The colonial and patrimonial city of Cuenca, the famous village of Vilcabamba, the Podocarpus and El Cajas National Parks and the Archeological complex of Ingapirca are some of the touristic treasures of the South of Ecuador, locally known as the "Austro".
This region has mild weather all year round and is perfect for exploring some of the
less known highlights of the country, like the petrified forests of
Podocarpus, the highland lakes and lagoons of El Cajas or the enigmatic village of Vilcabamba, known for the longevity of its inhabitants and peaceful atmosphere. On the South, we also find Ecuador's
most important Archeological complex, Ingapirca,
with ruins of the Cañari and Incan cultures. The colonial city of Cuenca, which was the second capital of the Incan Empire under the name of Tomebamba, and has one of the best preserved colonial centers in
the continent, is also located in this region.
Enjoy the many experiences that Austral Ecuador has to offer!
From Quito
Quito
From 3 to 4 days
Located in the Historical Downtown of the cultural capital Cuenca, Hotel Cruz del Vado offers accommodation in one of the most important colonial houses of this beautiful city.
Located in the coastal region of Ecuador right before the marvelous Andes, they offer a mindful approach to living the good life.
Located in Riobamba, this Hacienda mixes tradition and comfort while relaxing near one of the main cities in Ecuador.
Located in the Historical Downtown of the cultural capital Cuenca, Hotel Cruz del Vado offers accommodation in one of the most important colonial houses of this beautiful city.
Located in the coastal region of Ecuador right before the marvelous Andes, they offer a mindful approach to living the good life.
Located in Riobamba, this hacienda marries tradition with comfort and relaxation near one of the main cities in Ecuador.
*The selected hotels are subject to availability at time of booking the tour. In case of unavailability, we will offer a hotel of the same caliber.
* Tours and itineraries suggested by Bespoke Galapagos in order to have a functional trip.
** Excursions may change due to climate conditions.
* Tours and itineraries suggested by Bespoke Galapagos in order to have a functional trip.
** Excursions may change due to climate conditions.
* Tours and itineraries suggested by Bespoke Galapagos in order to have a functional trip.
** Excursions may change due to climate conditions.
The northern Andes of Ecuador are known for their magical landscapes, unique natural attractions, and rich cultural heritage.
The Amazon rainforest is the most biodiverse ecosystem of our planet. Explore nature at its highest expression in the Amazon Jungle.
You will be amazed by the amount of bird species, orchids, butterflies, ferns, lash green vegetation in the cloud forest. Just 2 hours north from Quito.
El Cajas National Park is one of the biggest wetland reserves in Ecuador and has an extension of 30,000 hectares of forest and moorland, with more than 230 lakes spread across the protected area. Due to the different altitudes and humidity on this irregular terrain, this reserve has many different microclimates and ecosystems, making for an ideal home for many animals, especially birds and amphibians. We will have a short walk in the park to appreciate the surroundings and this magical ecosystem.
This city tour starts in the central Parque Centenario, with its imposing Grecian-influenced statuary, before continuing to Guayaquil’s original fire station, a vital service in a city ravaged by fires throughout its history. We will see some of the surviving wooden buildings from the beginning of the XX century close to the neo-classical Masonic Temple. From here, we will continue on to the award-winning river-front esplanade Malecón 2000, stretching from the stunning 1907 market hall (Crystal Palace) built by Eiffel to the old worker’s neighborhood of Las Peñas at the foot of Santa Ana hill where Guayaquil was founded, now home to many artists and galleries.
The beauty and colonial ambiance of Cuenca is best experienced on foot. Our tour weaves its way through the old town center, designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and starts with a visit to the Old and New Cathedrals. We then continue to the famed “Plaza de las Flores,” where a flower market takes place every day, offering a wide variety of fresh flowers including arum lilies, lush tropical blooms, plants and bouquets which set the cobbled town square ablaze with color.
On this half day city tour of Cuenca you’ll discover some of the main sights of the city including the Museum of Modern Art, New Cathedral, the famed local flower market and the Barranco with its historic houses perched on cliffs high above the rushing Tomebamba River.
Parque Cóndor is a conservation project dedicated to the rescue and reintroduction of birds of prey (e.g. condors, vultures, owls) in their natural habitat. The project was funded and supported by many international zoos and organizations, who have also donated birds of different species found in the park. The visit includes a falconry show and a complete explanation of the project’s conservation efforts.
