TOUR OF MARVELOUS CUENCA
(private, 4 hours, daily, from Cuenca)
Cuenca
is Ecuador’s third largest city; yet it still retains its pleasant provincial air.
Its red tiled roofs, cobblestone streets, flowery plazas and museums make it very
special. This comprehensive tour includes the Plaza of San Sebastian, a colorful
artisans market, where handicrafts are sold. Then, visit the Museum of Modern Art,
featuring an excellent collection of contemporary fine art. The original building
was the “House of Temperance” where alcoholics were once shut inside its thick
walls in an effort to cure them. A stop is made at Plaza San Francisco, where small
handcraft shops can be visited and the exquisitely embroidered skirts of the cholas are
for sale. Next is a visit to the flower market at the small plaza in front of the
carved stone entrance to the church of El Carmen de la Asunción. From here, a
stroll to the main square, surrounded by the imposing blue-domed Cathedral, the Court of
Justice, the Municipal Palace, the Governor’s Palace and the Church of El Sagrario.
Also, visit the ruins of Todos Santos, where in different archaeological strata are
vestiges of the rough Cañari construction, the classical Inca stone walls without mortar
and remains of Spanish arches. Then, a drive along the Tomebamba river to admire the
city’s overhanging houses and the laundry spread out to dry on its river banks and a
great view of the city from the Hill of Turi.
CUENCA SCENIC TOUR WITH LUNCH
(private, full day, daily, from Cuenca, includes lunch)
Enjoy
a full day to discover, at a leisurely pace, the beauty and charm for which Cuenca has
been recognized as a World Cultural Heritage Site. This is a walking tour in the
colonial downtown area of Cuenca, an opportunity to enjoy the warmth and hospitality of
its people, the colorful parks and plazas, religious monuments and handcraft shops.
Lunch is served at one of the restaurants of the area, and in the afternoon, drive up to
the hill of Turi to admire the city and have an explanation of Cuenca's geography and
history. On the way, a short visit is made to the ceramic shop of Vega.
Later, visit a museum and a workshop where Panama straw hats of the best quality are
made.
GUALACEO VALLEY & CHORDELEG
(private, full day, from Cuenca, daily, includes lunch)
The valley
of Gualaceo is 22 miles (36 kilometers) from Cuenca, at an elevation of 7,446 feet (2,370
meters) above sea level. The ride starts along the Santa Ana valley and then high in
the mountains, through very scenic landscapes, which change at every curb. A stop is
made at the small town of San Bartolome where guitars are hand made and artistically
finished and Chordeleg, a small town with many stores selling jewelry in gold and silver.
Past the village of Gualaceo, drive along the banks of the river, lined with
weeping willows, arrive at Bulcay where the weavers produce the finest shawls and scarves
using backstrap looms and the technique of ikat, where the threads are tie-dyed to form
specific designs before weaving. Then visit an orchid garden with over 2500 species.
Lunch is at a very pleasant country inn, surrounded by flowering gardens and very
close to the Paute River, and in the afternoon return to Cuenca in time to catch the
return flight.
INGAPIRCA INCA FORTRESS
(private, full day, daily, includes lunch)
Visit
to Ingapirca, the most northern fortress-temple remaining from Inca times.
Sun-worshippers built this stone center on a promontory high above the Cañar valley,
about 96 Km (60 miles) northeast of Cuenca and at an altitude of 10,595 feet (3,230
meters) above sea level.
Ride
through enchanting highlands, passing through the towns of Azogues and Cañar, with short
visits to the Cañari ruins of Cojitambo and Coyuctor, and on Sundays, the market at
Cañar. Upon arrival at Ingapirca stop at the on-site museum, and admire the stone
fortress with several trapezoidal doorways and stone walls perfectly fit together, without
mortar, of the Inca construction. There is an elliptical platform, known as the Temple of
the Sun used for religious and ceremonial purposes, the barracks, the stone "Inca
Face" and the zoomorphic carvings. Lunch at a pleasant inn of the area before
the return to Cuenca in time to take the flight to Quito or Guayaquil.
CAJAS NATIONAL PARK
(private, full day, daily, includes lunch)
A
jacket and walking shoes are necessary when heading for the area of Cajas, 19 miles (30
Km.) west of Cuenca. Cajas is lake country, a protected 28,800-hectare area starting
at 3,000 meters (10,000 feet) above sea level; the region shows remains of intense
volcanic activity and glaciation. The highest point is reached on the road at Three
Crosses, the water divide of those than go to the Pacific and to the Atlantic. The wind
and drizzle can make it very cold, but the scenery surrounding these 230 lakes is
splendid, for walking and hiking, for observing flora, fauna and bird life. The
vegetation includes small forests of quinua trees, a high protein grain. These dwarf
forests are home to many species of birds like hummingbirds and the gray-breasted mountain
toucan. The cold lakes of Cajas are full of trout, and A visit to a trout-breeding
hacienda is included, where lunch will naturally feature delicious fresh trout.
Entrance fee to Cajas National Park is included.
Entrance
fee to Cajas National Park is included. Warm clothing is needed. It is quite
windy, consider gloves and ear protection. Sunblock (SPF 40) even if the day is
cloudy. Good walking shoes. Camera (wide angle lens). Binoculars.
Sunglasses.
