Ecuador Group Adventure Trips and Tours
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Cuenca Experience
Dive into the colonial side of Ecuador on a four-day discovery of Cuenca, the country's prettiest and best-preserved Spanish-era gem. Wander the cobblestoned streets, lined with stately churches and colonial mansions, and see the remains of the once-powerful Inca city that lay on the site. Visit starkly beautiful, high-altitude Cajas National Park for a natural balance, and get a peek at the Ecuadorian countryside to round out your experience.
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Itinerary
Day 1 Quito/Cuenca
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Cuenca, check into the hotel and enjoy the city. Considered the most beautiful city in Ecuador, Cuenca has had an eventful history. Barely half a century before the arrival of the Spaniards, the powerful Inca Tupac Yupanqui was undertaking the difficult conquest of the local Caari people, who struggled bravely to stem the expansion of the Inca Empire. After several years of bitter fighting, Tupac Yupanqui's forces prevailed. The Inca began the construction of a major city whose splendour and importance was to rival that of the imperial capital of Cuzco. Stories of sun temples covered with gold sheets and palaces built using the finest skill of Cuzqueo stonemasons abound. What happened to Tomebamba, as the city was called, is however, a complete mystery. By the time the Spanish chronicler Cieza de Leon passed through in 1547, Tomebamba lay in ruins, although well-stocked storehouses indicated how great it had recently been. The Tomebamba River divides Cuenca in half, and south of the river lie fairly recent suburbs and the modern university. To the north is the heart of the colonial city. Although Cuenca has expanded to become Ecuador's third largest city with 165,000 inhabitants, it still retains a pleasantly provincial air and the old centre has churches dating from the 16th and 17th centuries. The earliest building is the original Cathedral, construction of which began in 1557, the year Cuenca was founded by the Spanish conquerors. Explore the city's sights including cobbled streets, red-tiled roofs, art galleries, flower markets, shady plazas and museums. The villagers in the surrounding areas are expert milliners, creating beautiful Panama hats (which should perhaps more accurately be called Ecuador hats). The ruins of Ingapirca lie approximately an hour and a half drive north of Cuenca, through some of Ecuador's most beautiful countryside. Although it is a major Inca site, not a lot is known about its historyDay 2 Cuenca
Enjoy a tour of Cajas National Park, a protected area of 28,000 hectares, about 30km (19 miles) northwest of the City of Cuenca. The terrain is quite stark, mostly above 4000m (13,120 ft) in the paramo (grassy highlands), with many clear lakes and a great variety of bird life, beautiful scenery and good hiking possibilities. Return to Cuenca for overnight.Day 3 Cuenca
We take a city tour of Cuenca and the surrounding areas. Remainder of the day is at lesiure for your own exploration.Day 4 Cuenca/Quito
Transfer to the airport for a short flight back to Quito Airport.Trip Details
| Accommodation | Comfortable Hotel (3nts) |
| Departure | Daily |
| Group Size | No Minimum |
| Meals Included | 3B |
| StartFinish | ex Quito |
| Transport | Van, Bus, Local Flight |
Trip Price |
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| USD | 879.00 |
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