Chordeleg & Gualaceo Day Trip

Handmade guitars, delicate gold and silver filigree jewellery, and vibrantly coloured textiles await you on this day trip to San Bartolomé, Chordeleg and Gualaceo from Cuenca.

Chordeleg & Gualaceo Day Trip

After being picked up from your hotel in Cuenca, your journey begins through the stunning mountains surrounding the city. The first destination is San Bartolomé, a traditional town in the Andes, where you'll enjoy impressive views of the Santa Barbara River.

San Bartolomé is renowned for its handcrafted guitars. Here, you will visit a traditional workshop to learn the secrets of local luthiers, the skilled guitar-makers, and their techniques in crafting these musical instruments.

Your next stop is Chordeleg, a village noted for its ceramics and exquisite silver and gold filigree jewellery. Experience the delicate art of filigree as local craftsmen demonstrate their skills in their workshops.

You will explore the center of Chordeleg, enjoying a leisurely stroll around the Plaza Central, the Main Square, and visiting various artisan stores that line the area. From there, you’ll proceed to Gualaceo, recognized for its incredible textiles.

Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of two traditional markets in Gualaceo, where you'll be enchanted by the bright colours and intricate designs of handwoven fabrics. Following this, a visit to a textiles workshop will showcase the different looms employed by artisans. You will even learn about the pre-Hispanic Ikat technique of weaving, commonly used for creating the region’s traditional ponchos!

After 4 enriching hours exploring the ancestral traditions of Azuay artisans, you will return to Cuenca, where you will be dropped off at your original pickup point.

How does it work?

During this day trip, you will:
Visit traditional artisan workshops in San Bartolomé, Chordeleg, and Gualaceo.Learn about guitar making, ceramics, filigree jewellery, and textile weaving techniques.Experience local markets and interactions with artisans.

Included
Round-trip transportation from your hotel in Cuenca.Guided tours of artisan workshops and markets.Opportunity to purchase local handicrafts.

Not Included
Meals and beverages.Gratuities.Any personal expenses during the trip.

Meeting Point

Your journey begins with hotel pickup in Cuenca. Please be ready in the lobby 10 minutes before the scheduled departure time.