My dear travelers and lovers of unusual journeys, welcome to the new series of travelogues on the Mr.M blog. The month of November will be dedicated to an unusual country in the heart of South America, a country known for the highest quality cocoa, bananas and coffee – Ecuador. At the very beginning of today’s travelogue, I would like to thank PRO ECUADOR and Tour Operator Cuenca BesTours as well as other local partners who selflessly supported my adventure in South America.
With their help, travelogues from Ecuador and fashion stories were created that you will have the opportunity to read this November and December, and I sincerely hope that you will enjoy the new adventure.
If by any chance you missed reading the previous travelogues and fashion stories from Ecuador or you want to remind yourself of some interesting things, take the opportunity to visit the following links:
- Letters from Ecuador: Quito, a city coloured by the art and architecture of the Baroque…(Travelogue)
- Sannino Napoli: Discover true Italian craftsmanship with timeless and unique style…(Fashion Story)
- Letters from Ecuador: Quito, the pearl of South America in the middle of the world…(Travelogue)
- Brett Johnson: Fashion for the modern man with refined and refined taste… (Fashion Story)
- Letters from Ecuador: Cuenca, the Vibrant Charming Colonial Gem of South America… (Travelogue)
- Appella: Unique Watches that Combine Classic Design and Swiss Functionality… (Fashion Story)
It is very important to note that Cuenca BesTours is a leading tour operator and travel agency based in Cuenca. Their team specializes in organizing and customizing cultural and adventure tours and activities for couples, families and groups in Cuenca and Ecuador. With more than ten years of experience, we have built a reputation for providing personalized and memorable experiences for our guests. The Cuenca BesTours team of local travel experts strives to skilfully bring every detail of every trip to perfection in order to create added value that makes the tourist experience unique and unforgettable.
If you decide to visit Ecuador, Cuenca BesTours offers group and private individual tours in Ecuador with which you can get to know this unusual country in South America. Also, they are organising extraordinary Day Trips from Cuenca, cultural heart of Ecuador. My experience with the travel agency Cuenca BesTours is outstanding and I can praise the work of their team who organised at very short notice a multi-day trip to Cuenca, which I described in a previous travelogue about this charming city, as well as a tour of the ruins of Ingapirca and Gualaceo and Chordeleg towns – villages where I had the opportunity to better explore the beauty of Andean culture and about which I will write to you in more detail today.
A new morning dawned in Guayaquil and my photographer and I knew it was time to continue our adventure. The smiling guide Chris presented us with an itinerary with lots of useful information. Chris kept us company during this trip and did his best to make our adventure in and around Cuenca perfect. He is a living encyclopedia and is very familiar with this part of Ecuador because he lives in Cuenca.
Ingapirca, which means “wall of the Incas” in the Kichwa language, is one of the most important set of pre-Columbian ruins in Republic of Ecuador, located about 80 km north of Cuenca. The Inca Sun Temple located on its hill with an amazing panoramic view of the surrounding nature is a truly unique and impressive landscape, and the ruins themselves have a fascinating history. Ingapirca is an archaeological complex located in the Canar province. It is undoubtedly one of the most famous archaeological sites in the country.
The site was initially a settlement of the Canari culture, although it was later occupied by the Incas, who built most of the structures that have survived to this day. After conducting numerous researches, by interpreting certain archaeologists’ writings, it is considered that this complex must have had a religious function, because it was built on a rocky outcrop that must have been the pacarina (the place of origin of the people according to some local myths) for the Canaries. It is mainly known for the great Sun Temple of Ingapirca, which is a unique building in the entire Inca Empire because it has an oval plan. Such kind of constructions are not known at any other Inca site in pre-Columbian America.
In the province of Canar, in the south of the country, at an altitude of approximately 3160 m and almost 16 km from the city of Canar, there is the most significant archaeological building of Inca origin in the current Republic of Ecuador.
Ingapirca is a Quichua word meaning wall of the Incas. It is an authentic Inca-Canary construction, created at the beginning of the sixteenth century, which is assumed to have been an observatory of the sun and the moon just before the arrival of the Spaniards in the area. The collection of archaeological remains of Ingapirca has been recorded by the outside world since at least the mid-eighteenth century, although there are references to the site where these structures are located – Valle del Canar – as early as the sixteenth century, when it was known as the province of Hatun Canar (Quichua language: Hatun Canar, which means “great place of canaries”).
One of the records from 1582, recorded by the parish priest Fray Gaspar de Gallegos, parish priest of San Francisco de Peleusi de Azogues, a town near this site, wrote the following:
“I came to the territory called Canares, because three leagues from here there is a city called Hatum Canar, which in the Inca language means “the great province of Cañas”, and there they say that in the time of the Incas Huain Capac there was a large population of Indians and that there was housed the main chief and it seems so, because today there are large and very luxurious buildings, and among them very strong ones”.
