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Palace Tours is the official representative in the US for :

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Best train rides in Ecuador

Best Places for Bird Watching in Ecuador & Galapagos

Top seven street and food markets to taste in Quito

When you think of travelling through Ecuador, train travel is not necessarily what first springs to mind. However, there are a number of fascinating train tours in Ecuador. A number of lines were built during the nineteenth century to link Quito through to the coast, for commercial reasons. Building these tracks was a real challenge, both due to the difficult terrain and problems related to the local environment, such as malaria and other illnesses, as well as snakebites. Most routes were somewhat in disarray until recent years, blighted by landslides during the 1990s. However, Ecuador has worked on restoring its grand train lines, with a number of exciting options to choose from. Here we will explain which are the best Ecuador train tours and what you can expect from each of these wonderful journeys.

The Devil’s Nose

The most thrilling of all train tours in Ecuador must be the well-known and much loved Devil’s Nose train ride . This 12-kilometer train trip is found in the central Andean region of Ecuador, and travels between Alausi and Simbambe. The train traverses down through steep slopes, through the use of switchbacks. The tremendous engineering imagination that went into this is remarkable, given that it was built more than a century ago. The route does have a rather sad history, as many workers involved in building it died during the process – in fact it is estimated that 2,000 people died in total. To see the wonder of this amazing train ride for yourself you’ll need to be on the train before 8.30am any day apart from a Monday. The ride is somewhat exhilarating, and perhaps not for the faint hearted!

Tren Crucero has four different carriages, each with a different look and feel about them. The first coach is designed in a Baroque style, and it a lovely place to enjoy something light, while the second carriage is furnished in the neoclassical style, and is great for socializing with other passengers. The third coach is designed in a Hispanic style and offers snacks and drinks, including delicious coffee. There is also a handicrafts shop in this carriage. Finally, the fourth carriage is built in the classical style from the coastal area of Ecuador. In this carriage there is an outdoor terrace where you can enjoy the stunning scenery with a bit of fresh air. The other section is a lounge for socializing. The train journey stops at different locations for overnights on the way, allowing guests to enjoy even more of what Ecuador has to offer. As train tours go in Ecuador , this is perhaps the best.

By Ecuador & Galapagos Insiders

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Train Tours, Tickets. The Train Ecuador tour will take you on an exceptional trip across different ages and periods of Ecuadorian history. Its convoy features four different coaches, each one with its own style reflecting Ecuadorian history and culture. Upon your arrival, a professional crew will await you with the warmest welcome. The crew will join you throughout the journey, offering unmatched service.

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Ecuador Train Journeys Amazing Adventures Through the Andes & Coast

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All train routes in Ecuador are temporarily closed. Alternatively, as a great option, our signature tour packages allow you to visit the same highlights along the railway. Contact Us to discover a tailor-made tour; we'll help you plan a free quote to discover Ecuador.

4-day tren crucero: train to the clouds guayaquil to quito, sun durán - yaguachi - naranjito - bucay (l, d,).

Departure from Eloy Alfaro train station in Duran on board the Tren Crucero. A steam locomotive drives the train to the next station, Yaguachi, traveling through banana, sugar cane, mango, pineapple and plantations as well as rice paddies along Ecuador's coastal plain. After this short trip, the operative staff switches the engine to a diesel-electric locomotive to continue the journey to Naranjito Train Station. Then, by bus, we continue to a coastal hacienda to enjoy a typical “Montubio” ballet. Afterwards, visit to a cocoa plantation to learn about the history and why Ecuadorian cacao is one of the best in the world. Later, we will enjoy a chocolate tasting in the gardens of the Hacienda. Lunch in the area. Afternoon departure to Bucay on bus. Upon arrival we will offer an optional hike across tropical forest to learn more about this environment. Dinner and overnight.

