SOUTHERN ANDES

The Southern Andes is home to some of the most beautiful areas in Ecuador. The historic city of Cuenca is often considered the most beautiful city in the country. With its many rivers and colonial buildings Cuenca has become a rising star for international tourism.

Slightly lower in elevation than Quito and with far less traffic the combination of near perfect weather, incredible outdoor spaces and historic towns and cities has made the Southern Andes a rising star in Ecuador tourism.

Cuenca

Considered by many to be the most beautiful city in Ecuador Santa Ana de los cuatro rios de Cuenca is the largest city in the Southern Andes and one of the largest cities within Ecuador. Surrounded by mountains and traversed by four rivers Cuenca has become one of the top places to retire in the world.

A wonderful example of a planned Spanish Colonial City, the center of Cuenca has been named a UNESCO world heritage site. Founded in 1557, Cuenca developed slowly allowing the city to keep its colonial character and charm. The Old Cathedral, El Sagrario dates back to 1557 was the main place of worship during the colonial days today it stands as the Museum of Religious Art. The New Cathedral located directly across the street was built between 1885 and 1980 is best known for its three sky blue domes.

Azuay province and Cuenca history can be traced back as far as 8000BC, when the first inhabitants of this area, nomadic hunting tribes and food collectors appeared in the area. The region had numerous inhabitants over the years the most significant was the Canai who called the area Guapondeleg (Land as big as heaven) the Canari lived in the region from 500 AD until the time of the Incas. The Incas found the Canari to be excellent farmers and astronomers and absorbed this knowledge into their own culture. Unlike other cultures in Ecuador which were transplanted to other regions the Incas seemed impressed with the Canari and allowed them to remain in the area and named the Cuenca area as a second Cusco or regional capital.

When the Spanish arrived in the region, they heard stories of golden temples in the Cuenca area. They arrived in the area to find riches, only to find the city in ruins. Ingapirca, Ecuador's best Incan Archaeological site is located just outside of the Cuenca city limits.

Southern Andes Towns and Villages

Gualaceo, in northern Azuay, is famous for its fine woven and embroidered textiles, leatherwork, and ceramics. The central park is surrounded by picturesque colonial style houses, the major church and the handicraft museum. Paute on the other hand, is full of fruit farms and sugar cane plantations and is home to the biggest hydroelectric power station in the country.

Sigsig is well known for its high quality, international known straw aka Panama hats as well as for the quality of apples they produce. You can also visit nearby Chopsi Cave where traces of the regions first inhabitants have been found. The Chopsi Ruins are a group of rock engravings housed in a cave. They consist of large quadrangular buildings surrounded by smaller ones, enclosed by a stonewall.

Chordeleg is famous for the handicraft activity of its inhabitants who are great at creating all types of crafts in ceramic, straw and especially in precious metals such as gold and silver. In addition to the numerous jewelry and craft shops, you may visit interesting pottery workshops in which all types of craft pieces are fabricated using traditional techniques.

El Cajas

Less than 20 miles from Cuenca is El Cajas National Park. Straddling the continental divide, this is a  beautiful  area home to numerous large fresh water lakes, large glacier cut valleys and jagged mountain peaks.

A popular recreation area for hiking, camping, rock climbing, mountain biking and fishing the park is also home to a number of Incan and pre-Incan archaeological sites. The eastern boarder, Llaviucu is comprised of a cloud forest and is a popular destination for orchid hunters and birders. El Cajas is home to over 150 species of birds including Andean Condor, Andean Tucan, mountain Turkey and hummingbirds.

Loja

The city of Loja is the Music and Cultural Capital of Ecuador. Loja is home to many small salsa clubs and other music venues, the are several good museums and numerous public artworks from statues to murals and frescos. Home to two major universities, Loja is well off the main tourist route, and is often considered one of Ecuador's hidden jewels.

Located near the cloud forest of Podocarpus National Park, Loja has a year round temperature in the mid 70s with misty mornings. The city was founded in 1548, many of the buildings date back to the early years of the city and have been rebuilt in the 19th century after a strong earthquake damaged the original buildings.

Loja is well known among locals, for the Virgen del Cisne religious festivals that attracts pilgrims from all over the country and from abroad.

The Villcabamba Valley located approximately 30 miles from the city of Loja is known as the Playground of the Incas. During the 16th century this was a popular retreat for the Incan Rulers. Vilcabamba is famous for the age of inhabitants, it is not uncommon for people to live to be well over 100 years of age and many claiming to be 120 to 130 years old. A number of spas have opened in the valley attracting foreigners to the magic waters of Villcabamba.

Podocarpus

Podocarpus National Park is located in the southeaster portion of Ecuador approximately 1/2 hour from Loja. A mega diverse zone with a high level of endemic species, Podocapus is located at the junction of the Northern Andes, Southern Andes, Amazon and Coastal eco-systems.

Within the Podocarpus National Park there are more than a hundred lakes, waterfalls, Podocarpus is known as the Botanical Garden of America.  There are more than 4,000 species of plants including trees over 13 stories high. The park is home to 560 species of birds and more than 40 species of mammals including several that are endangered like the Mountain Tapir, Spectacled Bear, and Jaguar.

Recommended Hotels

There are a number of hotels in the Southern Andes region. We recommend the following hotels:

Mansion Alcazar, Cuenca - Located a quick walk from the famous square of Parque Calderon. Mansión Alcázar Boutique Hotel is located in a very vibrant area of the city, nearby well known museums and churches. The 11 rooms and 3 suites are all different sizes and have a view to the quiet interior patio or the magnificent garden. Elegant antiques, fine objects d´art and fresh bouquet of flowers upon arrival. All rooms are equipped with Direct TV, international dialing telephone service and a safe.

Grand Victoria Hotel, Loja - The Grand Victoria is a boutique hotel in the center of historic Loja. The hotel has 34 rooms, 4 suites each with warm quilts, fine linens, a flat screen tv, mini bar, private bathroom with bathrobe and sandals. This luxury porperty lives up to its repruation with a wonderful pool, spa and friendly staff.