Top Cuenca Tours by Duration

Explore one of the most spectacular parks in Ecuador on a full-day tour from Cuenca. Hike through the park's unique high altitude landscape which includes lakes, paramo vegetation, llamas, ancient Polylepis trees, and more to delight nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts who want an easy escape from the nearby city.

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 special because we will enter houses and colonial buildings that usually could not be done personally, we will try 100% Ecuadorian and artisan products in unexpected and hidden places, we will try to make the information fun and dynamic, the best thing about this tour is that we will by a legal and 100% certified guide

Spend time at the UNESCO-listed Cajas National Park on a small-group tour from Cuenca. With a guide by your side, all you have to do is enjoy the adventure on a hike that offers spectacular views as well as a look at the Andean flora and fauna.

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.

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.

Most visitors experience Cuenca through its churches, plazas, and colonial architecture. We'll experience it through its markets, family-run eateries, and the recipes that locals have been passing down for generations. This small-group food tour takes us beyond the guidebooks and into the everyday food culture of Ecuador's Andes. We'll visit two bustling mercados, uncover hidden local institutions, and sample 14+ tastings that showcase the remarkable diversity of Ecuadorian cuisine, from coastal fish fritters and tuna soup to Andean corn dishes, traditional tamales, and regional sweets. Along the way, we'll discover how indigenous traditions, Spanish influences, and regional ingredients combined to create one of Ecuador's most distinctive culinary identities. With a maximum of just 8 guests, we'll enjoy a more personal experience while exploring the flavours, traditions, and local characters that most visitors never encounter.

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.

Discover Cuenca’s cuisine and history on a small-group walking tour. In addition to sating your appetite and cultural curiosities, this tour is a great way to orient yourself to the city’s layout. Culinary highlights include Sanduche de pernil, tamales, empanadas, and traditional beverages like morocho and coconut juice. Along the way, visit the ruins of Todos Los Santos, the Broken Bridge, and numerous other landmarks.

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.

Embark on a charming tour of El Cajas National Park. Its haze-covered mountains hold stunning landscapes on every trail, from open meadows to forests full of life. In the middle of the tour, the silence is interrupted only by the murmur of the wind and the song of birds that accompany the traveler. The lagoons, with their serene waters, reflect the vastness of the sky and convey a peace difficult to forget. This scenario invites both adventure and contemplation, offering a perfect space to disconnect from the routine and connect with the essence of the environment at every moment.

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.

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.

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, 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.

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.

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 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.

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.

Discover the vibrant culture and history of Cuenca on a 4-hour sightseeing tour. Courtesy round-trip transportation from your hotel spares you the stress of finding a meeting point in an unfamiliar city. Tour highlights includes a demonstration at the Panama Hat Factory and a visit to a traditional market. The comprehensive itinerary is set at a leisurely pace, so you have ample time to take pictures and soak in your surroundings.

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.

Travel along a portion of Ecuador's Inca Trail on this all-day guided tour from Cuenca. Hike six miles (10 kilometers) of the famous trail, taking in the beautiful mountain scenery and the stunning paving stones. After the hike, visit the Ingapirca archeological site, which includes the Temple of the Sun that was used for ritual and astronomical purposes.

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.