The TelefériQo (from teleférico and Quito), or TelefériQo Cruz Loma, is a gondola lift in Quito, Ecuador, running from the edge of the city centre up the east side of Pichincha Volcano to lookout Cruz Loma.
It is one of the highest aerial lifts in the world, rising from 3,120 m (10,236 ft) to 3,945 m (12,943 ft). The ascent takes about twenty minutes, traveling 2,237 linear metres.
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For spectacular views over Quito’s mountainous landscape, hop aboard this sky tram, one of the world's highest aerial lifts, that takes passengers on a 2.5km ride (10 minutes) up the flanks of Volcán Pichincha to the top of Cruz Loma.
Once you’re at the top (a mere 4,100m/13,451ft), you can hike to the summit of Rucu Pichincha (4,680m/15,354ft), a 4km/2,48mi (five-hour) round-trip – ask about the safety situation before attempting the climb and bring warm clothes.
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Get close to Quito's local rumbler:
The only capital city threatened by an active volcano, Quito goes about its business despite Volcán Pichincha grumbling on its doorstep. Board the telefériqo, a slick sky tram that glides up the volcano's haunches to 4,100m (13,451 ft), for spectacular views. The fit and acclimatised can add on the three-hour hike to 4,680 meters (15,354 ft) Rucu Pichincha, one of the volcano's lofty pinnacles.
Tags: DIY Adventures Casa Carpedm North Volcanic Zone the longest continental mountain range in the world Cordillera Occidental Cordilheira dos Andes the Andes Cordillera Occidental de los Andes Ecuatorianos El Macizo de los Pichinchas Andes Mountains summit cume pico Cumbre Ruco Pichincha Volcán Pichincha Ruku Pichincha Pichincha Volcano Vulcão Pichincha an active stratovolcano Eastern slopes landscape paisagem volcano vulcão escalar climbing Volcán Ruco Pichincha esporte sport hike climbing Quito from on High Rucu Pichincha El Rucu Pichincha Quito's Skyrail sky tram aerial lifts skyrail the teleférico TelefériQo Quito Ecuador the top of Cruz Loma Equador Palmeiras Credicard Alpinismo
This is the highest cable car in South America, beginning at 2,950 metres above sea level and climbing to a height of no less than 4,050 metres.
Impressive, right?
It took me to the Cruz de Loma, which is the summit of the Pichincha volcano and one of the most beautiful places in the capital.
If you're well acclimatised to the altitude, the short walk to the summit is unforgettable; from the top of the volcano, I saw various Andean peaks, including Cayambe, Antisana, Pasochoa, Rummiñahui and Cotopaxí, and I was treated to a unique and unparalleled view of the city.
Would you want to miss it?
Tags: DIY Adventures Casa Carpedm North Volcanic Zone the longest continental mountain range in the world Cordillera Occidental Cordilheira dos Andes the Andes Cordillera Occidental de los Andes Ecuatorianos El Macizo de los Pichinchas Andes Mountains summit cume pico Cumbre Ruco Pichincha Volcán Pichincha Ruku Pichincha Pichincha Volcano Vulcão Pichincha an active stratovolcano Eastern slopes landscape paisagem volcano vulcão escalar climbing Volcán Ruco Pichincha esporte sport hike climbing Quito from on High Rucu Pichincha El Rucu Pichincha Quito's Skyrail sky tram aerial lifts skyrail the teleférico TelefériQo Quito Ecuador the top of Cruz Loma Equador Palmeiras Credicard Alpinismo
At the top, at the beginning of 2/3 of the left photo or at the end of the trail, is a massive dark mountain with clouds covering the summit, that's where I got it.
The 8,200-meter (roundtrip) trail uphill and downhill, sometimes sandy, stony, uneven ground, drizzle, rain, heat, cold, stone walls, thick fog and long walk. I should have had a guide. I risked unnecessarily. The last 50 meters there is no visibly marked trail. Stone walls are not my skill. There was a thick fog in the last 27 meters.
Tags: DIY Adventures Casa Carpedm North Volcanic Zone the longest continental mountain range in the world Cordillera Occidental Cordilheira dos Andes the Andes Cordillera Occidental de los Andes Ecuatorianos El Macizo de los Pichinchas Andes Mountains summit cume pico Cumbre Ruco Pichincha Volcán Pichincha Ruku Pichincha Pichincha Volcano Vulcão Pichincha an active stratovolcano Eastern slopes landscape paisagem volcano vulcão escalar climbing Volcán Ruco Pichincha esporte sport hike climbing Quito from on High Rucu Pichincha El Rucu Pichincha Quito's Skyrail sky tram aerial lifts skyrail the teleférico TelefériQo Quito Ecuador the top of Cruz Loma Equador Palmeiras Credicard Alpinismo
Turn left!
Tags: DIY Adventures Casa Carpedm North Volcanic Zone the longest continental mountain range in the world Cordillera Occidental Cordilheira dos Andes the Andes Cordillera Occidental de los Andes Ecuatorianos El Macizo de los Pichinchas Andes Mountains summit cume pico Cumbre Ruco Pichincha Volcán Pichincha Ruku Pichincha Pichincha Volcano Vulcão Pichincha an active stratovolcano Eastern slopes landscape paisagem volcano vulcão escalar climbing Volcán Ruco Pichincha esporte sport hike climbing Quito from on High Rucu Pichincha El Rucu Pichincha Quito's Skyrail sky tram aerial lifts skyrail the teleférico TelefériQo Quito Ecuador the top of Cruz Loma Equador Palmeiras Credicard Alpinismo
The Rucu Pichincha has a height of 4698 meters above sea level, it is an extinct volcano. This volcano has two craters, one inside the other, which are the result of its eruptions. It is the closest volcano to the city of Quito.
To the south of the Pichincha, near the southern part of Quito, there is also a volcanic hill called Ungúí.
Rucu Pichincha has erupted in 1534, 1539, 1566, 1575, 1588, 1660 and 1662, when the city was covered by 30 centimeters of ash. Almost two centuries had passed without torrents of lava and earthquakes, and some geologists believed it was already an inactive volcano. On March 22, 1859, his last major eruption took place, leaving the city of Quito almost destroyed.
The Berlin scientist Alexander von Humboldt ascended to Pichincha in 1802, during his research trip through South America.
Tags: DIY Adventures Casa Carpedm North Volcanic Zone the longest continental mountain range in the world Cordillera Occidental Cordilheira dos Andes the Andes Cordillera Occidental de los Andes Ecuatorianos El Macizo de los Pichinchas Andes Mountains summit cume pico Cumbre Ruco Pichincha Volcán Pichincha Ruku Pichincha Pichincha Volcano Vulcão Pichincha an active stratovolcano Eastern slopes landscape paisagem volcano vulcão escalar climbing Volcán Ruco Pichincha esporte sport hike climbing Quito from on High Rucu Pichincha El Rucu Pichincha Quito's Skyrail sky tram aerial lifts skyrail the teleférico TelefériQo Quito Ecuador the top of Cruz Loma Equador Palmeiras Credicard Alpinismo