Price: $395

Dates: 9^th December 2020 – 12^th December 2020

Duration: 3 nights, 4 days

There’s so much to see and do in Ecuador but here at YPT we really wanted to bring you to this one special place in particular – the Devil’s Nose. It’s known that we are fond of a train ride, but this one is the mother of all journeys, riding from the town of Alausi down the Nariz del Diablo – the Devil’s Nose – an incredibly steep canyon and during its construction the hardest railway to build in the world.

We’ll also be taking in the quaint town of Alausi and the town of Baños, where we’ll ride around in a Chiva – a colourful party bus. Known for its outdoor activities and healing spas this is a little slice of Andean heaven to finish what off what will have been a mammoth tour of Ecuador.

For railway enthusiasts and photographers, and anyone who will appreciate the mountain scenery and local culture of the Ecuadorian Andes this is a must-do add on!

Itinerary

Wednesday 9^th December – Guayaquil to Alausi

• On arrival in Guayaquil, we’ll head to the bus station for the 3-hour journey to Alausi.
• It used to be possible to take the train from Guayaquil all the way to Quito via the Devil’s nose. However, sadly in the 1990s, the El Niño weather phenomenon caused such damage to Ecuador’s rail network that the entire system was abandoned. In the 2000s the President decreed that the railway system was “national cultural patrimony” and should be restored. This work is happening slowly.
• Walking tour around the quaint little town of Alausi, dominated by the railway passing right through the centre of town.
• Dinner in town
• Overnight in Alausi

Thursday 10^th December – The Devil’s Nose

• Today we’ll ride the train from Alausi down the Nariz del Diablo – the Devil’s Nose. At the time of its construction, this was considered to be the most difficult railway ever built. To climb the steep mountain, it was necessary to construct the line in a zigzag form up the mountainside. This is a railway enthusiast and photographers’ paradise!
• On arrival at the bottom of the Devil’s Nose, we’ll take a jeep up the opposite mountain so we’ll be ideally placed to take pics of the train across the valley as it climbs back up the slope.
• After lunch, we’ll head back to Alausi
• Bus to Baños de Agua Santa (4 hrs)
• Go out for dinner and check out the lively nightlife in Baños
• Overnight Baños

Friday 11^th December – Banos

• Baños is a small town deep in the highlands of Ecuador. It’s spectacular setting has made it a popular hub for outdoor sports and jungle tours. It’s named for the healing properties of the hot thermal springs.
• Tour of the area surrounding Baños in a Chiva – colourful party buses. We’ll head up to a giant swing situated on a cliff top hundreds of metres above the town. If you seek a major adrenaline rush, then you’ll have the option of riding this! Following that we’ll head up to treehouse viewpoint where, depending on the weather, we hope to get a glimpse of the lava glowing in the Tungurahua volcano.
• We’ll take a visit to the open-air mineral baths to try out their healing properties
• Dinner and drinks in town
• Overnight Baños

Saturday 12^th December – End of tour

• Head back to Quito – 3.5 hrs
• Our official tour ends here, but if you want more we’ll be happy to assist with organizing activities in this area – hiking, bungee jumping, rafting, canyoning or jungle tours!

Price inclusive of:

• Accommodation in twin-share rooms
• Breakfasts and lunches
• All transport to complete the tour including boats and flights
• Entrance fees unless stated

Price Exclusive of:

• Flight tickets to and from the tour
• Visa Fee if applicable (YPT can provide full visa support)
• Single Supplement
• Dinners, drinks and personal spending
• Extra activities not included on the itinerary