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Tailor-made toursCuenca
Houses stretch down the slopes along the Tomebamba, one of the four rivers that cross Cuenca, whose banks are covered with multicoloured laundry under the riverside willows and linden trees. Both the Hispanic colonial downtown and the new homes in the residential neighbourhoods, show how Cuenca keeps traditions of bygone eras close to its heart, but accepts the presence of modernity that abounds in the city: new hotels, banks, art galleries and shops. Cuenca’s cobblestone streets, graceful balconies, blossoming gardens and religious art treasures invite you to visit it on foot and at a leisurely pace. Cuenca’s handicrafts are outstanding in variety, colour and quality. These treasures are inspired by local imagination are created in straw, horn, cloth, embroidery, knit, clay, wrought iron, leather as well as gold and silver jewellery. The region of Cuenca was already inhabited nine thousand years ago. The Cañari people settled here because of its favourable climate, abundant water and ideal land for cultivation. Extraordinary pieces of ceramic of this period, notable for their design and technique, are to be found in the museums. In the middle of the 15th century, the Incas came to this area and founded the city they called Tomebamba. A few years later, in 1557, the Spanish claimed the city and renamed it Cuenca. Additional excursions surrounding Cuenca include the impressive Cajas lake district, the subtropical valleys of Paute, Gualaceo and Yunguilla, plus the legendary Inca ruins of Ingapirca. Cuenca Colonial Tour Cuenca is Ecuador’s third largest city; yet it still retains its pleasant provincial air. Its red tiled roofs, cobblestone streets, flowery plazas and museums make it very special. This comprehensive tour includes the Plaza of San Sebastian, a colourful artisans’ market, where handicrafts are sold. Then, visit the Museum of Modern Art, featuring an excellent collection of contemporary fine art. The original building was the “House of Temperance” where alcoholics were once locked inside its thick walls in an effort to cure them. Cuenca Scenic Tour With Lunch Enjoy a full day to discover, at a leisurely pace, the beauty and charm for which Cuenca has been recognised as a World Cultural Heritage Site. This is a walking tour in the colonial downtown area of Cuenca, an opportunity to enjoy the warmth and hospitality of its people, the colourful parks and plazas, religious monuments and handcraft shops. Lunch is served at one of the local restaurants, and in the afternoon, drive up to the hill of Turi to admire the city and have a talk on Cuenca's geography and history. Later, visit the Museum of the Central Bank and its very interesting ethnographic museum, featuring life size figures of the many different Indian groups that inhabit Ecuador. The last visit is at a workshop where Panama straw hats of the best quality are made.
This tour features a fascinating day trip to Ingapirca, the northernmost fortress-temple remaining from the Inca times. Sun-worshippers built this stone centre on a promontory high above the Cañar valley, about 96 Km (60 miles) northeast of Cuenca and at an altitude of 10,595 feet (3,230 metres) above sea level. Drive through enchanting highlands, passing through the towns of Azogues and Cañar. Visit the mountain-bound sanctuary of Our Lady of Rocio in Biblian, built on steep rock, and a small hat workshop. Upon arrival in Ingapirca stop at the on-site museum, and admire the stone fortress, with several trapezoidal doorways and stone walls of Inca construction, perfectly fitted together without mortar. There is an elliptical platform, known as the Temple of the Sun, used for religious and ceremonial purposes, the barracks, the stone "Inca Face" and the zoomorphic carvings. Lunch at a pleasant inn before returning to Cuenca. Gualaceo Valley The valley of Gualaceo is 22 miles (36 kilometres) from Cuenca, at an elevation of 7,446 feet (2,370 metres) above sea level. The ride starts along the Santa Ana Valley and then high in the mountains, through very scenic landscapes, which change at every turn. Stops are made at the small towns of San Bartolome where guitars are hand made and artistically finished and at Sigsig, where the toquilla straw is harvested and prepared to be woven into the famous Panama hats. Proceed to Chordeleg, through orchards and sugar cane plantations, a small town with many stores selling gold and silver jewellery. Chordeleg is also known for its green and yellow pottery. Lunch is at a very pleasant country inn, surrounded by flowering gardens and very close to the Santa Barbara River. After lunch, follow the road along the banks of the river, lined with weeping willows, to the village of Gualaceo. It is famous for its Sunday market which sells mostly produce, animals, household goods and leather shoes. The valley of Gualaceo is known for the production of peaches and there is a Peach Festival during the first week of March. Visit another tiny town, Bulcay, where the weavers produce the finest shawls and scarves. They use backstrap looms and the technique of