Gualaceo, Chordelg and San Bartolome craft making villagues
Overview
Available languages
8 hours
Mobile ticket
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
Additional Info
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.
What To Expect
Sigsig
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.
Chordeleg
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
What‘s Included
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Lunch
Fuel surcharge
2 course lunch
Transportation
Licensed Tour Guide / Driver
Gratuities
Entrance fees: Ikat $1, Guitar workshop $2, Orchid farm $5
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
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.
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.
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.
Reviews
18 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Go and Visit Cuenca in Ecuador!
F6782IJandreae,,Sep 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This experience was unforgettable! Even though my dad’s limited movility, my family and I were able to enjoy many touristic spots in Cuenca as well as visit many places where main city’s hand-made crafts were done like jewelry, clothes, hats, and guitars. Our tour guides Adrian and Diego were very friendly and knowledgeable about Cuenca’s culture. I would definitely recommend this tour operator!
Amazing Number of Jewelry Stores in Chordelg
cjmG1786CU,,Jan 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00My wife, sister and I booked a private tour with Cuenca Bestours, and Luis our English speaking guide was very good. We were able to adjust our tour so we could have more time to explore the jewelry stores in Chordelg. That is what the ladies were most looking forward to, but we enjoyed the other stops very much as well. It was an enjoyable trip that we highly recommend.
Great tour
JSplat,,Nov 11, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was a great trip. My driver/tour guide knew the best places to go and had great advice for things to do in Cuenca. I highly recommend it.
Great experience.
SergioA1992,,Nov 8, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great tour to get to know Ecuador a little more in depth. Our guide Wilson was fantastic. Recommended 100%
Definitely worth it.
Fearless34848594775,,Aug 24, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I really enjoyed the trip. Eddy was an amazing guide who took us to see the Artisan villages near Cuenca. We can definitely recommend Cuenca Bestours and this tour!
Wonderful day
William N,,Jul 11, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide Eddy was very pleasant and informative. Never knew so much work went in to handmade guitars and textiles. The orchid farm was amazing! Enjoyed the beautiful scenery along the way and lunch was very good.
A dream mountain town in Ecuador that is a must see!
McSmarty01,,Jul 10, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I can't recommend Cuenca and this tour company enough. They picked us up at the Guayaquil airport, took us on an artisanal tour of the surrounding community, organized a cooking tour with a local woman who hosted us for a lunch we cooked and a cocoa tour on the way back to the airport. Our main guide Sebastian was a wealth of local knowledge and customs of both Ecuador and Cuenca specifically. Steven, our driver, perfectly navigated the winding roads in fog and rain. I'm so happy to have had a driver as you don't need a car in the city. Javier, the owner was always prompt and allowed us to change our itinerary to better fit our interests. I definitely will be back in Cuenca as it's a beautiful mountain town that's extremely safe and fun. Plus the prices of everything are mostly half what they are in America. Language was never a barrier. I look forward to hiking Cajas National Park next time. It's breathtaking! Thanks to the crew for the memories.
Great day trip from Cuenca
carolinem485,,Dec 20, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great experience! From the quick response to our initial request to the guide/driver going the extra mile to make us discover local specialties, they provided excellent service.
Experience the Craft Towns Anew
69lynnz,,Oct 9, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had taken a tour of the craft towns 5 years ago, but Luis ( our guide ) managed to make them seem new again, pointing out new sites and making new observations about the people and culture. We saw handmade guitars, silver jewelry, Ikat textiles, and clay figurines of local life and took a quick tour of a Gualaceo market.
Excellent experience. Highly recommend. Diego wonderful guide.
paulawY7812NM,,Jun 22, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We went to the craft towels to see guitar workshop, silversmith, and weaving demonstration with additional steps at a figurine maker and a cuy farm. It was the perfect day with the great balance between learning and shopping.
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Operated by Cuenca Bestours Tour Operator