GOLDEN BUNDLE

Visit the city of Quito and enjoy a city tour like none other. Declared a World Heritage Site in 1978, this beautiful and charming city is home to Latin America’s best-preserved, least-altered historic center. However, Quito’s traditions and culture are not confined to the past: they continue to live on through the modern people of Quito and their crafts, food, and legends. Discover the most important and charming locations of the city and be amazed by the delicate artwork in each one of them.

Start your tour in the heart of the town at La Plaza Grande, or Independence Square, and be captivated by the history and legends of this plaza. In its center, surrounded by the archbishop’s palace, the presidential palace, and the Cathedral, is the Monument of Independence. It is an impressive sculpture representing the might of the Ecuadorian people and their desire for freedom.

We will continue to the Church of La Compañia de Jesus, one of the city’s most beautiful and astonishing churches. Built by the Jesuits in 1605 and finished in 1765, this church is a fine example of the architectural skills and crafts of the Quiteñan people. The church was built in a baroque style, and no wall was left without ornamentation. Carefully carved wood decorated with gold leaf adorns the church’s interior, along with an intricately decorated ceiling and historical artworks found inside this Catholic temple. We then continue our tour towards the church and monastery of San Francisco.

The church’s construction started in 1537 (only one year after the founding of Quito), and its construction took over 150 years. The plaza named after the church is a beautiful site, too. From here, you can admire the surrounding mountains that protect Quito, and on its steps, some of the most famous legends were forged, such as the legend of Cantuña and his pact with the devil. Let yourself be captivated by the city’s beauty and the history and traditions preserved by its people.

After a delicious meal, you will continue visiting a chocolate tasting, where you can enjoy a chocolate experience.

Embark on an unforgettable journey to the Middle of the World, where the equatorial line splits our planet into northern and southern hemispheres. Experience one-of-a-kind experiments that can only be performed at Latitude 0° and delve into the rich history and traditions of the local indigenous culture. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to capture a selfie in both hemispheres simultaneously.

Located 26 km north of Quito’s city center is Ciudad Mitad del Mundo, or “Middle of the World City.” This site is home to the Monument to the Equator, a significant landmark that marks the precise location of the Equator—from which Ecuador derives its name. The Monument commemorates the eighteenth-century Franco-Spanish Geodesic Mission that determined its approximate position. Also housed within the grounds is the Museo Etnográfico, a museum dedicated to showcasing Ecuador’s indigenous ethnography.

Ecuador’s entrance to the Equator is a modern marvel that stands 30 meters tall. Constructed between 1979 and 1982, it replaced an older, smaller monument. This impressive iron and concrete structure clad with polished andesite stone commemorates the first Geodesic Mission of the French Academy of Sciences. Led by Louis Godin, Pierre Bouguer, and Charles Marie de La Condamine in 1736, this mission carried out experiments to measure the Earth’s flattening at the poles by comparing Earth’stance between a degree meridian in the equatorial zone to another level measured in Sweden.

The exploration culminates with a visit to the Intiñan Museum, an enlightening cultural experience that provides deeper insights into Ecuador’s indigenous culture. This journey to the Middle of the World promises an educational experience and a thrilling adventure that will leave you with lasting memories.

Finally, you will start your return back to your hotel.