Top Cuenca Cultural Tours

Explore Cuenca, one of Ecuador's most beautiful cities, on foot and by vehicle during this half-day guided tour. Highlights include colonial architecture such as wrought iron balconies and carved doors, museums, churches, parks, a flower market, and a world-renowned hat factory where so-called Panama hats are made. Hats can also be purchased and shipped directly to your home address. Finally, enjoy an overview of the city from the Mirador de Turi  viewpoint.

The countryside surrounding Cuenca in the southern Ecuadorean Andes is home to some of the country’s most important archaeological sites and artisan villages. If you have limited time in Cuenca, this tour combines two top attractions into a single day trip. Tour Ingapirca, the largest Incan site in Ecuador, as well as Gualaceo and Chordeleg, villages known for their silver filigree and hand-woven shawls.

Cuenca, with its museums, markets, sunny squares, and historic buildings, is Ecuador’s most beautiful colonial city. With this half-day tour, work with your own private guide to personalize your itinerary, prioritizing the sites you most want to see and skipping those you don’t. Choose a departure time that works best for you.

Ingapirca is the most important archaeological site in Ecuador and a unique example of two cultures in one site. Enjoy the beautiful stone architecture at the site and learn about its Cañari and Inca inhabitants. A short walk reveals a rock formation that resembles an Incan profile and, on Sundays, a local market is visited as well.

Make the most of your visit to Cuenca with a day trip to three important artisan villages of Ecuador. After pickup from your hotel, take in the Andean landscape on your way to Chordeleg and San Bartolomé. You’ll get an immersive look at the craftsmanship that goes into textiles, guitars, and more.  Let your private guide help you decide on what to eat for your included lunch in Gualaceo.

The Ingapirca ruins, the most important archaeological site in Ecuador, lie to the north of Cuenca, considered Ecuador’s most beautiful city. See them both with this full-day tour. Tour Ingapirca Archaeological Site to learn about ancient Incan and Canari civilizations, then head to historic Cuenca for a city tour to the most important landmarks and attractions. You’ll also have time for a walk through the colorful Mercado 10 de Agosto.

Turn your transfer from Cuenca to Guayaquil into an adventure with this tour. The journey conveniently begins and ends at your accommodation, so there’s no need to haul your suitcases across either city. On your way to the coast, stop at the UNESCO listed Cajas National Park where you can enjoy an optional hike through the Polylepis Forest. Lunch is offered (if option is selected), followed by a visit to a family owned cocoa plantation.

Cuenca City is one of the famous city in Ecuador for its architecture and the culture, in this experience by night will see how the city is illuminated for its own light, addition we will explore the most important part of the city like the old and the new church as El Turi viewpoint

Discover some of the most important sites in southern Ecuador in just one day on this combined archaeological, cultural, and artisanal tour. Visit the Ingapirca Archaeological Complex, considered the most important in Ecuador, and learn about the Cañari and Inca cultures in the company of a guide. Then, eat like a local and enjoy a delicious traditional lunch. Finish your day with a trip to Chordeleg and Gualaceo to visit jewelry and textile workshops run by local artisans.

Visit some of Ecuador’s top natural attractions without having to worry about arranging your activities, accommodation, and transfers on a private 4- or 5-day tour that comes with two different options depending on your budget. You’ll visit renowned sights such as Baños, Cuenca, Cotopaxi National Park, and Quilotoa Lake.

This shuttle transfer service is a comfortable and efficient way to travel between Cuenca and Guayaquil. Simply choose the time, date, and location that works for you, and enjoy a convenient door-to-door service. No need to share the ride with other passengers—this is a private service just for your party.

Travel back in time to the days of the Incan Empire on an 8-hour small-group tour to Ingapirca. Visit the Rocio Virgin Church, then enjoy a Panama hat weaving demonstration at the home of an indigenous family. Continue with a scenic drive through the Andean highlands, then explore the extensive archaeological complex, including the elliptical Temple of the Sun. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant, then return to Cuenca.

