Azuay

Neighborhood Tours

Ingapirca is the most important archaeological complex in Ecuador, situated 2 hours north of Cuenca. On your way to the site, there will be a stop at the Virgen del Rocío Church in Biblián, one of the most beautiful churches in the country. Once you reach the top of the 140 steps, enjoy a spectacular view of the surrounding area. Learn about traditional food culture as well, as you watch a pig being cooked over an open fire, a typical food preparation in the area.  If the tour takes place on a Sunday, there is also an additional visit to the indigenous market at Cañar. Here, the guide will inform you about the different products sold at these markets and you can learn about the traditional clothing of the Cañari. Finally, you will arrive at the Ingapirca complex where your guide will teach you about the Cañari and Inca cultures. Be sure to check out the unique Tahuantinsuyo elliptical temple, one of the highlights of the site.  This tour can be customized and your guide can change the order of the visits if you wish. The tour typically lasts approximately 8 hours. Afterwards, you will be returned to your accommodation.

This 8-hour tour takes you on a trip to explore three towns in the province of Azuay, located east of Cuenca. It's a great opportunity to learn more about local craftsmanship and to support Ecuadorian artisans.   The first stop is San Bartolomé, a pretty town with colonial-style houses and gardens filled with medicinal plants. It is also known for producing the best guitars in the country. Next, you will visit Chordoleg, famed for its intricate jewelry. Here, you can explore the different jewelry workshops before enjoying a tasty traditional lunch. Last but not least, the tour takes you to Gualeco, where artisans in traditional dress sell a range of different products. Visit the historical town center with its colonial-style houses then explore a famous makana workshop to see how the traditional shawls are made.

Start your four-day Quito adventure with a visit to the Cotopaxi National Park where you can walk around Limpiopungo Lake and enjoy the scenery of one of the highest and most active volcanoes in Ecuador. The next day, explore the charming city of Baños to enjoy the famous Avenida de las Cascadas. Visit the Pailon del Diablo waterfall where you can try what’s known as the “swing at the end of the world.” The following day, get picked up by your guide and travel to Chimborazo Faunistic Reserve. Walk around and enjoy the scenery of the highest mountain in Ecuador, Chimborazo. Spot some vicuñas. Take time for lunch before visiting Balbanera church, and then traveling south to Ingapirca, the most important archaeological complex in Ecuador, where you will learn about the Cañari and Incan cultures. Stay overnight in Cuenca, known as one of the most beautiful cities in Ecuador which you can continue to explore the next day with a visit to the historic center, and Cajas National Park or Gualaceo and Chordeleg.

Visit the most important places in the historic center of Cuenca and its surroundings on a guided walking tour. Start with a pickup from your hotel in downtown Cuenca in private transportation. Observe the city from the top of the Turi mountain and marvel at the stunning views. Then, walk through its cobbled streets and enjoy its colonial and republican architecture. Take advantage and enjoy a delicious Cuenca snack on the street of the Herreras, and do not miss the opportunity to buy a famous toquilla straw hat, made exclusively in Ecuador. Stroll through the plaza de las Flores, Central Park, New Cathedral, and the most beautiful buildings in the city.

Be picked up at 9:00 at your hotel, then you will visit San Sebastián Plaza and the Modern Art Museum. Later the bus will take the group to Cruz del Vado, Condamine and Mercado 10 de Agosto. After that we go for a walk tour through Mercado de San Francisco and Parque de las Flores.  The next stops are the Catedral Inmaculada Concepción (New Catedral), Catedral El Sagrario (Old Catedral), Parque Calderón and Palacio de Justicia.  Finally we will visit the Paja Toquilla hats manufactures and followed by a walk through the Barranco Route, Mirador de Turi, Vega Gallery or similar. Return to the hotel.

Immerse yourself in the wonders of Ecuadorian cuisine for a truly memorable culinary experience in the heart of Cuenca.  After getting picked up from your hotel, pay a visit to Cuenca's main market. Here, pick up the ingredients required to prepare your chosen menu and get a glimpse into daily life for the locals. Learn more about Andean products and how to bargain with vendors from your guide. Then, enjoy a short walk through the old town to reach the chef's kitchen. Here, learn how to prepare the starter, main course, and desert that you have chosen. Learn more about the techniques and recipes used in traditional Andean food from your local chef. At the end of the class, savor the rewards of your efforts as you sit down to eat the meal you have prepared.

Start the day with a visit to San Bartolome, a charming town at the foot of the stunning Andes mountain range, with amazing views of the sprawling valley below. San Bartolome is famous for its crafty guitar artisans, so take some time to visit a traditional shop to observe the process of making this musical instrument. Continue on to the town of Chordeleg, renowned throughout the country for its ceramic, gold and silver jewelry and, above all, for its fine filigree work made of gold and silver threads. Spend some time browsing the many fascinating stores, and learning more about the town's many talents. The last stop of the day is the town of Gualaceo, where you will visit two important markets, known for their variety of products and the colorful scenery. Enjoy a short break for lunch, and then continue to a textile shop where you'll observe some back strap loom and horizontal loom weaving. You'll also learn about the captivating Hispanic technique of “Ikat” to make shawls and ponchos.

Day 1- Quito Old town and Middle of the world to admire the marvelous churches and old constructions in the city. La Basílica, La Compañia , El Panecillo, Plaza Grande main square, Monument in the Middle of the world and Intiñan museum Overnight in Quito Day 2- Cotopaxi and Quilotoa, beautiful volcanoes where the nature is present. Cotopaxi and its perfect cone , Quilotoa and its spectacular lake. Overnight in Quilotoa Day 3- Baños de Agua Santa- The place where we all have unlimited fun. Canopy, Cable Car, waterfalls like Pailón del Diablo, Route of the waterfalls, House of the tree and swing of the end of the world. Day 4- Chimborazo volcano and Riobamba. The highest volcano in Ecuador and the closest point to the sun. Riobamba is a small city where we can try the slow roasted pork in the local food market. Overnight in Riobamba. Day 5- Quilotoa and the lake inside of the crater. Spectacular landscapes and friendly people. Overnight in Quito.

Day 1: After getting picked up from your hotel in Cuenca, travel to Alausi, where you will have a litlle city tour and also you will admire beautiful Andean landscapes and watch an Andean music performance along the way. Afterward, break for lunch before beginning the journey to Riobamba. Stop along the way to visit Ecuador's oldest church and the beautiful Colta Lagoon, then you will visit the highest peak of Ecuador " Chimborazo 6300 meters". Spend the night at a hotel in Riobamba. Day 2: After breakfast, head to the charming city of Baños to admire a spectacular waterfall. Afterward, hop on a cable car and ride towards a viewpoint where you can enjoy a ride on the "swing at the end of the world". Return to Baños after your swing ride and get a good night's sleep before tomorrow's activities. Day 3: Today, visit Pujili and do a spot of shopping at the town's indigenous market, where you'll find everything from fresh fruit and vegetables to clothing. Later, visit Tigua, where a small indigenous community lives. Immerse yourself in the daily life and culture of this community before heading to Quilotoa Lake, which is often referred to as the most beautiful place in Ecuador. Here, enjoy a stroll around the edges of the lake or even take an optional donkey ride. Spend the night at a hotel in Quilotoa. Day 4: Rise early to travel to the Cotopaxi National Park, where you can go for a walk around the Limpiopungo Lake. If the weather is clear, admire panoramic views of one of the world's most active volcanoes. Afterward, travel to Quito where you will say goodbye to your guide and spend the evening exploring the city at your leisure.