MON Bucay - Huigra - Devil's Nose - Alausí - Guamote - Colta - Riobamba (B/L/D)

After breakfast, we continue by bus towards Bucay Train Station from where the train begin the ascent to the mountains. Emerging from the coastal lowlands to the high Andean plateau, you will be witness to a fascinating climate change. The next stop is Pistishi viewpoint to observe "The Devil's Nose", an engineering feat dating back to the last century. As the train zigzags its way up 200 meters approximately in just 3 kilometers, you will understand why the Ecuadorian railway is known as the most difficult in the world. Once in Alausí, we have time to explore this picturesque town that flourished with the arrival of the train arrived in the Ecuadorian Andes.

Departure on board the train to Guamote. Lunch on board the train. In the afternoon, we depart on board the train across colorful quinoa plantations which depending on the season they will be purple, red or green. Arrival to Colta. Disembark. Bus drive to Calpi, an Indigenous Community in Chimborazo province, to share with the local community a true Andean experience. The community has based its development by raising llamas. Back to Colta Train Station. While visiting Calpi, our operative crew had attached a restored locomotive to the train. You'll be able to enjoy the whistle of a steam locomotive1as we move on to Riobamba. The journey continues by train to Riobamba. Dinner and accommodation in the area.

TUE Riobamba - Urbina - Ambato - Quito (B, L, D)

After breakfast we will transfer by bus to the Riobamba Station to board the Tren Crucero at Urbina Station, located at 3,609 meters above sea level. Urbina is the country's highest station and here you will meet Ecuador's last “ice-merchant”, Ushca Baltasar. He will share his fascinating life story and experiences extracting ice from the high slopes of the Chimborazo Volcano. We then take the train to Ambato for lunch in the area. After lunch we will be transferred to the city of Quito where we will spend the night.

WED Quito - Otavalo - San Antonio - Quito (B, L)

In the morning we will drive north by bus to the charming city of Otavalo. Here we will board a steam locomotive and ride on the old fashioned coaches that have been restored, feeling like a traveler lost in time and enjoying the beautiful scenery of this magical part of Ecuador. We will arrive to San Antonio, a small town well known for its Artisans that carved wood in beautiful and delicate pieces of art. We will then enjoy lunch overlooking the beautiful San Pablo Lake and the Imbabura Mountain. After lunch we will drive back to Quito.

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Tour prices

Tour schedule.

Starting Point: Railway Complex Eloy Alfaro (Durán), Check in: 07:30 Departure: 08:30 (Sunday)

Ending Point: Swissotel (Quito) Arrival 18:30 (Tuesday)

Accommodation

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• Bucay: D´FRanco
• Riobamba: Abraspungo
• Quito: Swissotel
• Naranjito: Hacienda La Danesa
• Riobamba: Andaluza
• Quito: Plaza Grande / Casa Gangotena

Hotel reservations are subject to availability and no specific lodging is guaranteed. Wherever possible, we will try to have all our passengers in one hotel.

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Nariz del Diablo Train | Devil’s Nose train

Alausí - Sibambe - Alausí

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HIGHLIGHTS:

• Zig Zag down Nariz del Diablo (Devil’s Nose) in one of the most unique rail roads in the world.
• Get amazed by the beautiful landscapes in the Ecuadorian Highlands alongside the Chan Chan valley.
• Come close to the local culture and way of life in the lovely and quiet town of Alausí.
• Discover one of the scariest and most thrilling ride on the continen aboard “the most difficult railway in the world”.

Call or text us via Whatsapp for a free quoute :  +593 96 936 1777 We will try to answer your calls during business hours from Monday to Friday (9A to 5:30PM)

ALTITUDE INFORMATION:  It varies from 2,340 to 1,400 meters above sea level. The temperature ranges from 15º to 25ºC.

IMPORTANT:  The Alausí station does not have private parking. A public parking area is available in front of the station.

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Call or text us via Whatsapp for a free quoute :  +593 96 936 1777

Nariz del Diablo | Devil’s Nose

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