Cuenca Tour – Gualaceo Valley & Chordeleg, Full Day.
Information
Gualaceo Valley & Chordeleg, full day, from Cuenca, daily, includes lunch, private
Discover Gualaceo’s special handcrafts.
The valley of Gualaceo is 22 miles (36 kilometers) from Cuenca, at an elevation of 7,446 feet (2,370 meters) above sea level. The ride starts along the Santa Ana valley and then high in the mountains, through very scenic landscapes, which change at every curb.
Day by Day
Tour Details
The valley of Gualaceo is 22 miles (36 kilometers) from Cuenca, at an elevation of 7,446 feet (2,370 meters) above sea level. The ride starts along the Santa Ana valley and then high in the mountains, through very scenic landscapes, which change at every curb. A stop is made at the small town of San Bartolome where guitars are hand made and artistically finished and Chordeleg, a small town with many stores selling jewelry in gold and silver.
Past the village of Gualaceo, drive along the banks of the river, lined with weeping willows, arrive at Bulcay where the weavers produce the finest shawls and scarves using backstrap looms and the technique of ikat, where the threads are tie-dyed to form specific designs before weaving. Then visit an orchid garden with over 2500 species. Lunch is at a very pleasant country inn, surrounded by flowering gardens and very close to the Paute River, and in the afternoon return to Cuenca in time to catch the return flight.
Travel Facts
Dress in layers (T-shirt, blouse, sweater, coat) and rain protection. Sun protection (SPF 40) even if the day is cloudy. Hat or cap. Good walking shoes.
Altitude: 2,370 meters (7446 feet) to 2,550 meters (7,750 feet)
Average Temperature:
Day 10° to 25° C / 50° to 77° F.
Night 6° to 10° C / 43° to 50° F.
