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 The
Spanish founded the pretty colonial city of Cuenca in 1557. The
capital of Azuay Province is located in a valley of the Andes
Mountains, about 2583 m (about 8468 ft) above sea level. Despite being
Ecuador’s third largest city, it is quaint and colonial, its
narrow cobblestone streets and white washed red-tiled buildings,
handsome plazas and domed churches, and its setting above the grassy
banks of the Rio Tomebamba, where women still wash and dry clothes in
the sun, all add up to a city that's definitely one of Ecuador's
highlights. It has recently been declared a UNESCO World Heritage
Site.
Cuenca has a strong intellectual tradition, boasting three major
universities and several smaller ones. With its large student
population and popularity with foreigners, the city also has a modem
edge, with international restaurants, art galleries, cool cafes and
welcoming bars all tucked into its colonial architecture. Cuenca's
location in one of the country's most traditional regions also bestows
the city with a very strong indigenous presence.
Cuenca is an important crafts outlet and stands at the center of the
panama hat trade, so the shopping is excellent. It's also a good base
for visiting nearby Parque Nacional Cajas, local hot springs, villages
and markets, and the Inca ruins of Ingapirca. Try not to miss the
place, and allow yourself at least a couple days for some leisurely
exploration.
Cajas National Park
A
place where the waters reveal of the rivers, streams and lagoons, they
seem to unite, to create a temple of the nature. Located 29 km west of
Cuenca, many people visit the park on the weekends for its trout
fishing, rugged hiking, and camping. There are camping sites,
footpaths and basic tourist infrastructure.
Ingapirca ruins
 The
Ruins of Ingapirca are about one hour and 45 minutes away from Cuenca,
Ingapirca was both a religious and administrative center, as well as a
fortress. The ruins comprise strategic observation points, cemeteries,
roads, storage rooms, priests' chambers and a plaza. The most
impressive part of the site is the oval-shaped Temple of the Sun,
which acted as an important ceremonial and ritual centre for the Cañari-Inca. There is also a small museum with information about the
site. continues...
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