Quito - Riobamba - Cuenca 3 Day / 2 Night $ 637.00
Chiva Express Quito-Riobamba-Cuenca
(3 days-2 nights, departure Monday, Wednesday and Friday) (shared)
To see the country a different way, take a different track, and board our exclusive and unique "Chiva Express" to leisurely enjoy a colorful ride along the original railroad descending from the Andes to the Coast.
A CHIVA is a typical, old-fashioned Latin American bus, with plenty of room on the roof for bags of grain, bananas and the odd chicken. In Quito, these buses have taken on a new lease of life as party vehicles with adapted, high-sided roofs. Typically, some hires a chiva for a celebration, invites all their friends to ride on top, the bus drives around the streets of Quito, an oompa-oompa brass band banging out favorite tunes, while Andean canelazo drink are liberally poured.
Some tour operators had adapted the chiva idea to the historic train ride from Quito to Guayaquil. Our passengers will enjoy an exclusive and unique trip through the Andean countryside and the coastal lowlands on board our Chiva Express- especially adapted for safety and comfort, while complementing the fun of the ride. Canelazo (typical cinnamon drink) and brass band optional.
Price per person $637
Included :
Doesn´t include :
NOTE: Accommodation in Cuenca at hotels Oro Verde, Santa Lucía or Carvalho Accommodations at Mansión Alcázar have extra cost.
We DO NOT use an automated reservation machine. When you write to us, you will be in touch with a real travel specialist that will assist you in finding what you really need. We can also arrange airport transportation, tours, travel packages, insurance, flight bookings, and any other travel service that you may need.
Tour details
A three-day trip along the Avenue of the Volcanoes from Quito to beautiful Cuenca in the south; among spectacular scenery from the roof of the CHIVA EXPRESS with many stops along the way for a close contact with the indigenous cultures, haciendas, plantations and a taste of the products of the land. The third day is dedicated to the cultural and natural experience of exploring the charms of Cuenca, with its cobblestone streets and flowering plazas.
Additional information
Please note that the exact route and program may vary depending on the weather, condition of the railway, or safety reasons. The safety of our guests is our utmost priority.
DAY 1 The adventure starts in Quito with a bus ride to the station of Tambillo, where the "Chiva Express", a colorful one coach train, like a bus on tracks, is ready to depart. A highlight of the trip is to 'ride the roof' with 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. Stop for a snack at a dairy hacienda with cows, horses and llamas. Then the Chiva advances up and down the slopes of Cotopaxi volcano and the fertile Valley of Latacunga for a visit to a rose plantation and a taste of the products of the land (potatoes and broccoli picked that same morning). Continue by bus to Riobamba, and at the foot of imposing Chimborazo volcano, visit a Tagua workshop and warm up with a canelazo by the fireplace. Dinner and overnight at Riobamba.
DAY 2 After an early breakfast, transfer to the train station to board the "Chiva Express" for an astonishing ride, twisting and turning over the Andes, along bridging ravines and river gorges. Stop at Guamote, an Indian town, for a short visit to an Educational Center for Adults’ Development and Sustainability. Continue aboard the Chiva to Alausí, where a snack is served, and prepare to go down the Devil’s Nose switch backs, one of the most impressive feats of rail engineering in the world, and back to Alausí. Continue south along the Andes by motorcar to Cuenca, visiting the Inca Ruins of Ingapirca to arrive at dusk. Box lunch en-route. Accommodations and all meals at the hotel in Cuenca.
Day 3 Today guests will 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. Its red tiled roofs, cobblestone streets, flowery plazas and museums make it very special. Lunch is served at a cozy restaurant. Late afternoon transfer to the airport to take the flight to Quito. Air ticket Cuenca/Quito is not included.
Travel facts
Dress in layers (T-shirt, blouse, sweater, coat) and rain protection.
Sun protection (SPF 40) even if the day is cloudy. Hat or cap. Good walking shoes.
Altitude:
2,550 meters (7,750 feet) to 3,000 meters (10,000 feet)
Average Temperature:
Day 10° to 25° C / 50° to 77° F.
Night 6° to 10° C / 43° to 50° F.
Quito - Riobamba - Guayaquil or Quito - $350.00
(2 days-1 night, Tue, Thu, and Sat) (shared)
To see the country a different way, take a different track, and board our exclusive and unique "Chiva Express" to leisurely enjoy a colorful ride along the original railroad descending from the Andes to the Coast. Let Metropolitan Touring take you on a breathtaking experience.
Included :
Not Included :
We DO NOT use an automated reservation machine. When you write to us, you will be in touch with a real travel specialist that will assist you in finding what you really need. We can also arrange airport transportation, tours, travel packages, insurance, flight bookings, and any other travel service that you may need.
DAY 1 The adventure starts in Quito with a bus ride to the station of Tambillo, where the "Chiva Express", a colorful one coach train, like a bus on tracks, is ready to depart. A highlight of the trip is to 'ride the roof' with 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.
and then 'ride the roof' up the slopes of Cotopaxi volcano. Continue by bus to visit an Indian market, lunch and overnight at Riobamba, located at the foot of imposing Chimborazo volcano.
