Active Cuenca & Surroundings from $620

Departure Date

Daily

Duration

3 days 2 nights

Views

1766

Maximum Seats

10
Overview

This 3-day tour offers an exciting combination of urban exploration, cultural immersion, and nature adventures around the beautiful city of Cuenca. You’ll explore the city's colonial charm by bike, relax in hot springs, hike through historical landmarks like Cojitambo, and enjoy a day of birdwatching and hiking in the breathtaking Cajas National Park. Along the way, you’ll sample local delicacies, discover fascinating archaeological sites, and take in Ecuador’s stunning natural landscapes.
CUENCA TOMEBAMBA
  • Explore Cuenca’s rich heritage as you bike along scenic routes, visiting key landmarks

  • Unwind in the thermal springs of Baños at Piedra de Agua Spa

  • Savor local flavors

  • Discover Cojitambo’s ancient significance for both the Cañari and Inca civilizations

  • Choose between easy or moderate trails, and enjoy opportunities for birdwatching at stunning Cajas National Park

  • Biking

  • Hiking

  • Culture

  • Gastronomy

  • Hot springs

  • Birdwatching

Easy to moderate
  • Honeymooners

  • Friends

  • Couples

  • Families with children are welcome

  • Year around

  • 8 years old

Full Itinerary

Day 1

Cuenca City Bike Tour & thermal springs

Upon your early morning arrival in Cuenca, we will transfer you to your hotel for breakfast and to drop off your luggage. Afterward, we'll head to our shop to pick up the biking gear before starting a scenic ride along Cuenca’s dedicated bike paths, tracing the charming Tomebamba River and admiring the city’s heritage architecture. Our first stop will be Puente Roto, followed by a visit to the Pumapungo Ruins (closed on Mondays), where we'll explore the archaeological remnants of what was once the northern capital of the Inca Empire. After this, we'll ride to the convergence point of Cuenca’s four rivers, where the Cuenca River begins, and then continue to the beautiful Jardín Botánico for a relaxing 40-minute visit.

We’ll then cycle to the historic city center for a delicious lunch at a local restaurant. Following lunch, you’ll be dropped off at your hotel to rest before we pick you up again for a visit to Piedra de Agua Spa in Baños, where you can unwind in the thermal springs. Dinner will be served by the pools, although massages are available at an additional cost.

Overnight at Hotel Victoria or similar
Meals included: Lunch and dinner.
Day 2

Hike at Cojitambo

After breakfast, we’ll embark on a one-hour drive to Cojitambo, where we will explore its significance as a strategic lookout point for both the Cañari and Inca civilizations. During the hike, you'll have the option to choose from different levels of difficulty: a 45-minute easy trail, a moderate 1.5-hour hike, or a more challenging 2-hour 45-minute loop around Cojitambo. Rock climbing is an option here for an extra fee in case you feel more adventurous.

For lunch, we’ll head to a local brewery, where a delicious meal will be served, accompanied by freshly brewed Belgian beer or a refreshing juice. Afterward, we’ll return to Cuenca, where you’ll be dropped off at your hotel. You’ll have the afternoon free to explore the beautiful city at your own pace. Dinner will be on your own, giving you the opportunity to discover Cuenca’s vibrant culinary scene.

Overnight at Hotel Victoria or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch.
Day 3

Hike and birdwatching at Cajas National Park

Today, we will explore the breathtaking Cajas National Park, where you’ll learn about the vital role the páramo ecosystem plays in the production of clean water for the surrounding communities. The park also offers great opportunities for birdwatching, and we’ll embark on a scenic hike. You can choose between an easy 4 km trail or a more moderate 8 km trail, both offering incredible landscapes.

After the hike, we’ll enjoy lunch in the area, where you’ll have the chance to savor Ecuador’s famous trout, known to be the best in the country. Once we finish lunch, we’ll return to Cuenca, where you'll collect your belongings from the hotel. We’ll then transfer you to Cuenca's airport for your departure or perhaps stay an extra night in Cuenca (hotel accommodation is not included on this day).

Meals included: Breakfast and lunch.

Let's design your adventure

    • Transfers Cuenca´s airport – hotel – Cuenca´s airport

    • Top Experienced Certified English-Speaking Guide

    • Private Land Transport

    • Accommodation for two nights

    • Meals according to itinerary

    • All fees to reserves, museums, hot springs

    • Domestic flights to/from Cuenca

    • Transfer to/from Guayaquil. For those needing this service, supplement fee and change in the order of itinerary´s activities will apply. Transfer in or out only available in the morning or early afternoon hours.

