Cañar: Inca Trail, Ingapirca and Nature

In Cañar, the Inca Trail, archaeological sites, and varied natural landscapes offer unique discoveries. The Qhapaq Ñan, or Inca Trail, stretches for 16 kilometers through Cañar. In Ecuador, the best-preserved section of the Qhapaq Ñan is in Cañar, within Sangay National Park, along the Achupallas–Ingapirca route. The region is also characterized by páramo landscapes, a primary cloud forest, and places where visitors can learn about handicrafts and local traditions.

The Inca Trail and archaeological sites

Ingapirca is a pre-Columbian archaeological site in Cañar Province and is home to Ecuador’s best-preserved Inca architectural complex. The Temple of the Sun, also known as Castillo de Ingapirca, dates from the time of Huayna Cápac. Its location and construction are associated with ceremonies and rituals for observing the sunrise and sunset. Ingapirca thus brings together architectural remains and an interpretation of their possible ceremonial use.

Another archaeological site is Cerro Narrío, which dates to around 4500 BC. Cerro Cojitambo also has special cultural significance: it is considered a sacred mountain of the Cañari, and the Cojitambo Archaeological Complex is located at its summit. Cañari-Inca structures there include Chapanahuasi and the ceremonial plaza Usno. In addition to serving as an archaeological landmark, the summit offers more than 200 climbing routes with varying risk levels. Cultural history and climbing are two distinct aspects of the same place.

Handicrafts, communities, and chocolate

To get a glimpse of the province’s handicrafts, you can visit Granja del Burgay, where works from the seven cantons of Cañar Province are exhibited and sold. Cultural exchange is another possible experience. Local communities in Cañar share their customs, traditions, language, dances, music, and handicrafts with visitors. Indigenous communities along the Qhapaq Ñan also offer hiking activities.

Another special highlight is the chocolate route in Zhucay. At the production center, visitors can take part in the chocolate-making process. This complements the archaeological and landscape experiences with a hands-on look at how the product is made.

Páramo and primary cloud forest

Laguna de Culebrillas is located in the upper part of Sangay National Park and is surrounded by páramo landscapes. Hiking and observing flora and fauna are possible there, and visitors can also see the Inca Trail. Other activities at the lagoon include visiting archaeological sites, photography, and camping.

Bosque La Carbonería offers a different natural highlight: this six-hectare primary cloud forest is home to orchids and bromeliads. Hiking is possible on nature trails, and camping is also one of the activities available there. While Culebrillas is defined by its páramo, La Carbonería focuses on cloud forest and its plants—two distinct nature experiences to consider when planning your stay.

Putting a described hike in context

One tourist route along the Inca Trail describes an eight-kilometer, three-hour hike. This is followed by a visit to the Ingapirca Archaeological Complex and an overnight stay at the Sisid Anejo community tourism center. The eight kilometers refer to the hike on this route; the 16 kilometers refer to the length of the Qhapaq Ñan in Cañar. If you are considering this itinerary for your trip, confirm the current arrangements locally.

The places and activities described offer a range of ideas, though not every stay needs to focus on the same things.

Discover more destinations: Borrero, Chontamarca, Canar, Ingapirca, Loja, El Oro, Sucumbíos, and Pastaza.

Go to the main travel overview: Ecuador.