The Ecuadorian railway was really one of the most difficult engineering feats of the “steel era” that built railroad tracks around the world. Today, it must also be recognized as one of the most beautiful trains in the world. ( The route is located at Mount Chimborazo , where is considered the highest mountain and volcano in the entire country of Ecuador ).
The reason why Riobamba is a tourist attraction is because a train leaves from the train station that runs through the ‘Nariz Del Diablo’ (Devil’s Nose) area. The Devil’s Nose is a form in the yellow rocks where a nasty man’s nose can be taken out with some imagination, and is surrounded by a fairly dry and mysterious mountain landscape.
You have the best view from the roof of the train, among the local people. The train runs through Cajabamba, the Colta lakes and a small Guamote village. At 10.30 the train climbs to high-altitude Alausi. After this comes the highlight of the journey: the train zigzags up and down to the 45-degree steep Devil’s Nose. Then the ride goes back to Alausi.
Listed as the most difficult train route in the world to build, the Devil’s Nose route claimed the lives of several workers during its construction.
At 13.30 the train leaves from Alausi back to Riobamba and arrives there again at 17.00.
Please note: the train only runs on Wonsdag, Friday and Sunday and leaves at 7 a.m. from Riobamba station.
The tourist excursion offered by the state company Tren Ecuador, runs along the stretch that goes from the town of Alausi to the Sibambe station.
Access : Coordinates: / From Quito, Alausi is approximately 5 hours away by taking the Panamericana Sur. You can also make an intermediate stop in Riobamba halfway from Quito to Alausi. Riobamba is about 3 hours from Quito and you can spend the night in this city the night before. Riobamba is at a distance of approximately 2 hours from Alausi.
Highlights :
- Altitude: It varies from 2,340 to 1,400 meters above sea level. The temperature ranges from 15 to 25C.
- The Nose of the Devil ( La Nariz del Diablo ) is a section of the Transandino Railroad – today called Tren Ecuador-, a line of 452 kilometers that at that time connected Guayaquil, the main port of the country, with Quito, the Ecuadorian capital located at 2,800 meters high.
In this titanic engineering work, the most inaccessible section was that of the Devil’s Nose, to such an extent that at the time it was known internationally as “the most difficult railway track in the world.” The challenge to beat was a gigantic rock with a sharp profile. - characteristics: Days of operation : Tuesday – Wednesday – Thursday – Friday – Saturday – Sunday – Holidays – Route : Alausi – Sibambe – Alausi / Place of departureRiobamba or Alausi Train Station – place of return : Alausi Train Station – Departure time 08:00 and 11:00 Passengers must arrive 30 mins before the departure time.-Duration 2:30 hours.
Go next : Alausi, a picturesque Andean town / Riobamba, also known as San Pedro de Riobamba / The Chimborazo : the volcano and the highest mountain in Ecuador
