Top Cuenca How to Get Around - page 2

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.

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.

Cuenca offer an astounding variety of art, culturally rich traditions, monumental architectural gems and exceptional cuisine. A city crossed by four rivers and situated in an Andean valley in the South Ecuadorian mountain region, nature makes its home in the city center. The famous 10 de Agosto Market, is very famous in the city for being a place where it is very interesting to get to the market and walk through the aisles of the fruit and medicinal herbs vendors as well as the large number of local shops selling food also deciding on where to eat isn’t easy.

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.

Discover the charm of Cuenca through its most iconic landmarks and cultural attractions. Visit the traditional San Sebastián neighborhood, the Museum of Modern Art, the colorful Flower Plaza, and Calderón Park, surrounded by historic republican-style buildings such as the Old Cathedral, the impressive Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (New Cathedral), and the Court of Justice. Continue to the famous Homero Ortega Panama Hat Factory to observe the traditional crafting process of toquilla straw hats. Explore the scenic Barranco area along the Tomebamba River, where traditional and modern architecture come together, and finish at the Turi Viewpoint with panoramic views of Cuenca’s rooftops, domes, and surrounding mountains. *Artisan Ceramic Showroom – Visit Cerámica Vega and discover handcrafted ceramic pieces inspired by the region’s cultural heritage.

Visiting Cajas National Park can be tricky to do alone, so make the most of this full-day excursion from Cuenca and learn more about the flora and fauna—including llamas and alpacas—from your guide than you could alone. Plus, take walks around the lakes without the worry of getting lost and enjoy the scenery en route as someone else drives.

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.

Make the most of your long transfer and stretch your legs at Cajas National Park.  The adventurous transfer is available in either direction from Cuenca or Guayaquil. Whichever way you’re going, enjoy a one and a half hour hike amongst the Andean mountains.  The transfer further includes a visit to a coastal cacao farm to learn about chocolate production. In the middle, enjoy a filling lunch of local cuisine.

Explore the beautiful city of Cuenca by bike on this 3-hour tour. Pedal along the river and admire the architecture of the El Barranco neighborhood. Visit an old Inca archaeological site, Pumapungo, and learn about this ancient culture at the adjacent museum and finish up with a pedal around the UNESCO-listed historic center of Cuenca.

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.

Cajas National Park and the city of Cuenca offer the best of this part of Ecuador and this full-day tour includes both. Enjoy a moderate hike in Cajas National Park to appreciate its unique geography, flora, and fauna, including llamas. In Cuenca, see the architecture, churches, art, and ambiance that make this one of the most beautiful cities in Ecuador. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for convenience.

Literally, get off the beaten path on a private hiking tour in Cajas National Park. After a hassle-free transfer from your Cuenca accommodation, your guide will lead you on a light trek through a secluded valley. Have your camera ready for postcard-worthy views of Lake Llaviucu, an abandoned German brewery, and wild horses and alpacas.

Experience the unbeatable beauty of Cajas National Park your way on a private day tour from Cuenca. The start time and duration of the excursion are entirely up to you. Whatever you decide, relax in convenient round-trip transportation from your hotel. The park offers a variety of picturesque trails to suit every experience level. In between your two Andean treks, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

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.

After hotel pickup in Cuenca, you’ll set off on an 8-hour avian adventure at El Cajas National Park. From an elevation of 3,800 meters (12,800 ft), you’ll see a long list of endemic birds, including the Tufted Tit Tyrant and Variable Hawk. Go at a leisurely pace with your private guide to maximize your sightings and enjoy the scenery. Unwind as private transport takes you back to your hotel.

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.

This private full-day tour from Cuenca, Ecuador was designed with hikers in mind. Explore trails through primary cloud forest, then continue to Cajas National Park to explore the high altitude paramo landscape and watershed within this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. A well-earned lunch of trout from local fish farms is included.

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.

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.

Embark on an unforgettable journey through the hidden trails of Cajas National Park. Starting at the Toreadora refuge, our certified guide will lead you along a 16-kilometer (10-mile) pristine trail, showcasing stunning Andean grasslands, serene lakes, and sweeping views that few experience. The trail reaches a peak of 13,388 feet, descending to 10,600 feet, making it a moderate hike for those in good physical condition. After a boxed lunch in the peaceful Llaviuco valley, we’ll return you to Cuenca with hotel drop-off included.

Immerse yourself in the rich history, vibrant culture, and breathtaking landscapes of Cuenca with this two-day experience that takes you through archaeological wonders, artisan villages, and stunning natural reserves.

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.

Most visitors come to Cuenca for its colonial architecture, cathedral domes, and UNESCO-listed streets. We'll show you the side of the city that locals experience every day - its markets. This small group food tour visits three of Cuenca's most beloved mercados, where generations of cooks, and vendors have helped shape the city's culinary identity. Along the way, we'll sample 15+ tastings ranging from traditional Andean corn dishes and slow-roasted pork to coastal specialities, market snacks, and local sweets. We'll ride Cuenca's tram between neighbourhoods, discover dishes that rarely appear on tourist menus, and learn how indigenous, Spanish, and regional influences combined to create one of Ecuador's most distinctive food cultures. From bustling market halls to family-run stalls, this is the Cuenca that exists beyond the guidebooks. With a maximum of just 8 guests, we'll explore the city through its food, stories, and traditions in a way that most visitors never experience.