One Day Hike To Mirador Challuabamba

As slow travelers, we made Cuenca our home for four months, which gave us the time to look beyond the historic center and explore the surrounding areas as well. Challuabamba quickly stood out as a place where you can spend a full day outdoors, explore different landscapes, and still be back in the city by evening.

Challuabamba is a semi rural area located just east of Cuenca, known for its rolling hills and open valleys. It sits at a slightly lower elevation than Cuenca and offers a quieter landscape with farms, viewpoints, and walking trails. If you want to spend some time away from city and in the nature, Challuabamba is a perfect place for it!

In this blog, we will share about our experience exploring Challuabamba as a full day tour.

A Day Exploring Challuabamba

We spent a full day exploring Challuabamba with Sendero360 guided by Belén and Mauricio. They both are deeply familiar with the area and genuinely passionate about sharing the countryside around Cuenca. Their knowledge, combined with their fluent Spanish and English, made the experience both informative and easy to follow throughout the day.

The day started with a pickup from Parque Calderón at 8:30 AM, followed by a short drive out of the city. As we moved away from the urban center, the beautiful landscape gradually opened up.

Our first stop was Mirador Challuabamba. The viewpoint offers wide visibility across the surrounding hills and valleys and serves as a practical meeting point before starting the hikes. There are washrooms at the mirador, which made it easy to organize ourselves, adjust gear, and get ready for the day ahead.

Stop 1: Cuevas Plateado

From the mirador, we walked towards Cuevas Plateado. The walk was short and easy, giving us time to warm up. The caves themselves are small but beautiful, and the experience of entering and exiting them is what adds a little adventure.

To go down into the caves, you descend using a rope and a series of steps carved into the rock. The entrance is narrow, and the first few steps require focus and steady footing. It can feel uncomfortable at first, but it is manageable. One member of our group, who was 50 years old, completed the descent and ascent without difficulty. Mauritio and Belén also helped and made sure we were safe.

Inside, the caves feel quiet and enclosed. We moved slowly, pausing often to take lots of photos and look closely at the rock formations. The space invites you to be attentive, both to your footing and to the details around you. After climbing back up, we spent time walking around the surrounding area. The ground here is rocky and firm, which actually provides good traction and makes the walk feel stable rather than slippery.

We spent a total of 2 hours in and around the caves with slow exploration and absorbing all the beauty surrounding us.

If you love nature, you might be interested in Amaru Bioparque Zoo.
Read more about it: Amaru Bioparque Zoo in Cuenca: A Complete Visitor Guide

Stop 2: Cow milking and lunch

After the cave visit and a small hike, the day shifted into a more hands on experience. Around 11:30 AM, we walked to a local house where we were introduced to cow milking, something that was new for most of us. The woman who owned the cow explained the process and demonstrated the technique before letting us try it ourselves. Taking turns, we each had the chance to milk the cow, and then drink fresh milk. Some of us filled the cup a little bit but one of us got a full cup of milk!

From there, we walked for 5 minutes to a small cabin where lunch had been set up. The meal, brought by the guides was a typical Ecuadorian lunch that consisted of a portion of meat of choice, rice, lentils, and a refreshing drink. The cabin included a bed and a bathroom, which made it comfortable enough to fully rest rather than just stop briefly. We spent about an hour there, eating, sitting quietly, and looking out at the surrounding landscape. The break allowed us to recharge before the next part of the journey.

Stop 3: Climbing to the cross

After lunch, we returned to the Mirador Challuabamba area to begin the next hike. Here we got a chance to use the washroom again. We were also provided by a delicious dessert.

It took us 15 minutes to hike up to the cross on the hill, we were guided throughout the process. The route involves climbing steadily up the slope. The incline is noticeable, and the surface requires careful footing. The terrain here was also rocky but firm which helped with the traction.

For those who have done some hiking before, this climb feels pretty simple. For those who do not hike often, it is still doable. We had people who had limited hiking experience but we all made it to the top! We moved slowly, took breaks frequently, and took time to breathe.

At the top, the landscape opens completely. From this point, you can see in all directions, with uninterrupted 360 degree views across the valley and surrounding hills. We stayed there for a while, eating a small snack, resting, and taking in the view before beginning the descent. Going down felt easier than expected, with the terrain allowing for controlled and stable steps. It took us 10 minutes or less to go down.

Not sure what else to do in Cuenca? Check out my 3-day itinerary to explore Cuenca.
Read more about it here: Perfect 3-Day Itinerary for Cuenca, Ecuador (2026 Guide)

Stop 4: Valle Escondido and Bonfire

The final part of the day was a walk to Valle Escondido. Compared to the earlier climbs, this section felt gentle and restorative. The path is mostly flat and gradually downhill, making it easy to walk without strain.

Once in the valley, we made a bonfire and had s’mores. The shift from hiking to sitting together felt natural after a long day of movement. Belén led a short meditation and reflection, creating a moment to pause and mentally close the experience. It was quiet and grounding, allowing the day to settle rather than end abruptly.

Afterward, some people chose to walk while others returned by car to another nearby viewpoint. We eventually regrouped at the starting point near Mirador Challuabamba.

We left for Cuenca around 5 pm. The day felt well structured and unhurried, with a balance between activity, rest, and interaction. It offered a clear sense of the area through walking, shared meals, and direct experiences rather than rushing from one spot to another.

What To Pack For Your Trip

The guides will also provide you with a packing list but here is what we think will be helpful:

Water bottle
Sun protection (sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses)
Bugspray
Hiking poles for balance and stability
Rain jacket
Hiking shoes with good traction

Cuenca FAQs

Where to stay in Cuenca?

If you are spending a few days in Cuenca then your best option would be to stay in or close to El Centro. That is the place where all the tourist attractions are. Close to El Centro is Calle Larga where all the party happens. We stayed in an AirBnB in a beautiful patrimonial building in El Centro which served our needs but here are the few other options for you:

Luxury: Santa Lucia House – Forum

This beautiful hotel is a historic home offering a comfortable room, free Wi-fi, free breakfast, massage services, airport shuttle. At a perfect location, this could be a great option!

Book Santa Lucia House

Mid-range: Hotel Victoria

This beautiful hotel is situated in Calle Larga and offers cozy room with free Wi-fi, free breakfast, private balconies and amazing views! They also provide airport shuttle if you would like.

Book Victoria Hotel

Budget: El Cafecito Hostel Cuenca

For my backpacker friends or solo travelers who are looking for budget-friendly hostels, this is a great choice. El Cafecito hostel has shared areas that has amazing views of the city! They also offer free Wi-Fi and private bathrooms!

Book El Cafecito Hostel

Final Thoughts On The Challuabamba Hike

Challuabamba is an easy way to spend a full day outdoors without going far from Cuenca. The mix of short hikes, open views, and simple experiences keeps the day varied without feeling rushed or overly demanding.

We had a great time with Sendero360 and would highly recommend for anyone who is looking to explore the rural side of Cuenca.

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