many sugarane moliendas. These moliendas are open from Monday to Friday. Here you will get to watch the whole process of sugarcane scraping. The interesting feature of a molienda is that the machines which the workers use to scrap sugarcane have been used for generations.
Malacatos and Vilcabamba Valley, Loja: Vilcabamba Valley, Loja
The Vilacabamba Valley is situated at an elevation of 4, 921 feet above sea-level. It takes one hour to reach here from Loja city. Here you will get to meet people over hundred years of age working in fields. Doctors from Japan have investigated the reasons behind the longevity of the people of Vilcabamba. The doctors believe that the weather, diet rich in fiber and magnesium and water containing minerals are the factors which contribute towards the longevity of the people living in this region. There are many things you can do in Vilcabamba like going for bicycle or horse riding excursions around the valley. The Podocarpus National Park is situated within close proximity to the Vilacabamba Valley.
Other Tourist Attractions in Loja near Malacatos and Vilcabamba Valley, Loja
- Podocarpus National Park
- Museo de la Musica
Podocarpus National Park
The Podocarpus National Park spreads over an area of 146, 300 hectares. The park is home to 90 various species of trees. Some of the animals found in the park include Andean speckled bear, pumas, Andean fox and mountain tapirs. It is also home to various species of birds. The park is covered by tropical cloud forests.
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