This ten-day journey takes place in one of the most sought after areas in the Andes Mountains of Southern Ecuador. Vilcabamba, the Valley of Longevity, is known to have one of the best climates in the world. Vilcabamba has become a very popular place for expats from all over the world. The air is pure, the water is pristine, the food is clean and organic, the weather is comfortable all year round, the cost of living is affordable, the people are lovely and the community is simply awesome.
The retreat is designed to give you a genuine experience and provide you with all the information you need to make an educated decision on whether Vilcabamba is right for you. You will get a great feel for what Vilcabamba is truly like.
During the retreat you will experience all that Vilcabamba and the surrounding areas have to offer including:
● Healthy lifestyle
● Exciting activities
● Delicious restaurants
● Exquisite nature
● Vibrant community
We will equip you with all the knowledge and resources necessary to make your transition to Ecuador as smooth and as successful as possible. All your questions will be answered to help you make an informed decision in your search for freedom, security, health, peace and well-being.
Accommodations
The Retreat will be hosted at one of the best venues in Vilcabamba. The hosteria offers:
● Comfortable rooms with private bathroom
● Full service Spa
● Swimming pool
● Ping pong table
● Onsight authentic restaurant
● Artesenal, handcrafted beer selection
● Breath-taking views of the Valley and surrounding mountains
You’re going to love the way you feel during your stay here!
Daily Seminars
Attending these seminars will provide you with the most relevant and valuable information from our colleagues with expert experience in the following areas:
● Visa Process
● Home Construction
● Shipping (getting your items to Vilcabamba)
● Relocation Logistics
● Tax and Legal
● Doing business
● Investing in Ecuador
● Real estate 101
● Health and Wellness Services
● And more!
Additional Activities
Throughout the retreat, we will explore the surrounding areas of Malacatos, Masanamaca, Quinara, Tumianuma, Yangana and the city of Loja.
Options for additional Eco-Adventures in the surrounding areas include:
● Epic Mountain Hikes
● River Trail Bicycle Rides
● Horseback Rides to a waterfall and more.
You will meet other long-term residents' families and visit their properties to witness the amazing lifestyles they’ve created here. We will also accommodate your requests to show you the currently available selection of breathtaking real estate properties that can become your own personal sanctuary in the Vilcabamba area!
Restaurants
With such a diverse expat population, Vilcabamba has a variety of amazing restaurants. Each day, you will experience a different international restaurant including: Mexican, Thai, Indian, German, Korean, Italian, Middle Eastern and of course Ecuadorian. We will also visit the organic stores, organic market and enjoy the fresh Ecuadorian coconuts.
Come join us on a journey to find joy, peace, safety, freedom, harmony with nature, health and wellness, community and more. This retreat will provide you with an immersive experience to feel what it's truly like to live in the Vilcabamba area. We love this place and we think you will love it too!
We hope to see you here in March and until then, we will see you next time.
March 10 - March 19, 2023
If you're considering a move to the tranquil and picturesque Vilcabamba valley, this Retreat is for you! The experts at Abundant Living Ecuador will be your hosts for your 10-day tour of Vilcabamba, Malacatos, Loja and other quaint communities in beautiful southern Ecuador. We will connect you with all of the professionals you'll need to know to ensure that your relocation is seamless and worry-free, including visa facilitators, shipping experts to transport your household goods, caring professionals to safely transport your beloved pets, and of course, your real estate professionals at Abundant Living Ecuador!
You'll also have fun! We'll visit waterfalls and tour a productive coffee farm; sample delicious cuisine at several local restaurants; stroll along the path beside the Vilcabamba River, and view several properties for sale. We'll introduce you to other expats who, like you, sought out their perfect place and found Vilcabamba. At the end of your visit, you will be fully prepared to make an informed decision to make Vilcabamba your new home. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Aeroregional flies between Quito airport (UIO) and Catamayo (Loja). The flight you'll want to schedule is Aeroregional flight #7A 873, departing at 4:00 pm on Friday afternoon.
Abundant Living Ecuador will meet you at the Loja airport and we will travel to Vilcabamba together in a shuttle van.
Your best return flight is #7A872 departing Catamayo at 5:30 pm on Sunday, March 19
There are several lodging options near the Quito airport, should you need accommodations prior to your Aeroregional flight. We have had good experiences with the EB Hotel and with the Wyndham. The airport also has an executive lounge which we find is comfortable for a stay of a few hours. (links below)
https://www.ebhotels.com/quito/61-About
https://www.layoverstayquito.com/
Your accommodations at one of Vilcabamba's stunning, planet-friendly resorts is sure to exceed your expectations for comfort, service, and amenities.
