Ingapirca
Ecuador's largest Inca site. Its elliptical 'Temple of the Sun' is built of finely fitted dry-stone masonry, blending Cañari and Inca civilizations.
The site sits on a highland about 70 km north of Cuenca, at roughly 3,200 m above sea level. The Incas built temples, storehouses and residential areas on top of a ceremonial center of the Cañari people. The central 'Castillo' is an elliptical structure, rare in South America, used to observe the sun. Admission is about US$6 and includes a guided tour in Spanish or English. Trails also lead to a rock carving known as the 'Face of the Inca'. Direct buses from Cuenca take about 2 hours, or you can join a day tour.
Opening hours
About 08:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- Gualaceo
- Homero Ortega Panama Hat Factory
- Church of Santo Domingo
- Church of San Blas
- Parque Calderón
- Old Cathedral (El Sagrario)
- Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (New Cathedral)
- Church & Plaza of San Sebastián