tours from cuenca

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Cuenca City Tour

Join us to discover the beauty and historical importance of Cuenca. This charming city was declared a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site in 1999 in recognition of the well preserved colonial architecture in the historic ‘el centro’.            

On this tour, you’ll see the Old and New Cathedrals, The Museum of Modern Art, outdoor plazas such as San Sebastian, and traditional markets lining the quaint cobblestone streets of the city. Enjoy a visit to a local “paja toquilla”, or Panama hat factory. The internationally famous Panama hat originated in Ecuador in the 17th century, and some of the best master weavers are in Cuenca. You also head up to Mirador de Turi for a breathtaking panoramic view of the city, and visit the gallery of Mr. Eduardo Vega, famous for his ceramic crafts.

Activity length: Approx 4 hrs (half-day) Approx 8 hrs (full-day)
Price: from $34 (half-day), $54 (full-day) p/p
INCLUDES
  • Bilingual guide
  • Private transportation
  • Lunch or box lunch (full day tours only)
NOT INCLUDES
  • Beverages
  • Personal expenses
  • Additional activities
  • Entrances fee

El Cajas National Park

About 30 km west of the city of Cuenca, El Cajas National Park is one of the most beautiful natural places in South America. Its more than 28,000 hectares of protected land, encompasses an amazing diversity of ecosystems, over 230 glacial lakes, and is the origin of two of the four rivers that run through Cuenca. The park is a paradise for hikers and home to a variety of unique flora and fauna, including an amazing variety of bird species. You will also have a chance to see the distinctive ‘fairly-tale’ tree of the Ecuadorian Andes, known as “Polylepis” or “Paper Tree” which inspired our company name.

Activity length: Approx 4 hrs (half-day) Approx 8 hrs (full-day)
Price: from $40 (half-day), $54 (full-day) p/p
 
INCLUDES
  • Bilingual guide
  • Private transportation
  • Lunch or box lunch (full day tours only)
NOT INCLUDES
  • Beverages
  • Personal expenses
  • Additional activities
  • Entrances fee

Ingapirca Archaeological Complex

Explore the largest archaeological complex in Ecuador. Dating back to the 15th century, the site is thought to have been built by the Cañaris, a pre-Inca civilization, and later was expanded by the Incas. We pick you up at your hotel in Cuenca for a two hour drive through the beautiful Andean landscape. En route, you stop at the Biblian Sanctuary, home to the beautiful Virgen del Rocio Church. The altar of this church sits on a mountaintop, giving you a beautiful panoramic view of the town and its surroundings. You will also spend a little time here discovering some of the local food and the preparation techniques commonly used in the area.

Arriving at the complex of Ingapirca, you will tour the fascinating stone ruins which were once vast storehouses and a fortress surrounding a central elliptical structure, the Temple of the Sun, and learn about the unique ancient cultures of this area.

Activity length: Approx 8 hrs
Price: from $49 p/p
INCLUDES
  • Bilingual guide
  • Private transportation
  • Lunch or box lunch (full day tours only)
NOT INCLUDES
  • Beverages
  • Personal expenses
  • Additional activities
  • Entrances fee

Girón Waterfalls and Busa Lake

In this tour you will  explore one of the largest and most beautiful waterfalls in Ecuador known as “El Chorro de Girón”. En route, we will stop at a lovely town called Giron to enjoy the beauty of an andean town after that we will arrive to breathtaking Girón Waterfall, you will enjoy a hike of approximately 45 minutes to reach the first waterfall surrounding by native vetetation.  After this we will continue on to visit Busa Lake, considered sacred to the Cañari people.

Activity length: Approx 8 hrs
Price: from $60 p/p
 
INCLUDES
  • Bilingual guide
  • Private transportation
  • Lunch or box lunch (full day tours only)
NOT INCLUDES
  • Beverages
  • Personal expenses
  • Additional activities
  • Entrances fee

Susudel - Oña - Saraguro

South of Cuenca, we find small towns with a magic all their own. We pick you up at your hotel and drive south through the Andean countryside to our first stop that will be at one of the local dairy producers to try the delicious yogurt of the area.  We’ll then continue to the town of San Felipe de Oña, one of the most traditional settlements of Ecuador, to see the production of the local agave liquor. Finally we reach Saraguro in the province of Loja, a fascinating community that has preserved its indigenous identity. Enjoy an incredible cultural experience filled with Andean tradition, local foods and the natural beauty of the area.

