TRAIN TO THE CLOUDS
GUAYAQUIL – QUITO
Train to the Clouds
In this journey on board Tren Crucero we climb 3600 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. In the evening we return to Quito.
Stretch Durán to Yaguachi operated with steam engine.
Why book with Hacienda La Danesa?
Guests will spend the night at Hacienda La Danesa on the third night for a unique experience exclusive to our guests. The passenger who do not book the train with Hacienda La Danesa stay at a tourist-class hotel on this night.
Rates
Rates:
Double room: $1650,00
Children: $1485,00*
Single Supplement: $247,50
*Rates for children apply from 2 years old to 11 years and 11 months old sharing room with 2 adults.
One children for every 2 adults. Rates and Departures are subject to change without prior notice.
Departures 2017
DEPARTURES:
7 / 21 / 28 jan | 4 / 18 feb | 4 / 18 mar | 1 / 15 / 29 apr | 13 / 27 may | 24 jun | 8 / 22 jul | 5 / 19 aug | 2 / 16 / 30 sep | 14 / 28 oct | 11 / 25 nov | 9 / 27 dec
Departures 2018
DEPARTURES:
6 jan | 3 / 17 feb | 17 / 31 mar | 14 / 28 apr | 12 / 26 may | 9 / 23 jun | 7 jul | 4 / 18 aug | 1 / 15 sep | 13 / 27 oct | 10 nov | 1 / 15 dec
Itinerary
Day 01
Durán – Yaguachi – Naranjito – Bucay
8:00 departure from Duran, steam engine.
Cocoa plantation, chocolate tasting and visit to Hacienda in Naranjito.
Lunch
Show of Montubio culture
Bucay. Dinner and Night
Day 02
Bucay – Devil’s Nose – Alausi – Colta-Riobamba
Crossing of Chanchan river gorge
Pistishi lookout and Devil’s Nose pass
Lunch on board
Visit to Palacio Rea indigenous community
Dinner and night in Riobamba
Day 03
Riobamba – Urbina – Boliche – Quito
Urbina: Artisans’ Square, last Ice Merchant of Chimborazo.
Breakfast on board
Boliche recreational area by Cotopaxi: Andean forest trail.
Quito: dinner and night
Day 04
Quito – Otavalo – San Roque – Andrade Marin – San Antonio de Ibarra – Quito
6:30 Departure from Quito, Swiss Hotel
Otavalo station: departure with steam engine.
San Roque: Music and loom weavers.
Andrade Marín: Sampling of traditional cuisine and visit to Imbabura old textile Factory.
San Antonio: the art of woodcarving
Lunch: Hacienda La Compañía
Return trip to Quito and transfer for overnight.
*Duran Yaguachi, Colta-Riobamba, Otavalo-Ibarra, steam engine
*Quito-Otavalo/Ibarra-Quito by bus.
What is included?
The program includes transportation aboard Tren Crucero, all meals during the trip, snacks and soft drinks on board, guide in Spanish and English*, excursions according to the itinerary, transportation by bus/van during the program for excursions and accommodation based on double occupancy. In the Guayaquil to Quito route, once the train has arrived at Eloy Alfaro Train Station (Quito), you will be transferred for overnight**.
*Guidance in languages other than Spanish and English as Italian, French, German, Portuguese and Japanese can be provided on request. It is subject to availability and applies an extra cost.
**Day 4: Dinner is not included. Breakfast included for the next day.
What is extra?
Taxes, alcoholic beverages (Tren Crucero offers wine, beer and whiskey), meals and excursions not included in the program, air tickets, personal expenses, gratuities or transfers to hotels different from the ones listed here.
Passengers are recommended to purchase travel insurance.
Travel Tips
Clothing: Wear layers, a jacket for cold weather and a light coat for the rain (coast). Comfortable walking shoes, hat, sunscreen with high SPF, repellant, sunglasses. Don’t forget your camera!
Altitude: It ranges from 80 to 3,610 meters above sea level. The temperature ranges from 14° to 35° C.
Important: Duran station is 30 minutes away from Guayaquil. Take it into account to ensure you arrive on time for check-in. In Quito, Swissôtel is located in the city of Quito, Avenida 12 de Octubre y Luis Cordero. Unusued services are not refunded. Consult with our sales department about the possibility of boarding Tren Crucero Train of Wonders (southbound) in Otavalo.