Cuenca to Vilcabamba (via Loja)

Trip Start Mar 18, 2007
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23
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Trip End Mar 16, 2008


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Where I stayed
Izchylama Hostel
(Vilcabamba hotels)

Flag of Ecuador  ,
Thursday, April 26, 2007

After 6 hours and two buses we arrived into Vilcabamba, where there are said to be powers of longegevity. Apparently, the majority of people lived much more than 100yrs old. Well, when we got here they had apparently all died and only the legend lives on... mmm!

So, we checked into the hostel Rendez Vous (funnily enough run by a nice Frenchy) and decided on a relaxing evening. Off to dinner and we bump into an Kiwi guy, Gavin, with his two daughters (he´s lived here for 24 yrs) and invites us to join him for dinner. Was a nice evening, but also was very amusing because Gavin was absolutely stoned and drunk and kept trying to sell us his horseriding 2/3 day tours in the mountains... although tempting, not for me. The next day we saw Gavin again, but he was very embarrassed and said a quick hello before galloping off.

Anyways, after 2 days in Rendez Vous we went to Izchylama Hostel in the hills overlooking Vilcabamba and stayed for a further 2 days. This place was great and had great views. On the final day, Rhona went for a day horseriding and I went for a 4.5hr hike up the nearest mountain (Mondango) with some other hostel guests and was great fun... rewarded myself with a full-body massage plus Reike (2 hrs altogether) for just 12 pounds... not too bad!

This place was very relaxing with beautiful scenary and definitely recommend going to Izchylama, if not only for the massages! Great stuff!
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