Devil's Nose Train & Ingapirca Ruins Expedition
Day trips from Cuenca Ecuador
Meeting point:
Complimentary Accommodation Pick-Up Service
Departures:
7:00 am
Free cancellation:
up to 24 in advance
About this trip
Ride the legendary Devil’s Nose train on one of South America’s most remarkable railway journeys. The road from Cuenca winds north through green valleys and highland villages to Alausí, where the train zigzags down sharp switchbacks and steep mountainsides, with the Andes opening up at every turn. After the ride, explore the Ingapirca Ruins, the largest and best-preserved archaeological complex in Ecuador. It’s a full day of dramatic landscapes and Cañari and Inca history, and one of the best ways to see Ecuador’s southern Andes.
Highlights:
Ride the iconic Devil’s Nose Train, a feat of Andean engineering.
Take in dramatic views of mountains, valleys, and rural highlands.
Explore Ingapirca, Ecuador’s most important pre-Columbian archaeological site.
Itinerary
7:00 AM – We pick you up at your hotel or Airbnb in Cuenca and head north through the highlands. Along the way we stop for coffee, a snack and a restroom break, and later at a viewpoint where the mountains fold into green valleys and patchwork fields, a good moment to stretch your legs and take the first photos of the day.
11:00 AM – Board the Devil’s Nose Train in Alausí. Once considered the most difficult railway in the world, this trail was carved into near-vertical mountain cliffs using a series of daring switchbacks. Originally completed in early 1900s connecting Guayaquil with Quito, it became a symbol of Ecuador’s engineering ambition. After being closed for several years due to the pandemic, this iconic train is back in operation—offering once again the chance to experience its dramatic forward, stops, then reverses down the next stretch of track cut into the cliff. Sitting by the window as the valley drops away beneath you is the part most guests talk about for days.
The round trip to Sibambe, at the foot of the mountain, takes about two and a half hours. The train pauses on the way for photos of the Devil’s Nose itself, and at Sibambe station there’s time to look around before the climb back up through the Chanchán River valley.
1:30 PM – we sit down for lunch at a local restaurant serving traditional Ecuadorian dishes, a relaxed break after the excitement of the ride.
2:30 PM – Continue along the scenic Pan-American Highway to Ingapirca, Ecuador’s largest and most important archaeological site. Your guide walks you through courtyards, terraces and stone walls left by two cultures: the Cañari, who lived here first, and the Inca, who arrived later and built on their sacred site. The heart of Ingapirca is the Temple of the Sun, an elliptical structure of finely fitted stone believed to have been used for ceremonies and for watching the sky. Standing beside it, with the wind moving across the fields, you start to understand why this hilltop mattered so much to both peoples.
6:30 PM – We have you back in Cuenca, a little tired, with a phone full of switchbacks and ancient stone, and a good story to tell over dinner.
Check dates and reserve your spot →
What’s included
✓ Hotel pick-up
✓ Licensed tour guide in English/Spanish
✓ Private transport
✓ Lunch
Not included
✘ Tickets
- Train ticket: USD 24 - 40
- Ingapirca: USD 2
✘ Personal Expenses
Good to Know:
Train tickets: This tour depends on Devil’s Nose train ticket availability. Once you book, we get your tickets and confirm them with you. If your date is sold out, we’ll let you know right away and help you find another option.
Last-minute bookings: Bookings within 24 hours of departure depend on availability. Message us and we’ll check.
Shared tours: A minimum of two travelers is needed. If a date doesn’t fill, we’ll offer another date, a different tour or a full refund.
Small groups: For groups of 1 to 6, your bilingual guide is also your driver. Same friendly face from pickup to drop-off.
Families: Most of the day is on the road and the train. The Ingapirca visit is guided at your group’s pace.
Cancellation Policy:
You can cancel up to 24 hours before your experience for a full refund. Cancellation within 24 hours of the experience, will not be eligible for refund.
Changes made less than 24 hours before the experience will be subject to availability.
This experience requires a minimum of 2 participants. If conditions are not met, we reserve the right to cancel. We will offer you an alternative date/experience or a full refund.
