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| Having
traveled extensively throughout South America over the past 25 years
I have always dreamt of finding my own “El Dorado” al a
place where I could relax and find time to smell the flowers. Here
in the beautiful valley of Vilcabamba the Hostería Izhcayluma
has turned that dream into a reality and a brief glance at their guest
book will confirm the obvious. Some of their comments are reprinted
here but their honest descriptions, like my own, fail to convey the
full picture. Spectacular views, excellent food and accommodation in
a setting of a wondrous water garden of flowers and exotic birds are
just some of the parts of Izhcayluma. Truly a paradise at a budget
price! John Kavanagh, Dublin, Ireland |
Man, this
place is a little piece of paradise, and I wasn’t even going
to come here. Every day I tell myself that I’ll leave tomorrow.
But tomorrow never seemed to come…until now. I’m prying
myself from here tomorrow after one epic stay. If the wind happens
to blow you here, in my opinion you are one lucky young lad or lass.
Cheers & Bien Viaje to all who
follow. |
| This place
represents fantastic value, even by Ecuadorian standards. Delicious
food; served in the open air restaurant which has lovely views of the
valley below. The owners and staff are as friendly as you like. It’s
almost impossible to drag yourself away from the giant outdoor chess
board, hammocks and refreshing swimming pool. The rooms are well furnished,
very clean and classically simple. In seven months of traveling it’s
easily the best place I’ve stayed. Andy, England |
| Normally when I wake up,
I can only growl until midday when hopefully real conversation sets
in. Here, my legs move my sleeping body to a hammock & I listen
to the dawn opera of birds, dogs, cockerels & donkeys down in the
valley &, miracle of miracles I wake up gently rocking with a contented
smile on my face. When I arrived I immediately felt on holiday in the
real true sense of the word – everything perfect & beautiful & everyone
so friendly. I started, still in tourist mode, with treks up mountains & use
of free bikes to the river but with the full body massage I just slipped & have
passed my last days here in a state of total relaxation – swaying
in hammocks & dipping in the beautiful pool. I only awaken in the
evenings to experience another variation of Pisco Sours – six
so far but the best is always in the early hours. It’s been great,
I’ve tried to leave for the past couple of days & maybe I’ll
make it tomorrow. Thank you so much. I’ll be recommending Izhcayluma
from here to Chile! Joanna, England |
| I stayed here for 12 days.
I drank for 12 “people” days. I love this place and am
leaving because I have to. Otherwise I wouldn’t. Stay here. Love
it. I did. Steve, Northampton, England |
| We stayed here for 6 nights
and had time to walk around and compare. This is definitely the best
choice. The people are very friendly and the food is really excellent
and you get more than you can eat. Not to speak about the fantastic
view from here. This more than compensates the 2 km distance from the
village. We will be back!! Rita and Patrick, Belgium |
| There’s nothing to
say other than it was absolutely brill !! We planned to stay 2 nights
and ended up staying 5. The food was the best we’ve had in South
America, so good that we’re even taking Pizza with us !! It’s
a shame we can’t take the bed too. The staff have been so helpful
and friendly we are sad to leave. Thanks for a great time, we’ll
be back if we can. Cheers and love, Anne & Nick, Ireland |
| I come back here every three
months, as I live in Peru and have to renew my visa. I wouldn’t
choose to stay anywhere else as you (the management and staff of Izhcayluma)
never have let me down – each visit is fantastic and incredibly
relaxing. This time it was my birthday and the kitchen baked me a cake
and all restaurant guest sang for me, totally unexpected and so sweet.
I will be back for sure. Thanks, Emily |
| …2 days became 5 weeks.
But sometimes a holiday from a holiday is just the right thing…and
for that, there is nowhere better than Izhcayluma. It is time to move
on now…but it feels like I’m leaving family behind… See
you again in 2012 ! Christopher Many, Scotland |
| We have been traveling for
the last 15 months and everywhere I have seen visitor’s books
with all the best etc. I never felt the need to write in one of them,
but this place, as well as Dieter and Peter more than deserve it. Like
everybody here I guess we thought about staying only a little while,
which turned out to be a week in the end. And still I fell that I shouldn’t
leave, but should stay. “Just another day …. Only one !!” Ferry & Hanneke, Utrecht, Holland |
|
Izhcayluma was a highlight of our vacation. It was difficult
leaving this little tranquil oasis with its beautiful views & friendly
staff. Izhcayluma was a wonderful hostel & we loved every moment
we spent here. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED- do not be in a rush to leave, there
are not many places like this in the world. |
| Thank you, thank you, thank
you!! We couldn’t have asked for a more accommodating,
friendly and caring staff. I was very sick for several days, and the staff went
out of the way to make me special tea and check up on me. Of course, the location
is beautiful and the facilities are top notch, but the staff made all the difference.
We even got a take away breakfast when we checked out super early. Food in the
restaurant was fantastic- huge portions, great variety. We love it here and hope
to be lucky enough to come back again. Also, the dogs are good company, and the
cabaña we stayed in was lovely, private and peaceful. Best place we’ve
stayed in since being in South America. It’s been a pleasure!! Sincere thanks, Josh and Danielle, Toronto, Canada |
| We would say Izhcayluma is “home
from home,” but it’s actually better than our home! We
hesitated to come this far south, but now this is the highlight of
our trip (haven’t been to Galapagos yet). The huge food portions
are a winner, but to eat in one of the best locations in the world
is unforgettable. Peter and Dieter, thanks for sharing your slice of
Paradise. Emile, we love the food but we’ll need convincing on
the music! And not forgetting Hubert “as” the receptionist:
helpful, cheerful and with the most mischievous laugh we’ve ever
heard! Thanks also to everyone else- you make a great team. Very best wishes, Elliot and Genna, England |
| We love it here, was going
to stay 1 night, then it was 3, then it was 4…the flyer was right,
it’s very hard to leave. We loved the food! The best in 2 1/2
months! The DVD’s are great and the rooms are the best yet. The
guys have done a great job! Also it is great for ALL ages! The bar
is great fun at night and very cleverly situated so you can sleep if
you want an early night. We could not recommend this place enough!
We love it here. Graerie and Jodie, Edinburgh, Scotland |
| This is
the first time during our trip where I have felt that I could stay
much longer- that I have
not stayed long enough. Not only because Vilcabamba is a wonderful
village, but also because Izhcayluma is a brilliant hostel. Thank you
to Hubert, Peter and everyone else who has been so welcoming and helpful,
which is literally everyone. I don't normally gush either! Andrew, New Zealand |
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