Temple of the Sun
Mortarless stone.
Bernard Gagnon — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Edjoerv — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Cayambe — CC BY-SA 3.0
Ecuador's largest and most important Inca archaeological site, on a green plateau about 3,200 metres up, built by the Incas in the fifteenth century over a sacred place of the local Cañari people, so two cultures meet here. Its Kichwa name means «Inca wall». Its best-known building is the «Temple of the Sun», a rare oval structure of stone cut with the well-known Inca precision and no mortar, probably for watching the sun and for ceremonies. Around it are foundations of houses, storerooms, plazas and water channels, and older Cañari structures. A small site museum shows objects from both cultures, and a short trail leads to a natural rock said to resemble the face of an Inca. The plateau looks out over pastures and mountains where llamas graze. Entry is by online booking at least a day ahead, and the site is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. It is cold and changeable, so bring a jacket.
Mortarless stone.
Two cultures.
A natural rock.
Cañar province, about two hours' drive north of Cuenca
Yes: entry is by online booking at least 24 hours ahead, and the site is closed Mondays and Tuesdays.