SOUTH AMERICA: Trams between Andes and Pacific
October 2026

 On this unique tram tour, we will explore the new networks in Aruba, Medellín, Cuenca and Cochabamba, stop to see some preserved trams in Peru and Bolivia, visit Valparaiso for its trolleybuses and funiculars, and also include some metro systems and cable cars. As an optional end to the tour, there will be another attempt to experience the legendary tram car 277 in Rosario (Argentina) during an exclusive charter. I've also slipped in a few tourist sights...

TOUR PROGRAM

Pre-Tour itinerary:
Day 1
Individual arrivals at Aruba Airport. International flights are not included in the tour price, as the choice of airline for the transatlantic flight also depends on the desired itinerary within South America. Air Europa, Lufthansa or KLM would be the first choices; I am happy to book flight tickets at current rates. Departures from Europe in the morning, arrival in Aruba late afternoon. Transfer to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay in Oranjestad.

Day 2
The tram in Oranjestad, the capital of Aruba, was officially opened on 19. February 2013, and operates on a 1.9 km long route connecting the cruise terminal on the outskirts of Oranjestad with the city center. Of the original four vehicles (two single-deck cars in green and orange and two double-decker, open-top cars in blue and red), only the double-deckers are currently running. The single-deckers had to be taken out due to some broken parts, and since the vehicles were custom-built in the USA, obtaining spare parts is now proving difficult. The use of the remaining tram cars depends on the number of cruise ships arriving per day, I have requested that we see all vehicles during our visit to the island regardless of demand. Dinner and overnight stay in Oranjestad.

Day 3
Once again, there will be time until the afternoon to experience the colorful trams. Afterwards, bus transfer to the airport and flight to Bogota (Colombia). Domestic flight to Medellín. Arrival there shortly before midnight. Overnight stay in Medellín.

End of the pre-tour itinerary.

Main Program
Day 3
Individual departures from Europe to Bogota. International flights are not included in the tour price, as the choice of airline for the transatlantic flight also depends on the desired program within South America. Air Europa, Lufthansa, Iberia, or KLM would be the first choices; I am happy to book flight tickets at current rates. Departures from Europe in the morning, arrival in Bogota in the early evening. After passport control and customs, we meet the Aruba group on the flight to Medellín in the evening. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay in Medellín.

Day 4
The Ayacucho Tram in Medellín is the first and so far only Translohr system in South America. Translohr was awarded the contract because it was hoped that the steep hills of Medellín could be better mastered than with conventional trams. The route is only 4.3 km long and has nine stops on a two-lane track. Twelve five-section bi-directional vehicles of the type STE5 are used. At two tram stops, cable cars connect to the hills of the city. If there is still time and desire in the afternoon, we will take a brief look at the regular metro trains. In the evening, we will fly from Medellín to Guayaquil (Ecuador). Dinner and overnight stay in Guayaquil.

Day 5
After breakfast, we will travel directly by bus from the Pacific port city into the mountains to Cuenca, I estimate that we will be on the road for about 4-5 hours. The tram in Cuenca, "Tranvía de Cuenca", is one of the highest-altitude tram networks in the world at 2.550 meters above sea level. Part of the line uses the Alimentation Par Sol (APS) system, a ground-level power supply system that avoids overhead lines in the historic city center. The tram uses 14 articulated vehicles of the Alstom Citadis X051 type on the 10.3 km long route with 20 stops. The route runs largely on its own right-of-way and uses grass tracks outside the city center. There are currently no concrete plans for the expansion of the tram in Cuenca. The existing route was only fully put into operation in 2020 and the city administration is currently concentrating on optimizing operations and improving integration with other modes of transport. After arriving in the city, we will use the rest of the day for shots of the regular operation of the Tranvía de Cuenca. Dinner and overnight stay in Cuenca.

Day 6
We will photograph the tram again until the afternoon. Then we bus to the airport and depart at around 18:30 for the capital Quito. Dinner and overnight stay in Quito.

Day 7
The Quito trolleybus is the only trolleybus operation in Ecuador. Until the Metro de Quito was put into operation in 2023, it formed the backbone of local public transport in the Ecuadorian capital Quito. The vehicle fleet today consists of 113 articulated vehicles with a Diesel auxiliary drive, 54 of which date from the early days (built in 1995 and 1996 respectively), the remaining 59 were purchased in 1999 and 2000 as part of the expansion of the system. All vehicles were produced as a joint venture by Daimler-Benz (chassis), Hispano Carrocera (body) and Kiepe / Adtranz (electrical equipment). Each vehicle offers 43 seats and 138 standing places, the maximum speed is 60 km/h, the electrical voltage is 750 volts direct current. Optional visit to the metro. In the evening, continue by air to Lima. Dinner in Quito and overnight in Lima.

Day 8
The restoration of tram number 97 in Lima began in 1997, when one of the few remaining cars from Lima's regular tram era was to be restored to its original condition. We shall visit the museum where it is stored now. After visiting the museum, we drive up one of the city's viewing hills and enjoy a wonderful view of the Peruvian capital from there. For the rest of the day, I have no program planned, as our night will be short: at 01:00 the only direct flight between the Peruvian and Bolivian capitals takes off. Those who wish can still take an afternoon look at the metro in Lima... for everyone else, there is an early dinner and possibly a few hours of sleep. Our hotel rooms are available to us until our bus departs for the airport around 22:00. Dinner and overnight stay in Lima.

Day 9
01:00 departure to La Paz. Arrival there at 02:20, transfer to the hotel and check-in. There are not many hours left until breakfast, as we want to take one of the city's most spectacular cable cars to the suburb of El Alto in the morning. From there, we will take our tour bus to Puerto Guaqi and visit the "Museo de Locomotoras" there. Here we will find two of the former trams from La Paz - also a system that fell victim to the car craze of the 1960s and 70s. In addition to the two tram cars, the museum also houses a very interesting collection of diesel locomotives and railcars. In the afternoon, we will board a boat and sail across the legendary Lake Titicaca. Lake Titicaca is the largest freshwater lake in South America and lies on the Altiplano plateau in the Andes (3.812 meters above sea level). It is the highest commercially navigable lake in the world and is considered the birthplace of the Inca culture. It is home to numerous historical sites, including the famous Isla del Sol and the floating islands of the Urus. Return to the hotel in the evening. Dinner (on the ship) and overnight stay in La Paz.

Day 10
After breakfast, we return to the airport and enjoy a short domestic flight to Cochabamba. The Cochabamba tram, also known as "Tren Metropolitano de Cochabamba", is a modern light rail system with current plans for three lines (red, green, and yellow) with a total of 43 stops and a total length of about 42 kilometers, mostly single-track. However, only parts of the network are in operation right now: the red and green lines use the platform of former railway lines, the yellow line runs mainly elevated over the Río Rocha. The central hub station is the newly built Estación Central San Antonio. Low-floor trams from Stadler are used. Inaugurated in September 2021, "Mi Tren" is the first rail-based public transport system in Bolivia! Dinner and overnight stay in Cochabamba.

Day 11
We will spend another full day along the tram tracks in Cochabamba. Dinner and overnight stay in Cochabamba.

Day 12
The tour will end at Cochabamba. From here you fly home (arrival in Europe on the next day) or you book the tourist extension (Macchu Pichu or Uyuni salt lake, or...). You can also run your own private extension of the tour to anywhere you want. If you need help organizing that, just talk to me! 

© Bilder auf dieser Seite: A. Morales, Hotel Alpha, Tourismo Peru, V. Lamar, P. Patt