| Metropolitan's "CHIVA EXPRESS" vehicles are the | | | | motorcar on a southward journey along the Andes |
| highlight of the rail tours along the Ecuadorian Andes | | | | for a visit of an Indian market. lunch and ride to |
| and down to the Coast.. The chivas are colorful, fun, | | | | Riobamba, to spend the night. The constantly |
| one-car vehicles on tracks that allow guests to "ride | | | | changing scenery is awesome: snow-capped peaks, |
| the roof", where comfortable and safe seats have | | | | high treeless plateau, rushing streams, lush valleys, |
| been adapted for a 360° view of the | | | | and steep slopes with patchworks of terraced fields |
| magnificent Andean landscapes-an exhilarating | | | | and small Indian villages. |
| experience!. | | | | On the second day, guests board the "Chiva |
| Follow the same route of the historic Trans-Andean | | | | Express" from Riobamba to Alausà and on to |
| train ride, down the famous "Devil´s Nose" in | | | | the famous 1,000-foot Devil's Nose switchbacks, an |
| three brand new 34-passenger vehicles with | | | | almost sheer cliff on which the railway track zigzags |
| comfortable seating and large windows, toilet facilities | | | | down a ledge cut into the mountainside overhanging |
| and bar. | | | | a river gorge south of AlausÃ. The adventure |
| The one-day Chiva Express program departs from | | | | continues down the slopes of the Andes while guests |
| Quito, the capital of Ecuador, to the Cotopaxi | | | | experience the transition from Andean ecosystems |
| Volcano National Park on a one-day adventure | | | | to the lush tropical coastal vegetation: bananas, |
| excursion along the Avenue of the Volcanoes with | | | | oranges, pineapples, ginger and wooden farm houses |
| spectacular views of the Andes Mountains. Guests | | | | on stilts. The last leg of the "Chiva Express" ends in |
| can leave the comfort of the inside to climb the | | | | Bucay, and on by motorcar to Guayaquil. Guests |
| outside ladder and sit on the roof for the exhilarating | | | | returning to Quito can take the flight Guayaquil/Quito |
| ride and panoramic views, protected by a guardrail, | | | | that same evening. |
| as the "Chiva Express" lollops and lurches along | | | | The "Chiva Express" programs also connect with an |
| narrow-gauge tracks at a leisurely pace. | | | | overland trip from Alausà to the beautiful city of |
| The two-day Quito/Riobamba/Guayaquil "Chiva | | | | Cuenca in the south of Ecuador on three- or four-day |
| Express" program goes from the Andes to the | | | | excursions including tours, hotels, all meals, tour guide, |
| Coast, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Upon | | | | ground transportation and transfers. Please visit for |
| reaching Cotopaxi Volcano, the voyage continues by | | | | detailed itineraries and additional information . |