Cuenca is the third most important city of Ecuador, after Guayaquil and Quito, respectively, known as the "Athens of Ecuador" due to the rich culture of the people, many of Ecuador’s famous poets and writers were born here. Cuenca has also an interesting colonial center, where most hotels, restaurants and churches are located. Just as the colonial center of Quito, this amazing part of Cuenca is declared Cultural Heritage of Mankind by UNESCO. The surroundings of Cuenca offer great national parks as Cajas, for instance and also houses the biggest Inca ruin of Ecuador, Ingapirca.

Car: 9 hrs.
Bus: 10 hrs