DAY 2 After an early breakfast, transfer to the train station to board the "Chiva Express" for a scenic ride to Alausí. Twist and turn over the Andes, along bridging ravines and river gorges. Arrive to Alausí and prepare to go down the Devil's Nose switch backs, one of the most impressive feats of rail engineering in the world, and back to Alausí. Continue by motorcar to the station of Huigra and again board the "Chiva Express" to descend from the Andes to the coastal plains. On the ride to Bucay, you will experience - right before your eyes! - the transition from Andean ecosistems to the lush tropical coastal vegetation: bananas, oranges, pineapples, ginger and wooden farm houses on stilts.. Arrive to the town of Bucay and then proceed by road to Ecuador's largest city, Guayaquil. End at the airport to take the flight back to Quito. Air ticket Guayaquil / Quito is extra.
Dress in layers (T-shirt, blouse, sweater, coat).
Take a warm coat, gloves and rain protection. Sun protection (SPF 40). Hat or cap. Good walking shoes.
Altitude:
from 2,820 to 3,604 meters (9,200 to 11,841 feet) - and on to sea level.
Average Temperature:
Day 10° to 25° C / 50° to 77° F.
Night 6° to 10° C / 43° to 50° F.
(1 day, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday) (shared)
Surrounding Cotopaxi Volcano is the Cotopaxi National Park, an ecological sanctuary of 36,000 hectares (88,920 acres), especially attractive for nature lovers, with the treeless vegetation of the Andean moorlands or paramo. You may see herds of llamas and perhaps deer, rabbits, frogs and lizards. Bird life includes the Andean gull, ducks, several species of hummingbirds and with some luck, the condor.
Included :
We DO NOT use an automated reservation machine. When you write to us, you will be in touch with a real travel specialist that will assist you in finding what you really need. We can also arrange airport transportation, tours, travel packages, insurance, flight bookings, and any other travel service that you may need.
The adventure starts in Quito with a bus ride to the station of Tambillo, where the "Chiva Express", a colorful one coach train, like a bus on tracks, is ready to depart. A highlights of the trip is to 'ride the roof' with 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. Disembark at El Boliche and continue by bus to the Cotopaxi National Park. Surrounding Cotopaxi Volcano, this is an ecological sanctuary of 36,000 hectares (88,920 acres), especially attractive for nature lovers, with the treeless vegetation of the Andean moorlands or paramo. From the entrance to the park it's up a dirt road for approximately one hour. Upon arrival to the park there is an introductory briefing about the habitat of the Andean paramo or moorlands, its flora and fauna in the small Interpretation Center. Continue on to Limpiopungo Lagoon to observe a variety of birds and occasionally wild horses. On clear days, the Cotopaxi Volcano is an awesome backdrop. A short walk around the lagoon allows the observation of the Andean flora. Enjoy lunch at a restaurant of the area and return to Quito bu bus in the afternoon.
Entrance fee to Cotopaxi National Park is extra.
Warm clothing is needed and hat or cap.
Sunblock (SPF 40). Good walking shoes. Camera (wide angle lens). Binoculars. Sunglasses.
Altitude:
2800 to 4000 meters (9800 - 12,120 feet)
Average Temperature Day:
8° to 20° C (46° to 68° F)
(1 day every Tue, Thu and Sat) (private)
Surrounding Cotopaxi Volcano is the Cotopaxi National Park, an ecological sanctuary of 36,000 hectares (88,920 acres), especially attractive for nature lovers, with the treeless vegetation of the Andean moorlands or paramo. You may see herds of llamas and perhaps deer, rabbits, frogs and lizards. Bird life includes the Andean gull, ducks, several species of hummingbirds and with some luck, the condor.
Included :
We DO NOT use an automated reservation machine. When you write to us, you will be in touch with a real travel specialist that will assist you in finding what you really need. We can also arrange airport transportation, tours, travel packages, insurance, flight bookings, and any other travel service that you may need.
The adventure starts in Quito with a bus ride to the station of Tambillo, where the "Chiva Express", a colorful one coach train, like a bus on tracks, is ready to depart. A highlights of the trip is to 'ride the roof' with 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 to the station of Machachi, where a snack is served.
Then ascend by motorcoach up to the moorlands for a short hike and a close contact with this unique ecosystem. Enjoy lunch at a hacienda of the area, a very comfortable farm house built with local materials like straw, adobe and eucalyptus wood. A blazing fireplace warms the dining room, where guests enjoy a wonderful meal with fresh cheese from the farm, vegetables just picked from the garden, home-made desserts, and natural seasonings. There will be time to horseback ride, birdwatch or explore the surroundings on foot before the return to Quito in the afternoon.
NOTE: We suggest not to operate this excursion during the rainy season (February, March and April).
Warm clothing is needed and hat or cap. Sunblock (SPF 40). Good walking shoes.
Camera (wide angle lens). Binoculars. Sunglasses.
Altitude:
2800 to 4000 meters (9800 - 12,120 feet)
Average Temperature Day:
8° to 20° C (46° to 68° F)
