TUCAN Tour

ECUADOR       EC-Z-01

from Guayaquil to Quito

with the "tren cruzero"

Program 4 days  / 3 nights

program

We take you from Guayaquil to Quito ... that does not sound sooo spectacular at first .. but, we do not go easily from one place to another !! The distances are slightly larger than in Germany, where I get the morning in the Federal Railways and the evening at my destination bin (if it works - at least runs regularly:-)). For our trip from the coastal Guayaquil in the Andes, we take a little more time. We will make between a trip to the Devil's Nose; an interesting and unusual railway line. We will be traveling with a comfort that many would not have expected for Ecuador and we are in a historic train, pulled by historic steam - go and diesel locomotives. Along the way we are we also travel through to get to know the local cuisine from the various regions.

detailed program sequence:

Tren Crucero departs from the Eloy Alfaro train station in Duran (located just 9km from Guayaquil International Airport) at 8:30 am, pulled by a magnificently restored steam locomotive. We then travel through typical coastal plantations laden with bananas, sugar cane, mango, and pineapple and rice en-route to our first stop at Yaguachi, where we switch to a diesel electric locomotive and head for Bucay train station. Here, we transfer to coaches that will take us to San Rafael Ranch for lunch and a short visit to a commercial cacao plantation. We then go by coach to El Limonar to visit the Shuar community. The Shuars migrated here some 70 years ago, travelling from the Amazon basin to the coast and they will share with us their ancestral customs and traditions. Overnight and dinner is at the D´Franco Lodge Hotel on the outskirts of Bucay.

Packing suggestions: light clothes, comfortable shoes, sun block, sunglasses, cap, insect repellent.

After breakfast, our coach takes us back to Bucay train station which is the starting point for our ascent up into the mountains and where we will witness the climatic transition between the lowlands of the coast and the highlands of the Andes. We make a short stop at Sibambe viewpoint to observe The Devil’s Nose, a major engineering achievement that was called by its constructors, as the most difficult railway project in the world. The train then performs a zigzag maneuver in order to climb 200 meters of altitude whilst traveling 3 kilometers of rail.We then continue our train journey to the beautiful town of Guamote, where we take lunch at the train station. Afterwards, we will visit Inti Sisa, a nonprofit foundation that provides education and tourism workshops for the local community.In the afternoon, we return to the train and travel across stunning Andean landscapes to Colta, where we switch back to the steam locomotive that will pull us up to Riobamba. We visit Balbanera church, the first landmark that Christianity made upon its arrival to these lands almost 500 years ago, before continuing our journey to Riobamba on board the train.

After breakfast, we go by coach to Riobamba train station where we re-board Tren Crucero and head for Urbina train station, located 11,840 feet, or 3609 meters, above the sea level. Urbina is the highest train station in the country and it is here that we meet the last ice-trader who will share with us his daily journey to the slopes of Chimborazo Volcano to collect centuries old ice. (If it is a clear day, we will also be able to enjoy breathtaking views of Chimborazo volcano).Next, we continue on board Tren Crucero to Ambato for lunch at the Roka Plaza Hotel, an ancient colonial house. If weather conditions permit, we will have – from a safe distance – an impressive view of the Tungurahua volcano, which is still active and which occasionally offers nature´s most impressive event, a volcanic eruption. After lunch, we head out by train to Cunchibamba, where we visit a huge rose plantation and learn about the world famous Ecuadorian roses and see how they are grown and exported across the globe.

Back on the train, we then head to Latacunga where our coaches will take us to our next hotel. Overnight and dinner is provided at either the La Cienega, Hato Verde or Rumipamba de las Rosas, both of which are fine examples of the traditional haciendas of this region.

Packing suggestions: dress in layers, warm clothes, rain coat, comfortable shoes, sun block, sunglasses, cap

After breakfast, we travel by coach across the Pan-American Highway to Cotopaxi National Park where we will witness typical Andean volcanic landscapes and walk round Limpiopungo, a glacial lagoon. Cotopaxi National Park is an important shelter for a variety of Andean flora and fauna as Caracara, Andean Gull, Andean Dear, Andean Wolf, and Condor and it is overlooked by the impressive snow-capped Cotopaxi volcano rising 5,897 meters above sea level.Our journey continues to San Agustin de Callo Hacienda for lunch featuring Ecuadorian nouvelle cuisine. The ruins of the hacienda are a fine example of Inca architecture, as it once stood as an Inca Palace before Ecuador’s Colonial period.

After exploring the hacienda, we will continue to the Cotopaxi train station to board a traditional excursion train that will take us all the way to Chimbacalle station in Quito, Ecuador’s capital city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Upon arrival in Quito, passengers will be transferred by coach to all the main hotels in the city, including the Hilton Colón, Casa Gangontena, and Swiss Hotel.

Packing suggestions: dress in layers with warm and light clothes, rain coat, comfortable walking shoes, sun block, sunglasses, cap

Hotel Rating:

1^st.. Night – Hostería D’ Franco: Tourist

2nd. Night – Abraspungo/La Andaluza: First Class

3rd. Night - La Ciénega/Hato Verde/Rumipamba de las Rosas: First Class

The train runs only on these days !! 

Changes to the program are not possible!

For questions and bookings, please use our contact form or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Clothing recommendation: light clothing, comfortable shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses, cap / hat, insect repellent. 

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