Vilcabamba boasts a variety of cuisines including Indian, Thai, Mexican, Mediterranean, and of course, Ecuadorian. All of your meals during the Retreat are included in the price.
During the Retreat you'll have opportunities to participate in activites which may include yoga, hiking, horseback riding, bicycling, and others. Your registration fee includes these activities.
From the moment we greet you at the Loja airport in Catamayo through the end of the Retreat, all ground transportation is included with your registration.
Get moving each morning with yoga session in the beautiful resort yoga salon.
Alcoholic beverages will be available at most restaurants and tiendas at client expense.
Participants are responsible for airline transporation to from their home location to Quito, and for the Aeroregional flight from Quito to Loja
Clients who choose to arrive before or to stay after the Retreat to enjoy more of this beautiful country are welcome to do so at their own expense. We can recommend accommodations.
You'll arrive to Loja airport at 4:50 pm, on Aeroregional flight 7A 873 on Friday afternoon. Abundant Living Ecuador will meet you at the airport and we will travel together in a shuttle van to the hotel, where you will settle into your accommodations at a beautiful, luxurious, eco-friendly resort hotel. Following check-in, we'll have dinner together and get acquainted in the hotel restaurant. We'll present our welcome message and answer any initial questions you may have for us.
After breakfast we'll venture out together to the organic farmers' market, grab a coconut at Sonia's Natural Store, take a walking tour of Vilcabamba, and enjoy lunch at one of Vilcabamba's popular restaurants. After lunch, you may choose to return to the resort for a relaxing afternoon or take a meandering walk along the Vilcabamba River trail with Carl. In the late afternoon we'll present "Ecuador 101".
After yoga and breakfast, you may choose to join a rigorous hike with Carl to the top of Vilcabamba's guardian mountain, El Mandango. Alternatively, if you're feeling a bit less ambitious, take a leisurely van tour to see the amazing views from above Vilcabamba. At mid-day, we'll have lunch at a popular local Korean restaurant in San Pedro de Vilcabamba. After lunch, you may either return to the Resort for a relaxing afternoon, or visit the San Pedro River swimming hole. Later in the afternoon we'll present our "Real Estate 101" seminar. In the evening, we'll enjoy a light evening meal at the Resort.
Today we'll visit the exclusive gated community of Hacienda San Joaquin, where we will view available properties. We will also tour the spectacular property of Jean-Claude and Arianne Koven, long-time residents who will speak to you about their unique journey as expats. We'll return to Vilcabamba for lunch at one of Vilcabamba's awesome restaurants. In the afternoon, a group of natural health practitioners who live and work in the community will introduce you to their specialties and answer your questions about alternative wellness care in the Valley.
After breakfast, we'll hit the road to visit several available properties in the areas outside of Vilcabamba: Masanamca Valley, Quinara Valley, Tumianuma, and Cucanama. We'll have lunch at a popular trout farm and tour a sugar cane production facility. Afterward, we'll return to the resort for brief rest followed by a Residency Visa Q&A presentation by Attorney Joseph Guznay. We'll finish the day with dinner at the resort.
We'll start our day trip to Loja promptly at 9:00 am, where we'll go directly to Loja's Central Market. Here is where the locals and "in-th-know" expats go to shop for the freshest produce and best prices. From the market, we'll do a Loja walkabout which includes a visit to a working coffee farm. After lunch, we'll head to the Casa Bolivar Hotel, where a local attorney will present information regarding taxes and other legal matters. We'll do a quick van sightseeing tour before returning to Vilcabamba.
If you have not already had the opportunity to view your dream property, today is the day! All of the Abundant Living Ecuador agents will be at your service to show properties and present purchasing options. If you've already found your perfiect piece of Paradise, relax near the pool, venture into Vilcabamba to shop for souvenirs, or rest in a hammock with a good book.
After breakfast we'll visit Yangana and tour an organic farm before visiting available properties in the area. We'll enjoy a typical Ecuadorian "almuerzo". After lunch, Jesse will present "Investing and Doing Business in Ecuador"
Today we'll tour the breathtaking Malacatos Valley where we'll visit waterfalls and view available properties. At noon, we'll return to Vilcabamba for a lunch of comfort foods. In the afternoon, we'll have get-together with friends and family from the community, giving you the opportunity to meet and talk with many others who have made the transition from North America to Southern Ecuador. We'll have dinner in Vilcabamba Vilca Garden, and enjoy a presentation of local dancers.
