KHTravelBitten

I will be in Ecuador for about a week in May, and already booked flights. I am in Quito for 4 nights and Guayaquil for 2 nights. After booking, I learned about the site of Ingapirca, and really want to see it (I'm into history, archaeology and ruins, etc), but seeing it is not practical unless I do a same day round trip flight to Cuenca and back, and then find my way to Ingapirca in between. Apparently there is another ruins site, Rumicucho, which is a lot closer to Quito, and would be much more convenient for me, while based in Quito.

So contrasting Rumicucho and Ingapirca, are they comparable, or is Ingapirca that much more amazing, that I really should consider making it to Cuenca for a day to get to Ingapirca? Or would I basically get a similar experience at Rumicucho?

StartinSanDiego

i don't know about either ruin, but I think a r/t, same day flight will take its toll on you. You will have to get to the airport to allow check in time for both flights, plus your travel to the site, and your time exploring it.

My preference would be to go a little slower, visit the site that's easiest to visit, and don't run yourself ragged. Then, if you love the ruins of the area, plan another trip that will allow you time to see them.

If you need to know more about the sites before making a choice, it would be worth asking the locals, perhaps your hotel concierge, or at a tourist information center, about the difference between the two.

IggySD

Just noticed this thread today and looks like your trip was last month but did you make it to either site? I went to Ingapirca several years ago and was not that impressed (I'm not an expert in any sense but I've probably been to 12 or so sites in Central / South America). I was with my mother, and she enjoyed them a lot but that was her only experience with Mesoamerican ruins. Definitely wouldn't make a trip specifically for them but if you're in Cuenca (which is a city worth a visit) might as well take the bus out to the site. There's a market there as well which didn't do anything for me but for shoppers it might be nice.

I had never heard of Rumicucho - did you make it there? Worth the trip?

If you're open to all ruins, check out Dougga in Tunisia - old Roman city that I had never heard of until I had a day to kill and was looking for something to do. Drove out there for the day and it instantly became one of my favorites. Huge complex that was easy to spend hours exploring.