A CHIVA is a typical, old-fashioned Latin American bus, with plenty of room on the roof for bags of grain, bananas and the odd chicken. In Quito, these buses have taken on a new lease of life as party vehicles with adapted, high-sided roofs.
Typically, some hires a chiva for a celebration, invites all their friends to ride on top, the bus drives around the streets of Quito, an oompa-oompa brass band banging out favorite tunes, while Andean canelazo drink are liberally poured.
Some tour operators had adapted the chiva idea to the historic train ride from Quito to Guayaquil. Our passengers will enjoy an exclusive and unique trip through the Andean countryside and the coastal lowlands on board our Chiva Express- especially adapted for safety and comfort, while complementing the fun of the ride. Canelazo (typical cinnamon drink) and brass band optional.
The Avenue of the Volcanoes
Discover why in 1802 the German scientist Alexander Von Humboldt called the central Ecuadorian Highlands as the Avenue of the Volcanoes: The route is surrounded by snowcapped summits and the mystical beauty that, in past time, nourished the mythology of early cultures and later provided incentive to the Spaniards conquerors to settle here. Brooks and rivers run down from the mountains passing small villages of adobe houses and terraced farmlands.
By Chiva to Cotopaxi
Surrounding Cotopaxi Volcano is the Cotopaxi National Park, an ecological sanctuary of 36.000 hectares ( 88.920 acres), especially attractive for nature lovers, with the treeless vegetation of the Andean moorlands or paramo. Bird life includes the Andean gull, ducks and several species of hummingbirds and with some luck, the condor.
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| CVC 28A |
COTOPAXI NATIONAL PARK BY CHIVA
Duration: Full Day
Departures: Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday
(Includes CHIVA EXPRESS ride and lunch at a restaurant of the area) SHARED
The adventure starts at the old train station of Quito, where the CHIVA EXPRESS, a one-coach train, is ready to depart. You will leisurely enjoy the way of traveling of past centuries, as the CHIVA EXPRESS advances along the ancient trail way. One of the highlights of the trip is to “ride on the roof” with a panoramic view of the stunning Andean region of Ecuador. A snack is served at the Station of Machachi.
Disembark at El Boliche and continue by bus to the Cotopaxi National Park. Enjoy lunch. Return to Quito in the afternoon by the same way.
*Entrance fee to Cotopaxi National Park is extra. |
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CVC 28B |
COTOPAXI BY CHIVA PLUS HACIENDA
Duration: Full Day
Departures: Monday, Wednesday, Friday
(Includes CHIVA EXPRESS ride and lunch at a restaurant of the area) SHARED
Ride the CHIVA EXPRESS, a one coach train, to the station of Machachi, at the foot of the Cotopaxi volcano, where a snack will be served, and then ascend by motor coach up to the moorlands for a short hike and a close contact with this unique ecosystem. Enjoy lunch at a hacienda nearby, a very comfortable farmhouse built with local materials like straw, adobe and eucalyptus wood. A blazing fireplace warms the dining room, where guests enjoy a wonderful meal with fresh cheese from the farm, vegetables just picked up, homemade desserts, and natural seasonings.
There will be time to horseback ride, bird watch or explore the surroundings by foot before the return to Quito in the afternoon. |
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From the High Andes to the Coastal Plains
To see the country in a different way, take a different track, and board our exclusive and unique CHIVA EXPRESS to leisurely enjoy the way of traveling of past centuries. As train fanciers know, it is how you get there that matters: let us take you on a breathtaking experience.
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| CVC 29 |
CHIVA EXPRESS
Quito / Riobamba / Guayaquil or Quito
Duration: 2 Days/1 night
Departures: Monday, Wednesday and Friday
Accommodations in Riobamba, all meals (Air ticket Guayaquil/Quito is not included)
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Day 1. The adventures starts in Quito as the CHIVA EXPRESS advances along the Avenue of the Volcanoes, with a stop at the station of Machachi for a snack and then “ride the roof” up the slopes of Cotopaxi Volcano. Then continue by bus to visit an Indian market, lunch and overnight at Riobamba, located at the foot of the snow-capped Chimborazo Mount (6310).
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Day 2. After an early breakfast, transfer to the train station to board the CHIVA EXPRESS for a scenic ride to Alausi. Twist and turn over the Andes, along bridging ravines and river gorges. Arrive to Alausí and prepare to go down the Devil´s Nose switch backs, one of the most impressive feats of rail engineering in the world, and back to Alausí. Continue by motorcar to the station of Huigra and again board the CHIVA EXPRESS to descend from the Andes to the coastal plains. On the ride to Bucay, you will experience the incredible transition from Andean ecosystems to the lush tropical coastal vegetation: bananas, oranges, pineapples, ginger and wooden farmhouses on stilts. Arrive to the town of Bucay and then continue by road to Ecuador´s largest city and port Guayaquil. End at the airport to take the flight back to Quito or stay at one of the hotels in Guayaquil.
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From the High Andes to the Colonial Cuenca
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| CVC 30A |
CHIVA EXPRESS
Quito / Riobamba / Cuenca
Duration: 4 days/3 nights
Departures: Monday, Wednesday and Friday
Accommodation in Riobamba and Cuenca, and all meals included. (Air ticket Cuenca/Quito or Cuenca/Guayaquil is not included)
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Day 1. The adventure starts in Quito as the CHIVA EXPRESS advances along the “Avenue of the Volcanoes”, with a stop at the station of Machachi for a snack and then “ride on the roof” up the slopes of Cotopaxi volcano. Then continue by bus to visit and Indian Market, lunch and overnight at Riobamba city, located at the foot of the snow-capped Chimborazo Mount.
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Day 2. After an early breakfast, transfer to the train station to board the CHIVA EXPRESS for a scenic ride to Alausí. Twist and turn over the Andes, along bridging ravines and river gorges. Arrive to Alausí and prepare to go down the Devil´s Nose switchbacks, one of the most impressive feats of rail engineering in the world, and back to Alausí. Continue south along the Andes by motorcar to Cuenca, visiting en route the “Inca Ruins of Ingapirca” to arrive at dusk. Accommodations and all meals at the hotel in Cuenca.
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Day 3. Today guests will enjoy a full day of discovering, at a leisurely pace, the beauty and charm for which Cuenca has been recognized as a “World Cultural Heritage Site”. Its red tiled roofs; cobblestone streets, flowery plazas and museums make it very special. Lunch is served at a cozy restaurant.
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Day 4. - Depending on weather conditions, the full day visit today can be either to El Cajas National Park or Gualaceo Valley. At El Cajas the wind and drizzle can make it very cold, but the surrounding scenery with the glacial lakes is splendid. Great for those who enjoy walking, hiking, observing flora, fauna and bird life.
The ride to Gualaceo Valley starts along the Santa Ana’s Valley and then high in the mountains, through very scenic landscapes, which change at very curb. Stops are made at the small towns that produce a variety of handcrafts. Visit Chordeleg, famous for the gold work. After lunch, follow the road along the banks of the Santa Barbara River, lined with weeping willows to the village of Gualaceo.
Return to Cuenca in the afternoon and transfer to the airport for the returning flight.
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CVC 30B |
CHIVA EXPRESS
Quito / Riobamba / Cuenca
Duration: 3 days/ 2 nights
Departures: Monday, Wednesday and Friday
Accommodation in Riobamba and Cuenca, and all meals included. (Air ticket Cuenca/Quito or Cuenca/Guayaquil it is not included)
Notes:
- Accommodation in Cuenca at hotels Oro Verde, Mansión de Alcázar, Santa Lucía or Carvallo.
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