Alausí

Visitors flock to Alausí primarily for its rich railway history and the dramatic "Devil's Nose" (Nariz del Diablo) train ride, an engineering marvel that zigzags down a steep mountain face. Beyond the railway, the town itself is designated as an Ecuadorian National Heritage site. Its quaint, colorful streets are lined with well-preserved colonial houses featuring traditional adobe walls and wooden balconies. The surrounding natural beauty is striking, with the Andes mountains offering lush green valleys, deep canyons, and excellent hiking opportunities. A large monument of Saint Peter overlooks the town, providing a fantastic viewpoint. In terms of gastronomy, Alausí provides hearty Andean fare; you must try the locro de papa (a thick potato soup) and local roasted pork dishes that provide warmth in the cool mountain climate. Alausí is easily reachable by bus from Quito, Cuenca, or Riobamba, sitting conveniently on the Pan-American Highway. The best time to visit is during the Andean dry season from June to September, which features the clearest skies and most pleasant weather for train rides, photography, and hiking.

Nearby cities

La Troncal

The sweetest city in the Cañar province due to its huge sugarcane fields and mills.

Azogues

A colonial city in the Andes known for its majestic Franciscan church.

Gualaceo

The gateway to the east from Cuenca, known for hand-woven ikat textiles and leather goods.

Guaranda

The city of seven hills, nestled in the steep valleys of the Ecuadorian Andes.

Riobamba

Often called the Sultana of the Andes, surrounded by snow-capped volcanoes.

Saquisilí

Saquisilí is an authentic Andean town famous for hosting one of the most vibrant and expansive indigenous markets in Ecuador every Thursday.

Latacunga

A colonial town near the Cotopaxi volcano, known for the Mama Negra festival.

Gualaquiza

Gualaquiza is a charming Amazonian town known for its lush rainforests, rivers, and gold mining history.

Zamora

The center of mining and nature tourism on the edge of the southern Amazon.

La Maná

A canton where the tropical climate meets the foot of the Andes, known for its waterfalls.

History & landmarks

Cañar

Cañar is an Andean town renowned for its vibrant indigenous culture and its proximity to Ingapirca, Ecuador's most important Inca ruins.

Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Dew

A spectacular church built directly into the steep cliffs above the small town of Biblián.

Pujilí

Pujilí is a picturesque town in the Cotopaxi province, renowned for its indigenous markets and vibrant Corpus Christi celebrations.

The Treehouse

A famous wooden observation deck with a swing dangling over a deep canyon near the Tungurahua volcano.

Nature

Quilotoa Crater Lake

Quilotoa is a water-filled caldera and the most western volcano in the Ecuadorian Andes, famous for its emerald green water.

More places

Ingapirca

The largest and best-preserved Inca archaeological site in Ecuador, famous for its Temple of the Sun.

Baños del Inca en Coyoctor

Rock-carved ruins that served as sacred baths and ceremonial sites for Inca rulers.

Iglesia de la Balbanera

The oldest Catholic church in Ecuador, built from volcanic rock to mark the first Spanish village in the country.

Chimborazo Cement Plant

One of the largest cement plants in the country, playing a crucial role in the construction sector of the Andean region.

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Chimborazo Fauna Production Reserve

A protected area on Ecuador's highest mountain, created specifically for the protection of vicuñas, alpacas and llamas.

Chimborazo

Chimborazo is the highest mountain in Ecuador and the farthest point on Earth from the Earth's center.

Amaru Biopark Cuenca

An interactive animal park dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of Ecuadorian wildlife.

Carihuairazo

A heavily eroded volcanic caldera located in the immediate vicinity of the massive Chimborazo.