At 9 AM, our guide will pick you up at your hotel in Quito to take you to the  historic center of Quito. To get an overview of the city, you’ll first visit El Panecillo Hill (3000 m / 9900 ft), where the statue of the virgin of Quito is waiting for you. Its convenient location in the  center of the city offers you one of the best views of the old town and  newer city parts to the north and south.

Afterwards, you’ll go down to explore the historic center of Quito more closely. First, you’ll examine the neo-Gothic church Basílica del Voto Nacional and notice its special gargoyles that represent the Ecuadorian animal kingdom. Then you will walk around Independence Square – the heart of Quito, which is surrounded by the Presidential Palace, the Cathedral, the Archbishop’s Palace, and the City Hall.

You’ll continue on to Sagrario Church and after that, visit the interior of la Compañía de Jesús church which is covered by gold leave. You will proceed to San Francisco Square to admire the church and convent of St. Francis and learn about its legends.

After lunch, you will travel almost 30 kilometers (19 miles) north to Mitad del Mundo – Middle of the World. Here, you’ll visit the interactive Inti Ñan Museum where you’ll learn about different Ecuadorian cultures and experience through different experiments what it is like to be at the equator. Later you will stop at the historical  monument that symbolizes the French Geodesic Mission during the 18th century and its contribution to world history.

Return to your hotel in Quito.