V I L C A B A M B A
The Land and Valley

The land is located in the ancient Valley of Longevity, Vilcabamba, Southern Ecuador. The land is dry, sub-tropical and is surrounded by the majestic mountains of the Andes. Vilcabamba is one of the five longevity (long life) areas in the world where some of the native people live 100 years of age. Health experts, internationally, attribute this long life of the people to the pure clustered mineral water, fertile mountain soil, peaceful life-style, and exercise of walking in the mountains. The land elevation begins at 4600’ and rises to over 15,000 feet. The soil is very fertile with a year-round growing season of a wide range of fruits, vegetables and edible and medicinal herbs. Some of the tropical fruits that have been planted on this land include: papaya, babaco (mountain papaya), mango, cherimoya, rose apple, orange, 2 varieties of bananas, guava, passion fruit, granodea, pineapple, sweet lemons, grapefruits and a variety of melons. Also temperate fruits that will be planted at the higher elevations include: sirinan cherry, apricots, peaches, apples, figs, persimmons, sapotes, and a variety of berries. Vegetables that have been planted include: four varieties of lettuce, kohlrabi, cilantro, tomatoes, carrots, beets, garlic, onions, spinach, kale, cauliflower, bok choy, broccoli, celery, chayote, asparagus, four varieties of cucumbers and zucchini. Edible and medicinal herbs that have been planted include: parsley, cilantro, arugula, dill, thyme, basil, oregano, echinacea, and ginger.

There are currently three irrigation canals on the land to provide water for the growing of vegetable gardens and fruit trees. Irrigation canals will be built on additional land to supply the vegetable gardens, and fruit indigenous trees with sufficient nourishment for healthy growing. The soil is highly mineralized from ancient mixtures of mountain rocks, and plant flora. Worm castings and compost have been added to enrich the soil. There are two distinct climatic seasons. The months of January to May is the rainy season with cool temperatures between 55-65 degrees F, while the months of May to December is the dry season with temperatures of between 80-90 degrees F. The average temperatures is about 70 degrees F year-round and provides an ideal climate for the longevity. There are many indigenous native trees growing on the land and in the surrounding area. Some of these are pine, eucalyptus, and figure. Additional trees are being planted, such as juniper, various conifers, and broad leaf trees and shrubs.

This sacred land will become an ecological paradise planted with a wide diversity of fruit trees, vegetables, flowers and edible and medicinal herbs, providing a unique model of sustainable organic agriculture. People who visit Vilcabamba Valley will experience a sub-tropical, botanical paradise that is one of the most beautiful environments on earth.

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