If you have been reading about the best day trips from Quito, you already know that the Nariz Del Diablo train in Alausi made the list. This post is the full story of what that experience is actually like, including a food stop you should absolutely avoid and a much better option hiding just around the corner.
Debbie and I took the 2 PM departure, and it was one of the most memorable things we did in Ecuador. Here is everything you need to know before you go.
Getting to Alausi from Quito
Alausi is about five hours south of Quito, which makes it the longest day trip on the list. That drive is worth it, but you need to plan ahead. If you are not renting a car, buses run regularly from Quito toward Riobamba and beyond. From Riobamba, Alausi is another 45 minutes south on the Panamericana.
If you are driving, the road through the Andes is straightforward and the scenery on the way down is genuinely stunning. The landscape shifts as you move south, and by the time you reach Alausi you feel like you have entered a completely different part of the country.
The Town of Alausi
Alausi is a small, relaxed Andean town that does not feel like it has been polished up for tourists. That is one of the things I liked most about it. There are small shops selling handmade jewelry and local crafts, a central plaza that locals actually use, and a pace of life that feels genuinely unhurried.
If you arrive early enough, spend some time walking around before your train. The town sits on a hillside and the views across the surrounding valley are worth the short walk to find a good vantage point. The church of San Pedro sits above everything and is hard to miss.
The train station is at the bottom of town and is easy to find. Check-in opens 30 minutes before departure. Get there early, especially on weekends, because the trains do fill up.
What the Nariz Del Diablo Train Is Actually Like
The Nariz Del Diablo translates to the Devil’s Nose, and once you are on the train and looking down at the cliff face you are about to descend, the name makes complete sense.
The engineering behind this railway is genuinely impressive. The mountains in this part of Ecuador drop so steeply that a normal rail line would be impossible. So engineers in the early 1900s designed a system of switchbacks that allows the train to zigzag down the mountain. The train moves forward on one diagonal, stops completely, switches tracks, and then reverses down the next diagonal. It does this several times before reaching the bottom.
The result is a slow, deliberate descent with some of the best views I have seen in the Andes. The valley below opens up as you drop, and the layers of green ridgelines stretching out in every direction are hard to describe. Debbie and I barely said anything for most of the descent. You just watch.
The full round trip back to Alausi takes about two and a half hours. It is not a long ride, but it does not need to be.
The Food Situation at Sibambe Station — Read This Before You Eat Anything
At the halfway point of the journey, the train stops at Sibambe Station. This is a small restored station outside a nearby indigenous village, and it is a genuinely beautiful spot. Local community members from villages like Nizag perform traditional music and cultural dances for arriving passengers, and the whole atmosphere is welcoming and worth taking in.
Then there is the cafeteria inside the station.
Do not eat at the cafeteria. I made this mistake so you do not have to. I ordered a sandwich, and what arrived was a microwaved hotdog bun with a single slice of ham and a slice of cheese dropped in the middle of it. That was it. It was exactly as bad as it sounds.
Here is what you should do instead. Walk past the station and out toward the small indigenous village nearby. The locals there are making fresh wood-fired pizza in a traditional clay oven, and it is outstanding. The contrast between that pizza and my microwaved hotdog bun was almost funny. Skip the cafeteria entirely and head straight for the village. You will not regret it.
Practical Tips for the Nariz Del Diablo Train
Book your tickets in advance. The train runs Thursday through Sunday plus holidays, with departures at 8 AM, 11 AM, and 2 PM. Seats sell out, especially on weekends. Book online before you arrive in Alausi.
Bring layers. Alausi sits at elevation and the weather is unpredictable. It may feel warm when you board, but the temperature shifts as you descend into the valley. A light jacket is always a good idea.
Morning trains generally have clearer skies. We took the 2 PM and the light was beautiful, but clouds can move in during the afternoon. If photography is a priority, consider the 8 AM or 11 AM departure.
Bring cash. The village at Sibambe has local crafts and food for sale and most vendors do not take cards.
Sit on the right side of the train for the best views on the descent.
Buy your tickets HERE
Is the Nariz Del Diablo Train Worth It?
Yes, without question. Alausi is a longer day trip from Quito than somewhere like Cotopaxi or Quilotoa, but the combination of the town itself and the train ride makes it worth the drive. There is nothing else quite like watching a train zigzag down a cliff face in the middle of the Andes while the valley unfolds below you.
Just avoid the sandwich.
If you are still planning your time around Quito and figuring out which day trips to prioritize, head back to the full guide on the best day trips from Quito for the complete breakdown.
