Volcanoes and the thrill of the Chiva Express

Board the Chiva Express (a rail-mounted and brightly-coloured modification of the traditional chivabus) at Tambillo, an hour’s bus ride from Quito. The route passes along the Avenue of the Volcanoes, through a rich landscape of forest  and mountains with a fantastic view of Cotopaxi volcano close to El Boliche, where you transfer to a bus to the market town of Riobamba. Following a night there re-board the Chiva Express to Alausí. The track follows a thrilling route up and down the Devil’s Nose switchbacks, negotiating a virtually vertical cliff.

Continue by road to Cuenca (2 nights) via the Inca ruins at Ingapirca. Tour this laid-back, gracious colonial city, and an excursion to the high altitude Las Cajas National Park, with its translucent glacial lakes, or the Gualaceo valley. Fly back to Quito or continue to the port of Guayaquil.  There is an option to end your trip without continuing to Cuenca.

Please note: This trip is a combination of rail and road transport, but the proportion of each varies according to local conditions. Landslides are not infrequent and alternative arrangements are put into place.