Quito's Extraordinary Position

Quito sits at 2,850 metres above sea level in a narrow valley in the Ecuadorian Andes, surrounded by volcanoes — Pichincha immediately above the city, Cotopaxi visible 50km to the south on clear days. It is the second-highest capital city in the world (after Succo and La Paz) and, in 1978, became the first city in the world to be inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site — recognised for its colonial Old Town, which is the best-preserved colonial historic centre in Latin America and almost certainly in the Americas as a whole. The combination of altitude, volcanic landscape, and colonial architecture gives Quito an atmosphere no other city in South America quite replicates.

Quito's Old Town (UNESCO)

The Centro Histórico of Quito is genuinely extraordinary — a complete colonial city of churches, monasteries, convents, and civil buildings dating from the 16th century, in a state of preservation and activity that makes it feel like a living rather than museumified city. The Church of La Compañía de Jesús is the finest Baroque church interior in the Americas — every surface covered in gold leaf, carved stone, and painted panels in a profusion that overwhelms the senses. The Convento de San Francisco, the largest colonial building in the Americas, occupies an entire city block. The monastery kitchen and 16th-century cloister are open to visitors; the rooftop terrace of the Museo San Francisco looks over the Old Town below.

Mitad del Mundo: The Equator

The Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World) monument, 22km north of Quito, marks Ecuador's most famous geographical fact — it sits precisely on the equator, latitude 0°0'0'. The monument and tourist complex were built in 1979 based on 18th-century French geodesic mission measurements — which turn out to be slightly inaccurate. The actual equator line, as measured by GPS, passes through the nearby Museo Intiñan, 250 metres from the monument. Both are worth visiting. The Intiñan Museum's demonstrations of equatorial phenomena (water flowing straight down a drain on the equator, the Coriolis effect shifting 4 metres either side) are of questionable scientific rigour but entertaining.

Quito Day Trips: Cotopaxi Volcano

Cotopaxi (5,897m), 50km south of Quito, is one of the world's highest active volcanoes and one of Ecuador's finest day trip destinations. The road into Cotopaxi National Park reaches 4,600m before the parking area, from which a 45-minute hike to the refugio at 4,864m delivers extraordinary views of the glacier above and the páramo landscape below. Full summit climbs (requiring mountaineering experience and a guide) take 2 days from the refugio. Day tours from Quito to the parking area and refugio cost $45–70 including transport and a guide.

Things to Do in Quito Ecuador: The TelefériQo

The TelefériQo cable car ascends from the city at 2,950m to a ridge on Pichincha volcano at 4,100m in 8 minutes — the fastest way to appreciate Quito's extraordinary altitude and its relationship with the surrounding Andes. From the upper station, a 1-hour hike to the Rucu Pichincha summit (4,696m) delivers 360° views of the city, the valley, and the volcanoes beyond. The TelefériQo is best visited on a clear morning — by afternoon, Andean clouds often fill the valley. Bring warm layers — the temperature at 4,100m is 8–12°C cooler than in the city below.

Mindo: The Cloud Forest

Mindo, 80km northwest of Quito at 1,250 metres altitude, is one of the finest birdwatching destinations in the world — a protected cloud forest holding over 500 bird species, including some of the most colourful and sought-after species in the Neotropics. The tanagers and antpittas of Mindo's forest are extraordinary; any reasonably well-equipped birder can see 80–100 species in a single day with a local guide. Mindo is reachable as a long day trip from Quito (2 hours by direct bus) or as an excellent overnight stop.