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Tailor-made tours
"Chiva Express" train tours
To see the country a different way board the exclusive and unique "Chiva Express", to enjoy a leisurely, colourful ride, along the original railroad descending from the Andes to the coast.
Expreso Quito/Riobamba/Guayaquil
Shared, 2 days/1 night
Departure from Quito Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday. Accommodation in Riobamba and all meals included.
Day 1: Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday
The adventure starts in Quito with a bus ride to the station of Tambillo, where the "Chiva Express", a colourful one coach train (a bus on tracks) is ready to depart. One of the highlights is to ride on the roof, for a panoramic view of the stunning Andean region of Ecuador.  You will leisurely enjoy the ever-changing scenery as the "Chiva Express" advances along the ancient tracks. A snack is served at the Station of Machachi, then ride up the slopes of Cotopaxi Volcano. Continue by bus to visit an Indian market. Lunch and overnight in Riobamba, at the foot of the imposing Chimborazo Volcano.
Day 2: Wednesday, Friday or Sunday
After an early breakfast, transfer to the train station to board the "Chiva Express", for a scenic ride to Alausí. Twist and turn along bridging ravines and river gorges. Arrive Alausí and prepare to travel down the Devil’s Nose switchbacks, one of the most impressive feats of rail engineering in the world, before returning to Alausí. Continue by motorcar to Huigra and board the "Chiva Express" to descend from the Andes to the coastal plains. On the ride to Bucay, you will experience the transition from the Andean ecosystems to the lush tropical coastal vegetation, with bananas, oranges, pineapples, ginger and wooden farmhouses on stilts. Arrive Bucay and proceed by road to Ecuador's largest city, Guayaquil. The tour ends at your hotel in Guayaquil.
Expreso Quito/Riobamba/Cuenca
Shared, 4 days/3 nights
Departure from Quito Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday. Accommodation in Riobamba and at Hotel Oro Verde or similar in Cuenca. All meals included. Air ticket Cuenca/Quito or Cuenca/Guayaquil is not included.
Day 1: Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday
The adventure starts in Quito with a bus ride to the station of Tambillo, where the "Chiva Express", a colourful one coach train (a bus on tracks) is ready to depart. One of the highlights is to ride on the roof, for a panoramic view of the stunning Andean region of Ecuador. You will leisurely enjoy the ever-changing scenery as the "Chiva Express" advances along the ancient tracks. A snack is served at the Station of Machachi, then ride up the slopes of Cotopaxi Volcano. Continue by bus to visit an Indian market. Lunch and overnight in Riobamba, at the foot of the imposing Chimborazo Volcano.
 Day 2: Wednesday, Friday or Sunday
After an early breakfast, transfer to the train station to board the "Chiva Express", for a scenic ride to Alausí. Twist and turn along bridging ravines and river gorges. Arrive Alausí and prepare to travel down the Devil’s Nose switchbacks, one of the most impressive feats of rail engineering in the world, before returning to Alausí. Continue south by car, along the Andes to Cuenca, visiting the Inca Ruins of Ingapirca en-route. Accommodation and meals at the hotel in Cuenca.
 Day 3: Thursday, Saturday or Monday
Cuenca is Ecuador’s third largest city, yet still retains its pleasant provincial air. Its red tiled roofs, cobblestone streets, flowery plazas and museums make it very special. Today enjoy a full day to discover, at a leisurely pace, the beauty and charm for which Cuenca has been recognized as a World Cultural Heritage Site. Lunch is served at a cosy restaurant.
Day 4: Friday, Sunday or Tuesday
Depending on weather conditions, today can be at either El Cajas National Park or the Gualaceo Valley. At El Cajas, the wind and drizzle can be very cold, but the scenery surrounding the glacial lakes is splendid. This trip is great for those who enjoy walking and hiking, observing flora, fauna and bird life.
The ride to Gualaceo Valley starts along the Santa Ana valley and then continues high into the mountains, through scenic landscapes, which change at every curb. Stops are made at small towns producing a variety of handcrafts. We visit Chordeleg, famous for its gold works. After lunch, follow the banks of the Santa Barbara River, lined with weeping willows, to the village of Gualaceo.
Return to Cuenca in the afternoon and transfer to the airport for your return flight.
Air ticket Cuenca/Quito or Cuenca/Guayaquil is extra.
Expreso Quito/Riobamba/Cuenca
Shared, 3 days/2 nights
Departure from Quito Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday. Accommodation in Riobamba and at Hotel Oro Verde or similar in Cuenca. All meals included. Air ticket Cuenca/Quito or Cuenca/Guayaquil is not included.
Day 1: Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday
The adventure starts in Quito with a bus ride to the station of Tambillo, where the "Chiva Express", a colourful one coach train (a bus on tracks) is ready to depart. One of the highlights is to ride on the roof, for a panoramic view of the stunning Andean region of Ecuador. You will leisurely enjoy the ever-changing scenery as the "Chiva Express" advances along the ancient tracks. A snack is served at the Station of Machachi, then ride up the slopes of Cotopaxi Volcano. Continue by bus to visit an Indian market. Lunch and overnight in Riobamba, at the foot of the imposing Chimborazo Volcano.
Day 2: Wednesday, Friday or Sunday
After an early breakfast, transfer to the train station to board the "Chiva Express", for a scenic ride to Alausí. Twist and turn along bridging ravines and river gorges. Arrive Alausí and prepare to travel down the Devil’s Nose switchbacks, one of the most impressive feats of rail engineering in the world, before returning to Alausí. Continue south by car, along the Andes to Cuenca, visiting the Inca Ruins of Ingapirca en-route. Accommodation and meals at the hotel in Cuenca.
Day 3: Thursday, Saturday or Monday
Cuenca is Ecuador’s third largest city, yet still retains its pleasant provincial air. Its red tiled roofs, cobblestone streets, flowery plazas and museums make it very special. Today enjoy a full day to discover, at a leisurely pace, the beauty and charm for which Cuenca has been recognized as a World Cultural Heritage Site. Lunch is served at a cosy restaurant. Transfer to the airport for your return flight.
Air ticket Cuenca/Quito or Cuenca/Guayaquil is extra.
Useful tips
- Dress in layers (T-shirt, blouse, sweater, and coat).
- Take a hat or cap, a warm coat for the evenings and rain protection from February to May.
- Altitude: from 2,820 to 3,604 metres (9,200 to 11,841 feet)
- Bring sun protection (SPF 40) and good walking shoes.
- Average temperatures day: 10° to 25° C / 50° to 77° F.
- Average temperatures night 6° to 10° C / 43° to 50° F.
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