TelefériQo
Encyclopedia
Gondola lift
A gondola lift is a type of aerial lift, normally called a cable car, which is supported and propelled by cables from above. It consists of a loop of steel cable that is strung between two stations, sometimes over intermediate supporting towers. The cable is driven by a bullwheel in a terminal,...
in Quito
Quito
San Francisco de Quito, most often called Quito , is the capital city of Ecuador in northwestern South America. It is located in north-central Ecuador in the Guayllabamba river basin, on the eastern slopes of Pichincha, an active stratovolcano in the Andes mountains...
, Ecuador
Ecuador
Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border...
, running from the edge of the city centre up the east side of Pichincha Volcano to lookout Cruz Loma. It is one of the highest aerial lift
Aerial lift
An aerial lift is a means of transportation in which cabins, cars, gondolas or open chairs are hauled above the ground by means of one or more cables.Types of aerial lifts include:...
s in the world, rising from 3117 m (10,226 ft) to 3945 m (12,943 ft). The ascent takes about eight minutes, traveling 2237 linear metres.
The TelefériQo opened in July 2005, and is a tourist attraction. At the summit there are restaurants, coffee bars and stores. There are hiking trails with points where pictures can be taken of Quito. Due to the increased altitude and the wind on the mountain it is cooler than the city and is susceptible to fog, especially in the mornings.
The visitor centre at the base includes the VulQano Park amusement park, restaurants and food court, and other attractions.