Fly into Cuenca to explore the Saraguro Indian territory en route to the city of Loja. This region is home to an ancient culture, whose people scholars believe were brought by the Incas from Peru during the Inca conquest, and later stayed in the valley. A visit to Saraguro Market is a peek into tradition and local culture, and is famed for fined textiles. This area is off the tourist paths, and an authentic destination for Latin Excursions travelers.

Other sites in the region include Podocarpus National Park, one of the most pristine natural areas and home to an endangered conifer forest. Birdwatchers and outdoor lovers will enjoy hiking and discovering endemic flora and fauna here. The Vilcabamba Valley has beautiful landscapes and interesting people and villages to explore, and Zamora Village is another destination in the Loja Province. Zamora is home to Ecuador’s best coffee and is a beautiful colonial town in its own right.

For a stay in the area, we suggest making Loja city your base for more adventure in the area, and the Grand Victoria boutique hotel has a high level of service in a renovated 19th republican home. For an authentic journey in Ecuador, the Province of Loja is a fantastic destination for travelers interested in experiencing more of the myriad cultures in mainland Ecuador.