ikat, where the threads are tie-dyed to form specific designs before weaving. Return to Cuenca in the afternoon. Cuenca Two-Day Tour & Ingapirca Inca Ruins Experience the charm and diversity of Cuenca in this convenient, easily accessible two-day program. After a spectacular early morning flight across the Andes, the guide awaits you at the airport for a transfer to your chosen hotel. Begin a comprehensive tour of the city of Cuenca, which includes exploring the Plaza of San Sebastian, a colourful artisans market, where local handicrafts are sold. Then, visit the Museum of Modern Art, featuring an excellent collection of contemporary fine art. Stops are made at workshops where Panama hats of the best quality are made, and at Plaza San Francisco, where the beautifully embroidered skirts of the cholas are for sale. Then visit the flower market in the small plaza in front of the carved stone entrance of the church of El Carmen de la Asunción. From here, stroll to the main square, surrounded by the imposing blue-domed Cathedral, the Court of Justice, the Municipal Palace, the Governor’s Palace and the Church of El Sagrario. Also visit Todos Santos Ruins, where you will find the different layers of the rough stone of Cañari building, the mortar-less stonework of the Incas and remains of Spanish arches. The tour ends with a drive along the Tomebamba River to admire the city’s overhanging houses and laundry spread out to dry on its river banks. Lunch will feature typical Cuencan delicacies. Free time in the afternoon to visit museums and the many handicraft shops, before dinner at the hotel and a quiet evening in colonial Cuenca. After breakfast the next morning, depart by coach to Ingapirca, the northernmost fortress-temple remaining from Inca times. Sun-worshippers built this stone centre on a promontory high above the Cañar valley, about 96 Km (60 miles) northeast of Cuenca and at an altitude of 10,595 feet (3,230 metres) above sea level. Drive through enchanting highlands, passing through the towns of Azogues and Cañar. Visit the mountain-bound sanctuary of Our Lady of Rocio in Biblian, built on steep rock, and a small hat workshop. Upon arrival in Ingapirca stop at the on-site museum, and admire the stone fortress, with several trapezoidal doorways and stone walls of Inca construction, perfectly fitted together without mortar. There is an elliptical platform, known as the Temple of the Sun, used for religious and ceremonial purposes, the barracks, the stone "Inca Face" and the zoomorphic carvings. Lunch at a pleasant inn before returning to Cuenca. Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Quito or Guayaquil. Round trip air ticket is not included. Useful tips
Cajas National Park
Useful tips
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Ecuador’s most beautiful city, Saint Anne of the Four Rivers of Cuenca, is located in the valley of Guapondelig (plain as wide as the sky). At an altitude of 2,550 metres (7,650 feet) above sea level, Cuenca enjoys a mild climate and a fabulous geographic position. Cuenca is surrounded by hills, such as Cullca to the north and Turi to the south, which are great lookout points. Cuenca has the placid atmosphere of a small city, both deeply religious and artistic, and this fascinates the visitor. The beauty of its landscape combined with the harmony between old and modern architecture, has prompted UNESCO to name Ecuador’s third largest city, Cuenca, a World Cultural Heritage Site.
A stop is made at Plaza San Francisco, where the exquisitely embroidered skirts of the cholas are for sale. Next is a visit to the flower market in the small plaza in front of the carved stone entrance to the church of El Carmen de la Asunción. From here a stroll to the main square, surrounded by the imposing blue-domed Cathedral, the Court of Justice, the Municipal Palace, the Governor’s Palace and the Church of El Sagrario. Then, a drive along the Tomebamba River to admire the city’s overhanging houses, laundry spread out to dry on its river banks and a great view of the city from the Hill of Turi.
Ingapirca Inca Fortress Tour
A jacket and walking shoes are necessary when heading for the area of Cajas, 19 miles (30 Km.) west of Cuenca. Cajas is lake country, a protected 28,800-hectare area starting at 3,000 metres (10,000 feet) above sea level. The region shows remains of intense volcanic activity and glaciation. The highest point is reached on the road at Three Crosses, the water divide of those than go to the Pacific and to the Atlantic. The wind and drizzle can make it very cold, but the scenery surrounding these 230 lakes is splendid, for walking and hiking, for observing flora, fauna and bird life. The vegetation includes small forests of quinua trees, a high protein grain. These dwarf forests are home to many species of birds like hummingbirds and the grey-breasted mountain toucan. The cold lakes of Cajas are full of trout, and a visit to a trout-breeding hacienda is included, where lunch will naturally feature delicious fresh trout. Entrance fee to Cajas National Park is included. Warm clothing is needed. It is quite windy, consider gloves and ear protection.