Chordeleg & Gualaceo Day Trip

Handcrafted guitars, intricately designed gold and silver filigree jewelry, and vividly colored textiles await you on this enriching journey through Ecuador’s artisan heritage, featuring a day trip to San Bartolomé, Chordeleg, and Gualaceo starting from Cuenca.

Day Trip to Chordeleg & Gualaceo

After being collected from your accommodation in Cuenca, your adventure begins as you travel through the surrounding mountainous landscapes. The first destination will be San Bartolomé, a quaint town positioned in the Andes, where you can take in stunning vistas of the Santa Barbara River.

Renowned for its artisanal crafts, particularly the creation of wooden guitars, San Bartolomé offers visitors the chance to step into a luthier's workshop. Here, you will uncover the methods behind the craftsmanship of guitar-making and witness how these unique instruments are assembled.

Continuing your exploration, you will arrive in Chordeleg, another charming village in the Azuay region, celebrated for its ceramics and exquisite filigree jewelry crafted from silver and gold. Engage with local artisans as they demonstrate the delicate techniques involved in producing these stunning creations at their workshops.

While in Chordeleg, take a leisurely stroll through the Plaza Central, or Main Square, where artisan shops abound. After soaking in the local culture, you will proceed to Gualaceo, a village famed for its remarkable textiles.

Immerse yourself in the bustling atmosphere of two traditional markets in Gualaceo, where the vibrant colors and detailed patterns of handwoven fabrics are sure to catch your eye. Witness the textile creation process firsthand by visiting a workshop where you can observe the various looms in use and learn about the ancient Ikat weaving technique, often employed for crafting the region's signature ponchos.

After four enriching hours spent uncovering the cultural legacies of the Azuay artisans, you will return to Cuenca, concluding your day trip at your original meeting place.