!LTylo100.jpg (12810 bytes) L  A   D  A  T  C  O     T  O  U  R   S
Custom Designing moto web banner.jpg (9711 bytes)
!!!pacolor100.jpg (14505 bytes)
HOME South America Falkland Islands Antarctica Unique
Destinations
Unique
Experiences
Newsstand e-mail

Cuenca

Tours
subject to change without notice

NOTES:
Dress in layers (T-shirt, blouse, sweater, coat) and rain protection. 
Sun protection (SPF 40) even if the day is cloudy.  Hat or cap.  Good walking shoes. 
Altitude: 2,550 meters (7,750 feet)
Average Temperature:  Day 10° to 25° C / 50° to 77° F. ;  Night 6° to 10° C / 43° to 50° F.


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.