Top Cuenca How to Get Around

Cajas National Park, with its 200 glacial lakes and numerous hiking trails, is easily one of the most beautiful places in Ecuador. With this tour, travelers with limited time in Cuenca can still spend a few hours exploring the Andean highlands with two guided hikes through two different forest ecosystems.

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

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.

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.

On this tour you can enjoy the beautiful landscape of the Cajas N.P. in a walk of 3 hours more or less, after which you relax in the thermal baths of the Baños parish. An experience that you will love.

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 the story behind every bite of chocolate on a journey that connects the field, the industrial cocoa processes, and Cuenca gastronomy. At Finca Patawasi you will learn about the origin of our cocoa: from planting and harvesting to drying its seeds. Then, at Industrial Fátima, you will discover how it is transformed into bars, bonbons, and other creations. The experience continues at Hannan Chocolatería with an author's sensory tasting of products made with 100% Ecuadorian cocoa, where you will explore aromas, textures, and flavors. To complete the tour, you will enjoy a typical lunch in Taitico, with your choice of roasted guinea pig or baked pork. An experience for those who want to go beyond tasting chocolate: to know its origin, understand its production, and discover the flavors of Cuenca while also touring the city's historical sites such as the beautiful Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and the Old Cathedral with its museum.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

If you’re looking to get a true feel for the city, this tour will take you on a city tour in the morning, before enjoying a delicious traditional lunch and an afternoon tailored to your personal interests.

Get a comprehensive overview of Cuenca's historical and cultural attractions on a private half-day sightseeing tour. Enjoy immersive commentary as your guide leads you around the UNESCO-listed city center to Barrio de San Sebastián, Parque Calderón, Catedral del Sagrario, Catedral Immaculate Conception, and other landmarks. You'll also visit a Panama straw hat factory and get a postcard-worthy view of the city at Mirador de Turi.

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.

Indulge in one of the most decadent pairings in Cuenca: wine and chocolate. Visit Altisimo Chocolate and experience a private tasting of red and white wines with handmade chocolate truffles and bonbons made from Ecuadorian and Peruvian cacao, led by an expert. You’ll also learn about the history of cacao growing in Ecuador and have time to tour the shop.

The Cajas National Park is a popular choice for a day trip from Cuenca, but with limited time to spare, you can still take in the highlights on a private half-day tour. Choose to hike around the Toreadora Lagoon and take in the views from the highlands, or enjoy an easy trek through the lowlands at Llaviucu. Hotel pickup and drop-off is included.

Our tours are unique and exclusive in the country. We can help you with a tour according to your needs with our professional guides. We have two offices nationwide where you can approach and hire any of our services.