www.ecuadors.org

[Vincent]

I am traveling to Ecuador at the end of August into September. I've already planned my trip to the Galapagos and the Amazon. I will finish the Amazon trip in Banos on September 6 and do not need to be back in Quito until September 8th to fly home.

I've been trying to figure out how to make the most of being in the area and have been toying with going to Riobamba to do the Devils Nose train, Ingapirca to see the Incan ruins, and Cuenca because it's supposed to be beautiful. I've also heard there is an ongoing volcanic eruption at Tungurahua and would arrange everything around a chance to see it.

I'm looking for any advice on an itinerary for this area that ends up with me in Quito on the night of Friday September 8th. I hear the Devil's nose train only runs Wednesday, Friday, Sunday so maybe that would have to be the morning of the last day with a stop at Ingapirca on the way back to Quito. Is that possible? I'm pretty flexible on how I travel as long as it isn't too expensive.

Would really appreciate any advice.

Thanks!

[Jule]

What I liked best in Riobamba was not the train ride, but the bike ride from Chimborazo. There is an agency called ProBici in Riobamba which I can recommend. Their route goes up the mountain with a 4WD car to 4800m altitude, then you walk to 5000m, then you walk back to 4800m and cycle down to 2900m in the valley. You get to see the mountain landscape and small traditional villages with llama herds and lots of other farm animals.

Of course now Tungurahua eruptions are the top attraction... I once missed a spectacular eruption in Quito by two days and now also would make this my top priority.

Near Cuenca, a nice activity is a day hike around Cajas national park. You can take a taxi from the city in the morning, and ask the driver to come back in the evening to pick you up. At the ranger station, you pay the entrance fee and they give you a map and explanations for the one-day circuit. If you do this walk, be prepared for cold weather and rain, just in case.