Reactivation of the Alausí – Sibambe Route in 2026 | Travel News

The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (MIT) has announced the reopening of the Alausí–Sibambe route, known as the “Devil’s Nose”, starting on June 6, 2026. The service resumes after operations were suspended following a landslide on February 18 that seriously damaged the railway infrastructure in the area.

The disruption affected about 5 kilometers of railway track, with several critical sections identified where the line had been displaced. Engineering work was required to rebuild the track foundation and restore safe operating conditions along the route.

Operating Schedule and Route Details

With the restart of operations, train departures are scheduled from Thursday to Sunday at 8:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., and 2:00 p.m. 

Inspection and Government Support

Deputy Minister of Road and Rail Transport Diego Jaramillo, together with Chimborazo Governor María José del Pozo Larrea and other local authorities, carried out an inspection tour to confirm the reopening of the route. Jaramillo highlighted the importance of the train in helping revive tourism and the local economy in Alausí, noting that technical resources had been provided to ensure the service could operate properly.

Following the technical assessment, authorities determined that all conditions were in place for operations to resume under the management of the Decentralized Autonomous Government (GAD) of Alausí, which is responsible for the administration and maintenance of the railway section.

María José del Pozo stated that the goal of reopening the route is to promote tourism, boost the local economy, and strengthen the region’s railway heritage identity. Authorities expect the return of train operations to support the productive and tourism development of Chimborazo.

Key Facts

• Restart date: June 6, 2026
• Damage identified: 5 km of railway track affected
• Operating schedule: Thursday to Sunday, at 8:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., and 2:00 p.m.
• Management and maintenance: GAD of Alausí
• Main goals: Support tourism and the local economy