6. Hiking in the clouds
I decide to go for a hike. Oh boy, I didn’t know what was ahead. A gondola, Teleférico takes you from the base at northern Quito to the ridge above the city. Then there are numerous hikes deeper and higher in the mountains. Like you were not high enough. The gondola STARTS at 3,200m … Stunning views from the top. The most people just hang around the top station but I went further up. You are by yourself looking down on a city of 2M people. Amazing. Then pair of falcons came for a visit. I reached 4,221m but the trail went much further. It was enough for me. Beautiful views in every direction. I didn’t plan on 5 hr hike, I don’t need to go to the gym today.
Teleférico entrance
huge mural by the gondola entrance
inside the ground station
price list ... similar gondola in my town cost $66 ...
base station location in north Quito
on the way up
top station
and off I go. Slowly, very slowly
taking a break
you can hire a horse with a guide if you don't want to hike ...
high above the city
my HR was very high as well
this is my top - 4,221m
another snow covered volcano
clouds creeping in from the west
blooming cacti
going down
B747 on approach to Quito airport
hiking down towards south. There is Cotopaxi in clouds where the path is pointing
view of north Quito
south Quito
smiling but it is a HARD walk above 4,000m
are there enough towers?
looking south
nice countryside
a swing at 4,100m ...
Carunculated Caracara - a falcon
beautiful bird
very friendly
crazy people on the swing
time to head down, clouds are coming
Cotopaxi volcano, looking south
a ride down
cool mural at the base station