About Tren Crucero Tour
STARTING AT
1.735 USD
Tren Crucero Ecuador
The Ecuador Tren Crucero is a custom Ecuador tour that begins in the northern Andes of Ecuador, with its first stop in the valley of Otavalo, where you get to discover traditional cultures, handicrafts, as well as modern export-class rose plantations. Tren Crucero is a luxury tour of the highlights of Ecuador that starts in Quito and winds its way to the coast; first climbing to the Chimborazo volcano moorlands on the way to the Avenue of Volcanoes, ride through amazing countryside landscapes. On this classy Ecuadorian trip you will see many different villages with distinct cultures and experience the diversity of the county. Pass through the tropical plantations all the way to the city of Guayaquil, descending a total of 12,000 feet to sea level. It is also possible to do the itinerary in the opposite direction, starting from the coast and finishing in the Andes in the capital city of Quito.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Included
Transportation on board the Train Crucero
Meals (B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner) as detailed in the itinerary, Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages are unlimited and complementary on board
Spanish and English guidance (Other languages are available subject to availability and at extra cost)
Excursions as detailed in the itinerary
Transportation by bus / mini-van during the program for excursions
Accommodation based on double occupancy
Luggage porterage at hotels, Complementary transfer to major hotels on final day (Quito: Hilton Colon Hotel, JW Marriott, Casa Gangotena and Swissotel; Guayaquil: Hilton Colon, Oro Verde, Hampton Inn, Wyndham, Grand Hotel Guayaquil and Sonesta)
Not Included
Alcoholic beverages (Tren Crucero offers wine, whiskey and beer)
Meals or excursions not detailed in the program
Single supplement, Personal expenses, Tips
Tour Dates
This tour offers set departures throughout the year, ask us for info on dates available
Tren Crucero Ecuador offers two different itineraries
Train of Wonders
DAY 1: OTAVALO AND IBARRA
Start your tour with an early departure from Quito towards the town of Otavalo, just an hour and a half north. Here, in the same town as South America's largest artisan market, we will see a carefully restored steam engine.
Discover Ecuador's hidden wonders, from musicians to artists to the woodworkers who maintain the Quito School style. Enjoy a traditional Andean meal and a large scale rose plantation before returning to Quito.
Accommodation: Swisshotel Quito or similar
Meals included: Lunch and dinner
DAY 2: AMBATO AND URBINA
Board the Tren Crucero at Quito Chimbacalle station and head south through the Avenue of Volcanoes, where you might be able to spot 20 active or dormant volcanoes right from the train window.
You will slowly climb the landscape and vegetation change as the train climbs to Urbina, the highest point of the itinerary at 11,800 feet above sea level. Check out the wondrous slopes of Chimborazo from the comfort of the panoramic cars. You'll also meet a man known as the "last ice merchant" and learn about his all-but-extinct profession.
Accommodation: Abraspungo / La Andaluza / San Pedro or similar
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
DAY 3: THE DEVIL’S NOSE
Depart Riobamba early in the morning and ride all the way to the town of Colta, where the first settlement in Ecuador was built by the Spanish conquerors. The colorful quinoa fields, indigenous settlements, and the eerie remains of ancient cultures highlight this stop. Before continuing on, we'll stop in one of the last remaining Andean indigenous markets at Guamote.
Then it's on to the historic Devil's Nose pass, a marvel of engineering that zig-zags down the steep slopes of the mountain from the highlands to the coastal plains. From here, you'll descend the Chanchan River Gorge and cross through cloud forest en route to Bucay.
Accommodation: Hosteria D'Franco or similar
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
DAY 4: DURAN AND GUAYAQUIL
Leaving the tropical forest behind, the landscape changes again to expansive fields of rice, sugar cane, banana and pineapple plantations. You will enjoy lunch at a traditional hacienda, where you'll learn about how some of the best cocoa in the world is grown and harvested. Then, you'll continue on towards the Pacific Ocean, where the metropolitan city of Guayaquil awaits. You will spend the night in a hotel here, and thus ends your Ecuador Tren Crucero Tour.
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch
Train to the Clouds
DAY 1: DURAN - BUCAY
This tour starts with an early morning departure from coastal Duran. Aboard the renowned Tren Crucero, you will head across miles of rice, sugar cane, banana, and pineapple plantations en route to Naranjito, where you will enjoy lunch at a traditional hacienda. Here you will learn about how cocoa is grown and harvested and taste some exquisite home made chocolate.
After watching a Montubio cultural show, the trip continues to the city of Bucay, where you will see the Andes in the distance.
Accommodation: Hosteria D'Franco or similar
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
DAY 2: DEVIL'S NOSE AND ANDES
Traveling along the canyon of the Chanchan River, you will notice how abruptly the vegetation changes from dense cloud forest to sparse highland vegetation, with the towering Andes in the horizon.
From the Pistishi lookout, you can get a good look at the engineering marvel that is the Devil's Nose. Climbing 450 meters in elevation in just 12 kilometers of switchback railroad, you'll finally reach the Andean village of Alausi. The journey to Riobamba continues, crossing colorful fields of quinoa. Once in Colta, you will learn about llama breeding and visit the Palacio Real indigenous community. Before heading to your hotel, make sure to stop by the artisan market!
Accommodation: Abraspungo / La Andaluza / San Pedro or similar
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
DAY 3: URBINA - BOLICHE
The next stop is the highest point of the itinerary - Urbina, at 3,600 meters above sea level. Here, in the shadow of Chimborazo, you will meet the last "ice merchant," who will explain his all-but-extinct trade.
The journey continues north along the Avenue of the Volcanoes, through the fertile valleys of the Andes. From the comfort of the panoramic train cars, you might be able to spot up to 20 active and dormant volcanoes en route to Cotopaxi Volcano. At Cotopaxi, a forest trail allows you to explore the Andean paramo. Your train then chugs along to Quito.
Accommodation: Swisshotel Quito or similar
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
DAY 4: OTAVALO - IBARRA & QUITO
The last day of the adventure takes you into the Northern Andes, where you can see a restored steam engine and South America's largest artisan market at Otavalo.
Delight in the traditions, cuisine, music, and culture as you witness the intricately crafted artisan products.
The journey ends with lunch at a charming hacienda and a final farewell in the historic capital city of Quito.
Meals included: Breakfast & lunch
Tour Tren Crucero Tour per person (2024 Prices TBC)
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Tren Crucero Tour per person (2024 Prices TBC)
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