Train To The Clouds

Day 1 DURAN (Guayaquil) – YAGUACHI – NARANJITO – BUCAY (B – L – D)

Duran to Yaguachi operated by a steam engine. Includes a visit to a Coastal Hacienda in Bucay and cacao and chocolate tasting. Overnight in Bucay.

Day 2 BUCAY – HUIGRA – DEVIL’s NOSE VIEWPOINT – ALAUSI – COLTA – RIOBAMBA (B – L – D)

An amazing climatic transition from Bucay to Huigra as we travel from the Pacific coast to the largest mountain range in the world, the Andes, crossing the emblematic Devil´s nose pass and a visit to an ancestral Andean indigenous community. The stretch from Colta to Riobamba is operated by steam engine. Overnight in Riobamba.

Day 3 URBINA – AMBATO – BOLICHE – QUITO (B – L – D)

A unique visit to the last Ice harvester up in the highlands of Chimborazo volcano (the highest peak in Ecuador), impressive views of the Avenue of Volcanoes (at least 10 volcanoes in the area) and a leisurely hike in Andean mountain woods. Overnight in Quito.

Day 4 QUITO – OTAVALO – SAN ANTONIO – SAN ROQUE – IBARRA (B – L – D)

Stretch Otavalo to Ibarra is operated by steam locomotive across the northern valleys. Visit to woodcarving workshops at San Antonio, discovery of local gastronomy in Andrade Marin and a show of local music and textile weaving at San Roque train station. Return to Quito and end of our services.

End of our services

Food Code = (B) – Breakfast, (L) – Lunch, (D) – Dinner.

LHKTGYE002*Please note, prices based on twin share, informed route, per person. Optional / Extension tours not included and are at extra cost. The itinerary & pricing can change at any time due to availability & of activities. Please check our website for full terms and conditions*

More information on Ecuador:

Ecuador – The State of the Andes has its name because of its location on the equator. Ecuador is situated in the northwest of South America and borders in the north with Colombia, in the east and south with Peru and bounds in the west upon the Pacific Ocean. The Galapagos Islands, situated in the Pacific Ocean, with a distance to the continent of about 1000 km, belongs to the national territory of Ecuador.

More information on your train journey:

On this journey on board Tren Crucero you will climb 3600 metres (11811ft.) in barely 450 km. (1476 ft.), thus experiencing one of the most dramatic changes in vegetation and scenery in the world. The train travels through the fertile plains of the coast into a dense cloud forest that slowly clears before the imposing walls of the Andes. The “nariz del diablo” pass looms in the distance. The train slowly zig-zags its way up the daunting tracks to arrive at the quaint village of Alausi in the Andean Highlands. From here on, imposing volcanoes preside over the landscape as the train cruises through the grazing lands, dotted with herds of sheep, llama and alpaca and colourful quinoa fields. at 3609 m.a.s.l. (11843 f.a.s.l). On the eastern flanks of Chimborazo volcano awaits the last “ice-harvester.” Tasting an ice-cream made of fresh fruit and hand-harvested ice from the glacier is a unique experience!

From here we make a slow descent towards Quito across the Avenue of Volcanoes, at 2800 m.a.s.l. (9186 f.a.s.l) after paying our respects to Cotopaxi volcano and exploring a mountain forest in the volcano surroundings. Then, it is time to explore the northern Andes. On the road we might spot the Cayambe volcano while we cross export-class rose plantations and livestock farms. The impressive Otavalo market where a large handicraft market takes place weekly and where a steam engine awaits us at the recently restored train station in Otavalo. Many wonders wait for us: skilled woodcarvers who keep alive the renowned Quiteña School style; a tasting of the rich Ecuadorian gastronomy and local traditional culture featured in weavers, musicians and healers. Our journey ends back in Quito, with its World Heritage colonial quarter.

More information on visa requirements:

Visas are not required for Australians when the maximum stay is 90 days.

For more information consult your nearest Ecuadorian embassy/consulate.