Top 5 Alausi Half-Day Tours: See Ecuador Differently
A small mountain town set high in the Ecuadorian Andes, Alausi is basically more than just a picturesque stop. This area is practically the stepping stone to perhaps one of South America’s most thrilling train adventures: that Devil’s Nose train. So, if you’re nearby in Alausi with only a short amount of time, you’re pretty fortunate! Very many terrific half-day tours are available that really promise unique glimpses into the area’s culture, history, and amazing scenery.
1. The Iconic Devil’s Nose Train Ride
Often referred to as Nariz del Diablo in Spanish, so this train ride has become an almost unforgettable experience and it’s really the most popular attraction around Alausi. As a matter of fact, the railway once had a pretty problematic obstacle which made going through the solid rock mountain a pretty problematic challenge for construction personnel. Anyway, the switchback design basically lets the train get down the pretty steep incline. Now, it runs as a tour, often going down the mountain. Also, this experience has some terrific views and actually celebrates just the ingenuity which got into building it.
Basically, this tour usually lasts approximately four hours and begins pretty early in the morning from the Alausi station. So, after rumbling through the Andes and actually getting fantastic sights, you will stop at a pretty small community that is there, where you will have some kind of cultural demonstration by the indigenous communities. You’ll even get a chance to look at some artisan things that they made. All together, the route back basically ends the trip.
What’s included: Round-trip train tickets, guide, and a local cultural experience.
Why go: The historic rail route and just breathtaking scenery.
Read our full review: Devil’s Nose Train Ride Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Book Devil’s Nose Tour)
2. Alausi Town & History Tour
A pretty attractive, small Andean village, Alausi really delivers colonial charm with a slightly old feel. I mean, in just a few hours on a walking tour, that would usually give you a pretty good view of everything here which you’re likely going to enjoy when going. To start with, you could explore some historic districts and, for instance, look at things such as the main plaza as you find architecture with stories that go back quite far into Ecuador’s past.
Then, you could often go to some sites such as pretty important churches which contain works of some kind or any monuments that commemorate pivotal periods across Alausi. I mean, such a tour is more about culture which teaches many aspects, for example the conventional ways. You are usually brought into a world that feels very old when taking these tours!
Very much to the advantage of all, you could see several versions as you are moving; certain local leaders that offer small team experiences are often pretty interesting while certain greater companies may deliver anything to see with better facilities for travellers.
What’s included: Knowledgeable guide, walking tour of historical sites, and insights into local culture.
Why go: It provides a really lovely way of appreciating just Alausi’s architectural, cultural heritage!
Read our full review: Alausi History Tour Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Book Alausi History Tour)
3. Condor Machay Hike & Nature Walk
Not just the famous Devil’s Nose awaits near Alausi; a little bit from the centre might bring travellers into beautiful hiking terrain near the mountains as part of which is Condor Machay. Anyway, during a nature walk of several hours in total, you will feel a variety of unique landscapes featuring mountain trails, lush greenery, and, certainly, birdwatching possibilities that provide insight to environmental resources.
Arguably one of those top benefits may be basically more than that – really the bird watching aspect, given those endangered species such as andean condors are living within such regions to basically be observed there during the walking! The guide usually makes sure that, actually, you learn some background info of your setting which contains certain data to just provide ecological context and natural wonders that fill Alausi.
There’s so much to be said. A little exercise and just awesome moments are there as actually some time close to Condor Machay is probably going to offer something really enjoyable to any traveler here, which will definitely result from any outdoors fan, specifically any bird watching person, making such trips super fun!
What’s included: Guided hike, birdwatching opportunities, and insight into local flora and fauna.
Why go: Experience the Andes landscapes and observe its stunning biodiversity.
Read our full review: Condor Machay Hike Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Book Condor Machay Hike)
4. Indigenous Community Visit near Alausi
Anyway, to connect personally with just the local society within your Alausi place may just entail scheduling some pretty fascinating community encounters around the suburbs. Any particular culture stays highly prevalent around places outside the Alausi place and, actually, this type presents chance of meeting natives and then examining things on a more local size of doing it!
You should usually expect specific activities whenever participating among them – learning customary textile weaving talents plus observing traditional activities, taking pleasure of your time in such standard musical shows, listening some folklore with family customs as described within story experiences offered there among neighborhood persons and, you know, engaging locally that you might know so much around customs including life generally with people surrounding place from where your are traveling around Alausi that it may probably develop awareness greatly in accordance with heritage!
Typically such visits might provide possibilities like purchasing special presents as designed and then handed off, personally promoting indigenous families during conservation of ancestral traditions alongside support on their specific economic growth too.
What’s included: Guided visit, cultural exchange with indigenous communities, and hands-on activities.
Why go: Gain just a deeper knowledge, with really unique connection with life as being conducted during Ecuadorian communities’ day.
Read our full review: Indigenous Community Visit near Alausi Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Book Indigenous Community Visit)
5. Cheese and Dairy Farm Tour near Alausi
Anyhow, the tours which involve local industries in places around Alausi tend to offer special insights for getting what keeps your Ecuadorian location functioning to feed family too. I mean, if your group contains people enthusiastic over some dish including dairy produce or a curiosity about farming operations at pretty high land – in some instances this specific experience turns up something pretty remarkable actually. Very many farmers let people see anything as regards the stages that their unique merchandise travels right from harvesting which continues towards completion for things prepared like anything available inside marketplaces after getting packed; anyone following would typically provide any tasty chances to, basically, assess specific goods manufactured right here and so getting better knowledge!
Moreover, people have a tendency to have the option for really knowing family routines on some area for rural land use, where often Ecuador tends show lots in its cultural lifestyle by that way and which has something regarding farm traditions over this beautiful portion of location.
Be actually assured; by trying tours round some areas which process farm manufacture around somewhere outside the Alausi section definitely makes travelers learn exactly just what maintains an individual plus, anyone considering an even greater thanks regarding all specific industries running the culture/way throughout parts in that Andean land definitely thinks all in all this being very fantastic generally.
What’s included: Guided tour of the dairy farm, cheese-making demonstration, and tasting of local products.
Why go: Any awesome experience, by, basically, showing precisely that some area runs food and farming!
Read our full review: Cheese and Dairy Farm Tour near Alausi Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Book Cheese and Dairy Farm Tour)
Ecuador’s Alausi region actually does feature some quite amazing tours! Whether taking things towards exciting trips across its iconic Nariz del Diablo/Devils Nose mountain which tells a historical part there including those offered as Indigenous Community visits or perhaps when admiring scenery in natural locations located almost everywhere around… all there’ll is something probably waiting towards your specific taste preferences as long just anyone explores away when getting through location after your coming too; simply ensure actually your traveling strategy definitely will get sorted ahead or any travel service available may supply assistance upon such information; specifically in terms around timing along making arrangements ahead prior, which helps too particularly regarding top traffic times where tours tends towards being probably sold old already.
Basically, be geared in preparation; don’t simply appreciate – go right along alongside Ecuador! Take something wonderful home when Alausi goes calling through memorable tours. Basically happy vacations should happen here after choosing this!
