BRIEF GENERAL DESCRIPTION

"All roads lead to Riobamba," proclaims a road sign as you enter this city, and it is indeed true that Riobamba is at the heart of an extensive and scenic road network. Whichever way you arrive or leave, you will always pass through Riobamba. Try to plan your journey for daylight hours so as not to miss the great views.

The usual way to arrive is on the Panamericana from Ambato, which is 52 km to the north. The road climbs over a 3600-meter pass, which gives great views of the volcano Chimborazo (6310 meters) as well as the nearby Carihuairazo (5020 meters) before dropping to Riobamba at 2750 meters.

An even more spectacular route is the dirt road arriving from Guaranda. There is also a lower road from Baflos that follows the Rio Chambo valley and passes through numerous small villages. In one of these villages, Penipe, is where you'll find the dirt road climbing towards the rugged peak of El Altar. Looking back along this road will also give you views of the volcano Tungurahua.

Riobamba, the capital of Chimborazo Province, has a fast-growing population of over 100,000 and is, more or less, the geographical center of Ecuador. It has long been an agriculturally important area. Riobamba was a Puruhá Indian center before becoming part of the Inca Empire during the late 15th century long before the Spanish conquest.

The first Spanish colonialists built a city near present-day Cajabamba. This was destroyed in a 1797 earthquake and the survivors moved to the present site on a large plain surrounded by several snowcapped peaks. The flat terrain of Riobamba enabled it to be built in a regular chess- board pattern, with wide avenues and imposing stone buildings. It has a rather sedate air which Ecuadorians call the 'Sultan of the Andes.' One of the main streets through town, lined with large plazas and government buildings, is called Primera Constituyente in commemoration of the fact that Ecuador's first constitution was written and signed here in 1830.

ALAUSI AND THE ROUTE OF THE TRAIN TOWARD THE COAST

This is a small population that is found between Cane plantations and the city of Riobamba. It is interesting to walk down these streets and to see what has been conserved of the wood houses. Every Sunday exists a market with products produced by the indigenous in the bordering lands. Around the beginning of century, this was a place very important due to the railway stations of the country. Alausí was planned as the center of the railway connections with the north and south of the Andes, as well as with the Coast. (Currently it exists a ferreous line from Quito to Ibarra to San Lorenzo in the Coast)

At present, many people use the train, especially those that inhabit nearby. For many, it is the only form of transportation as well as a route to market their products.

The train is an excellent mode to know Ecuador. The usual rail system of luxury, first-class, second-class, and load exist for tickets. Eventhough you may have a ticket, that does not guarantee a seat, so hurry onboard when the train passes. Excellent photos can be taken if you climb above the cars and ride on the roof. AS dangerous as it sounds, it is harmless when precaution is taken. A journalist of National Geographic described "exist few trips in train in the world that are so spectacular as the trip of the Andes to the Coast". From Alausí is dizzy descent toward the Coast through one of the most ingenious works of engineering of the Ecuador, THE NOSE OF THE DEVIL in which the train must go toward and surpass a drop of several hundred of meters.
Bucay; When you arrive to this population, you will note a drastic change in the culture and style of the people, the style of the houses, the products that are marketed, etc. It will not take you long to realize that you are in the Tropics. From here, it is possible to continue toward the coast by vehicle.

Naranjito, Miracle, Yaguachi are some of the populations that you will pass on the train tour before arriving to Duran, a modern population found on the borders of the river Guayas. From here you can travel to Guayaquil by a river route or by vehicle.

Some places to choose to visit in the Expedition:

*Catedral de Riobamba
*Convento de la Concepción - Museum, Riobamba
*Banco Central Museum - Riobamba
*Refugio del Chimborazo
*Indian Markets: Riobamba, Cajabamba, Guamote, Salarón, Alausí y Pallatanga
*Ozogoche Lake
*Colta Lake
*Balbanera Church
*Cunug Pugyo hot springs
*Cemetery Paleontológico de Punín
*Guano: Tipical handycrafts
*Arqueological Ruins: Tolas de Macají, pucará de Atapo y Galpe en Paluma y Achupallas
*Sangay National Park
*Chimborazo Wild Life Reserve

Folcloric Festivals:

Fiesta de la Capitanía o Pascua de la Resurrección - Licán - No date determinated
Pase del Niño - Gatazo, Licán, Sicalpa - January
Inti Raymi - muchos pueblos - june
San Pedro - Alausí y Riobamba - june
San Juan - Guamote y Licán - june
Semana Santa - Guano y Riobamba - No date determinated
Inocentes - december

TIPICAL MEALS

Fritada, (fried Pork)
tortillas de maíz, yahuarlocro, empanadas de morocho, llapingachos, pan y cariuchos.
Alcoholic Beverages; canelazo, chicha con huevos, frescos (made with ice from the Chimborazo Volcano!).

Contact us to quote a day tour: