Hotels

There are hotels to suit all budgets in the southern Andes, particularly in Cuenca and Loja. In Azogues, there are more options for lower and middle-range budgets. In Vilcabamba, a number of the places to stay also have spas attached where you can get a massage, facial or other treatment. If you are planning on doing overnight hiking or trekking trips, it is best to bring a tent or to rent one from an operator. Accommodations can be arranged through tour operators or on the Internet.

Tours

In most cases, the best way to organize tours in the southern Andes of Ecuador is to do it upon arrival there. Tours for Ingapirca, the Cajas National Park and other attractions and destinations around Cuenca can be arranged from Cuenca itself. It is also possible to organize a city tour of Cuenca either through an agency in Cuenca, or an operator in Quito—this is usually if the trip is an extended tour through Ecuador.

For the Podocarpus National Park, tours can be arranged from Loja or Vilcabamba. In Vilcabamba there are tour operators in the village, or most hostels and hotels can help travelers to organize tours. For Puyango, the best place to organize trips there is Loja.

Hikes such as the Inca Trail are best organized in advance. Many of the tour operators in Quito will be able to help tourists to organize this hike, including renting any equipment such as tents and sleeping bags.

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Packing List

For a trip to the southern Andes, travelers should take:

Camera.
Sunscreen.
Small backpack for day trips.
Insect repellent.
Rain Jacket (and waterproof trousers if hiking).
Lightweight pants.
Warmer pants.
Fleece Jacket.
Sweater.
T-shirts.

Flights and Journey Durations

Flights to the southern Andes go to Cuenca and Loja from Quito. The flight takes around 35 minutes to go to Cuenca and takes around 50 minutes to go to Loja. Bus journeys from Quito are much longer, and take about 9 hours to reach Azogues, 10 hours to get to Cuenca, and up to 12 hours to get to Loja.

Seasons

The southern Andes has two seasons: wet and dry. The main dry season runs from around the end of May through September, and it is usually also dry in December and January. The rest of the months are rainy and a bit colder. The rain is usually limited to a short spell in the afternoon, apart from in April when it will sometimes rain throughout the whole day.

Health and Security

Health and security issues that apply in the southern Andes of Ecuador are similar to those that apply in other areas. Health risks are the same as the rest of Andean Ecuador. As always, travelers should take care of their personal belongings at all times, especially when traveling by bus and in the bus terminals in Quito, Cuenca and Loja. Traditionally robbers act in these locations and aboard buses. Be careful with money, traveler checks, digital cameras and other devices. It is often better to go with a guide on hiking routes. In particular, be aware of the effects of altitude sickness at higher altitudes and wear sunscreen to prevent getting burned.

Electricity

The electricity output in Ecuador’s Andes is 110 volts with 60 cycles. This is the same as in the United States. Travelers from Europe and other countries must carry a converter to make electronic appliances work properly. Plug sockets are usually suitable for three-pin devices in newer buildings, but older buildings may just have two-pin sockets. For these sockets, travelers will need an adapter for three-pin appliances.

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