Alausi Day Trips: Top 5 Unforgettable Adventures

Alausí, that quaint little town tucked high up in the Ecuadorian Andes, is much more than just a pit stop, that’s for sure. It’s like your launchpad for some really quite remarkable day trips, places you will remember for some time. It is a great idea to get away from the usual and discover those tucked-away gems. Let’s check out what sort of unbelievable things are around Alausí.

1. The Devil’s Nose Train Ride (Nariz del Diablo)

Oh, this train ride, that so-called Nariz del Diablo, really is a bucket-list topper. It’s an absolute must. Back in the day, putting this railway together was like, this monumental undertaking, you see. They actually carved it right into the side of a mountain, almost straight down. How absolutely insane is that? As a matter of fact, the views are mind-blowing. Think super-steep slopes and like, these switchbacks that make your stomach do a little flip. The whole experience is kinda part history lesson, part scenic tour, and seriously breathtaking. That old train just chugs along, winding up the steep hills with unbelievable landscapes all around.

What’s cool, is that you’ll not only enjoy the scenic journey on the Devil’s Nose train, yet too it’s almost a chance to see how they actually did all this crazy construction way back when. It is some feat of engineering, when you really stop to think about it, alright? Keep your eyes peeled and you might get treated to some dances or artisanal goods being sold by local communities when the train stops. These communities have such historical significance to the rail route and area as a whole.

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2. Laguna de Colta and Balbanera Church

Now, if you are into spots with a splash of nature and a heap of history, Laguna de Colta really does have you covered, right? That body of water is just vast and serene. Picture this. The great big, still water mirrors that great big, wide open sky above, reflecting it just perfectly, so too it’s almost unreal. It feels incredibly peaceful around here. Plus, it’s an alright bird-watcher paradise with like, so many species fluttering about.

Balbanera Church is definitely the standout attraction, and that too it’s almost like it stands there guarding that lagoon, somehow. Did you know, that they actually believe it to be the very first Catholic church to get built in Ecuador? The place absolutely reeks of colonial history, seriously. Have a wander around to soak it all in and have a little gawk at that kinda gorgeous stonework, really. Take a bit of extra time there to see what the indigenous craftspeople from the surrounding towns might be offering for trinkets or tokens too, because that would almost surely make for a terrific, quite unique souvenir. It’s one thing you really have to make sure to add to your must-see list when you go visiting around Alausi.

Read our full review: Laguna de Colta and Balbanera Church Full Review and Details

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3. Ingapirca Archaeological Site

Calling all you history buffs out there. Ingapirca Archaeological Site really is where it’s at, it might be said, and there are stories practically oozing from the cracks of the ancient rocks here. We’re chatting about the biggest set of Incan ruins you get to lay eyes on when you are in Ecuador, actually, not far away, you know? See how that Sun Temple shows the really incredible masonry and careful consideration given when lining stuff up with the stars above, you know? Spend an afternoon wandering, and listening to the whispers of past empires in a place of historical importance.

While it does appear mostly Incan, earlier cultures did roam and live on the premises. It gives you a sense of how societies mixed together across history, right? Guided tours seem to usually come with a price. Consider hopping onto one because often times, those folks really flesh things out so you are really grasping all those awesome stories tucked away from like, long ago. When there, allow extra time in Ingapirca, because it isn’t like a few of the smaller ruin locales that can be seen in a very small amount of time. So just relax. You won’t regret it.

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4. Ozogoche Lakes

Now, for something rather offbeat, picture heading out towards the Ozogoche Lakes. Those lagoons happen to be remote, rugged, pretty beautiful, really. Now I will admit, what these spots happen to be famous for really are actually really peculiar, like really quite strange. Annually, the lagoons strangely seem to lure heaps and heaps of young birds that then, you see, dive in to those cold waters to their actual death. Anyway, this strangely attracts both people from sciences and indigenous people alike.

This sort of mass-suicide phenomenon gets wrapped in lore, spirituality, as well as science all meshed together to give you this really surreal vibe that actually hangs around in this spot. Should bird watching not especially get you very thrilled, anyway that gorgeous paramo environment all around the lagoons will be something that does. Bring your camera along, of course, especially should you like to have wide open skies, peaceful scenes, plus snapshots filled with natural color.

Read our full review: Ozogoche Lakes Full Review and Details

5. Guamote Market

Now, If you would find yourself interested in like, hopping into a world bursting with all sorts of things, from colors to traditional Andean stuff, make sure to definitely check out the Guamote Market. This market bursts at the seams every single Thursday as it has for literally ages, right? Basically, that area transforms right into like, this pretty busy hub of trading and community, kind of. Keep your eyes peeled for traditional clothes or textiles alongside just a great number of regional food that looks awesome, anyway.

What really is also on full display are like, different aspects of local living, from doing some small business to even some chatter, you know, among the local folk, as you spend time just seeing what the real Ecuador has on offer, too it’s almost like experiencing the true culture in living color right before your eyes. Should haggling be your type of thing, it can happen out here, and often at much more reasonable rates. That particular visit will make for some quite superb snapshots as you meander amidst sellers.

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Alausí Day Trips – Key Takeaways

• The Devil’s Nose train ride offers some unreal scenery along with an exciting historical story.
• At the serene Laguna de Colta, you can find amazing landscape beauty plus historic churches to boot.
• For those of you that are excited by ancient culture? Ingapirca shouldn’t be missed!
• Go see those mysterious and strange Ozogoche Lakes to truly grasp that special blend coming about between both culture plus mother nature there in Ecuador.
• To soak in that rich Ecuadorian heritage fully, wander those stalls and spaces down inside of the famed Guamote market on any Thursday that might be available.

So whether you really are wanting extreme railroad excursions or would find pleasure visiting archaeological gems there isn’t really too little waiting near that quaint village over by Alausi. Make sure to make some time to wander beyond only just your usual spots for trips which make sure to live in you for forever!