Top Cuenca Day Trips

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.

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.

Experience the world renowned natural beauty of Cajas National Park on a 4-hour guided tour from Cuenca. Convenient round-trip transportation from your accommodation enables you to relax and enjoy the scenic drive through the mountains. Once at the UNESCO listed park, your guide takes care of navigation allowing you to fully appreciate the llamas, Polylepis trees, and impressive lakes that surround you.

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.

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.

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.

Discover the historical wonders and contemporary culture of Ecuador on a full-day tour from Cuenca. Convenient round-trip transportation from your hotel spares you the stress of rushing to a meeting point. Learn about the ancient Cañari and Inca ways of life at the Ingapirca Archaeological Complex, then see artisans at work in Gualaceo. Enjoy the view from the Church of Biblian before you refuel on a filling Ecuadorian lunch at a traditional restaurant.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Travelers looking for an active experience in Cuenca, Ecuador will appreciate this half-day tour of the city by bike and on foot. Stops include the Barranco cliffside area for architecture and history, the Pumapungo Incan archaeological site, the Tomebamba River through the city, and the place where independence hero Simon Bolivar once slept.

The picturesque villages of Gualeceo and Chordeleg, located just east of Cuenca, produce some of the country’s best handcrafted goods. With this full-day tour, shop for shawls, jewelry, pottery and other handmade items directly form the artists who craft them. After learning about how these traditional items are made, dive deeper into the history of Cuenca on a walking tour.

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.

Ingapirca is the most important Inca complex of Ecuador. In is located an hour North of Cuenca by private car. It is definitely worth a visit. There is a very interesting museum in the site and the castle area has beautiful remains of what it once was an Inca city. In the surrounding area, there are several places to visit, including the Inca Face. After visiting the archeological site, we will visit a beautiful restaurant which is a real hidden gem. Everything, the transportation, the tickets, food and drinks are included in the price of the tour.

This tour will allow us to discover the most important archaeological attractions in the country since they are in an average area of 80 km. In the transfers between these 3 attractions we will visit some very picturesque villages of the provinces of Azuay and Cañar where we can appreciate different types of cultural manifestations while we go through the history of the pre-Columbian towns that settled in this territory. In addition, this tour will allow us to access points over 3,000 meters high that will offer us the ideal space for photography and recreation.

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.

The bicycle a different way to know the charming Ecuadorian landscapes and the history of this country. We will start in Cañar Province, to enter a magical bike trip follow the rails and tunnels of the Old Ecuadorian Train. Surrounded by green Andean landscapes we arrive at Ingapirca and we will visit "The Coyoctor Archeological Complex" also named "Baño del Inca" a ceremonial site of the Cañari & Inca Etnies.

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.

Discover the lakes, mountains, and forests of the Cajas National Park with a private full-day tour tailor-made for you. Trek through the lowlands, marvel at the views from the Tres Cruces lookout point, and admire natural wonders such as the Toreadora Lagoon, Totoras Lagoon, and Patoquinuas Lake. Hotel pickup and drop-off is included.

It will be an unparalleled experience as it will be possible to observe a very diverse fauna, such as Andean condors, giant hummingbirds and coatis. Next to the park, the sanctuary of the Virgen del Cajas is a place of pilgrimage in the open air where they say the Virgin Mary appeared. The main activities practiced are photography, hiking and experiential fishing.