Quito´s gondola lift (Telefériqo)

The Pichincha volcano is a big protecting wall located at west of Quito. Some decades ago it was a funny trip climbing up to Cruz Loma, one of the volcano peaks, from San Juan or Miraflores neighbourhoods. The trekking took about 3 or 4 hours. Nowadays getting Cruz Loma (4000m S 00° 11.103´ W 78° 32.228´) is pretty easy. A gondola takes us there in about 12 minutes.

The Telefériqo opened in July 2005 with great expectations, unfortunately the big amount of people has been decreasing during these years. The restaurants and the food court now is closed and people rent that spaces for lectures or weddings. Most of the stores are closed as well and even some of them have sued the sponsors of this project.

However taking the Telefériqo is a nice experience in Quito. The Pichincha´s peaks Guagua Pichincha, el Capellán Encantado, Rucu Pichincha and Cundur Huachana, are reachable now thanks to the gondola and there is the chance to go trekking from the station, taking care, is a perfect activity for a summer day.

If the day is clear you can see easily the summits of the Cayambe, Cotopaxi and Antisana, even the Cotacachi peak is visible from the natural Cruz Loma lookout. The whole city can be seen from here so it´s perfect for taking amazing pictures.

The Telefériqo fares are:
Normal: adults $4.00; children $3.00; elderly and handicapped $2.00
Express: adults $7.00; children $5.00;elderly and handicapped $3.50
For foreign people the prices double.

With 4000 meters over the sea level the Teleferiqo is the highest in the world and for that reason you have to take care of high altitude sickness. Wind is intense so carrying warm clothing is a good idea.

Next to the parking lot (USD $ 2) there is the Vulcano Park, and amusement park with many attractions and reasonable prices. Few months ago a church was opened in Cruz Loma and mass are held on Saturdays noon.

Is recommendable going to the Teleferiqo in a sunny day, especially from July to September.