The Qhapaq Ñan, or Inca Trail, stretches for 16 km in Cañar. The best-preserved section of the Qhapaq Ñan in Ecuador is in Cañar, in Sangay National Park, on the Achupallas–Ingapirca route. In addition to the Inca Trail, archaeological sites, highland nature and cultural experiences offer more to discover.

Inca Trail and archaeological sites

The Temple of the Sun at Ingapirca, also known as Castillo de Ingapirca, dates back to the time of Huayna Cápac. Its location and construction are associated with ceremonies and rituals for observing the sunrise and sunset.

Another archaeological site is Cerro Cojitambo. The mountain is considered sacred by the Cañari; the Cojitambo Archaeological Complex is located at its summit. It includes Cañari-Inca structures such as Chapanahuasi and the ceremonial plaza of Usno. Cerro Narrío is also an archaeological site in Cañar, dating to around 4500 BC.

One tourist route along the Inca Trail includes an 8 km, three-hour hike, followed by a visit to the Ingapirca Archaeological Complex and an overnight stay at the Sisid Anejo community tourism center. Check the current arrangements locally before planning this itinerary. The 16 km refers to the length of the Inca Trail in Cañar; the 8 km is the hike included in this particular itinerary. This distinguishes the trail’s extent in the area from the planned walking distance.

Páramo, forest and climbing

Laguna de Culebrillas is located in the upper part of Sangay National Park and is surrounded by páramo landscapes. Activities there include hiking, observing flora and fauna, visiting archaeological sites, photography, camping and exploring the Inca Trail.

Bosque La Carbonería offers a different type of vegetation: it is a six-hectare primary cloud forest with orchids and bromeliads. Hiking is possible on nature trails, as is camping. When choosing between them, keep in mind that Culebrillas offers a páramo setting, while La Carbonería is a primary cloud forest with its own plant life.

Those interested in climbing will find more than 200 routes with varying levels of risk at the summit of Cerro Cojitambo.

Crafts, communities and chocolate

Granja del Burgay exhibits and sells crafts from the seven cantons of Cañar Province. Local communities in Cañar welcome visitors and share their customs, traditions, language, dances, music and crafts. Indigenous communities also offer hiking activities along the Qhapaq Ñan in Cañar.

On the chocolate route in Zhucay, you can take part in the chocolate-making process at the production center. These are two distinct ways to experience local crafts and production: Granja del Burgay focuses on exhibiting and selling crafts, while in Zhucay you can participate in chocolate making.

Discover more destinations

Borrero, Chontamarca, Canar, Ingapirca

Carchi, Morona Santiago, Esmeraldas, Loja

For the main travel overview: Ecuador.