GT-TC-180 – ANDEAN TREASURES

TRAIN CRUCERO – ANDEAN NATURE WONDERS
QUITO – OTAVALO – IBARRA – QUITO – URBINA – RIOBAMBA – DEVIL’S NOSE BUCAY – GUAYAQUIL

2017 Departure dates from Quito
October 10 & 24, November 7 & 21, December 5 & 19

Our journey begins in the northern Andes of Ecuador, in the valley of Otavalo, where we will discover traditional cultures, handicrafts, and modern export-class rose plantations. From Quito we will start our trip to the coast, first climbing to the Chimborazo volcano moorlands along the Avenue of  Volcanoes.

The Mythical “Devil’s Nose” pass awaits with its vertiginous zig-zag. Riding along the Chanchán River canyon we leave the highlands behind. We cross a cloud forest, then ride along the tropical plantations to the end of our trip in Guayaquil. We reach the shores of the Pacific Ocean after 504 km or rail and a 12,000 ft. descent to the sea.

DAY 1: Sunday – Arrival in Quito

Meeting, assistance and private transfer from airport to hotel.
Overnight accommodations at Swissotel

DAY 2: Monday – Quito (B)

Combined tour of Quito and Middle of the World
Transportation will be provided from your hotel to Quito’s old town. The tour begins with a visit to the Independence Square, where the Presidential Palace, Archbishops’ Palace, the Cathedral and El Sagrario Church are located. We will also visit the Church of La Compañia (1605), with its amazing gilt altars, this is considered as one of the finest examples of baroque art in America, and the Moorish influence can be noted in the intricate designs carved on the magnificent red and gold columns and ceilings. Afterwards we will take you to the church and monastery of San Francisco (1535); this is the oldest Ecuadorian church and the main altar inside is a spectacular example of baroque carving. There is also a fine collection of artwork, including paintings, sculptures and furniture dating back to the 16th century.

Finally, we will drive up to the highest viewpoint of the city, “El Panecillo” hill, which is a beautiful place – where you can have a breathtaking view of the colonial and modern city of Quito. Also, at this place we can find an impressive monument of the winged Virgin of Legarda. Afterwards, the tour goes to the Basilica Church and our guide will offer a brief explanation about the site.

Later on, we will depart to the north part of the city, taking the Manuel Cordova Galarza Avenue, which will take you to the equinoctial line. The French Geodesic Mission determined this line in the XVIII century. Meanwhile, you will be able to visit the city of “The Middle of The World”, where you can travel” from the southern hemisphere to the northern hemisphere by just jumping across the equator. After this, we continue to visit the “Intiñan” Museum (Solar Museum) where the main objective of this place is to rescue and revive the ancestral worldview of a geographic center and to establish an ethno-ecological habitat in this place. Return to the hotel.
Overnight accommodations at Swissotel

DAY 3: Tuesday – Quito – Otavalo – Ibarra – Quito (B/L)

We depart Quito early in the morning for a one-and-a-half drive north. In Otavalo, home of a millenary market, a carefully restored steam engine awaits us.

At a slow pace we will discover the many wonders hidden in this part of the country: musicians, painters, weavers and the skillful woodcarvers who keep the renowned Quito School style alive. After a tasting of traditional Andean cuisine and a visit to very special export-class rose plantation we return to Quito.
Overnight accommodations at Swissotel

DAY 4: Wednesday – Tren Crucero: Quito – Urbina (B/L/D)

We board our convoy at Quito Chimbacalle station and begin our journey south along the Avenue of Volcanoes. If the weather permits, you can spot up to twenty volcanoes from the train –most extinct or dormant for centuries.

Here, the Andes range splits into two arms that run parallel down south. The fertile valley trapped between these stone walls hosts a treasure trove of biodiversity. From the comfort of our panoramic cars we watch the change of vegetation and landscape as we slowly climb the Andean highlands to Urbina, the highest point in our itinerary at 11,800 feet above sea level. In the skirts of mount Chimborazo we meet the last ice-merchant and learn the story of his ancestral trade.

DAY 5: Thursday – Tren Crucero – Riobamba – The Devil’s Nose – Bucay (B/L/D)

We depart Riobamba towards Colta, where the Spanish conquerors built their first settlement in Ecuador. We cross colorful quinoa fields painted in purples, yellows and reds, alternating with endemic species of flora and wildlife, indigenous settlements and the remains of ancient cultures.

We visit Guamote market, one of the last indigenous markets in the Andes, before continuing south towards the mythical Devil’s Nose pass. A vertiginous descent of 450metres zig zag takes us from the Andean highlands down towards the coastal plains.

We continue our descent along the narrow Chanchán river gorge and crossing an impressive cloud forest towards the temperate city of Bucay.

DAY 6 – Friday – Tren Crucero – Bucay – Guayaquil (B/L)

The landscape changes again as the train leaves the tropical forest behind. Rice, sugar cane, pineapple and banana plantations pass before our eyes.

We have lunch at a traditional hacienda, where we can learn about the growing and harvesting of the best cocoa bean in the world. Later, the steam engine whites its way across the fields towards the shores of the Pacific Ocean and the end of our trip in a hotel in Guayaquil for overnight.
Overnight accommodations Hotel Wyndham or similar category

DAY 7: Saturday – Guayaquil

For this day we offer the following options:
Optional day tours in Guayaquil and surroundings
Optional expeditions to the Galapagos Islands
Assistance and transfer from hotel to airport for your next destination

RATES PER PERSON BASED ON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY:

WHAT IS INCLUDED:

The program includes transportation aboard Tren Crucero, all meals during the trip, snacks and soft drinks on board, bilingual guides (English/Spanish)
Three night hotel accommodations at the Swissotel Hotel (Deluxe) based on double occupancy for the Seven Day Program and one night for the Four Day program
Three night hotel accommodations (Riobamba, Bucay and Guayaquil) – double occupancy.
Pre-Tren Crucero combined tour of Quito and Middle of the World.
Daily excursions during the train program as per itinerary. Transportation by motor coach/van during the program for excursions.
Meals as indicated in itinerary.

NOT INCLUDED

International and local air transportation. Alcoholic beverages (Tren Crucero offers wine, beer and whiskey), meals and excursions not included in the program, personal expenses, tips and to guides and porters. Passengers are recommended to purchase travel insurance.