Cuenca is one of the most visited cities of Ecuador, and our city tour is a great introduction to the Tomebamba River area. You'll admire the beautiful balconies, glazed tiles, marbles and woods, as we visit a few of the city's great quantity of fantastic houses. We'll visit the Inca ruins of "Todos Los Santos" and end the day with a tour of the old city where you will find charming Shrines, Cloisters, Museums, and homes.
Museums in Cuenca
Monastery of the Conception: Some of Ecuadorian's most important religious artworks are housed in this monastery. We will be able to marvel at over 470 works of religious and folkloric art.
Municipal Museum of Modern Art: Full of paintings and contemporary art sculptures.
Ethnic Museum in the Central Bank: Displays artifacts of Ecuador's history and prehistory.
Ruins of Ingapirca - 1 day
These ruins are found two hours outside of Cuenca. These Inca ruins are the most important archeological site in Ecuador and a visit to these Ruins is quite impressive. There is also the possibility of visiting a colorful Indigenous Market.
Gualaceo / Chordeleg - 1 day
We will visit the Gualaceo Valley where we will find a rich assortment of artistic works. During the visit to Chordeleg, you will have the opportunity to admire and purchase some very unusual and beautiful gold work.
Laguna de Cajas - 1 day
At 3000m above sea level, the landscape of Cajas National Park never fails to impress visitors. This volcanic landscape is the ideal place for lovers of abundant vegetation and rich animal life.
El Camino del Inca - 6 days / 5 nights
Day 1: Depending of the number of participants, the transfer from Quito to Cuenca will be on bus or plane. You will be picked up in the city and stay in a nice hotel.
Day 2: At 7:00am, after breakfast, we depart from Cuenca and we'll travel for just over an hour to Las Cajas National Park. From Molleturo, we continue westward on mules for about two hours. We'll arrive at Paredones, an Inca ruin located at about 3,600m above sea level on the west side of the park and eat a picnic lunch. Then the caravan continues along the Inca path until Torugapamba and from there we will head to our hotel.
Day 3: After an early breakfast we will continue the trip on mules to the Cajas crater, at an altitude of 3445 m. The road takes us through an incredible variety of beautiful landscapes leading into the rock mountains, surrounding the lakes of Santa Huayco. Here we will eat a picnic lunch. In the afternoon we will visit Atugyaco Lake and admire the diverse animal life of this region. Later we return to our hotel.
Day 4: After breakfast, we will hike among the countless lakes of the region, including the beautiful Luspa Lake, and then have a picnic lunch. Then we continue riding westward through an area rich in rare bird species giving us an ideal opportunity to take pictures. We will cook dinner and spend the night in tents.
Day 5: After breakfast we'll continue on to the Inca ruin of Ingapirca located in the Canar Province. After that visit we'll travel to the Surocucho region, in primary forest, then return to Cuenca where we will stay in a hotel.
Day 6: Breakfast. Transfer to Quito or to Guayaquil (by bus or car, according to the number of participants).
| Historical Loja - 4 days / 3 nights
Day 1: We will be met at the Catamayo Airport. After breakfast, we will voyage to see the Virgin of Cisne, 32km away. We'll visit the Art Museum of the Church and then return to Catamayo, while admiring the sights of the city. Transfer to Loja. Lodging.
Day 2: Transfer to Vilcabamba "The Valley of Longevity" where we will spend the day touring this unique town. Our tour will include a visit to the Orchid Garden and an excursion to the Yambala River and then we return to the hotel. We will have the opportunity to horseback ride through the magnificent surroundings.
Day 3: Return to Loja and tour the city and then have a free afternoon. Lodging.
Day 4: Early in the morning we will go to the airport.
Baños 2 days / 1 night
Day 1: Travel south to the Cotopaxi and the Tungurahua Provinces. On the way to Baños we'll visit the people of the Salasacas tribe. These indigenous artisans are very skilled in the manufacturing of textiles and carpets for wall hangings and still use their traditional looms. After arriving in Baños, we'll visit the people who manufacture various products out of sugar cane, such as taffies and pure cane juice. We will stay in a beautiful hotel in Banos.
Day 2: We will travel to Riobamba, the capital of the Chimborazo province. Here we will visit the Conceptas Museum and then we will go to visit Ambato, the city of flowers and fruit. Return to Quito.
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