Activity length: Approx 10 hrs
Price: from $105 p/p
Min 2 people
 
INCLUDES
  • Bilingual guide
  • Private transportation
  • Lunch or box lunch (full day tours only)
NOT INCLUDES
  • Beverages
  • Personal expenses
  • Additional activities
  • Entrances fee

Devil´s Nose - Ingapirca - please note the train is not currently running - contact us for an update

We pick you up from your Cuenca hotel at 7 a.m. to depart for Alausí to ride a train known as “The Devil’s Nose”. When completed in 1908, it was immediately celebrated as one of the great railway journeys in the world. Its steep curves down the rocky slopes of the Andes make it one of the most impressive feats of railway engineering. The train ride provides the perfect opportunity to take in the surrounding scenery, learn about the railway project and enjoy the local traditions. After lunch, we continue our journey to Ingapirca, the most important archaeological complex in Ecuador. We explore the site and learn about the Cañari and Inca cultures, dating back over 500 years. 

Activity length: Approx 10 hrs
Price: from $94 p/p
 
INCLUDES
  • Bilingual guide
  • Private transportation
  • Lunch or box lunch (full day tours only)
NOT INCLUDES
  • Beverages
  • Personal expenses
  • Additional activities
  • Entrances fee

Horse riding & Cooking class

Located in a beautiful valley just outside Cuenca, this great combination tour provides you with the opportunity to take in the scenery from horseback and then visit a local organic food producer, where you can take part in a fun cooking class… and then enjoy your culinary creations!

Activity length: Approx 7 hrs
Price: from $84 p/p
Min 2 people

**Only available with advance booking

INCLUDES
  • Bilingual guide
  • Private transportation
  • Lunch or box lunch (full day tours only)
NOT INCLUDES
  • Beverages
  • Personal expenses
  • Additional activities
  • Entrances fee

Tropical Waterfalls & El Cajas National Park

Visiting two different eco-systems in one day, this tour is a great opportunity to appreciate the incredible diversity of Ecuador. Starting out early from Cuenca, our first stop will be El Cajas National Park, where your guide will take you on a moderate hike to enjoy the stunning scenery and learn about the Andean flora and fauna. From here your journey will take you towards the coastal region, descending through a range of landscapes and arriving at a system of tropical waterfalls. The weather, wildlife, and vegetation here is a fascinating contrast to that in El Cajas… to take in the highlights you will hike for a few hours alongside waterfalls, streams, and through forests before returning to Cuenca.

Activity length: Approx 9 hrs
Price: from $92 p/p
Min 2 people
INCLUDES
  • Bilingual guide
  • Private transportation
  • Lunch or box lunch (full day tours only)
NOT INCLUDES
  • Beverages
  • Personal expenses
  • Additional activities
  • Entrances fee

Cycling Cuenca tour

Would you like to explore a little more of Cuenca? This cycling tour could be just what you are looking for. Sticking to river-side paths and cycle-routes, this is a safe, relaxing and alternative way to see what Cuenca has to offer.   Starting off along the Tomebamba river, you will visit the famous Puente Roto ‘broken bridge’ before continuing down river to the gardens of the Pumapungo Museum, where you can learn about the Cañari and Incan cultures… and do a little llama spotting. You’ll stop off in a local neighborhood popular for its tortillas and humitas to try one of these traditional snacks, accompanied by a delicious home-made hot chocolate. After re-fueling here, you will have time for a little bird-spotting in Parque Paraíso before continuing along the Yanuncay river and towards the modern part of the city. This tour combines some of the popular tourist destinations of Cuenca, with some great alternatives.

Activity length: Approx 2.5 hrs
Price: from $34 p/p
 
INCLUDES
  • Bilingual guide
  • Private transportation
  • Lunch or box lunch (full day tours only)
NOT INCLUDES
  • Beverages
  • Personal expenses
  • Additional activities
  • Entrances fee

Wild Cajas

We have a selection of alternative hikes to offer on one of the lesser followed paths of El Cajas National Park at around 4000 masl, which provide an adventure for those who have already visited the main routes of the park or are looking for something a little more challenging.

