October 20- A trip up the Gondola to Teleferico

The last thing on my bucket list to do in Quito was to go up in the Gondola to the mountain in the west part of the city called Teleferico ( I'm assuming the name was due to many TV, radio etc towers on top- much like South Mountain in Phoenix). We had to wait for a clear sunny day and this was it.

My idea had been to take a taxi but Uwe decided we needed the exercise of walking part way so we took the trolley. We got off at Colon station and according to our map, it was maybe a 1 1/2 KM walk to the Gondola station. Oh boy, oh boy were we wrong!!!!

Leaving Colon Station, we walked uphill ( not so steep) for that 1 1/2 km as shown on our map- no big deal. When we got as far as our map showed- no Gondola! We asked a few people we met on the street ' Donde esta Teleferico?' and were directed several more blocks up more winding roads. We finally arrived at a place where we saw a sign for Teleferico showing a road leading yet further up.

Remember our post back in Panama re our climb back up from Romeo Y Julietta? Yes, this was even worse. The road became progressivly steeper. At every turn we expected to see the entrance but,no, only another few hundred metres and yet another turn in the road as many taxis filled with far wiser people passed us.

We finally, finally got to the parking lot and could see our destination up several flights of stairs. Did I also mention that we were now up to an altitude of over 11000'!

           Just above the parking lot, there was a free amusement park for the children.

 

When we arrived at the ticket booth for the gondola, there was now a large line-up to actually get on. Each gondola held 6 people. We bought our tickets $7.50/person and went into the lineup. After giving the attendent our tickets, we were directed into the express line, passed the entire group, and ended up at the head of the line!

This had happened to us before when we had lined up at the bank. It seems that in Ecuador, senior citizens can go to the head of the line! Whoopee- finally something good about getting old.

 

We started up up to the 13,000' level at the top.

 

Passing other gondolas going down.

 

Once at the top there were incredulous views in all directions. Quito looked huge!

 

 

 

 
           The view the other way showed a volcano you could hike too- no way!

 

And lots of mountain bikers actually took the gondola up to ride down much like at Blue Mountain.

 

At the cafe where we enjoyed a much needed cervaza and hot dog, we met another older couple passing through Quito on their way to the Galapagos. They had worked for the Peace Corp in Northern Africa before their retirement and were now exploring South America. Did I mention that one of the high points of our travels was meeting all these like-minded people and exchanging travel stories!