Cotopaxi National Park on the Chiva Express

Travel by train and bus to the beautiful National Park below the famous Cotopaxi Volcano (MR150S), Andean Ecuador, Ecuador

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This one day trip departs from Quito, the capital of Ecuador, to the Cotopaxi National Park on an excursion along the Avenue of the Volcanoes with spectacular views of the Andes Mountains.

Enjoy the ecosystems of the park's windswept moors and lunch at a cozy restaurant up high. On the way back, ‘ride the roof’ of Metropolitan's Chiva Express.

Exclusive to Metropolitan Touring, the Chiva Express is a colourful one-coach train, a bit like like a bus on tracks, where travellers often enjoy sitting on the roof as they make their way through the stunning landscape.
 

Itinerary

The adventure starts in Quito with a bus ride to Cotopaxi National Park. Surrounding Cotopaxi Volcano, this is 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. 

From the entrance to the park it’s up a dirt road for approximately one hour. Upon arrival to the park the guide gives an introductory briefing about the habitat of the Andean paramo or moorlands, its flora and fauna in the small Interpretation Centre. We continue on to Limpiopungo Lagoon to observe a variety of birds and occasionally wild horses. On clear days, the Cotopaxi Volcano is an awesome backdrop. A short walk around the lagoon allows the observation of the Andean flora.

We will enjoy lunch at a restaurant of the area and then board the "Chiva Express", a colorful one-coach train, like a bus on tracks, for the ride back. A highlight of the trip is to 'ride the roof' with panoramic views of the stunning Andean region of Ecuador.

A short stop at a hacienda is made on the way, where a mid-afternoon snack will be served. The Chiva Express ride ends at the Station of Tambillo, where the bus is waiting to bring guests back to Quito.

Prices Include:

Services as shown on the itinerary. 

Prices Exclude:

Cotopaxi National Park entrance fee/tax is not included.  Check at the time of booking for the latest rate.

Tips, gratuities and items of personal nature.
 

Any prices indicated are for guidance only and are subject to final confirmation at the time of booking with the Travel Specialist who provides the service. For any activities displayed without an indication of price, a quotation can be obtained from the Travel Specialist through our enquiry system.

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