Nariz Del Diablo

Location:
Estación de Riobamba, Av. 10 de Agosto and Carabobo
Riobamba, Ecuador

Adventure Tour

By Christopher Minster

The Capital of Chimborazo province, Riobamba and the surrounding areas are considered to be the heartland of Ecuador. It is an attractive if somewhat worn-out city, and on a clear day you can see five volcanoes: Altar, Tunguragua, Chimborazo, Carihuairazo and Sangay.

Riobamba has much to offer the visitor. It has markets which sell native handicrafts, such as ponchos, baskets and blankets, and also finely carved tagua nuts. It has attractive plazas and parks, and is a good place from which to explore the Chimborazo region. There are also a few interesting museums in Riobamba.

By Christopher Sacco

El Nariz del Diablo, The Devil’s Nose, is the highlight of a fantastic rail trip that meanders through the rich tapestry of cultivated fields and páramo spread across the southern half of Ecuador's 400-kilometer long Central Valley, aptly christened "The Avenue of the Volcanoes" in 1802 by the German explorer Alexander Von Humboldt.

The journey begins in the small city of Riobamba. Like many cities in the Ecuadorian Andes, Riobamba sits in the shadow of a giant volcano, Chimborazo, which at 6,310 meters enjoys the distinction of being Ecuador's highest peak. The train travels south from Chimborazo through a number of small villages and large expanses of open country before arriving at the small town of Alausi, where it begins a hair-raising descent of the Devil's Nose.

Most travelers sit on top of the rail cars to take advantage of the spectacular vistas provided by the engineers’ ingenious solution of carving a series of tight zigzags into the side of the mountain, which allow the train to climb a gradient of 1-in-18 from 1800 to 2600 meters, by going forwards then backwards up the tracks.

A hundred years after it was constructed, the steep grade of the Devil’s Nose stretch of track precludes its use as a freight or efficient passenger line, but affords the perfect means for present-day explorers who want to discover the rugged and breathtaking Ecuadorian countryside.   

*Update: Due to safety concerns passengers are no longer allowed to ride on the roof of the train.

Travel Tips: The train only runs on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

It is recommended to be at the station at 6 a.m. although the train doesn't leave until 7 a.m.

The return train from Alausí to Riobamba is scheduled to leave Alausí at 12.30 p.m. but invariably departs later.

Price Description: Cost is $11.20. You can buy tickets on the train, but it is suggested to buy them a day earlier, a task for which you may need your passport.

Contact Information:
Phone: 593-3-296-1909