Please note: This tour is designed for people with mountain hiking experience.

Activity length: Approx 8 hrs
Price: from $79 p/p
INCLUDES
  • Bilingual guide
  • Private transportation
  • Lunch or box lunch (full day tours only)
NOT INCLUDES
  • Beverages
  • Personal expenses
  • Additional activities
  • Entrances fee

Guayaquil - El Cajas - Cuenca (or vice versa)

If you are travelling between the cities of Guayaquil and Cuenca, why not take advantage of this transfer/tour combo? A journey of ever changing scenery, at almost every turn there is a new view to enjoy. First stop is a short visit to a cacao finca to learn about this crop so representative of the country. Continuing in the direction of Cuenca, there is then a stop at the beautiful El Cajas National Park, where you have the opportunity to take a moderate hike with your guide. From El Cajas the road descends 45 minutes, where you then arrive in the city of Cuenca.

Activity length: Approx 9 hrs
Price: from$89 p/p / Min 2 people 
For only 1 person 50% more
INCLUDES
  • Bilingual guide
  • Private transportation
  • Lunch or box lunch (full day tours only)
NOT INCLUDES
  • Beverages
  • Personal expenses
  • Additional activities
  • Entrances fee

Quito - Riobamba - Cuenca (or vice versa) 2 days

The journey from Quito to Cuenca is one of the most beautiful in the country. Dotted with majestic volcanoes and a changing landscape to keep your camera busy, we offer this two day trip to make the most of the ride. With an early start from Quito, the first stop is Cotopaxi National Park to enjoy views of the volcano and Limpiopungo lake. Following this you will have the opportunity to discover the city of Riobamba, where you will spend the night. The next day takes you to Alausi, where you will ride the famous Devil’s Nose train. Continuing the drive south, you will then visit the most important archaeological complex in Ecuador, Ingapirca, to learn more about the Cañari and Inca cultures. After these two action packed days, you will then arrive in the charming city of Cuenca.

Please note: should you choose this route in the opposite direction, starting in Cuenca, in order to arrive in time for the train, the visit to Ingapirca will not be included.

Activity length: Approx 10 hrs per day
Price: from $300 p/p
Min 2 people
INCLUDES
  • Bilingual guide
  • Private transportation
  • Lunch or box lunch (full day tours only)
NOT INCLUDES
  • Beverages
  • Personal expenses
  • Additional activities
  • Entrances fee

Cuenca - Saraguro - Vilcabamba (or vice versa)

If you are travelling between Cuenca and Vilcabamba, why not take advantage of this transfer/tour combo? Descending from the highland city of Cuenca to the lower lying Vilcabamba, this journey passes through a wonderful range of landscapes – from rugged mountains to rolling hills. To make the most of being in the area, this route includes a stop in the traditional indigenous town of Saraguro. Enjoy an incredible cultural experience filled with Andean tradition, local foods and the natural beauty of the area before continuing to Vilcabamba.

Activity length: Approx 9 hrs
Price: from $104 p/p
Min 2 people
INCLUDES
  • Bilingual guide
  • Private transportation
  • Lunch or box lunch (full day tours only)
NOT INCLUDES
  • Beverages
  • Personal expenses
  • Additional activities
  • Entrances fee

One Hundred Birds in one day from Cuenca!

Calling all bird lovers… did you know that it is possible to see one hundred birds in just one day? Good news, this is possible with Polylepis Tours! It could be a long day, but it is really worth it. You will have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of different eco-systems, for example; the Andean forest, paramo, humid tropical forest and dry tropical forest. We invite all, from beginners to avid birders to share this amazing trip…

This tour takes place in El Cajas National Park and the Puerto Inca area.

Activity length: Approx 10 hrs
Price: from $99 p/p
Min 2 people
INCLUDES
  • Bilingual guide
  • Private transportation
  • Lunch or box lunch (full day tours only)
NOT INCLUDES
  • Beverages
  • Personal expenses
  • Additional activities
  • Entrances fee

Polylepis Tours

Polylepis Tours is a Tour Operator dedicated to delivering the best of Ecuador’s four regions to our clients. Bringing together the finest of our local providers, to showcase the amazing diversity that this wonderful country has to offer.