Iglesia de Balbanera
Iglesia de Balbanera, the oldest catholic church in Ecuador is situated 17 km outside of Riobamba. It was founded on August 15, 1534.
The church of La Balbanera
The catholic church of La Balbanera, full name La Iglesia de la Virgen María Natividad de La Balbanera, in Riobamba was constructed in 1524, making it the oldest church constructed by the Spaniards in Ecuador.
La Iglesia de la Virgen María Natividad de La Balbanera
Frescos decorate the facade of the Balbanera Church in Riobamba. Notably the covered pottery jars on top of fake columns that were used to brew chicha and angels carrying a shigra on both sides of the entrance emphasize the influence of local artisans in building this church.
Ecuadorian Highlands
Local residents on the way to the Sunday market in the Ecuadorian highlands between Riobamba and Alausi
Beautiful Landscape
Beautiful landscape in the highlands between Riobamba and Alausi, both in the Chimborazo Province of Ecuador
View over a valley in the Andes
Beautiful landscape in the highlands between Riobamba and Alausi in the Chimborazo Province of Ecuador
Scenic mountain landscape in Ecuador
Scenic overlook along the Panamerican Highway near Alausi, Ecuador
San Pedro de Alausí
Colorful houses along the railway in San Pedro de Alausí, a small touristy town in the Chimborazo province of Ecuador
The tourist train at the station in San Pedro de Alausí getting ready for the 500 meter descend over 12 km to the Devil's nose at Sibambe station
San Pedro de Alausí is a small touristy town in the Chimborazo province of Ecuador. The main attraction is the train ride to the Devil's Nose.
Devil's Nose Train
On the train to the Devil's Nose just after leaving the small village of Alausi in the Andes of Ecuador
The devil's nose train crossing a bridge near Alausi station on the way down to the bottom of the valley in Sibambe
Solitairy tree on top of the stepp Andean mountains in the gorge between Alausi and Sibambe train stations
That's what's all the fuss is about - the switch for the zigzag mountain climb of the train
Devil's Nose
Barely visible against the harsh morning light is the zigzag line the trains have to take around the Devil's Nose Mountain in order to climb out of this valley
Devil's Nose - Nariz Del Diablo
The Trans-Andean railroad snakes around Devil's Nose Mountain and zigzags into the valley towards Sibambe station
Train at Sibambe Station
Tourist train at Sibambe Station near the Devil's Nose, Ecuador. On the tracks in the center of the image, two local dudes with a donkey and a llama pose for pictures, asking for no less than a dollar
Tourist train at Sibambe Station at the foot of the Devil's Nose, Ecuador.
Railway Screws at Sibambe Train Station
A pile of square headed sleeper spikes dumped near the Sibambe Train Station at the iconic Devil's Nose in Ecuador
Tourist train at Sibambe Station near the Devil's Nose, Ecuador. On the tracks in the left background, two local 'businessmen' with a donkey and a llama pose for pictures, asking for no less than a dollar
Train at Sibambe Station near the Devil's Nose, Ecuador
The devil's nose train returning to Alausi after stopping at the bottom of the valley in Sibambe
Spectacular landscape on the train ride between San Pedro de Alausí and Sibambe station at the Devil's Nose.
Train ride through the Ecuadorian Andes
Beautiful mountain landscape in the Andes along the train track between San Pedro de Alausi and Sibambe Station in the Chimborazo province of Ecuador
The train to the Devil's Nose is returning to San Pedro de Alausí, Ecuador
Local kids in San Pedro de Alausí greet the train returning from the Devil's Nose
A large mural depicting the attractions of the small mountain village of San Pedro de Alausí in the Ecuadorian Andes
Market day in Alausí
Indigenous people getting ready for a long day at the market in Alausí, Ecuador
Aerial view over the little mountain village of San Pedro de Alausí, the starting point of the Nariz del Diablo (Devil's Nose) with the huge Saint Peter statue above and the busy Sunday market in the center.
Statue of San Pedro, the patron saint of the city of Alausí, Ecuador
Sunday Market in Alausí, Ecuador
