
ECUADOR - Around Cuenca -
Southern Andes mountains
Ingapirca Inca ruins
Ingapirca is a town located at 3 hours from Cuenca and it is also the name of the older Inca ruins and archeological site nearby, which are the best preserved in Ecuador.These are the largest known Inca ruins in Ecuador. The most significant building is the Temple of the Sun, an elliptically shaped building constructed around a large rock.We also took pictures of the countryside landscape on our way and around Ingapirca.
BEST TIME to VISIT INGAPIRCA
BEST TIME to TRAVEL to ECUADOR
Mountains : from June to August
The castle complex is of Cañari-Inca origin. Its purpose is uncertain so far. The complex was used as a fortress and storehouse from which to resupply Inca troops en route to northern Ecuador. The Temple of the Sun is the most significant building whose partial ruins survive at the archeological site. It is constructed in the Inca way without mortar, as are most of the structures in the complex. The stones were carefully chiseled and fashioned to fit together perfectly. It was positioned in keeping with their beliefs and knowledge of the cosmos. Researchers have learned by observation that the Temple of the Sun was positioned so that on the solstices, at exactly the right time of day, sunlight would fall through the center of the doorway of the small chamber at the top of the temple.

Ingapirca complex - indigenous costume still used for some ceremonies

Ingapirca village - girl

Ingapirca complex - indigenous costume still used for some ceremonies

Ingapirca Inca ruins - Castle and Temple of the Sun complex - Niche in a wall

landscape around Ingapirca

Ingapirca Inca ruins - the site is overlooking hills

Ingapirca Inca ruins

Ingapirca Inca ruins

Ingapirca Inca ruins - Castle and Temple of the Sun complex

Ingapirca Inca ruins - Castle and Temple of the Sun complex

Ingapirca Inca ruins - Castle and Temple of the Sun complex

Ingapirca Inca ruins - Castle and Temple of the Sun complex

Ingapirca Inca ruins - Castle and Temple of the Sun complex - Stairs

Ingapirca Inca ruins - Castle and Temple of the Sun complex - Walls were constructed in the Inca way without mortar and the stones were carefully chiseled and fashioned to fit together perfectly.

Ingapirca Inca ruins - Castle and Temple of the Sun complex - Walls were constructed in the Inca way without mortar and the stones were carefully chiseled and fashioned to fit together perfectly.

Ingapirca Inca ruins - Castle and Temple of the Sun complex - Walls were constructed in the Inca way without mortar and the stones were carefully chiseled and fashioned to fit together perfectly.

Ingapirca Inca ruins - Castle and Temple of the Sun complex - Door

Ingapirca Inca ruins - Temple of the Sun

Ingapirca Inca ruins - Temple of the Sun

Girl and woman

Ingapirca village - frescoe

woman and man

Ingapirca village

Southern Andes - Road between Cuenca and Ingapirca - landscape

Southern Andes - Road between Cuenca and Ingapirca - landscape

Southern Andes - Road between Cuenca and Ingapirca - landscape

Southern Andes - Road between Cuenca and Ingapirca - landscape

Southern Andes - Road between Cuenca and Ingapirca - landscape

Southern Andes - Road between Cuenca and Ingapirca - landscape

Southern Andes - Road between Cuenca and Ingapirca - landscape

Southern Andes - Road between Cuenca and Ingapirca - landscape

Southern Andes - Road between Cuenca and Ingapirca - landscape

Southern Andes - Road between Cuenca and Ingapirca - landscape

Southern Andes - Road between Cuenca and Ingapirca - landscape

Ingapirca Inca ruins - Castle and Temple of the Sun complex

Ingapirca Inca ruins - Castle and Temple of the Sun complex

Ingapirca Inca ruins

Ingapirca Inca ruins - Castle and Temple of the Sun complex - very close to the village

Ingapirca Inca ruins

Ingapirca Inca ruins

Ingapirca Inca ruins