Quito City Tour: Teleférico & Middle of the World Monument

Ride the cable car to nearly 4,000 meters, then stand on the equatorial line.

A private Quito city tour combining colonial landmarks, mountain views, and equatorial science in one day. You'll climb the Basilica of the National Vow and visit Independence Plaza in the old town, ascend the Teleférico cable car to Cruz Loma for panoramic Andean vistas, and explore the Intiñan Solar Museum where water drains differently on either side of the equator. A bilingual guide leads the route at your pace, with private transportation and hotel pickup included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Basilica of the National Vow1h
2. Independence Plaza1h · entry included
3. Church of the Society of Jesus1h
4. El Panecillo1h
5. Intiñan Solar Museum1h · entry included

Quito city and mountain highlights

• Climb Basilica del Voto Nacional towers
• Visit Independence Plaza
• Explore Church of the Society of Jesus
• See Virgin Mary statue at El Panecillo
• Ride Quito Cable Car to Cruz Loma
• Walk mountain trails and take photos
• Visit Intiñan Solar Museum experiments

The experience

Start in Quito's historic center, where the Basilica of the National Vow rises at the border between the old and new city. You'll climb its towers for views over the colonial core. Independence Plaza sits at the heart of the city, ringed by the Carondelet Palace, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and the Municipal Palace, each one a layer of Quito's political history since 1809. The Church of the Society of Jesus, known locally as the golden church, stands as one of South America's most ornate religious buildings, its interior a study in baroque detail.

The cable car is the day's centerpiece. In 18 minutes, the Teleférico rises from the city to Cruz Loma at nearly 4,000 meters on the slopes of Pichincha Volcano. On clear days, you see the snowcapped peaks of the Avenue of the Volcanoes and the valleys spreading below Quito. The mountain station opens onto scenic trails and the Andean air itself: the kind of vantage point that reframes how a city sits in its landscape.

El Panecillo, where a statue of the Virgin Mary stands at 3,000 meters, offers another high viewpoint before the day moves north to the Intiñan Solar Museum, straddling the equatorial line. Here you'll watch water drain in opposite directions on either side of the equator and see artifacts from the Shuar people of the Amazon, including the historical practice of tsantsa, or head-shrinking. The museum turns the equator itself into a hands-on experience rather than an abstract line on a map.

What’s included

• Your bilingual guide leads the entire route.
• private transportation and hotel pickup and drop-off are provided.
• a water bottle is included.
• all site visits are guided.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (6 and older) · Under 6: can't be booked

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.

Paid on siteUS$ 35

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Quito Trip

Is this one for you?The tour spans 7 to 8 hours and involves climbing the Basilica towers and walking at the cable car's mountain station, so it suits travelers comfortable with moderate activity and altitude. Ticket fees for the Basilica tower, Church of the Society of Jesus, El Panecillo viewpoint, Intiñan Museum, and the Teleférico cable car are paid separately on the day, so budget accordingly beyond the tour price.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What is the Teleférico and how high does it go?

The Quito Cable Car, or Teleférico, is one of South America's highest aerial lifts, ascending to nearly 4,000 meters (13,000 feet) on the slopes of Pichincha Volcano in just 18 minutes. At the top station, Cruz Loma, you can walk scenic mountain trails and see panoramic views of Quito, the surrounding valleys, and, on clear days, the snowcapped peaks of the Avenue of the Volcanoes.

What happens at the Intiñan Solar Museum?

The Intiñan Solar Museum sits on the equatorial line and lets you observe how water drains in opposite directions on either side of the equator. The museum also displays artifacts and traditions from the Shuar people of the Amazon region, including historical objects related to their cultural practices.

Which church is called the golden church in Quito?

The Church of the Society of Jesus, or Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús, is known as the golden church and is considered one of the most beautiful churches in South America, renowned for its ornate baroque interior.

What is Independence Plaza and why does it matter?

Independence Plaza, also called Plaza Grande, is the historic and political heart of Quito, surrounded by the Carondelet Palace (seat of the Ecuadorian government), the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Archbishop's Palace, and the Municipal Palace. At its center stands the Monument to Independence, honoring the heroes of 1809, and the square has witnessed key events since colonial times.

Can I climb the Basilica of the National Vow?

Yes, the Basilica of the National Vow, a Gothic structure at the border of Quito's old and new city, includes a climb to its towers, which offer views over the colonial center.