Description:

Cuenca is located in the south of Ecuador. It is considered to be the most picturesque city in the country and UNESCO World Heritage site. Our tour takes us to explore the highlights in the area in this very convenient trip from Guayaquil.

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Highlights:

• Explore Cuenca, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

• Visit the largest Inca-Canari archaeological site in Ecuador

• Enjoy a hassle-free experience with our dedicated tour guide/driver.

• Enjoy a hiking day tour in Cajas National Park

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Itinerary:

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Day 1: Immerse in Ancient History. Guayaquil - Ingapirca - Cuenca

From Guayaquil, we will drive through the beautiful farming area of the lowlands where we will see the great diversity of products that are grown here. We will make some stops on the way to enjoy the beautiful views of the Andes. After a 2-hour drive, we will arrive at Ingapirca, which is Ecuador’s major Inca archaeological site. Sun worshippers built this fortress temple in Cañar Valley. The elliptical temple of Ingapirca, for its high religious hierarchy, has evidence in the use of ashlar pillows in the purest imperial Cuzco style.

Meals: Lunch

Overnight in Cuenca

Day 2: Discover the Charms of Cuenca on our Half-day city tour

The tour begins in San Sebastian, a traditional neighborhood of Cuenca which constitutes the western colonial border of the city. Then we also visit the San Francisco market, the flower market, Abdon Calderon Park, the cathedral “El Sagrario”, known as the “Old Cathedral”, and lastly, we will tour the “New Cathedral” which is considered one of the biggest churches in Latin America.  The famous gold leaf altar is found here.

We continue our tour to a Panama hat factory.  Here we’ll observe the fabrication of hats from a fiber called “Paja toquilla.”  These hats range from classic simple ones to colorful, elegantly designed, and costly ones.  Afterward, we will go to the “Barranco”, an area of terraced houses which is located next to the Tomebamba River.  Finally, we will go to the “mirador de Turi” (scenic viewpoint) to enjoy the beautiful vista of the Cuenca landscape.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight in Cuenca

Day 3: Natural Wonders of Cajas and Return to Guayaquil

Enjoy the fascinating views and contrast of the Ecuadorian Andes and lowlands. We will drive through the famous Andes mountains to Toreadora Refuge in Cajas National Park. We will have the opportunity to do a hike (optional) to explore the Polylepis Forest and Moorland ecosystems with its lakes.
Then we will cross the continental divide and continue our drive to the lowlands making stops to enjoy the beautiful scenery if weather permitting. Afterward, we will visit a local family and their farm, the main product growing here is cacao (base to make chocolate), however, they have many other products such as bananas, coffee, passion fruit, pineapple, etc that we will be able to see and try. Our tour guide will explain the features of the local customs and products.
Drop of in Guayaquil at the Airport.