Cuenca

To stroll along Cuenca’s cobblestone streets, worn smooth by four centuries of hooves, carts and footfall, is to take a stroll through Ecuador’s long and storied history. Here you can explore stately mansions boasting grand facades, colonial houses with wrought-iron balconies, and public plazas overflowing with brilliant flowers.

Cuenca is famous as the birthplace of several Spanish and Ecuadorian artists, writers and poets, but equally it is famous for its artisan crafts, including the famous Panama hat.

Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Cuenca celebrates Inti Raymi, the Incan Festival of the Sun, in June, with festivities revolving around live music, dancing and generous quantities of local food!

In and around Cuenca, Ecuador
A couple of hours north of Cuenca is Ingapirca, Ecuador’s greatest Inca ruins. Ingapirca dominates a hilltop – a fortress, religious and administrative complex built by the Incas and the most important archaeological site in Ecuador. The site can be explored as a day trip from Cuenca - allow a full day to explore in full.

To the west of the city is El Cajas National Park, a beautiful region of lakes and moorland – perfect for hiking and birdwatching!