ecuador chiva express - andes train adventure

Riding through the Andes on the Chiva Express is a great way to experience the incredible range of landscapes that Ecuador has to offer, from the patchwork Andean countryside to the lush tropical lowlands.

Somewhere between a chiva and a train, the Chiva Express is like a bus on tracks - a colourful, old-fashioned bus with open sides and seats on the roof. It is decorated with paintings by a local artist, which depict the vast array of landscapes, festivals and the legends of the sites that the Express stops at along the journey.

Once used to transport animals and bags of grain, these days the main cargo is adventurers. Riding the rails, you can experience first-hand the rich culture of the people of Ecuador, where the customs of the indigenous cultures have remained largely unchanged by the modern world. There are one, two or three day options available, staying overnight in cosy haciendas, which offer great opportunities to explore the local region. Get a feel for the sights, sounds and flavours of Ecuador on the fabulous Chiva Express.