Rural Hike: Sigsig to Gualaceo

Sample itinerary

• Tour hours
• 1

  Cacique Duma Castle

  Just 250m from the Black Cave is a Cañari archaeological site known by some as Chobshi Castle. These are the ruins of a rectangular structure of 110 meters in length, 22 meters in width and 2.9 meters high, along with internal divisions. There is another smaller structure of 1.8 meters in length and 0.7 meters in width. While experts are unclear as to the true use of these architectural remains, some believe it was a Cañari castle, while others hypothesize that it could have been a Cañari temple, observatory, house or tombs. Legend has it that it was built in a night to protect the Cañari people from the Inca invasion.

• 2

  Chobshi Black Cave

  Cueva Negra is a cave where 10,000 year old human artifacts have been excavated of hunter-gatherers of that era. It contains the oldest human remains found in Ecuador. Experts estimate the cave was inhabited at the beginning of the post-glacial era, between 8060 and 5585 B.C.. It is 6 meters high, 9 meters deep and has a 15 meter entrance. Obsidian, a rock of volcanic origin, used to make lithic instruments, has been found within the cave. Since the closest source of obsidian is located 450km from the site, in Quiscatola, experts can assume that inhabitants were highly mobile.

• 3

  Chordeleg

  Only about an hour from Cuenca, Chordeleg is best known for the many jewelry stores that line its streets and main square. The jewelry, which is mostly made from silver, is locally produced.

• 4

  El Pailón Canyon

  This canyon was a ceremonial location for the Cañari people paying homage to water.

• 5

  Gualaceo

  Gualaceo is known as the garden of Azuay (the name of the province in which it is located). Only about an hour from Cuenca, the village is located in a fertile region best known for the production of fruit. The local market, located near the banks of the river by the same name, is also popular for the horned (roast pork served with potato cakes and corn).

• 6

  Sigsig

  Sigsig is a remote agricultural village located within beautiful and hilly countryside near the Santa Barbara River. It takes its name from the river’s swaying reeds (sigses). It is one of the most important locations for Panama hat production in the province.