Hostería y Restaurante Izhcayluma

Vilcabamba

LoginSave

Located 2km above town to the south, German-owned Izhcayluma is excellent value, a refined hilltop retreat. The outdoor dining area serves German-Ecuadorian cuisine and has sweeping panoramic views. A ‘holistic wellness room’ offers massages and other treatments, and there is a bar and swimming pool. The cabins and rooms are quiet and spacious.

The newest cabins, clocking the best views of Cerro Mandango and the new trail system through the grounds, are stunning and tastefully decorated with Valdivia culture artifacts. This place is always packed, so book your room at least a week in advance. A direct shuttle service ($15) runs from Cuenca's La Cigale hostel. Breakfast is not included in the rates, but 7:30am yoga is. You can grab advice about continuing south to the Peruvian border here.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • Medieval style castle known as the gateway to the city of Loja, Ecuador.

    Puerta de la Ciudad

    19.96 MILES

    With perhaps more pomp and circumstance than you'll encounter anywhere else in Loja, the City Gate greets you into downtown from the northern corner. It's…

  • Museo de la Música

    Museo de la Música

    19.38 MILES

    This fun museum located in an old school explores the lives of famous musicians who hailed from Loja (most peaking in success during the golden 1890–1940…

  • Podocarpus National Park

    Podocarpus National Park

    15.38 MILES

    This national park fills in much of the triangle between Loja, Zamora and Vilcabamba, as well as a huge swath to the southeast. Because altitude ranges so…

  • Lagunas de los Compadres

    Lagunas de los Compadres

    10.85 MILES

    Branching off from the Los Miradores Loop Trail is the challenging but enticing 14.5km trail to the two dozen or more lakes that make up the remote…

  • Tapichalaca Reserve

    Tapichalaca Reserve

    15.41 MILES

    The small Tapichalaca Reserve, 75km south of Vilcabamba, protects one of Ecuador’s most rare and endangered birds, the jocotoco antpitta (Grallaria…

  • Refugio Ecológico Tzanka

    Refugio Ecológico Tzanka

    23.44 MILES

    Head a block southwest of the main plaza and hang a right on the dead-end lane to find this wildlife rescue center. Housing colorful parrots, coatis (big,…

  • Museo de la Cultura Lojana

    Museo de la Cultura Lojana

    19.45 MILES

    On the south side of Parque Central, a characterful republican-era building houses this museum and its exhibits, which include good local art, archaeology…

  • Clock

    Clock

    23.65 MILES

    Zamora's most famous landmark is the huge clock on the hill above the bus station, attractively decorated with flowers. The minute hand is 11.34m long…

View more attractions

Nearby Vilcabamba attractions

1. Church

1.24 MILES

Small church on the south side of the Central Plaza.

2. Lagunas de los Compadres

10.85 MILES

Branching off from the Los Miradores Loop Trail is the challenging but enticing 14.5km trail to the two dozen or more lakes that make up the remote…

3. Podocarpus National Park

15.38 MILES

This national park fills in much of the triangle between Loja, Zamora and Vilcabamba, as well as a huge swath to the southeast. Because altitude ranges so…

4. Tapichalaca Reserve

15.41 MILES

The small Tapichalaca Reserve, 75km south of Vilcabamba, protects one of Ecuador’s most rare and endangered birds, the jocotoco antpitta (Grallaria…

6. Parque Universitario PUEAR

16.9 MILES

Almost 5km south of the center, the 90-hectare reserve has excellent trails. You’ll need to cab it here ($1.25).

7. Mirador Teléferico

18.84 MILES

Loja's best viewpoint is at the top of the cable car from Parque Pucará, 1km south of Plaza de la Independencia up Olmedo. Walk or get a taxi ($1) to the…

8. Calle Lourdes

19.06 MILES

This narrow lane is the oldest colonial street in Loja. There are some nice art galleries here (if only the street were pedestrianized, they would be much…