Hiking,
trout fishing
and camping
are some of
the most popular
activities
for tourists
visiting the
Andes. In
Cajas,
you’ll find
high crags
and narrow,
extensive
box canyons
which house
more than
200 of the
region’s lakes.
For its part,
Podocarpus
National Park
offers a large
range of orchids,
an infinite
number of
romerillos,
and of course,
the rare podocarpus
tree. Horseback
riding and
hiking to
the lakes
of Los
Compadres,
near the Picachos
del Condor
are just some
of the possible
activities.
Vilcabamba,
in the province
of Loja,
also offers
treks in the
mountains
and river
sports. The
area next
to the Chamba
and Uchima
Rivers and
around the
hills of Mandango
offer perfect
terrain where
you can enjoy
horseback
riding.
Extensive
sugarcane
plantations
with haciendas
and sugar
mills are
found in the
Yunguilla
Valley near
Cuenca.
Citrus fruits,
coffee and
tomatoes are
all grown
in these fertile
lands.
Another area
with old haciendas
is San
Fernando.
Here, you
can camp at
San Pablo
hill and Nobusquina
and Busa lakes.
In Loja, don't
miss the picturesque
tropical-climate
valleys of
Catamayo with
its cane crops,
and the coffee
plantations
in Malacatos.
Last
updated 4th
July 2006