This city tour starts in the central Parque Centenario, with its imposing Grecian-influenced statuary, before continuing to Guayaquil’s original fire station, a vital service in a city ravaged by fires throughout its history. We will see some of the surviving wooden buildings from the beginning of the XX century close to the neo-classical Masonic Temple. From here, we will continue on to the award-winning river-front esplanade Malecón 2000, stretching from the stunning 1907 market hall (Crystal Palace) built by Eiffel to the old worker’s neighborhood of Las Peñas at the foot of Santa Ana hill where Guayaquil was founded, now home to many artists and galleries.
This structure is a perfect example of the pre-Incan cultures that inhabited the area. Due to its strategic location with views of Cuenca, Biblián and Azogues, the complex was occupied by different cultures from 500 B.C. to 1532 A.D.; archaeologists claim the site houses the remains of a Cañar and Inca ceremonial sanctuary and military stronghold.
Our first stop of San Bartolomé is known for its craftsmen, who have been creating exquisite custom guitars for generations. When visiting Chordeleg (from chorro de oro meaning waterfall of gold) you’ll learn about the production of fine filigree jewelry as well as handmade ceramic pottery.
While in Gualaceo you’ll have the opportunity to wander through local fruit and vegetable markets brimming with fresh produce as well as learn about (and taste!) delicious fruit grown only in Ecuador. Next is a visit to Bulcay to the home of a family to observe Ikat weaving, an ancient tie-dye process dating to pre-Columbian cultures used to make shawls and ponchos on antique looms using natural dyes extracted on site.
Our first stop of San Bartolomé is known for its craftsmen, who have been creating exquisite custom guitars for generations. When visiting Chordeleg (from chorro de oro meaning waterfall of gold) you’ll learn about the production of fine filigree jewelry as well as handmade ceramic pottery.
While in Gualaceo you’ll have the opportunity to wander through local fruit and vegetable markets brimming with fresh produce as well as learn about (and taste!) delicious fruit grown only in Ecuador. Next is a visit to Bulcay to the home of a family to observe Ikat weaving, an ancient tie-dye process dating to pre-Columbian cultures used to make shawls and ponchos on antique looms using natural dyes extracted on site.
The ruins of Ingapirca, as they are also known, are constructed ions of perfectly carved stones that fit together seamlessly, and the main ruin is the elliptic structure of the Temple of the Sun. This temple was used for the ceremonies and rituals of the Cañari and Inca cultures. Additionally, among the remaining buildings, we find a cemetery, a solar observatory, paths, priests´ chambers and an indigenous plaza.
The 'Devil’s Nose' as it is known, is an unforgettable train ride down an incredibly steep mountain pass; the train zig-zags on hairpin turns all the way down the mountain and then back up again.
This beautiful Chilean Myrtle forest has a great botanical importance, as there are only two of its kind still standing in the South American continent – one in Ecuador, and one in Bariloche, Argentina.
Originating in the Pleistocene era, Ecuador’s Arrayanes forest’s importance has been recognized on a national level and is now protected by the Ecuadorian State. It utilizes over 16 hectares of soils enriched by the surrounding area’s aqueous ecosystem and minerals found in the volcanic materials that – thanks to the successive eruptions of nearby volcanoes – blanketed most of the Ecuadorian Andes. The forest has been preserved by nearby communities, especially the town of Montufar who are particularly proud of this natural jewel.
The Bolivar Paleontological Museum has over 205 fossils found in 1987 by Italian researchers Giovanni Ficarelli and Vitorio Borselli. The research performed on the fossils – estimated to be 20 million years old – determined that mastodons, saber-toothed tigers, mylodons, and wild horses inhabited this region in the Quaternary Period.
This spot is a beautiful natural cave transformed into a shrine devoted to Our Lady of Peace. This unique and impressive “church” is located in the gorge of the Apaquí River, near the community of La Paz and it is an important pilgrimage destination for both Colombian and Ecuadorian Catholics.
The site, with a remarkable view of surrounding volcanoes, is thought to have served military and astrological purposes. The Caranqui culture built this complex consisting of 15 different-sized pyramids, constructed with access ramps, as well as many burial mounds scattered in the area. The material used in the constructions is volcanic soil, known locally as “cangahua.” Since this material is not as hard as rock or wood, the indigenous builders covered the pyramids with regular soil and plants to avoid erosion of from the wind and rain of these slopes. Another theory hypothesizes the pyramids were covered with soil and plants to prevent detection from a distance. Most of the pyramids are still covered, but the many archeological teams that have worked on this site have uncovered some sections where is possible to see the materials and techniques used in the construction. The teams have also dug up many instruments used by the Caranqui people that are now in the on-site museum, which is also included in the visit.
Investigators have yet to determine these pyramids’ exact purpose; however, some of the pyramids still retain their moon and sun calendars, which hints at an astronomical or astrological function.
