Gualaceo, Chordelg and San Bartolome craft making villagues

Skilled artisans produce beautiful products here. Check out the exquisite textiles (hand-woven shawls and hand-embroidered clothing), jewelry made with unique techniques such as filigree, pottery, straw hats and much more...

Highlights:

• Browse the famous artisan-crafted guitars of San Bartolome
• Check out Chordeleg's famous jewelry and ceramics
• Learn about the Hispanic shawl-making technique called "Ikat" in Gualaceo
• Walk through the colorful market in Gualaceo where you will see locals weaving hats on the streets

Itinerary

1. 15 min

   Departing from Cuenca our first stop will be at the small town of San Bartolome. Craftsmen here have been creating handmade guitars for generations. We’ll visit a local workshop to observe the process of making these instruments considered a crafts for its unique designs and inlaid decorations.

2. 1 h

   Chordeleg is famous for its silversmiths and jewelry shops that line the streets and main plaza. We will visit Favio Jara's workshop, his family founded this art in the town and now all the community makes a living out of it. We will have the chance to observe how he makes fabulous filigree items. Afterwards, you’ll have time to shop around and check out the local jewelry and crafts. Here you’ll also have a chance to watch artisans weaving 'Panama' hats and other items made of toquilla straw. We will also visit Fernando Loja's workshop to see is miniature ceramics that show aspects of the local culture

3. 40 min

   Our tour continues to Gualaceo to admire the vivid, bright colors of its market and the interesting clothing worn by the local women. Here you will learn about (and taste!) delicious, just-picked fruits that are grown only in Ecuador. Meat lovers should not miss the tasty roasted pig, a very typical dish of this area, although leave some space for lunch. Then our final stop will be at Jose Jimenez's workshop where we’ll see the process of weaving shawls and ponchos on antique looms, using dyes extracted from plants. At the end of this full-day tour outside of Cuenca, you will be returned to your hotel.

What's included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Lunch
• Fuel surcharge
• 2 course lunch
• Transportation
• Licensed Tour Guide / Driver

What's not included

• Gratuities
• Entrance fees: Ikat $1, Guitar workshop $2, Orchid farm $5

Meeting point

End point

Languages

In-person guide: English, Spanish

Travellers

• Infant (0–2)
• Child (3–11)
• Adult (12–90)

Options

• Group Tour without lunch

  You will be part of a group and you have the flexibility to bring your own lunch or pay for it at the restaurant.

  In-person guide: Spanish, English

• Group Tour with lunch

  Is a tour which includes different guests in one vehicle and the itinerary is set. 2-course lunch is included. Minimum of 2 guests and maximum 12.

  In-person guide: Spanish, English

• Private Tour

  This options is exclusively for you and your party. You will have the flexibility to make any changes in the itinerary within the time allowed.

  In-person guide: Spanish, English

Additional information

• Specialized infant seats are available
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
• Infant meals not included
• A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
• For 1 to 5 passengers, a bilingual guide will also be the driver. For more than 5 passengers, a driver and a bilingual guide will be provided.

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.