GT-TC-185 – ANDEAN TREASURES

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TRAIN TO THE CLOUDS
GUAYAQUIL – DURAN – NARANJITO – BUCAY
RIOBAMBA – OTAVALO – QUITO
SIX DAYS / FIVE NIGHTS

HIGHLIGHTS

In this journey on board Tren Crucero we climb 3.600 meters in barely 450 km, experiencing one of the most dramatic changes in vegetation and scenery in the world.

From the fertile plains in the coast we climb to the highlands in the Andes through the Mythical “Devil’s Nose” pass. Riding across the Avenue of Volcanoes we reach Quito, Cultural World Heritage by UNESCO, to continue to Otavalo, amidst the Northern Andes, where we will explore the quichua culture, skills and traditions and have lunch in a very singular hacienda, amidst export-class roses.

2017 Departure dates from Guayaquil
October 14 & 28, November 11 & 25, December 9 & 27

DAY 1: Friday – Arrival in Guayaquil

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

DAY 2: Saturday – Start your Tren Crucero Adventure (B/L/D)

Guayaquil – Durán – Yaguachi – Naranjito – Bucay

Private guided transfer from hotel in Guayaquil to train station in Duran. We depart from Durán in the coast early in the morning, (8:00Aam) – the heritage convoy pulled by a vintage steam engine. We switch engines in Yaguachi and continue across rice, sugar cane, banana and pineapple plantations to Naranjito. Lunch is served in a traditional hacienda, where we will learn about the best cocoa bean in the world and taste home-made chocolate. After a show of Montubio culture we continue our trip towards Bucay. If the day is clear, we will get tour first glimpse of the Andes in the distance.

Lunch is served in a traditional hacienda, where we will learn about the best cocoa bean in the world and taste home-made chocolate at a cocoa plantation.

After a show of Montubio culture we continue our trip towards Bucay. If the day is clear, we will get tour first glimpse of the Andes in the distance. Upon arrival in Bucay, dinner and overnight accommodations.

DAY 3: Sunday – Tren Crucero (B/L/D)

Bucay – Huigra – Devil’s Nose – Alausi – Colta – Riobamba

As we travel along the canyon of river Chanchán the vegetation and temperature change abruptly. The cloud forest clears out and the sparse vegetation of the highlands take its place, while the stone walls of the Andes loom in the horizon. The train makes a stop at Pistishi lookout, where we can get a good glimpse of the impressive feat of engineering ahead of us, before start the daunting climb of mythical Devil’s Nose. After 450 metres climb in barely 12 kilometers of dizzying zig zag the train finally reaches the quaint village of Alausí, in the Andes. We continue our journey to Riobamba, crossing colorful quinoa fields. In Colta we visit the indigenous community of Palacio Real, where we learn about llama breeding. We arrive in Riobamba pulled by a powerful steam engine, with time to visit the Train Station Artisan’s Square before heading to our hotel. Dinner and overnight in Riobamba

DAY 4: Monday – Tren Crucero Adventure

Riobamba – Urbina – Boliche – Quito (B/L/D)

We depart for Urbina, the highest point in our itinerary at 3600 M.A.S.L. There, in the eastern flanks of Chimborazo volcano awaits the last ice merchant, to tell the tale of his ancestral trade.

Then we ride north along the Avenue of Volcanoes, the fertile valley sheltered between the two arms of the Andes mountain range. In clear days you can spot up to twenty volcanoes from the comfort of your seat. In the skirts of Cotopaxi volcano we will explore a singular Andean forest trail before continuing our ride towards Quito.
Overnight accommodations in Quito Hotel Swissotel

DAY 5: Tuesday – Tren Crucero (B/L)

Quito – Otavalo – San Roque – Andrade Marin – San Antonio de Ibarra – Quito

Our journey continues to the Northern Andes. In Otavalo, home to a millenary market, we board the train, pulled by a lovingly restored steam engine.

During the day we will discover the culture, traditions, music, gastronomy, paintings and the antique skill of woodcarving, learned from the renowned masters of the Quito carving school, back in the Seventeen Century. After having lunch in a very singular hacienda, we head back to our last night in Quito.
Overnight accommodations Hotel Swissotel.

DAY 6: Wednesday – Quito

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

RATES PER PERSON BASED ON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY:

TRAIN CRUCERO TOUR OPTIONS ADULT CHILD (2 TO 11)
Four Day: Tren Crucero Program (Day 2 to 6) $ 1,650.00 $ 1,485.00
Six Day: Guayaquil + Tren Crucero (Day 1 to 6) $ 1,839.00 $ 1,674.00

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)
One night hotel accommodations in Guayaquil at the Wyndham Hotel for the six day program
One night hotel accommodation in Riobamba for six and four day programs
Two night hotel accommodations at the Swissotel Hotel (Deluxe) based on double occupancy for the six and four day programs.
Daily excursions during the train program as per itinerary. Transportation by motor coach/van during the program for excursions.
Transfers in Guayaquil from airport to hotel and from hotel to train station in Duran.
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.

Send us a Message

ENQUIRE NOW

We will be happy to answer your questions or comments.

G T TOURS OFFICES:

Plantation, Florida  
13494 NW 7th Street
Plantation, Florida 33325

Miami, Florida 
9930 SW 142 Street
Miami, Florida 33176

Toll Free USA & Canada:
(800) 666 8687
Local Number: 
(305) 436 0933 
Fax:     
(305 436 0843

Send us a Message

ENQUIRE NOW

We will be happy to answer your questions or comments.

G T TOURS OFFICES:

Plantation, Florida  
13494 NW 7th Street
Plantation, Florida 33325

Miami, Florida 
9930 SW 142 Street
Miami, Florida 33176

Toll Free USA & Canada:
(800) 666 8687
Local Number: 
(305) 436 0933 
Fax:     
(305 436 0843

Send us a Message

ENQUIRE NOW

We will be happy to answer your questions or comments.

G T TOURS OFFICES:

Plantation, Florida  
13494 NW 7th Street
Plantation, Florida 33325

Miami, Florida 
9930 SW 142 Street
Miami, Florida 33176

Toll Free USA & Canada:
(800) 666 8687
Local Number: 
(305) 436 0933 
Fax:     
(305 436 0843

Send us a Message

ENQUIRE NOW

We will be happy to answer your questions or comments.

G T TOURS OFFICES:

Plantation, Florida  
13494 NW 7th Street
Plantation, Florida 33325

Miami, Florida 
9930 SW 142 Street
Miami, Florida 33176

Toll Free USA & Canada:
(800) 666 8687
Local Number: 
(305) 436 0933 
Fax:     
(305 436 0843