Hiking at the Pichincha vulcano

If you want a nice view of Quito, you can take the cable car, “El Teleférico” to the Pichincha volcano. The starting point of the cable car is in the west of the city, where it is best to take a taxi. A return trip by cable car costs $8.50. In about 15 minutes, you climb from around 3,000 metres’ altitude to the end of the cable car at 4,100 metres. You are now on the Pichincha volcano. From this vantage point, you have a nice view of the city.

You can walk to the top of the volcano, located at almost 4,700 metres’ altitude. Those 600 meters are quite strenuous. For experienced runners it takes about 2 hours’ steady walking. It is also possible to rent a horse for $10 per hour. That requires a lot less energy. During the trip up, you see very small tent camps, where people are cooking food. The views are beautiful. However, there can often be clouds or fog and then you enjoy the views less.

If you have arrived in Quito from Europe, you should certainly not take on this hike in the first days. Your body is not used to altitude sickness yet and altitude sickness is lurking. Furthermore, the exertion is too strenuous if you are not yet acclimatised. You will really be panting every minute. Bring enough warm stuff too and a good windcheater. While the weather in Quito seems nice and warm, the temperature on top of the volcano can be a lot lower and there is often a strong wind.

Dealing with the altitude at the Pichincha volcano

If you have arrived in Quito from Europe, you should certainly not take on this hike in the first days. Your body is not used to the altitude yet and altitude sickness is lurking. Furthermore, the exertion is too strenuous if you are not yet acclimatised. You will really be panting every minute. Bring enough warm stuff too and a good windcheater. While the weather in Quito seems nice and warm, the temperature on top of the volcano can be a lot lower and there is often a strong wind.