Today there is no confirmed information for what purpose this building of Inca-Canari origin was built. The only criterion in which several historians and archaeologists agree is that it was built under the direct orders of the former Inca Huain Capac, during the territorial expansion and conquest of the people that the Inca Tupac Yupanqui, his father and ancestor as the emperor of Tahuantinsuyo, began many years ago towards the territories which today make up southern Ecuador.
Some archaeologists believe that this site also played a large role in the military strategies of the Incas, as an outpost and supply of troops in the north of Ecuador, but its most important purpose was to be a place of worship and respect for the cult of the Sun, the greatest god of the Incas, which made itself in Coricancha , dedicated to the ritual of the Incas.
The ruins of Ingapirca were excavated and restored by the Archaeological Mission of Spain between 1974 and 1975. These investigations led to several publications by archaeologists José Alcina, Miguel Rivera and Antonio Fresco.
What is the historical background of Ingapirca? According to what is currently known and verified, the Canaries were present in this region long before the Incas arrived. They are renowned for their fierce fighting spirit and tenacious resistance to invasion, having successfully repelled the Inca ruler Tupac Yupanqui’s army from their territory. Through a combination of wars and marriages, the Inca Empire did not ultimately conquer the Canaries until Huaina Capac, Yupanqui’s son, carried on his father’s campaign.
It’s interesting to note that the conquerors respected the Canaries enough to establish a community with them after their victory and build a Temple of the Sun to go with the Temple of the Moon already in place. In addition to its ceremonial role, Ingapirca is thought to have served astronomical, political, and administrative purposes. Atahualpa, the son of Juana Capac, would sometimes visit the many high-status individuals and families who resided there.
Though its golden age and growth were brief, Ingapirca’s strategic location overlooking the surrounding valley at 3,200 meters above sea level was crucial. It is thought that the complex was destroyed in the conflict between Atahualpa and his brother Huascar in 1532, just before the Spanish conquest. After the site was looted by the Spanish, many of the stone walls were used to construct haciendas and churches in Cuenca and other places. After being abandoned, the site was restored by the Ecuadorian government in the middle of the 20th century, and in 1966 it was made public.
All of the explanations are in Spanish, so it takes creativity and a tour with a guide like Chris to make the most of Ingapirca, which is essentially just stone foundations. The original Kanari settlement is marked by the Pilaloma complex on the south side. Thousands of spondyl shells and the collective tomb of the Canarian priestess and ten of her servants, who were buried alive with her after her death, are the most fascinating features of this complex. The tomb is situated beneath a sizeable stone that is thought to be connected to a number of astronomical computations and may have served as a sacrifice altar.
There is a sizable open area where many devotees congregated for rituals in addition to the communal tomb and temples in the Ingaprit ruins. A portion of the Inca Trail, which formerly linked administrative and religious hubs in Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile, still adheres to this belief. Grain storage areas, terraced agricultural terraces, and ceremonial baths are additional features.
Built on top of the ancient ceremonial rock of Canary, the elliptical Temple of the Sun—the only one of its kind in the Inca Empire forms the complex’s focal point. This structure is thought to have served as a location for rituals as well as a means of determining when religious holidays and agricultural labor should take place. Inti Rajmi, the Sun Festival, which is still observed in Ingapirca every June, was the most significant occasion. The volcanic rocks were hand-hewn so precisely that mortar was not required, allowing for the full appreciation of the magnificent stonework that is the hallmark of Inca construction.
The House of the Chosen, where only the most attractive girls from the nearby villages lived as Virgins of the Sun, is located next to the temple in this remarkable complex. These girls learned to dance, knit, weave, and cook after being taken from their homes as young children. They had to prepare ceremonial food, keep the sacred fire going, entertain visiting Inca dignitaries, and weave garments for the emperor and rituals. They would wed high-ranking men like priests, notable soldiers, and Incas.
Interestingly, there is a big stone with 28 holes of varying sizes close to the Sun temple. It is thought that this stone served as the lunar calendar. The holes are thought to have been filled with water, which caused the moonlight to reflect differently throughout the month, telling the date. The Cara del Inca, a massive human face that is thought to be a natural phenomenon, can be seen outlined on a cliff a short stroll from the temple.
After spending two hours at the Ingapirca complex, we continue on to Gualaceo and Chordeleg villages. The South American village of Chordeleg, located in the Azuay region, is well-known for its ceramics and exquisite silver and gold filigree jewelry. Thanks to the local artisans’ workshop, you can learn how this delicate technique is expertly executed to create such beautiful pieces.
