Adventure in Ecuador on Tren Crucero

Travel brings the romance of adventure to life, and what is more romantic than seeing a country by train? In 2013, the Ecuadorian railway, Tren Crucero, finished restoration and is taking travelers on a four-day, three-night wild ride through “one of the most biodiverse countries in the world.” This rise of classic transportation ranked Ecuador at No. 7 on The New York Times’ list of 52 places to go in 2014.

In the 1990s, the Tren Crucero was all but decommissioned after fateful floods destroyed much of the track. While once able to easily traverse the mountainous regions to connect Quito and Guayaquil, only about 10 percent remained as actually functioning. In an effort to preserve the exhilarating track laid out at the turn of the 19^th century, millions of dollars went into purchasing restored 20^th century train cars and laying new track.

The fully running Cruise Train still hits the most heart-dropping section of Devil’s Nose and ends in the lively coastal city of Guayaquil. It flies by volcanoes and villages, stopping along the way for a chance to pick up day travelers and wander.

Tickets cost $1,200 for adults, including all hotels and excursions. It is mostly marketed toward wealthier Ecuadorians and tourists, but the access to lost trade routes will bring an economic boost to all.