Urcuqui: Archaeology and Nature in the Surrounding Area

Urcuqui brings together two different travel interests: archaeological finds at the Galería Guarango and nature experiences in the surrounding area, in the Timbuyacu sector. The gallery is in town; its exhibition focuses on pre-Inca cultural heritage, while Timbuyacu offers a natural setting with a waterfall, hiking trails and thermal waters.

Archaeology at the Galería Guarango

The Galería Guarango is located at the Loma San Eloy viewpoint on the grounds of the Yachay public enterprise in Urcuqui. It focuses on archaeological finds from the Urcuqui area and the heritage of the pre-Inca cultures that lived there. Visitors can see objects made of clay and stone, as well as animal bones and marine shells. The gallery thus connects the regional origins of the finds with a cultural-historical perspective on the heritage of these cultures. Pre-Inca refers to the period before the Incas. The term places the gallery’s subject in a historical timeframe and distinguishes it from the later Inca period. This gives the artefacts a historical context; the exhibition connects them with the regional heritage of earlier cultures.

The variety of materials draws attention to specific objects: clay and stone can be viewed as different materials, while animal bones and marine shells add further tangible categories to the selection. If you enjoy looking closely, you’ll find a range of materials to compare within the same exhibition. If you’re travelling with children and want to explore together, the visible differences can spark a conversation. You can look for similarities and differences between the materials even without specialist knowledge of archaeology.

The archaeological exhibition is intended to be permanent; check whether the gallery is currently open to visitors before you go.

Culture and nature in the surrounding area

On 26 September 2024, the municipality of Urcuqui officially presented the programme for the Jornadas Culturales, held in honour of San Miguel Arcángel. This occasion adds another cultural dimension to the archaeological perspective of the Galería.

In the nearby Timbuyacu sector, there is a waterfall surrounded by nature and hiking trails; visitors can also enjoy thermal waters there. In contrast to the archaeological exhibition, the focus here is on nature and walking the trails. You can therefore consider cultural history and nature experiences as different highlights of your trip. The waterfall and thermal waters each offer a distinct kind of nature experience.

When searching for a holiday rental, you can use these different locations as a starting point. If the Galería Guarango is your main reason for visiting, Urcuqui itself is the focus. If Timbuyacu is also important to your plans, include the nearby sector in your search.

Discover more destinations

Plaza Gutierrez, Peñaherrera, Ibarra, Urcusiqui, Ambuqui, Parroquia de Tumbabiro, Llurimaguas, Cahuasquí

For the higher-level travel overview: Imbabura.