Let’s not forget how filigree jewelry is made. Mrs. Mom’s earlier fashion stories, in which she wrote to you about the renowned Filevi 1928 jewelry from North Macedonia, probably taught you about it. One of the most exquisite metalworking techniques is filigree. Over the ages, this method has been employed to create incredibly valuable and exquisite jewelry as well as ornamental objects that are still prized today. Using this technique, the motif is composed of silver, gold, and less frequently copper wire to create jewelry or decorative items. A complex motif is created by bending, interlacing, and tying wire threads together; it can be displayed fully free or on a metal base. Filigree wire was used to create geometric designs, flowers, and circles. These items were occasionally topped with tiny metal balls.
Before traveling to Gualaceo, a village renowned for its amazing textiles, you can explore Chordelega’s center by strolling through Plaza Central or the Main Square and stopping by the numerous artisan stores that line it.
Discover the vibrant colors and unique patterns of the handwoven fabrics sold by locals at Gualaceo’s two traditional markets, where you can immerse yourself in the vibrant pace of everyday life. Visit workshops where textiles are made and try to observe the various looms that the artisans use to enjoy the creation of handicrafts. The renowned ponchos that are represented in this Andean region are frequently made using the pre-Hispanic Ikat weaving technique, which you can learn about here!
In the next post, I will write about the most populated city in Ecuador, which many say is the Pearl of the Pacific – Guayaquil, which you should visit if you decide to visit this unusual country in South America. My dear adventurers, we have come to the end of this fourth special travelogue in the series of travelogues about Ecuador where we had the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of this unusual country in South America. Today’s travelogue would not be possible without the selfless help of PRO ECUADOR and Tour Operator Cuenca BesTours in collaboration with local partners who allowed me to feel the spirit and beauty of Ecuadorian and Andean local culture and traditions. Of course, as always, I tried my best to convey to you my impressions of this unusual experience from Ecuador.
Being able to travel the world is a sign of a rich soul, and I’m happy that I consistently find project partners who enable me to see new and unusual places in a whole new way.
It is a privilege for me to work with so many organisations and businesses in the tourism industry, and I want to express my gratitude to the Tour Operator Cuenca BesTours once more for this amazing experience and for giving me the chance to appreciate the beauty of this unique Ecuadorian and Andean local culture in a whole new way.
How did you like my story about Ecuador and the presentation of Ingapirca Ruins and as well of Gualaceo and Chordeleg charming villages, which adorns the south of this unusual country in South America? Have you had the chance to visit Ecuador so far?
If you have any question, comment, suggestion or message for me you can write me below in the comments. Of course, as always, you can contact me via email or social networks, all addresses can be found on the CONTACT page. See you at the same place in a few days, with some new story!
In the following stories from Ecuador, we will discover some other interesting sights that you should visit if your journey leads you to this exotic country!
With Love from Ecuador,
Mr.M
This post is sponsored by PRO ECUADOR and Tour Operator Cuenca BesTours as well as other local partners. This post is my personal and honest review of the destination experience.
I have always been fascinated by archaeological complexes and the Incas are a truly special people because of their way of life and their way of conquest, they are truly to be admired. Great travelogue and I didn’t know priestesses were popular back then, I always thought they were only men, not women. Very interesting! Ecuador seems to be really special and unusual in every possible way from other countries.
Wonderful travelogue and really impressive how many interesting historical facts you shared. Ecuador is an interesting destination and I didn’t know that there are preserved Inca ruins in this country as well. I hope that I will visit Ecuador soon!
Dear Marko, I need to admit that it was incredibly interesting and fun to read your new travel story about Ingapirca and this region of Ecuador. I haven’t still visited this amazing country and the ruins of Incas, but I learned a lot of things I never knew about this country thanks to your today’s travelogue.
Hello Marko, first I would like to praise your new series of travelogues from Ecuador and ask for your advice as I am planning to visit Ecuador next year, we bought flight tickets for February but we still don’t have a concrete travel plan. My family and I would like to get to know the city of Cuenca and the surrounding attractions, so I wanted to ask you if 3 days is enough to visit all the attractions around Cuenca, as well as to visit the city?
Ausgezeichneter Reisebericht! Ich habe schon lange keine Reiseberichte von Reisebloggern aus Ecuador mehr gelesen. Ingapirca ist eine beeindruckende Touristenattraktion für alle Liebhaber von Archäologie und Geschichte. Diese Ruinen erinnern mich sehr an Machu Picchu in Peru. Herzlichen Glückwunsch zu Ihren Bemühungen und Ihrer Arbeit. Ihre neuen Reisegeschichten sind ausgezeichnet!