Experience the charm and diversity of Cuenca in this convenient, easily accessible two-day program. After a spectacular early morning flight across the Andes, the guide awaits at the airport for a transfer to the hotel of your choice. Then, begin your comprehensive tour of the city of Cuenca, which includes exploring the Plaza of San Sebastian, a colorful artisans market, where local handicrafts are sold. Then, visit the Museum of Modern Art, featuring an excellent collection of contemporary fine art. Stops are made at the workshops where Panama hats of the best quality are made, and at Plaza San Francisco, where the beautifully embroidered skirts of the cholas are for sale. Next, visit the flower market at the small plaza in front of the carved stone entrance to the church of El Carmen de la Asunción. From here, stroll to the main square, surrounded by the imposing blue-domed Cathedral, the Court of Justice, the Municipal Palace, the Governor’s Palace and the Church of El Sagrario. Also visit Todos Santos Ruins, where in different layers you find the rough stone of Cañari building, the mortar-less stonework of the Incas and remains of Spanish arches. The tour ends with a drive along the Tomebamba river to admire the city’s overhanging houses and the laundry spread out to dry on its river banks. Lunch will feature typical Cuencan delicacies. Free time in the afternoon to visit museums and the many handicraft shops before dinner at the hotel and a quiet evening in colonial Cuenca.

After breakfast the next morning, depart by motorcoach to Ingapirca, the most northern fortress-temple remaining from Inca times. Sun-worshippers built this stone center on a promontory high above the Cañar valley, about 96 Km (60 miles) northeast of Cuenca and at an altitude of 10,595 feet (3,230 meters) above sea level.

Ride through fascinating highlands, passing through the towns of Azogues and Cañar. Visit the mountain-bound sanctuary of Our Lady of Rocio in Biblian built on steep rock and a small hat workshop. Upon arrival at Ingapirca stop at the on-site museum, and admire the stone fortress with several trapezoidal doorways and stone walls perfectly fit together, without mortar, of the Inca construction. There is an elliptical platform, known as the Temple of the Sun used for religious and ceremonial purposes, the barracks, the stone Inca Face and the zoomorphic carvings. Lunch at a pleasant inn of the area before the return to Cuenca. Transfer to the airport for the return flight to Quito or Guayaquil. Round trip air ticket is not included.