Quito City and Equator Line Tour: Seven Hours, Four Viewpoints

Four viewpoints, two hemispheres, one morning in Quito's heights

A seven-hour private tour of Quito covers the UNESCO-listed Old Town, the Equator Line Monument, and three elevated vantage points across the city. You walk the colonial center past San Francisco and Compañía churches, stand with one foot in each hemisphere at the Middle of the World, and ride to the base of Rucu Pichincha volcano on the cable car, with a stop for local empanadas and ice sorbet along the way.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Quito Old Town4h
2. Middle of the World Monument2h

Quito city tour and equator visit

• Visit Panecillo viewpoint
• Walk old city highlights
• Visit Presidential Palace lobby
• Visit Basílica del Voto Nacional
• Drive to Equator Line Museum
• Take photo at equator line
• Discover Ecuador history and culture
• Visit Quito Cable Car viewpoint

The experience

The tour starts before dawn at Panecillo viewpoint, where the city spreads below in the early light. From there you descend into the Old Town for a two-hour walk through the historic center, passing San Francisco Church, Compañía de Jesús, and Sagrario Church on García Moreno Street. The route includes the Presidential Palace lobby at the main square and finishes at Basílica del Voto Nacional, Ecuador's first Gothic church and another high point where you can see the Avenue of the Volcanoes stretching toward the horizon.

The drive north takes you to the Equator Line Museum, where the real draw is the photograph: one foot in the Northern Hemisphere, one in the Southern. The museum itself covers Ecuador's history and culture. After that, the plan is to ride the cable car, the Teleferico, up toward Rucu Pichincha volcano for a third major viewpoint, though the operator notes it is currently closed for technical repairs with no reopening date set, so this stop may not happen on your day.

Between the Old Town and the Equator, you stop at a local spot famous for Quito's empanadas and ice sorbets, a chance to taste something the city is known for. Your guide speaks English and is certified. Private transportation means the van waits for you at each stop rather than adhering to a group schedule. The whole day runs seven hours from start to finish.

What’s included

• All sightseeing at Panecillo viewpoint, the Old Town churches, Basílica del Voto Nacional, the Equator Line Monument, and the cable car base.
• private transportation throughout the day.
• a stop at a local vendor for empanadas and ice sorbets.
• an English-speaking certified guide.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (18 to 80 years) · Child (under 12)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Guide Ecuador Travel

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a private van that connects Quito's scattered viewpoints, colonial center, and equator monument in one loop: better than piecing together separate sites across different neighborhoods.

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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 (under 12).

What are the main churches I'll see in Quito's Old Town?

San Francisco Church, Compañía de Jesús, and Sagrario Church are the highlights of the two-hour walk through the historic center on García Moreno Street. You also visit Basílica del Voto Nacional, the first Gothic church built in Ecuador, which sits at a high point overlooking the Avenue of the Volcanoes.

Can I really stand on the equator at the Middle of the World?

Yes. The Equator Line Museum at the Middle of the World Monument lets you position yourself with one foot in each hemisphere and take a photo. The museum also has exhibits on Ecuador's history and culture.

What happens if the cable car is closed when I visit?

The cable car to Rucu Pichincha volcano is currently closed for technical repairs with no announced reopening date. If it remains closed on your tour date, you'll still visit Panecillo and Basílica del Voto Nacional, both of which are high viewpoints over the city, but the cable car stop may not be possible.

Is lunch included in this tour?

Lunch is not included, but the tour includes a stop at a local spot famous for Quito's empanadas and ice sorbets, where you can buy food and drinks. You have the option to eat there or bring your own.

Do I need to pay extra to enter the churches?

Entry to Compañía Church, Basílica del Voto Nacional, and Santo Domingo is not included in the tour price. The Equator Line Museum entrance and cable car ticket are also separate. Your guide can direct you to purchase tickets at each site if you wish to enter.