    • Meals not mentioned in the itinerary

    • Tips for guides and drivers

    • Travel insurance

    • Optional activities

    • Massage at Spa

    • Itinerary Disclaimer: Even though we have a detailed itinerary, changes can be made by your guides, due to weather or safety reasons. Please also note that none of the wildlife sightings mentioned on the itinerary are guaranteed.

    • Visas and Passports: Make sure you check your visa and passport validity and requirements per country. It is important your passport is valid for at least 6 months before your travel.

    • Accommodation: We strive to use charming places that are unique and provide stellar service.

    • Single Supplement Costs: Solo travelers are subject to a 100% supplement of the 2-3 pax rate. service.

    • Transportation: Driving time can take more than expected in Ecuador, as it is a small country with roads meandering through the Andes Mountains. We assure your comfort during transit no matter the size of the group.

    • Level of Activity: This trip is considered as 2 out of 5. No prior experience is required, and your guides will always brief you about safety and proper use of gear on every leg of the trip.

    • Weather and Elevation in Mainland: In Ecuador the weather can be vary greatly depending on which side of the Andes you are traveling to, so it is highly recommended to come ready for all kinds of weather. When they say “Ecuador, All in One Place” they mean it! The altitude determines the temperature and the higher you go the colder it gets. Don’t let the geographic location of the country fool you. Even at a mere 15,000 feet the temperatures can feel like those of a winter in the northern United States. The coastal lowlands in the western part of Ecuador are typically warm with temperatures in the region of 25 °C (77 °F). Coastal areas are affected by ocean currents and between January and April are hot and rainy. Like the rest of the Ecuadorian Andes, Cuenca enjoys a mild climate year-round. Days are generally warm and nights are cool enough that sweaters or jackets are usually desired. The average daily temperature is 14.7 °C (58.5 °F). There are two seasons: rainy and dry. The dry season, with some variation, falls between June and December. The rainy season, which is characterized by bright sunny mornings and afternoon showers, falls between January and May. The heaviest rains come in the invierno (wet season) of March, April and May.

    • Sustainability: We do our best to not produce any trash; we believe that recycling is not enough, so we try to avoid using any plastic or materials that pollute our environment. Every day we work towards being a zero-waste tour operator and our staff is well trained to leave the least impact possible in our service areas. We also work with local indigenous communities in the different regions. By doing so we are able to teach our guests about the rich culture Ecuador, all the while helping the people preserve their traditions and lands. By working directly with local peoples, we are able to create a sustainable touristic income for the community.

    • Guides: All our guides have a professional background from the Tourism University; this means they have a degree in guiding, so their knowledge and skills when leading a group are top-notch. Each guide has many years of experience and they all have taken additional courses for other outdoor activities as well as have International First-Aid certifications. On top of all of this, they are all extremely personable and strive to deliver travel experiences of a lifetime.

    • Health advices: No vaccinations needed for this trip

    • Passport

    • Credit card

    • Lightweight hiking pants (2 pair)

    • Cold weather hiking pants (1 pair)

    • One bathing suit

    • Four non cotton t-shirt

    • Rain jacket

    • A Winter warm jacket or fleece

    • Sneakers

    • A pair of hiking shoes

    • A pair of sandals

    • A buff

    • One cap or hat

    • Sunscreen

    • Sunglasses

    • Mosquito repellent

    • Binoculars

    • Water bottle

    Regular season private operation, price based on number of guests:

    2 - 3 guests

    $720/per person

    • All premium features

    • Departure any day of the week operation in private

    4 or more guests

    $620/per person

    • All premium features

    • Departure any day of the week operation in private

    Further Assistance

    Contact us

    • We are ready to meet your needs and put together an unforgettable experience.

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    • 7 am - 4 pm Monday through Thursday.
    • 7 am to 1 pm Fridays (US central) toll free or by skype.
    Otherwise, email us anytime. On average we provide quotes within 6 hours during business hours and the next day during off business hours. Privately guided trips allow you to be in control of all the details of your trip - departure times, accommodations, extra nights, extra activities, extra experiences - what you want and how you want it. If you want to go private or customize this expedition, contact us.
    Phone

    US & CANADA: +1 (919) 400-5824 EC: +593 (09) 5955-5556

    Email

    christian@activexpedition.com