Cuenca is waiting for us to discover. We start the day strolling through the cobbled streets of this beautiful World Cultural Heritage, crossed by four rivers that add up to the splendor and give the city its complete name.

Squares, balconies and churches will make perfect pictures. The “chola cuencana” traditional costumes will splash with color our experience and the outstanding pink marble Cathedral is for sure going to take your breath away. There will be a chance to learn about the ancestral cultures of Ecuador in an interesting museum and to enjoy the magnificence of the Tomebamba River and the panoramic view of the city from the Turi Hill. One of the most interesting visits of the day will be to the museum and factory of the famous, but misnamed, Panama Hats…a true symbol of Ecuador. Lunch is included. Book now.

A visit from the charming city of Cuenca, where we find pleasant squares, narrow streets full of beautiful mansions built during the colony and witnesses of the troubled Republican era. For the youngest we include a visit to the didactic and amusing “FORBIDDEN NOT TO TOUCH” Museum in Pumapungo.  Then we visit the hats weaving workshop and its Museum to learn about the elaboration of the misnamed Panama straw hats.

Lunch at Hostería Durán, afternoon at leisure to enjoy the facilities:  thermal springs, swimming pools, courts, playgrounds, under request therapeutic massages, etc. Return to hotel. Book now

This photo belongs to Helder Ribeiro

Only few minutes away from the city there are several cattle farms in which the family can perform a number of regular farming activities like milking, feeding the livestock and farm animals, horseback riding or simple walks around the Hacienda House while enjoying the magic of nature.  Typical lunch served at the ranch house. Return to Cuenca. Book now

In the morning enjoy the so called “garden of Azuay”, for its rich and luscious markets and the Orchid farm. Known for the high quality jewelry, we’ll visit the town of Chordeleg and then reach the Uzhupud Hostería and Country Club where the family can take a good rest and use the facilities as multiple courts and extensive gardens, horseback riding for the family, and lunch with appropriate options for the youngest. Book now

The Cajas National park is well known for being one of the best places to walk and enjoy the great variety of flora and fauna in Ecuador. Here we offer several types of hikes in the area, from the easiest to the most demanding, the later programmed for a number of days, according to the interest and experience of our guests. In the morning we will visit the parks’ lower zone renowned by its high mountain Andean forest. In the afternoon we’ll arrive to the higher zone where we’ll be able to share with the kids the fun experience of sport fishing in artificial lakes. Lunch and return back to Cuenca. Book now

Have a guided visit through the highlights of the historical area of this beautiful World Heritage. Visit the characteristic plazas, churches and streets. The pink marble Cathedral and the Tomebamba River make this an unforgettable city, considered to be the most beautiful one in Ecuador. Visit the factory/museum of the world famous but misnamed Panama hats. Meals and rest of the day are at leisure.  Book now

This Photo belongs to Athena Lao

In the heart of the southern Andes we have the Archaeological Complex of Ingapirca, the most important and best preserved Inca site in Ecuador.

We’ll leave Cuenca northwards through the Pan-American Highway through the most interesting Andean landscapes. We’ll pass by the city of Azogues, the capital city of the province of Cañar towards the town of Biblián to visit the very striking Church of the Virgen Del Rocío that is perched on the nearby cliffs. After this, we’ll have a chance to experience some roadside Ecuadorian gastronomy. Then we’ll continue to the indigenous market on the town of Cañar and then we’ll start climbing to the “páramos” to visit the site of Ingapirca; where we’ll learn about the daily live of the pre-Columbian native cultures and the Inca conquest.

After the visit, lunch will be served at a traditional farm house restaurant in the area, where the lit fire place will be very appreciated being at 3,300m of altitude. Return to Cuenca. Book now

We will have a short drive towards the lower zone of the El Cajas National Park, world known for its over 300 lake system. RAMSAR recognized. Here you will do an easy hike on the Llaviuco Lake area while casually bird watching and landscaping. This area possesses a highly interesting mixture of habitats for bird-watching: well preserved mountain forests, páramos, lakes and pastures. The Mountain Toucan, Andean Guan, Masked Trogon, Turquoise Jay, various colorful Tanagers and 12 species of Hummingbirds and aquatic birds are among the highlights that you might spot.

The tour will continue towards the high zone of the Park, to observe “Páramo” or moorlands vegetation and witness the impressive contrasts created by different levels of altitude. This zone hosts some 150 upper Andean species; the most notable is the Violet-throated Metaltail, a humming bird which is practically endemic to this protected area. Other birds found in here are the Carunculated Caracara, Tawny Antpitta, Stout-billed Cinclodes and the Ecuadorian Hillstar Hummingbird, also the so called “King of the Andes”: the magnificent Condor. Lunch will be served in the area. At the end of the afternoon we’ll return to Cuenca. Book now

Today we’ll head eastwards to enjoy the rural areas of Cuenca. We’ll visit the town of San Bartolo world know for the handcrafted production of guitars. We continue our way through the eastern slopes of the Andes to the town of Chordeleg, where we’ll have time to stroll its jewelry shops covered streets. Afterwards we’ll continue to the Gualaceo where we’ll visit the rich and traditional market, the Orchids farm and the “ikat” weaving workshops. Included lunch will be served at a traditional Hacienda of this beautiful green valley on the Santa Bárbara basin, which enjoys spring like weather all year round. Book now

We will head southwards of Cuenca into the Yungilla Valley, an inter-Andean valley which marks a transition to the coastal plain, with different climatic zones and ecosystems: the western Andean foothills, the subtropical valley and the desert like zone. It is also the doorway to the Tumbesian region. Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, Stripped Owl, the endemic Tumbesian Pacific Elania and the Pale-headed Brush-Finch, were rediscovered in 1998 and they are quite common in the area. A preferred resting area for the “cuencanos” during weekends; its wonderful subtropical weather (between 65 and 77 Fº), the characteristic tomatoes and oranges orchards and the sugar cane plantations, as well as the nearby waterfalls on the Girón area are symbols of this peaceful spot. Lunch included.  Book now.