TelefériQo

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  • adults/children under 6/express lane US$4/US$3/US$7
  • 11:00-22:00 Mon, 09:00-22:00 Tue-Thu, 09:00-24:00 Fri & Sat

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Lonely Planet review

Quito's newest attraction - and a mind-boggling one at that - is the telefériQo, a multimillion dollar sky tram that takes passengers on a hair-raising 2.5km ride up the flanks of Volcán Pichincha to the top of Cruz Loma. Once you're at the top (a mere 4100m), you can hike to the summit of Rucu Pichincha (4680m), an approximately three-hour hike for fit walkers. Don't attempt the hike to Rucu Pichincha until you've acclimatized in Quito for a couple days.

The telefériQo complex itself is an eyesore of overpriced restaurants, video arcades, a go-kart track, souvenir shops, a dance club and even a theme park. While merry-go-rounds are undeniably fun at high altitudes, the real reason to come up here is for the views and the walking.

To get here, either take a taxi or take one of the telefériQo shuttles which depart about every 30 minutes from the Trole's Estación Norte stop, the Río Coca stop of the Ecovía line and Plaza La Marín parking area in the old town.

On weekends the wait can last up to four hours; either pay the around US$7 express-line fee or (even better) come on a weekday. Also try to visit in the morning, when the views are best.