Welcome to Southern Highlands
As you emerge from the shadows of the breath-sapping peaks, glaciers and active volcanoes of the north, a gentler land reveals itself. Still mountainous, but also more benign, the southern spine of the Ecuadorian Andes ushers intrepid travelers down lush valleys that hide some real treats: pastel-hued colonial towns and remote villages where indigenous culture thrives. And – with the exception of the famous regional capital Cuenca – the highways and byways are far less traipsed.
Top experiences in Southern Highlands
Travel guides
Starting at $32.49
Southern Highlands activities
Cajas National Park Day Trip Including Lunch
TOUR DETAILS : Lenght: 8 hours approx. Start / Finish: Cuenca Activity Level: Moderate to Challenging DESCRIPTION: Be picked up from your accommodation in the morning and drive for approximately 1 hour to Cajas National Park, located 30km west of Cuenca. During this tour you’ll visit two altitude levels within the park. In the middle part (3,960 meters), you will walk about 3 hours in the Toreadora area, depending on the pace of the group. The trek will give you the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful scenery, including the Polylepis Forest and moor-like Paramo, whilst the guide provides information about the flora and fauna of the area. After lunch at a nearby restaurant, you’ll visit Llaviuco (3150 meters). Located in the lower part of the park, this area is part of a different ecosystem known as montage primary forest. Here you’ll and have a walk around the lake for about 1 ½ hour.
Devil's Nose Train and Ingapirca Ruins Day Trip from Cuenca
Experience two of the most interesting destinations in our country. After hotel pick up you will travel to Alausi, a little town considered a national heritage. In this charming town you will take the train known as "The Devil’s Nose". In its day it was considered one of the greatest feats of engineering that the world had seen. This railway was built in 1899 with the intent of linking the coastal city of Guayaquil with the highlands capital of Quito. This amazing ride traverses and descends an almost perpendicular mountain face by using switchbacks. Many lives were lost in the construction of this extraordinary railway. Our trip continues on the Pan-American Highway to Ingapirca, which is the major Inca archeological site in Ecuador. You will have the chance to appreciate one of the most important Inca structures, an elliptical platform known as the “Sun’s Temple”. Courtyards, terraces and various other ruins are found here as well. After a full day of touring you will return to your accommodations in Cuenca.
Cuenca City Tour
Discover the beauty and history of Cuenca on a comprehensive guided city tour. After pickup from your hotel, your city tour begins with a visit to the Museum of Modern Art, located on the south side of Plaza de San Sebastián. The museum houses various works from Ecuadorian artists including paintings, sculptures, photography, engravings and more. Walk by the historic downtown area to visit San Francisco market and Calderon Park, Cuenca's central park. Walk through the well-kept park with your guide while admiring the expansive area. Next, stop at Cuenca's Old and New Cathedrals. The Old Cathedral was originally built in the mid 1500s and is now home to a museum showcasing the cathedral's gorgeous architecture. (note: you will not enter the Old Cathedral). Then, your guide will take you to the New Cathedral, which displays Neo-Gothic style architecture. Admire the famous gold leaf canopy inside the cathedral, which is one of Ecuador's largest. Continue on to the Homero Ortega Panama Hat factory. Here, observe the complete manufacturing process of Ecuador's Panama hat. Later we will visit the barranco, where you can admire the colonial-style terraced houses located next to the Tomebamba River, also home to the famous 'broken bridge.' and finally visit the Turi, where you'll take in panoramic view of the whole city of Cuenca. After the tour, you'll be transported back to your hotel.
National Park of Cajas Full-Day Guide Tour from Cuenca
Cajas is a national park located on the northwester side of the city of Cuenca; it’s formed by wetland from glacial origins with more than 200 lakes.This popular trekking tour departs from Cuenca where your experienced guide will brief you the night before on the trek ahead. The 4 hour tour includes 1 hours of trekking up to 12,000 feet (3800 meters) in altitude. Whilst it is possible to trek all year round in the Cajas National Park, the ideal time to hike is between August and January. Prepare yourself for all types of weather conditions as the Cajas National Park trek will operate during rain, hail or shine. With first aid on board and numerous park rangers within reach your safety is not compromised.
Day Trip to Gualaceo and Chordeleg from Cuenca
Departing from Cuenca with your friendly guide, relax on the scenic drive to the two small villages of Gualaceo and Chordeleg. These bucolic towns are well known for their traditionally made handicrafts, such as the macanas (shawls) that women have woven from alpaca wool for centuries.First stop of the day is a quick visit to San Bartolome, a small town located next to the Andes Mountain Range. Famous for its crafty, handmade guitars, you'll visit a local shop to observe the process of making this instrument. Then, head to nearby Chordeleg, famous for the jewelry shops that line the streets and large plaza. Walk through the clean, tranquil town with your guide and admire the intricate silver and gold filigree sold at great prices. You'll have time to shop around and check out the local jewelry and other crafts made by locals in the towns central plaza.Next, head to Gualaceo, situated along the banks of the Santa Barbara River. In the quiet central square that includes a main church, admire the vivid, bright colors of the clothing worn by the local women.Stroll down the streets or visit the market, where the locals sell folkloric handicrafts and textiles, such as the characteristic white straw hats, as well as blouses, skirts and linens hand-embroidered with magenta, orange and yellow thread. Learn from your guide about the significance of the pre-Columbian patterns and designs such as birds and flowers.You'll have time to eat lunch before heading to a local textile whop, where you'll see the process of weaving. After a full day outside of Cuenca, you'll be dropped-off at your hotel.
Cajas National Park Full-Day Small-Group Guided Tour
We start out tour with hotel pick ups in Cuenca at 8am. We drive for about an hour to Toreadora refuge from where we will take a hike in the highlands through the moorland ecosystem of wetlands and lakes to get to the unique forest of Polylepis trees. These are the highest growing trees in the world and are native to South America. Afterwards, we will explore the Llaviuco Montane Forest where you will be able to appreciate the contrast of the park. After a full day adventure we drive back to Cuenca. We will stop at a local restaurant for lunch. The speciality is trout! The park includes approximately 768 lakes in an area of 70,533 acres. It is one of the most important water sources in Cuenca and Ecuador. It has gained international prominence in several categories: Wetland of International Importance in 2002 by RAMSAR, Area of International Importance for the Conservation of Birds by IBA in 2003 and Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2013.