Half of the World: Mitad del Mundo & Pululahua Volcano Day Trip from Quito
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
7–9 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for travelers who can walk short to moderate trails at high altitude; allow for slower pace if you’re not acclimatized.
Overview
Stand with one foot in each hemisphere and peer into one of Earth’s rare inhabited calderas on this full-day private transfer from Quito. The trip pairs the theatrical Equatorial Monument and Intiñan Museum with the cloud-forested rim and waterfall trails of Pululahua.
Half of the World: Mitad del Mundo & Pululahua Volcano Day Trip from Quito
Select participants and date
You pull away from Quito as the city’s tile roofs shrink into a checkerboard and the Andes open like a book. The bus climbs, the air thins, and the driver—Spanish-speaking, affable, behind the wheel—navigates hairpins toward a monument that claims the prime meridian of the southern hemisphere. At Mitad del Mundo, concrete and bronze point to 0° latitude and invite the curious to stand with one foot in each hemisphere; across the road, the smaller Intiñan Museum argues the point with indigenous instruments and hands-on demonstrations that play with gravity and Coriolis forces.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Acclimatize before you go
Spend at least a day in Quito to reduce altitude effects; hydrate and avoid heavy exertion the morning of the tour.
Layer for quick weather shifts
Temperatures swing between sun and cloud in the crater—pack a windproof shell and a warm mid-layer.
Wear grippy shoes
Trails in Pululahua can be uneven and muddy near waterfalls—sturdy hiking shoes are best.
Charge your camera and phone
Views at the rim and birdlife in the cloud forest are the day’s highlights; bring spare battery or power bank.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Toucan
- Resplendent quetzal
History
Mitad del Mundo marks an 18th-century French geodesic mission that mapped the equator; Intiñan Museum presents indigenous astronomical knowledge and a corrected local survey of latitude.
Conservation
Pululahua is a protected geobotanical reserve—stick to trails, avoid feeding wildlife, and support local guides who work on sustainable agriculture and tourism.
Select participants and date
Adventure Hotspots in Quito
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Daypack
Holds layers, water, snacks, and camera gear for on-trail comfort.
Sturdy hiking shoes
Provide traction on dirt and rocky trails around the crater and waterfalls.
Water bottle (1–2L)
Hydration reduces altitude symptoms—bring more water than you think you'll need.
Warm, packable jacket
Lightweight insulation is useful when mist or wind appears on the rim.
winter specific