SOUTHERN ECUADOR - Off the beaten path (copy)
(6 Days, Your choice of days, from Cuenca. It is also possible to start in Quito and combine it with the Highland A or B itinerary, continuing overland to Guayaquil—request special quote.)
Cross the Southern Andes from Cuenca to Guayaquil and get to know some of the lesser visited National Parks. In the Podacarpus and Cajas areas you will feel the history of Zaruma and its “golden” past and find petrified trees in the Puyango reserve… This excursion truly is Ecuador off the beaten path!
Day 1, Cuenca-Chordeleg-Gualaceo-Cuenca:
We will begin the day with breakfast before our departure toward the city of Gualaceo. Located in a beautiful and fruitful valley, Gualaceo boasts a subtropical climate, rich folklore and handicrafts. The most important goods are Ikat woven articles and shawls embroidered by hand. In the main square one can observe traditional cholas cuencanas embroiling hats with straw wraps.
We will continue the trip toward the city of Chordeleg, located just 10 minutes away from Gualaceo. The artisans of this region offer products such as the Ikats’ goods, shawls, ponchos, embroidered hats and jewels. In this place one can buy gold and silver jewels of great quality for excellent prices. Additionally, visitors may visit the ethnographic museum, located in the central patio of an old town building.
In the early afternoon we will return to the city of Cuenca, transferring you to your hotel for an optional lunch and dinner, as well as free evening in the city.
Day 2, Cuenca-EL Cajas-Loja: 
Just after breakfast, the tour will depart, heading northwest towards Cajas National Park. After a short drive, arrival in Cajas National Park will allow us to take part in different activities such as hiking, fishing, bird-watching, viewing flora and fauna, and so on. We can visit the Interpretation Center placed in La Toreadora Lake (the biggest and the most important in the whole complex). Here we will see pictures and interpretations of the park.
Before midday, we will leave the park, heading toward the city of Cuenca, taking the highway Cuenca-Loja. This begins the scenic descent to 1500 meters above sea level, where you will be able to see the great change in vegetation in the subtropical dry moor.
Just after midday we will reach Oña, a town on the border between Azuay and Loja provinces, characterized by one of the most irregular and mountainous terrains of the region. An afternoon lunch is optional in Oña.
Later in the afternoon we will arrive at the community of Saraguro, inhabited by indigenous Saraguros, one of the most important communities of southern Ecuador. With a walking tour through the community, you can appreciate traditional Indian garments and lifestyle.
Shortly after our stop in Saraguros we will continue until we arrive at the city of Loja. Here we will get settled into accommodations for the evening, dinner is optional.
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Day 3, Loja-Podocarpus-Vilcabamba:
Podocarpus National Park lies between Loja and Zamora and comprises a large region of mountainous and lowland vegetation. You can either visit the lowland part (a two hour drive from Loja) or the higher lands (an hour from Loja). Here you will see why the park got its name from the Podocarpus tree, as it is widely found in the area. The tour will continue to Vilcabamba, situated in the valley of Longevity, and on to the night’s accommodations in Vilcabamba.
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Day 4. Vilcabamba-Zaruma-Machala:
Day four will begin with breakfast just before our departure from Vilcabamba Valley towards Loja City. We will take the highway descending to 1200 meters above sea level to the city of Catamayo. Continuing on our route we pass through villages such as San Pedro de la Bendita, where we will stop for a short visit at the Basilica of the Swan. Further down the highway through the cities of Portobelo, Zaruma, and Piñas, you may notice that the town’s main activity is the extraction of precious metals, such as gold.
We will arrive in the city of Zaruma in the early afternoon. 
Located in the upper part of the mountain, Zaruma has colonial architecture and is considered one of the most beautiful cities of the country. Here there will be a city tour.
Lunch is optional before we depart to Portobelo, heading toward the city of Piñas. After a long drive we will pass through Santa Rosa before getting to the city of Machala for optional dinner and accommodations.
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Day 5. Machala-Puyango-Guayaquil:
We will begin with breakfast on day five, befo
re departing south for a two-hour drive to the petrified forest of Puyango, where millions of years ago eruptions and cataclysms destroyed vegetation and trees. The lava entering these cells turned them into rocks and today, this forest is considered one of the most important throughout Americas. Here you will also see the petrified evidence of leaves and some animals like giant snails and shells (2 to 3 hour hike).
An afternoon picnic lunch is optional before we return to the city of Machala, departing on the highway toward Guayaquil. On our way we can visit banana, cacao, rice and sugarcane plantations.
We will arrive in the city of Guayaquil in the early evening for an optional dinner and the night’s accommodations.
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Day 6. Transfer Hotel-Airport:
After a light breakfast, our guides will transfer your party to the airport and assist with your departure needs.
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