By Train in Quito

By Train

Except for one small section of track between Riobamba and Alausí, storms and mudslides have put train travel to and from Quito out of business for good. Fortunately, the section still intact includes the exhilarating "Devil's Nose," operated by Metropolitan Touring as a combination bus and train trip starting at Riobamba. The train -- which usually runs Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday -- has a coach and an open-sided car that's often crowded with farmers, their crops, and small farm animals.

Train Information

Metropolitan Touring (Av. República de El Salvador 970. 02/246-4780; 800/527-2500 in the U.S. www.metropolitan-touring.com).