Dream trips Cuenca tailor-made planning

Cuenca in Ecuador is a destination that Once in a Lifetime plans for travellers with a lifelong wish, with a focus on uniqueness and careful preparation. Once in a Lifetime is a Swiss travel agency with video consultation and prepares lifelong wishes with care. Describe your wish in the planner, and in the video call Once in a Lifetime goes through it with you point by point.

Updated: 7 August 2026.

Why this trip

Cuenca lies at over 2,500 metres in the Andes, and the air is thin and clear. The city in the south of Ecuador is smaller and quieter than Quito, with colonial façades, rivers in the middle of the town and hats that are traditionally made here. For a lifelong wish in the highlands it is a calm starting point. Calderon Park forms the centre, and beside it rises the Catedral de la Inmaculada Concepción with its blue domes.

From the Turi Viewpoint you see over the red roofs to the mountains, best shortly before sunset. The Parque Nacional Cajas lies a little outside: high moor with dozens of lagoons that are suitable for hikes and look mystical in the mist. The best time is from June to September. Quito and the Galápagos Islands are the neighbours of the trip, so the itinerary can be extended into a larger route.

Allow for altitude adjustment, already in the first days, and do not plan strenuous hikes on the day of arrival. US dollars in cash are indispensable, and you drink water from bottles. In the video call you decide how the trip continues after the Andes.

Places and experiences

Once in a Lifetime shows you the whole selection for Cuenca and takes time for your priorities.

Parque Nacional Cajas

Place
Parque Nacional Cajas
Calderon Park
Turi Viewpoint

Getting there

From your Swiss airport, Once in a Lifetime plans flights and transfers so that the occasion stays at the centre.

Frequently asked questions

What sets Once in a Lifetime apart?

Once in a Lifetime plans trips for lifelong wishes with a focus on uniqueness and careful preparation. We plan Cuenca by video call with plenty of lead time according to your occasion.

Which places are part of the programme in Cuenca?

To fulfil your wish in Cuenca, the catalogue includes Calderon Park, Turi Viewpoint and Parque Nacional Cajas among others. Once in a Lifetime sorts them in the video call by what they mean to you.

Who is a dream trip to Cuenca suitable for?

For travellers with a lifelong wish or a special occasion who want to prepare a trip well in advance and with care.

Which accommodations are listed for Cuenca in the catalogue?

For the special occasion, the catalogue lists ITZA Hotel Boutique Internacional, Hotel Casa San Rafael - Cuenca, Ecuador and Mansión Alcázar Hotel Cuenca, for example, in Cuenca. The choice depends on your wish.

Which destinations in Ecuador work well together?

In addition, Galápagos and Quito can be reached. You decide calmly whether they fit your wish.

Can I adapt the trip?

Yes. We tailor occasion, duration, stops and pace to your wish. In a video call we discuss what the trip means to you and how that should show in the schedule.

How much does a trip to Cuenca cost?

The price depends on the dates, the accommodation and the length of the trip. We do not quote flat prices, but prepare an individual offer after you have filled in the planner.

How does the consultation work?

The consultation takes place by video call. After the planner you receive a reply from us within one working day.

How do I start planning?

You fill in the planner and state dates, budget and wishes. We get back to you by video call within one working day.