PHOTO: Volcan El Altar in Riobamba Ecuador. Photo courtesy of David Torres Costales / @DavoTC.

Four worlds in one country,” is how Ecuadorian tourism officials sum up their destination’s different dimensions. Those worlds are the Andes, the Amazon, the Pacific Coast and the Galapagos Islands. Tren Ecuador’s (www.trenecuador.com) recently revitalized luxury train, Tren Crucero, can’t get you out to the Galapagos Islands or to the Amazon, but it can get you to two of these worlds. The train is an example of the Ecuadorian government’s commitment to modernizing the country’s transport infrastructure. They recently invested more than $300 million dollars in the revitalization of historic rail lines. Rail was essential for a country that was trying to move goods, people and services up the sheer face of the Andes.

“The geography of Ecuador requires the cars and buses to travel on winding roads that make it more tiring than it usually is on our roads in the U.S.,” says Supinder Singh, the president and CEO of Palace Tours. “Trains on the other hand provide a comfortable alternative allowing travel in luxury while getting all the amenities. A steam engine pulling the train is a treat to train enthusiasts.”

The building of Ecuador’s first trains required an iron determination by the workers who laid what they called “the railroad in the sky.” They suffered mightily, laying track against incredible topographical and climatic obstacles. Today, Ecuadorian investments go beyond rail to include airports (like the new Mariscal Sucre International Airport), hotels and internet connectivity.

The Tren Crucero, or “Cruise Train,” played an integral role in the history of the country. The train makes a 12,000-foot ascent from sea level at Guayaquil to the Andean cloud forests. Though most of travelers will board the train in Quito, the high-altitude capital city and gateway, the journey may also begin or end in the low lands of Guayaquil.

Quito, the heart of Ecuadorian tourism, is one of the original cities of the Americas, its UNESCO-rated old center is home to 130 historic buildings from the 16th and 17th centuries when Ecuador was a Spanish colony. Located at 9,350 feet above sea level on the eastern flank of the Pichincha volcano, Quito has easy access to many natural attractions, including the so-called Avenue of the Volcanoes that runs east out of Quito along the Guayllabamba valley, flanked by several volcanoes along with Cotopaxi National Park. At the other end of the journey is Guayaquil, Ecuador’s largest city and the place to catch Galapagos cruises or to head for the Amazon.

Tren Crucero offers its passengers a panoramic Andean experience passing through highlights like the Avenue of the Volcanoes. Though Tren Crucero began running its modern luxury service last year, the historic line dates back to the 1800s. When trains first went into service on the dizzying rout it was considered a marvel of engineering. In August the train was voted the Best Luxury Train in South America at the World Travel Awards.

Tren Crucero takes 54 passengers on a 280-mile journey. The train comprises two seating cars, a lounge car and observation deck, as well as a bar and gift shop. The refurbished heritage train is decorated to reflect different eras of Ecuadorian history. It’s all pulled by a 100-year-old steam engine with some help from an auxiliary diesel engine as well.

The train travels at an even, leisurely pace, with daily stops where passengers get off for different excursions. At night passengers stay in local haciendas that serve dinner. The haciendas are old farmhouses converted into hotels, most still owned by families that have passed the properties down over generations. Some date as far back as the 1500s.

On the stops travelers will experience a local cacao plantation; visit a rose plantation; sample local foods throughout; meet the Last Ice Merchant of Chimborazo and learn about his life and his trade; and experience the change in altitude while riding the zigzagging rail.

Palace Tours

Princeton-based Palace Tours (888-LUX RAIL, www.palacetours.com), which represents Spanish Rail (RENFE) and a variety of Indian trains, is now Tren Ecuador’s official U.S. representative. “The idea has always been to offer everything Ecuador has to offer,” says Singh, “but our main focus is on the trains of Ecuador.

“At this time we have a 10-day tour that combines the Andes, Pacific Coast and Galapagos. Add-ons to the Amazon are available for reservations, but since clients are usually strapped for time, we keep our programs modular. We try not to force the package — however the add-on is available, which brings the trip to about 15-20 days. We have also made packages for clients who want to experience small-train excursions and explore Ecuador privately—to tour with a driver and guide.” Palace Tours’ four-day/three-night Tren Crucero journey, priced from $1,295 per person double, includes sightseeing, excursions and meals in local restaurants.

Founded 15 years ago by Singh, Palace Tours originally specialized in India. It became a sales rep for the Palace on Wheels train. It expanded to sell the Deccan Odyssey, followed soon after by the Golden Chariot. In 2004 they also began representing RENFE, the Spanish Rail.