Summary
Short description
Pair a journey aboard the award-winning Tren Crucero with a lodge stay in the Galápagos
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Highlights
- Take in Ecuador's central highlands aboard the Tren Crucero
- Traverse the famous Devil's Nose
- Experience the colourful cultures and customs of the Ecuadorian Andes
- Stay at luxury lodge in the Galápagos
- Choose between a range of optional excursions to come face to face with the islands' unique wildlife
In Brief
- 3 Nights Quito
- 1 Night Riobamba
- 1 Night Bucay
- 1 Night Guayaquil
- 4 Nights Galápagos Islands
In pictures
About
Recommended for:
History & culture | Natural world | Rail journey
Explore some of Ecuador's most impressive landscapes aboard the award-winning Tren Crucero (Cruise Train) as you travel from Quito, through the high Andes to the coastal city of Guayaquil, passing through the spectacular Avenue of the Volcanoes and traversing the infamous Devil's Nose, a feat of engineering that has earned a reputation as one of the most celebrated railway lines on earth. Throughout your holiday you'll enjoy colourful fiestas, encounter local wildlife and gain an understanding of the customs and cultures of Ecuador's native Indian people as you travel in the company of expert guides, while staying in beautifully restored, traditional haciendas and hotels.
Day by day itinerary
Day
1
UK/Quito
Enjoy complimentary airport lounge access before boarding an overnight flight from the UK to Quito.
Days
2-3
Quito
Arrive in Ecuador's bustling capital city, and transfer to your hotel. Spend the following morning exploring the city's UNESCO World Heritage-listed colonial quarter, which is the largest and best preserved of its kind in South America. Visit Independence Plaza, flanked by the city's Cathedral, the Presidential Palace, the Municipal Building and the Archbishop's Palace before visiting the Monastery of San Francisco, which is one of the world's most impressive religious buildings. This afternoon you'll head 16 kilometres to the north of Quito for the chance to stand on the equator, with one foot in each hemisphere. Then, pay a visit to the Ethnographic Museum to learn about the different Native American groups living within Ecuador.
Stay: Swissotel Quito (Deluxe)
Meals: B
Day
4
Quito - Otavalo - Quito
Leave the capital behind today as you travel north towards Otavalo, keeping an eye out for views of snow-capped Cayambe volcano. Passing through fertile valleys and forests you'll arrive in Otavalo where you'll board a restored steam train for a journey through the Ecuadorian highlands. Enjoy a programme of activities which range from woodcarving, weaving and musical demonstrations to a guided tasting of delicious Ecuadorian specialities, followed by a visit to a rose plantation, as you wind your way back to Quito where you'll spend the night.
Stay: Swissotel Quito (Deluxe)
Meals: B L D
Day
5
Quito to Riobamba
Departing Quito you'll board the Tren Crucero and head south along the Avenue of Volcanoes to Urbina, which, at 3,609 metres above sea level, is the highest train station in the country. Here you'll visit an interpretation centre about Ecuador's 'Last Ice Man', and enjoy the magnificent views across the slopes of Chimborazo, Ecuador's highest volcano. From here you'll journey by bus to Hosteria Abraspungo for dinner and to spend the night.
Stay: Hosteria Abraspungo, La Andaluza or similar (Superior)
Meals: B L D
Day
6
Riobamba to Bucay
Transfer to Riobamba station this morning and board the train for the journey to Colta, where you'll visit Balbanera Church, which is thought to be the first church built in Ecuador. From there you'll continue your journey by train to Guamote where you'll enjoy a guided city tour including a visit to the indigenous market, one of the largest and most important markets in the country. Following lunch you'll take the bus to Alausi followed by a train journey along the famous Devil's Nose, stopping briefly at a viewpoint to appreciate the incredible engineering work that makes this section of track one of the most celebrated stretches of high altitude railway in the world. Continue by bus from the high country to the coastal plains and the town of Bucay where you'll spend the night.
Stay: Hosteria D'Franco or similar (Superior)
Meals: B L D
Day
7
Bucay to Guayaquil
After breakfast you'll depart by bus from Bucay to La Danesa. Upon arrival, you'll head towards a coastal hacienda via bus, where a cocoa plantation awaits. The history of cocoa and its longstanding relationship with and impact on Ecuador's culture will be explained, before a traditional lunch. Continue to Naranjito, board the 'Tren Crucero' train and head towards Yaguachi where you'll disembark and hop onto a steam locomotive. As you chug through rice plantations you'll arrive at Durán, you final stop. Transfer to Guayaquil via bus for a night before heading for the fabled Galápagos Islands.
Stay: Wyndham Guayaquil (Superior)
Meals: B
Days
8-11
Galápagos Islands
Take a flight to the Galápagos Islands, which will be yours to explore for the next four days. Staying at the award-winning, eco-friendly Finch Bay on Santa Cruz Island, you'll be just a few metres away from the island's beach, meaning perfect access to the seascapes and wildlife that have engrossed visitors ever since Charles Darwin set foot on the islands in the nineteenth century. Take advantage of the day trips available, go snorkelling in the shallow waters or ask a Wexas consultant on how best to maximise your time. Lunch is included on days 9-11.
Stay: Finch Bay Galápagos Hotel, Galápagos (Superior)
Meals: B L
Days
12-13
Ecuador/UK
After breakfast, you'll transfer to Guayaquil airport in time for your onward flight. Your flight home arrives in the UK the following morning.
Meals: B
Map
Pricing
Any element of this itinerary can be adjusted to suit your needs. Just contact us to find out more.
Accommodation rating:
13-day tailor-made rail & stay journey
from £5,630 pp
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