Please Note: All itineraries are approximate and subject to change based on availability and conditions at the destination.

Departing from Quito we drive north on a 2 hour bus ride across rose plantations and impressive mountains to the valley of Otavalo in the Imbabura Province. Otavalo is home of traditional cultures skilled craftspeople and the world-renowned Otavalo market.

We arrive at San Roque Train station where we will embark a panoramic convoy on a journey full of hidden wonders, musicians, painters, weavers and the skilful woodcarvers who keep the renowned Quito School of Art style alive. Delve yourself into this amazing world of colours and textures while we explore the northern routes of the Ecuadorian railway.

After our train trip we will visit Hacienda la Compania, located close to the equatorial line, this XVIII century hacienda will amaze you with its export-class rose plantation and exquisite Andean cuisine.

We will return to Quito and spend the night in this world heritage city.+

Meals included:

• Lunch
• Dinner

For 2019: Following Itinerary will apply  

Day 1 – Tuesday Quito –Cotopaxi NP – Lasso – Latacunga

Our first meeting will be at the Chimbacalle station, south of Quito, a historic station that will open its doors to us with the country’s railway history. On our train, we will cross the impressive “Avenue of the Volcanoes”; the term that Alexander von Humboldt gave to this part of the Andean ridge, where there are more than 20 volcanoes, few of them still active. We will arrive at the second highest station of the Ecuadorian railway system and disembark to begin our journey through a farm of Roses, there, we will learn why Ecuador gathers all the right characteristics to produce some of the best roses in the world. After lunch we will go up to the Cotopaxi National Park. Within the park we can pay a moderate altitude walk at 12,631 feet around the Limpiopungo lagoon where different varieties of plants and birds adapted to this altitude environment. Natural photography will be part of this afternoon before arriving at the hotel for rest.

Meals included:

• Lunch
• Dinner

We board our Tren Crucero convoy at Quito’s Chimbacalle station and begin our journey south along the Avenue of Volcanoes. If the weather permits, you can spot up to twenty volcanoes from the train – most extinct or dormant for centuries, some active and full of life.

Here, the Andes range splits into two ranges that run in parallel. The fertile valley in-between these stone, volcanic walls hosts a treasure trove of biodiversity and a hive of agricultural activity. Our first stop is an Andean hacienda where we are treated to a rodeo demonstration performed by skilled local horseman – known as chagras. There’s also a chance to learn about rural life and meet the farm’s animals, such as fluffy llamas.

Upon arrival to Ambato Train Station the devils will take over the train. A picturesque and ancestral tradition the “Diablada Pillareña” parade will add a touch of joy and music to this beautiful day.

For 2019: Following Itinerary will apply: 

Day 2 – Wednesday: Latacunga – Urbina – Riobamba

The departure by train in the morning will be from Latacunga Station. We will cross the interAndean valley and then the Yambo lagoon will open before our eyes by a scenic cliff. During the journey we will be approached by colorful devils, part of a long Andean tradition known as the Diablada Pillareña (devils from Pillaro), declared national heritage. We will celebrate with this folkloric demonstration and from the comfort of our train. We will arrive to

Urbina station, the highest point of our visit, located at 3609 meters above sea level (11 000 feet). There we will be received by Baltazar Ushca, the last ice merchant of the Chimborazo who will share the secrets of his old and almost extinct tradition. Enjoy some communitary tourism, when we arrive to Jatari and the Community of La Moya where we will learn about the Quichua – Puruha culture and their ancestral work systems, we will be able to participate in some of these activities led by the inhabitants of the area. We will share the table with them and we will be able to interact with this culture. After this great day, the train is waiting for us to take the group to Riobamba where we can enjoy its beauties, the handcraft plaza and a short walk through the city will be part of the end of the day before the sun sets.

Meals included:

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Setting off early from Urbina, but this time aboard the “Black Monster” steam engine, we chug our way through the heart of the Central Andes, amid colourful quinoa fields flecked in purples, yellows and reds, alternating with endemic species of flora and wildlife, indigenous settlements and the remains of ancient cultures. At Colta, the train will make a complex maneuvre to switch locomotives; we will leave the “Black Monster” to be pulled by a electric diesel locomotive and continue south. (Colta saw the birth of this charming nation when Spanish conquerors made its first settlement at its shores.

