Center Tourist in Cuenca
- Cojitambo
- Baños
- Cajas National Park
- Paredones
- Gualaceo
- Sígsig
- The Chobshi Cave
- Shabalula Ruins
- San Juan de Gualaceo
- "El Chorro de Giron" Waterfall
- Ingapirca Inca Vestiges
- Culebrillas Lagoon
- Chordeleg
Cojitambo
Approximately 47km from the city of Cuenca, surrounded by an extraordinary landscape, are the ruins of Cojitambo. These constructions belonged to the Cañari indigenous group, which lived in the area before the arrival of the Incas. They lay at approximately 3.050 meters of height.
Baños
Only 8km East from Cuenca, you can find soothing hot spring waters. These thermal waters of volcanic origin reach the surface with a temperature of 70oC and cool down to 35-40o C.
Cajas National Park
Cajas is located 33 km (19 miles) northwest of Cuenca, at an altitude of 9.000 to 13.000 feet above the sea level.
This is a place for those who love the great out-doors. Some of the many things to do and see are camping, fishing or hiking miles of trails to choose from through a scenic preserve, and more than 230 lagoons of glacial origin. A guided tour of the area allows one to admire a breathtaking landscape and unique fauna and flora. Warm clothing is recommended due to the low temperatures that fluctuate between the 0 and 8 degrees centigrade.
Buses to Cajas depart from the San Sebastian Park, which is in the corner of Simon Bolivar and Talbot. Buses leave from 6h00 to 7h00 and return in the afternoon.
Paredones
This archeological site was a Cañari settlement. Its origin is still unknown. The area with the most edifications is located 12.000 ft above sea level, while others lie higher that 13.000 ft. The archeological remains include terraces. To reach this site one must enter the Cajas National Park and descend the cloud forest.
Gualaceo
This is a subtropical valley, approximately 36 km away from Cuenca. The way by car is through the Pan-American Highway in direction to the Azogues town. At "El Descanso" pick your right to reach Gualaceo. This town is especially known for its handicrafts, folklore and a beautiful river where you can go for a swim. At the Sunday market, piles of fine hand-woven shawls called macanas, colorful belts, shoe manufacturing, leather goods and many other items can be found.
Sígsig
This is another picturesque town nearby, with beautiful architecture. Close to the town is the beach of "Zhingate" at the banks of the Santa Bárbara River. Locals wash clothes and swim in the river. Although pretty chilly, a swim in the river can be quite refreshing.
The Chobshi Cave
This site is thought to be the first vestige of human civilization in Ecuador. The walls of the cave are decorated with orchids and mosses.
Shabalula Ruins
Very close to the Chobshi Cave are the Cañari ruins of Shabalula. This 7-hectare complex was an Administrative and Military Center of the Cañaris. This indigenous group lived in the area from 500 to 1500 A.C.
San Juan de Gualaceo
San Juan is a quiet, picturesque little village, full of peace and tranquility, fresh mountain air, and genuinely sincere and friendly people. The town preserves its colonial architecture, and its people still maintain their culture and traditions. This is the perfect starting point for numerous spectacular trails.
"El Chorro de Giron" Waterfall
48 kilometers South-West of Cuenca, close to the city of Giron, one finds this beautiful waterfall of approximately 230 feet of height. To reach this site one must hike through a canyon surrounded by exuberant vegetation submerged in cloud forest. Accommodation, meals, camping gear, campfire, horse rentals and other services are offered close to the waterfall.
Ingapirca Inca Vestiges
These vestiges are the most important architectural legacy of the Incas in Ecuador. They are located in the province of Cañar, about an hour and 45 minutes from Cuenca. The entrance fee is 5 dollars. Ingapirca means "Incas stone wall". The vestiges rise dramatically above beautiful valleys. On the way to Ingapirca are the towns of Azogues, with its lovely church and Saturday straw market; and Biblian, crowned with an astonishing cathedral cut into the rock.
It is believed today that Ingapirca was both a religious and administrative center, as well as a fortress. The Incas built the complex on top of an old Cañari settlement.
The vast archeological complex includes a roofless fortification, courtyards, terraces, temples, houses and a "castle", possibly the "Temple of the Sun".
A museum is now open at the site, with both archeological and ethnographic displays as well as a scale model of the ruins. Additionally, there are exhibits of ceramics and jewelry of earlier cultures, and scraps of textiles found in a burial ground believed to have been from the Cañari period (500 years before the Incas).
Culebrillas Lagoon
The lagoon is found 40 km East of the Cañar province, at an altitude of approximately 12.700 ft above sea level. The Culebrillas River is born from the Quilloloma hill and meanders across the valley until it reaches the lagoon. This lagoon is surrounded by an archeological complex of Inca and Cañari construction. This site is found along the Inca Trail that goes from the town of Acchupallas to Ingapirca.
Chordeleg
Located 10 minutes from Gualaceo, it is a pre-Incan town where important archeological objects can be found. This brilliant culture inhabited the area between the years 500 and 1500 BC. The artisans offer Ikat ponchos, pottery straw hats and jewelry. This is the place to buy the finest gold and silver filigree at a very reasonable price. There is also an excellent ethnographic museum on the square in an old courtyard house, where you can see weavers at work and find good shawls, scarves, belts and embroidery to buy.
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