Itinerary

1. 8-Hour Middle of the World Experience – Quito

   08:15 – Hotel Pickup in Quito

   • Pick up travelers from their hotel in Quito.

   • Drive north of the city toward the Middle of the World area.

   • Enjoy a scenic drive of approximately 40 minutes.

   09:00 – Middle of the World Monument

   • Arrive at the Middle of the World Tourist Complex, located at zero latitude.

   • Purchase entrance tickets and enter the complex.

   • Walk through the facilities, including craft shops, cafes, and galleries.

   • Visit the iconic Middle of the World Monument, built to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the arrival of the French Geodesic Mission (1736–1744).

   • Learn about the equatorial line that divides the Earth into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

   • Explore the permanent exhibition showcasing the peoples and nationalities of Ecuador.

   • Go up to the monument viewpoint for panoramic views of the surrounding area.

   10:15 – Inti Ñan Museum

   • Drive a short distance north to the Inti Ñan Museum, meaning “Path of the Sun” in Kichwa.

   • Spend approximately 45 minutes learning about Andean cosmovision and ancestral knowledge.

   • Understand the importance of the Sun in the development of early civilizations in this region.

   • Participate in interactive equatorial experiments that can only be experienced at this latitude.

   11:30 – Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve

   • Drive approximately 10 minutes to Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve.

   • Complete visitor registration at the entrance.

   • Walk to the Ventanillas viewpoint.

   • Observe San Isidro de Pululahua village, one of the only villages in the world located inside the crater of an active volcano.

   12:30 – The Sun’s Temple

   • Exit the reserve and continue to The Sun’s Temple.

   • Discover artwork by renowned Quiteño painter Cristobal Ortega Maila.

   • Learn about his tributes to Andean Ecuadorian culture and his unique hand-painting technique.

   • Gain insight into ancestral medicine and sacred plants traditionally used by Andean civilizations, including Ayahuasca, Wachuma, and sacred mushrooms.

   13:45 – Typical Ecuadorian Lunch

   • Visit a local restaurant for a traditional Ecuadorian lunch.

   • Enjoy a meal consisting of a hot soup, a main course, and a fresh fruit juice, or select an à la carte option.

   14:45 – Catequilla Hill

   • Drive to Catequilla Hill, located at the true equatorial point (0° 0' 0'').

   • Visit the only hill in the world crossed precisely by the equator.

   • Explore the archaeological remains of an ancient astronomical observatory and ceremonial site.

   • Learn how early Ecuadorian civilizations observed constellations from both hemispheres.

   • Understand how the site was used to create calendars and honor Pachamama (Mother Earth).

   15:30 – Return to Quito

   • Begin the return drive to Quito.

   16:15 – Hotel Drop-Off in Quito

   • Drop off travelers at their hotel.

   • End of the tour.