Highlights: City of Loja, Vilcabamba, Zaruma, Podocarpus National Park, Saraguro, Virgen del Cisne Sanctuary, Zamora Altitude: Loja 2200m, Vilcabamba 1520m Climate: temperate in the plateaus and warm and humid in the deepest valleys, cold to the Andean peaks, Temperature: Temperatures fluctuate between 16 C (60 F) and 21 C (70 F), with an average daily temperature of 17 C (63 F) Location: Loja is located 645 km south from Quito. Loja represents the best of Ecuador in biodiversity and is called The Botanical Garden of Ecuador. The Province of Loja offers a unique combination of paramo, cloud forest, and jungle. Moreover, Loja's capital city of the same name and the area's natural wonders remain largely undiscovered by travelers because they are hidden in the extreme south of the Ecuador. Travelers who make the trip can look forward to breathtaking vistas, indigenous markets, an amazing National Park, and colonial architecture. Sightseeing in Loja should include: Entrance to Loja, Monastery of "las Conceptas", the Cathedral, the Central Park, Santo Domingo Church, the Plaza de la Independencia (San Sebastin), San Juan del Valle Church.

A must in the Province of Loja is the Podocarpus National Park. It is rich in birdlife and some newly discovered species, there could be up to 800 species inside the park, it also includes one of the last major habitats for the spectacled bear. Zaruma is a small town located on a hilltop with twisting streets and wooden buildings. Here you will find a very beautiful wooden church, with a little museum showing the history of gold mining in the area Vilcabamba is a very small town located in a subtropical valley, it is famed for the longevity of its locals, many folks are over 100 years of age, with the oldest reported up to 135 years, making it an area with some of the oldest inhabitants in the world. It is also the most tranquil and relaxing town to visit in Ecuador, which features alternative health options (massage, aromatherapy). The access to the Podocarpus National Park lies also nearby. Saraguro is a town inhabitated by the indigenous Saraguro community. which maintains its culture throught the centuries and offers a wonderful market on Sundays. In Zamora is the principal entrance to the most beautiful part of the Podocarpus National Park