At Guamote market, one of the last truly indigenous markets in the Andes, there’s time to wander, admire and barter for goods. We will have lunch before we take a transfer by bus to the mythical Devil’s Nose pass: a vertiginous train ride descent of 450 metres which includes zig zags carved into the mountainside. At Alausi train station we will board a carefully restored convoy. Beautiful XX century wagons will take you on this vertiginous descend to the Sibambe valley a unique and wonderful experience on board one of the most difficult trains of the world.

Returning to Alausi we will board our bus on a mesmerizing trip from the imposing Andes to the peaceful coastal plains. A dramatic change in weather and vegetation will mark the transition between these regions. After this four hour ride we will arrive to our hotels where we can rest and reflect upon the titanic labour undertaken by the Harman brothers to overcome the colossal Andean mountain range.

Meals:

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

For 2019: Following Itinerary will apply:  

Day 3 – Thursday Riobamba – Devil´s Nose – Alausí

Early in the morning we will head to the historic Riobamba station, where a huge steam locomotive known as “The Black Monster” will be waiting to take us through colorful quinoa fields, picturesque villages and unique landscapes. Upon our arrival to Colta, we will carry out a maneuver that will switch the steam locomotive for a diesel-electric machine, meanwhile we can visit the first church in Ecuador known as the Balvanera or you can film the train with the steam locomotive before we leave it behind from the outside of the maneuver area.

Once in Guamote, we will visit an authentic Andean market, where people from several communities come together to trade a myriad of products. This market has maintained its traditional essence and with luck we will be able to observe how the barter works among the merchants that meet there coming from many other indigenous communities from the country. A short trip by bus will take us to Alausí, where the patrimonial consist(set) awaits the group; that one will transport us to the mythical Nariz del Diablo (the Devi´ls Nose). An impressive system of swicht-backs on a steep mountain that allow the locomotive to descend into the Sibambe valley; during its construction, was considered one of the most important engineering milestones in the country. Our patrimonial set will return to Alausí, the city of the Five Heritage and we can rest tonight in this small city nestled in between sharp mountains and diverse plantations. Walking at night through its streets will give us a feeling of returning several decades in time.

Meals:

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

A pleasant one hour bus ride takes us from the Andean slopes to the tropical planes that burst in colours with rice, sugar cane, pineapple, banana and cacao plantations. We arrive at a traditional hacienda, where we will take a tour around its fields to learn about the farming and harvesting of the Ecuadorian cocoa bean, a bean so exquisite that is considered to be the best in the world. We enjoy a fine dining experience amid the lush gardens before continuing onwards.

A bus transfer take us to Naranjito where our cruise train will be waiting to take us to our next destination, Yaguachi. At Yaguachi train station a restored steam engine awaits us, ready to whistle and thrum its way across the fields towards the Pacific Ocean and the end of our trip at Guayaquil’s Duran train station. Transfer to hotels.

Meals Included:

• Breakfast
• Lunch

For 2019: Following Itinerary will apply  

Day 4 – Friday: Alausi – Naranjito – Yaguachi – Duran

We will take our bus with the first sun rays and that one will take us on a scenic trip from the imposing Andes to the quiet esplanades of the Pacific coast. During this trip we can witness the dramatic climatic and geographical changes that mark the transition between coast and mountains. Página 12 de 16 We will arrive at a very traditional and tasteful hacienda in the Coast of Ecuador; we will take a tour inside one of the plantations and learn about the sowing and harvesting of Ecuadorian cacao, which is considered the best cocoa bean in the world. Our lunch will be served at the hacienda and we will enjoy the gastronomy of local cuisine. Our next destination will be Naranjito where we will board the train to Yaguachi, the first station built for the Ecuadorian railway system. There, a Baldwin steam locomotive awaits us to lead the train to its final destination on this trip, a journey full of wonderful landscapes and cultural experiences. Arrival to Duran before sunset.

Meals Included:

• Breakfast
• Lunch

Check out of your hotel after breakfast.

You can also choose a trip to the Galapagos Islands with us where you can enjoy a cruise or an island hopping tour – We got the best deals and experts that will make it happen for you.

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