Devil's Nose and Ingapirca Ruins: Full-day tour from Cuenca

Ten hours, three stops: a city tour, a mountain viewpoint, and an Inca temple

A full-day small-group tour from Cuenca to Alausi and the Ingapirca Archaeological Complex, with hotel pickup, a professional guide in English or Spanish, and traditional lunch. The day moves through Alausi's central square and Puruha culture, climbs to the Devil's Nose viewpoint overlooking the mountain's engineering feat, then travels to Ecuador's most important Inca site to learn about Cañari and Inca history. Maximum 15 people per group.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Alausi and Ingapirca Ruins

• Pickup from Cuenca at 7:00 am
• Travel 3 hours to Alausi
• City tour of Alausi central square and train station
• Visit Lluglly viewpoint and see Puruha culture
• Travel 30 minutes to Devil's Nose viewpoint
• Optional hike to Sibambe train station
• Lunch at a typical restaurant
• Travel 2 hours to Ingapirca Archaeological Complex
• Tour Ingapirca ruins and learn about Cañari and Inca cultures
• Travel 2 hours back to Cuenca hotel

The experience

The tour starts with a three-hour drive from Cuenca to Alausi in Chimborazo province. A short city tour takes in the central square, the train station, and the Lluglly viewpoint, where you see the canton and part of the train line below. Locals wearing traditional Puruha dress are often visible here. Then a 30-minute trip brings you to the Devil's Nose viewpoint, where the guide explains the engineering of this mountain and the train route carved into it: hikers can optionally walk the trail connecting the viewpoint down to Sibambe train station.

After lunch at a typical restaurant, a two-hour drive leads to Ingapirca del Cañar, Ecuador's largest archaeological complex. The guide walks you through the site and its history under both Cañari and Inca rule, pointing out the only elliptical temple built by the Inca Empire. The return journey to Cuenca takes around two hours.

The group stays small, maximum 15 people, and travels in a private vehicle. Your guide speaks English or Spanish. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, as is lunch. A vegetarian option is available if you request it when booking. You'll need a valid passport on the day of travel, and the operator will ask for your passport details at booking.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Cuenca.
• professional guide in English or Spanish.
• round-trip transportation in a private vehicle.
• traditional Ecuadorian lunch at a typical restaurant (available in the group tour with lunch option.
• vegetarian option on request).

Options for this experience

2 options

Group tour not including lunchGuide in English or Spanish · 07:00An option made for enjoying the trip with more people, though you may bring your own food or purchase lunch directly at the restaurant. Pickup is included

Private tourGuide in English or Spanish · 07:00A special option created just for you; it covers lunch and the entrance fee. Pickup is included

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesWednesday to SundayDeparts at 07:00

AgesAdult (18 to 59 years) · Senior (60 to 80 years) · Youth (11 to 17 years) · Child (5 to 10 years) · Infant (under 5)

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effortInfant seats availableNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Polylepis Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want three archaeological and cultural stops (Alausi, Devil's Nose viewpoint, and Ingapirca) covered in one full day with a small group of up to 15 people, all departing from your Cuenca accommodation.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (11 to 17 years); Child (5 to 10 years); Infant (under 5).

How long is the drive from Cuenca to Alausi?

The drive takes approximately three hours. You'll leave Cuenca at 7:00 am and arrive in Alausi around 10:00 am for the city tour.

What is the Devil's Nose viewpoint?

Devil's Nose is a mountain near Alausi with a famous train line engineered into it. From the viewpoint, you see the mountain's engineering and the train route below. Hikers can walk an optional trail down to Sibambe train station.

What will I see at Ingapirca?

Ingapirca del Cañar is Ecuador's most important archaeological complex, built and used by both the Cañari and Inca cultures. The site includes the only elliptical temple built by the Inca Empire, and your guide explains the history of both cultures at the site.

Is lunch included, and are there dietary options?

Lunch at a typical Ecuadorian restaurant is included in the group tour with lunch option. A vegetarian option is available. Let the operator know when you book if you need it.

What do I need to bring or know before booking?

You'll need a valid passport on the day of travel. The operator will ask for your passport number, expiry date and country at booking. The tour involves a moderate level of physical fitness. It is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health.