Private Quito City Tour: Teleferico, Basilica & Equator Line

Rising 13,200 feet above Quito on a cable car, then standing on the equator line

A private, eight-hour Quito city tour with a bilingual guide covering TelefériQo cable car, the Basilica of the National Vow, Old Town walking route, and the Intiñan Solar Museum at the equator line. Hotel pickup is included, as are all four admission fees. The tour starts at 9am and moves at a pace set by your group, with time built in for the cable car ascent, tower climb, walking the historic center, and hands-on experiments at the equator museum.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. TelefériQo2h · entry included
2. Basilica of the National Vow1h · entry included
3. Quito Old Town3h
4. Intiñan Solar Museum1h · entry included

Quito city tour and equator visit

• Pickup from hotel at 9am
• Drive to TeleferiQo cable car
• Ride cable car to 4,050m
• Short hike at Andean ecosystem
• Visit Basilica of the National Vow
• Walking tour of Quito Old Town
• Lunch at local restaurant (optional)
• Visit Intiñan Solar Museum

The experience

The day starts with a twenty-minute drive north-west to TelefériQo, Quito's cable car. You ride to 4,050 meters (13,200 feet) where the guide walks you through the Páramo ecosystem: the high-altitude Andean landscape with its own vegetation and wildlife. A short hike reaches the swing of the clouds, where llamas and alpacas graze. The altitude and the view frame what comes next: a descent back into the city's colonial core.

The Basilica of the National Vow is the next stop, a Gothic-style structure that dominates Quito's skyline. You see the exterior first, then take an elevator up the towers for a view across Old Town and the surrounding city. Inside, stained glass and carved details fill the main basilica. From there, a walking tour of Quito Old Town follows: the independence square, colonial houses, monuments, and churches that make up one of South America's best-preserved historic centers. Your guide points out the different architectural styles and the history they carry. The operator suggests local restaurants for lunch if you want to eat in the area.

The final stop is the Intiñan Solar Museum, located at the equator line. The museum uses experiments to show how the equator's position affects gravity, water, and balance. Bring your passport if you want the equator stamp. The tour wraps by mid-afternoon, and your driver returns you to your hotel.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and private transportation for the full day.
• TelefériQo cable car admission.
• Basilica of the National Vow admission with tower access.
• Intiñan Solar Museum admission at the equator line.
• a national, bilingual, certified tour guide.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (1 to 3 years): free

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.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Ecuador a Color tour operator

Is this one for you?Eight hours is long enough to move through four distinct sites (the cable car, the basilica, the Old Town walk, and the equator museum) without rushing any of them, but it leaves the afternoon free if you want to rest or explore on your own afterward. A private guide means the pace stays yours, and admission fees included upfront remove the stop-and-pay friction at each entrance.

Traveler reviews

4.95★★★★★★★★★★

602 verified traveler reviews

5 ★586

4 ★8

3 ★5

2 ★1

1 ★2

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years); Infant (1 to 3 years): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the cable car ride actually like at that altitude?

TelefériQo takes you to 4,050 meters where the air is thin and the Páramo ecosystem, the high-altitude Andean landscape, surrounds you. A short hike from the top reaches the swing of the clouds, and you'll see llamas and alpacas grazing in the mountain vegetation.

Can I go inside the Basilica or just see the outside?

The Basilica of the National Vow is open for interior viewing, with stained glass and carved decoration throughout the main space. You can also take an elevator up the towers for a view across Old Town and the city beyond.

How much walking is involved in the Old Town section?

Quito Old Town is explored on foot with your guide, moving through the independence square, colonial houses, and churches. The exact distance depends on your pace and interests, but it's designed as a walking tour rather than a drive-through.

What happens at the Intiñan Museum?

The Intiñan Solar Museum uses hands-on experiments to demonstrate how the equator line affects gravity, water behavior, and balance. Bring your passport if you want an equator stamp as a souvenir.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

Lunch is not included, but your guide will suggest local restaurants in Old Town where you can eat during the walking section of the day.