Quito cable car, Mitad del Mundo & Pululahua Crater: Private tour

Stand on the equator while the city spreads below from one of the world's highest cable cars

A private tour of Quito combines three major stops: a ride on TelefériQo, one of the world's highest aerial lifts, to panoramic views over the city and snow-capped mountains; the Middle of the World Monument at La Mitad del Mundo, where you stand in two hemispheres at once; and the Intiñan Solar Museum with its outdoor exhibits on Ecuador's unique geography. Hotel pickup and drop-off in central Quito, a certified guide in English or Spanish, and all entrance fees are included. A minimum of two people per booking is required.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Middle of the World Monument15m
2. Intiñan Solar Museum45m · entry included
3. TelefériQo1h · entry included

Visit Mitad del Mundo and TelefériQo

• Visit Middle of the World Monument
• Explore Intiñan Solar Museum
• Ride TelefériQo cable car

The experience

The tour starts with hotel pickup in central Quito and heads to TelefériQo, a 2.5-kilometer aerial lift that climbs the flanks of Volcán Pichincha to Cruz Loma in about ten minutes. From the top, the panoramic views stretch across Quito's mountainous landscape and the surrounding valleys, with snow-capped peaks visible on clear days. This is the main draw. The cable car itself is one of the world's highest, and the vantage point frames the entire region in a way ground-level sightseeing cannot match.

After descending, the tour moves north to La Mitad del Mundo, the Middle of the World Monument marking the equator line. The complex is one of Ecuador's most visited attractions, and the moment most travelers come for is straightforward: stand with one foot in each hemisphere and take the photograph. A few hundred meters away sits the Intiñan Solar Museum, with outdoor exhibits explaining the geography and physics of Ecuador's location on the equator. The museum also runs water and energy demonstrations that illustrate how the equator affects physical phenomena, whether they convince you or feel more like theater is part of the experience.

Your certified guide handles the logistics and narration throughout the six-hour outing, speaking English or Spanish depending on your preference. Transport is by private vehicle, and all entrance fees are covered. The tour operates in all weather, so bring layers and rain gear if needed. Central Quito hotels are included in the pickup. Locations outside the city incur a $30 surcharge.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in central Quito.
• private vehicle transport between all three sites.
• TelefériQo cable car entrance.
• Intiñan Solar Museum entry.
• certified guide in English or Spanish.
• all activities at La Mitad del Mundo monument.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to8h before

AgesAdult (12 to 88 years) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 15 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessiblePublic transport nearby

Operated by Latin Adventures Cía Ltda

Is this one for you?Pick this if you're staying in central Quito and want a private vehicle for the day. If you're outside central Quito, expect a $30 surcharge on the pickup fee.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 11 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

What exactly happens at La Mitad del Mundo?

La Mitad del Mundo is a monument marking the equator line, and the main attraction is standing with one foot in each hemisphere to photograph yourself straddling the two halves of the earth. The complex also includes exhibits and shops, and the site draws both tourists and locals for the same reason.

How high does the TelefériQo cable car go?

TelefériQo climbs 2.5 kilometers up the flanks of Volcán Pichincha to the top of Cruz Loma, taking about ten minutes. It is one of the world's highest aerial lifts, and the elevation gain delivers panoramic views of Quito's valleys and the surrounding snow-capped mountains.

What is the Intiñan Solar Museum?

The Intiñan Solar Museum sits a few hundred meters north of the main Mitad del Mundo complex and features outdoor exhibits on astronomical geography and Ecuador's unique position on the equator. It includes water and energy demonstrations that show how the equator affects physical behavior.

How long is the entire tour?

The tour runs six hours total, including hotel pickup and drop-off in central Quito, travel time between sites, and time spent at each attraction.

What is included in the price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off in central Quito; transport by private vehicle; entrance fees for TelefériQo and the Intiñan Museum; and a certified guide speaking English or Spanish. Tips, food, drinks and personal expenses are separate.