Activities in The Southern Highlands
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Mamá Kinua Cultural Center
A community tourism project offering tours and homestays in nearby indigenous communities ($48 per person per night; two persons minimum). You can participate in all kinds of activities, including folkloric music, cooking, farming, medicinal plant demonstrations, and cheese-making. All revenue goes to a community health network. No English is spoken.
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Full Day Tour to Inca Ruins of Ingapirca with Lunch
7 hours (Departs Cuenca, Ecuador)
by Viator
In Ecuador, you can get in touch with some of the most intriguing and unbelievable history in the world! Venture from Cuenca to Ingapirca on a guided tour and m…
Not LP reviewed
from USD$44.99 -
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Ecotrek
Ecotrek is recommended for trekking, mountaineering (rock and ice) and Amazon travel - especially to the southern Oriente. It also goes to the Galápagos.
Local tour operators offer day trips to Ingapirca, Parque Nacional Cajas, nearby villages and markets, and other local attractions. Note that entrance fees are generally not included in many tours - ask when you book.
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Caballos Gavilan
Caballos Gavilan is run by the highly recommended Gavin, a New Zealander who has lived here for years. He guides two- to three-day horse hikes with overnight stays in his refuge near the park. Gavin’s excursions cost a bit more at $50 per day, but he’s one of the town’s best guides and his horses are treated superbly.
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Terra Diversa Travel Center
Specializes in biking and horseback-riding day trips (per person $48) as well as overnight horseback riding trips that stay at haciendas or camp along the Inca trail north of Ingapirca. Also Cajas and Amazon tours. Three-hour Cuenca city tours costs about $15. The center has maps and luggage storage.
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Short Walk
For a short but pleasant walk, head east from the center on Rocafuerte and cross Río Zamora. From there, climb the small hill to the statue of the Virgin of Loja, which offers lovely city views.
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Tours
Tours English-speaking Humberto Chica, at Cabañas Yanuncay guesthouse, organizes day trips and overnight tours to Cajas, the southern Oriente and other areas. Tours are small and personal.
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El Chino
He is not really Chinese, but the proprietor of El Chino rents bikes for $1.50 per hour. He also offers biking day-tours starting at $15, as well as bike repair.
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Amazing Grace (Language School)
Amazing Grace (Language School). Especially good for advanced students. Cuenca's a wonderful place to study Spanish. Most language schools charge per hour for one-to-one classes.
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Centro Ecuestre
Centro Ecuestre is a cooperative of local horse and mule owners offering tours lasting from two hours to three days. Most speak only Spanish.
reviewed
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Full Day Tour to National Park of Cajas with Lunch
7 hours (Departs Cuenca, Ecuador)
by Viator
Take a guided day trip from Cuenca to Cajas National Park enjoying a breathtaking hike, encompassing over 250 lakes and stunning fauna and flora. Popular amon…
Not LP reviewed
from USD$44.99 -
Full Day Tour to Gualaceo and Chordeleg with Lunch
7 hours (Departs Cuenca, Ecuador)
by Viator
If you're into arts and crafts, this is the tour for you! You'll travel from Cuenca, visiting two villages known specifically for their incredibly creative hand…
Not LP reviewed
from USD$44.99 -
Cuenca City Tour
4 hours (Departs Cuenca, Ecuador)
by Viator
Come and experience Cuenca, the 'Athens of Ecuador'. On this comprehensive city tour by coach. You'll see all the highlights of this spectacular city and learn …
Not LP reviewed
from USD$21.99 -
Tinamu Tours
A recommended agency that rents camping gear, conducts tours all over the region, and offers parapenting (tandem hang-gliding) trips ($48).
reviewed
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Biotours
Biotours offers day trips to Parque Nacional Podocarpus from $35 per person plus park fee (minimum two, including lunch).
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Holgar’s Horses
Horseback-riding trips are offered by the German-speaking Ecuadorian, Holgar, at Holgar’s Horses.
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Abraham Lincoln Cultural Center
Cuenca's a wonderful place to study Spanish. Most language schools charge per hour for one-to-one classes.
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Expediciones Apullacta
A big operation that organizes day tours to Ingapirca, Cajas and the Chordeleg area, among other sites.
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Centro de Estúdios Interaméricanos
A nonprofit school offering drop-in and/or long-term courses in Spanish, Quichua and Portuguese.
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La Tasca Tours
Horseback-riding trips are offered by the friendly René León at La Tasca Tours.
reviewed
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Monta Tours
Horseback-riding trips are offered by the French-owned Monta Tours.
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Aratinga Aventuras
Aratinga Aventuras offers bird-watching day-tours in Podocarpus.
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Cuenca Arrival Transfer
Varies (Departs Cuenca, Ecuador)
by Viator
There is no easier way to start your visit to the cultural Mecca of Ecuador. Book your transfer now and save yourself time, money and the hassles involved in ge…Not LP reviewed
from USD$14.49 -
