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Quito City Tour And Journey To The 'Middle Of The World'Explore > Ecuador > Quito > Quito City Tour And Journey To The 'Middle Of The World'
OverviewTour the city of Quito, then straddle the equator, with one foot in each hemisphere. Your visit to Quito, if possible, should cover 2 important parts of this area of the world. The first is the Colonial City itself, founded in the 16th century on the ruins of an Inca city and standing at an altitude of 9250 feet - wow! Despite the 1987 earthquake, Quito has the best-preserved, least altered historic centre in Latin America. The monasteries of San Francisco and Santo Domingo, and the Church and Jesuit College of La Compañía, with their rich interiors, are pure examples of the 'Baroque school of Quito', which is a fusion of Spanish, Italian, Moorish, Flemish and indigenous art. The second, and main attraction of Quito is its location near the equator. Just short of one hour north of the city center you will find yourself at the Equatorial Line Monument, called "Middle of the World". This is a rare experience as you are able to stand in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres simultaneously. The Equatorial Monument, which is the focal point of the park, marks the spot where an 18th century French scientific expedition established the exact position of the equator. The area has been built as a replica of a typical colonial town with restaurants, gift shops, and a post office with special philatelic stamps recognizing the location. There is the Museo Etnográfico Intiñan, (the Ethnographic Middle of the World Museum) that is a helpful way to learn about the ways of life of the ancient cultures of Ecuador and actually feel the way of life of the indigenous people in their traditional straw huts. There are also interactive displays showing the rotation of the earth and its effects through illustrations and experiments. Your drive, as always, will be scenic as possible. - If you need a different departure time, contact ShoreTrips prior to booking. - Entrance fees to the Museum are included in the cost of the tour. - This tour is able to accommodate those with canes and walkers, provided the guest is able to transfer in and out of the vehicle with assistance. This tour is sometimes able to accept collapsible wheelchairs, provided the guest is able to transfer in and out of the vehicle with assistance, depending on the number in your party and the vehicle used. Please contact ShoreTrips prior to making a booking. Days offered: 7 days a week Departures:
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