Top Cuenca Day Trips

Discover the best of Cajas National Park without the overwhelming tourist crowds on a private hiking tour from Cuenca. Starting from the park's highest elevation, you'll follow your guide on a leisurely downhill trek through three ecological zones, each offering unique flora and fauna. With very few people on the backcountry trail, you'll enjoy unobstructed views of mountains, rivers, grasslands, and more.

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.

This is a day trip to three important artisan villages of Ecuador located in the outskirts of Cuenca City, that is great if you have an extra day in the City and you look for learning more about culture and heritage. 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.

Just outside of Cuenca, the towns of Chordeleg and Gualaceo preserve traditional ways of living through their well-regarded handicraft markets and typical town structures. Gain deeper insight into each location and Ecuadorian culture on this private 4-hour tour from Cuenca, which includes hassle-free transportation from the city.

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.

Don’t stress about time-consuming public transport; instead, opt for this private full-day excursion to El Giron Waterfall and Busa Lake from Cuenca. Relax and enjoy the scenery of the Tarqui Valley as you’re driven from point to point, stopping to hike through a cloud forest and lunch at a local restaurant. Ideal for first-time visitors, this tour is an easy way to see places you might otherwise overlook.

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 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.

Add some adventure to your Ecuadorian vacation on a private bike tour from Cuenca. Comfortable transfer from your hotel takes you for a downhill bike ride along "El Camino Viejo" to the Yunguilla Valley. Starting from an elevation of 9,064 feet (2,760 meters), you’ll enjoy a 25-mile (40-km) ride through native forests, farms, and local communities. Go at your own pace and are free to pause at any time to take photos.

Discover Ecuador's Andean history and cultural identities on a full-day small-group tour from Cuenca. After convenient pickup from your accommodation, enjoy a relaxing transfer to Alausi. Then, follow your guide on a city tour and visit the Condor Pununa viewpoint. After lunch (optional) at a typical restaurant, travel back in time to the days of the Inca Empire at the Ingapirca del Canar Archeological Complex.

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.

Experience the contrast between the green highlands, dry desert, and the dense tropical area. Discover the flavors, aromas and taste of the Ecuadorian Cacao know as one of the best in the world. You will experience a chocolate tasting as well.

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.

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.

This tour allows us to know in a synthesized way the most important places of the archaeological and cultural offer of the provinces of Azuay and Cañar; our first stop is in the archaeological complex of Ingapirca, where our guides travel through the history of local aboriginal cultures and the expansion of the Incas in the territory corresponding to Ecuador. On this journey you can taste the typical gastronomic offer of the region (Biblián). We continue our tour to Gualaceo and Chordeleg. Places where the craft activity stands out. In Chordeleg we will visit the jewelry made in gold and silver with the technique of filigree, here our visitors will have the opportunity to have free time to know the town and visit the jewelers and craft shops in the area; To finish our tour we visit the House of Makanas.

Explore Ecuador's most famous archaeological complex and more on an 8-hour tour to Ingapirca. The full-day adventure is perfect for history buffs and xenophiles alike, offering an in-depth look at Incan culture of the past and present. Afterwards, visit traditional markets in Gualaceo, where you can see artisans at work and pick up some souvenirs. Later, watch a live demonstration at a makana workshop to see the ancient weaving technique.

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.

Experience the Devil's Nose and more on a small-group tour from Cuenca. Forget unreliable public transit and get to Alausi faster in private transportation, leaving you with more time to explore the small town at your own pace. After the two and a half hour ride along the Devil’s Nose, take in a traditional dance performance and visit the remote Biblian Church before returning to Cuenca.

Experience our Full Day Private Tour to Ingapirca Ruins, Gualaceo & Chordeleg! Embark on a serene journey through the picturesque landscapes of Ecuador as you make your way to the heart of the city. Upon your arrival, meet your seasoned tour guide, ready to lead you on an enchanting tour of Ingapirca Ruins, Gualaceo & Chordeleg. Explore the historical wonders and contemporary culture of Ecuador on a full-day tour from Cuenca. Avoid the rush by having round-trip transportation from your hotel. Gain insights into the ancient Cañari and Inca civilizations at the Ingapirca Archaeological Complex. Witness artisans in action in Gualaceo. We'll greet you directly at the city center or hotels and ensure you return with ample time to relax and relish your day. Leave the details to us as we escort you on an extraordinary adventure, crafting memories that will stand the test of time!

We start the tour we will take an walk in Tambo in old ferry and view of a old and indigen town. Then we arrive to Ingapircar Ruins we make all the tour in old castle onf Incas the biggest in Ecuador and second then of Machu Pichu. Before returning to Cuenca, we will have a tipical lunch in a magic place with a lot energy where you discovered the engenier and tecnologic development for inca empire

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.

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.

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.