Connecting the Andes Mountains to the coast, the Devil’s Nose Train was considered one of the world’s greatest feats of engineering when it was built in 1899. On this private tour, enjoy the convenience of private transportation to Alausi, the starting point for the train. Take in the scenic Andean landscape en route to the coast, then continue along the Pan-American Highway to Ingapirca, Ecuador’s largest pre-Columbian archaeological site.

The Ingapirca ruins, one of Ecuador’s largest and most important archaeological sites, sit just north of Cuenca. Save time navigating public transport and waiting in line at the entrance to the site with this private tour, and visit this Incan fortress-temple in the Cañar Valley with a guide who can fill you in on its history. This leaves time to visit a family of indigenous weavers to see who Panama hats are made.

Discover the long history of the Incas in Ecuador on a private tour to the Ingapirca ruins archaeological complex. Complimentary hotel pickup and drop-off ensures that your journey is comfortable and secure from beginning to end. After a private tour of the ruins, enjoy lunch (included) at a traditional Ecuadorian lunch. On the way back to Cuenca, stop in Biblian to visit the hilltop Gothic-style church, the Sanctuary of the Virgen del Rocio.

This tour is specially designed for those who want to enjoy the wonderful landscapes, culture and history of the Ecuadorian highlands.

Discover Ecuador’s most noteworthy archaeological attraction on a small-group tour to Ingapirca. Relax, as comfortable transportation takes you from your Cuenca hotel on a scenic drive through Andean landscapes. Then, explore the ruins, while your guide provides commentary about Canari and Incan cultures and history. The tour also includes visits to the Biblian church, also known as La Virgen del Rocio, and a typical Canari market.

Add some excitement to your transfer from Cuenca to Vilcabamba - or vice versa - on a private 10-hour tour. Door to door transportation ensures that your experience is a comfortable one. Stop in Saraguro and discover the way of life of a prominent ethnic group. After a locally prepared lunch, continue with a guided visit of Cuenca or Vilcabamba, depending on your end destination.

A full-day sightseeing tour to the Ecuadorian craft towns begins with private pickup from your Cuenca hotel. Whether your interests lie in textiles, woodwork, or jewelry, there’s something for everyone to marvel at on this tour.  With the help of your private guide, you’ll gain an in depth understanding of the craft process and have a chance to shop and explore on your own. You even get a traditional lunch.

If you’re on a tight schedule this program is ideal to see the highlights of Cuenca city and Cajas National Park You’ll start the day visiting Cajas National Park, one of the most beautiful natural sites in Ecuador. Its landscapes, flora, fauna, and more than 230 lakes, makes it an essential place to visit. After hiking with amazing views, you will return to Cuenca for lunch and a guided tour of the historic center, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and see places like the new and the old Cathedral, the 10 de agosto market, Turi Viewpoint and the famous Panama Hat (Straw hats) factory. Because, as a matter of fact, all Panama hats are proudly manufactured in Ecuador! We will tell you all its history while on tour.

This 3-Day trip is the perfect opportunity to fully discover the Cuenca region. You will explore the historic UNESCO-recognized center of Cuenca, the breathtaking Cajas National Park, the historically significant Ingapirca ruins, known as the Ecuadorian Machu Pichi, and the artisan villages of Gualaceo and Chordeleg. Experience Ecuadorian culture, nature, and history up close while our guide provides fascinating insights.

With this two day tour you can enjoy the most popular places to visit while you are in Cuenca. It is a tour for all tastes, you can enjoy history while walking through the Inca ruins, gastronomy while you are in Gualaceo, shopping on your visit to Chordeleg and for nature lovers there is the Cajas National Park. We have everything for all tastes

The villages of Gualaceo and Chordeleg with their traditions of producing fine local handicrafts lie just east of Cuenca. With this private tour, browse the colorful wares at your leisure while learning about traditional artisan techniques. Watch as guitars, filigree jewelry, Panama hats, and shawls are being made, taste local fruits only found in Ecuador, and sit down for a local lunch. You’ll have plenty of time to shop in each village.