Excursion to the Middle of the World

Informazioni generali

Destinazione	Categoria
Quito, Ecuador	Visite guidate

Il programma nel dettaglio

Journey to the centre of the Earth with this mind-boggling trip to the place that boasts its location in its very name: Ciudad Mitad del Mundo, which mean ‘Middle of the World City’. In less than a few hours you will have been both on Earth’s northern and the southern hemisphere, as well as in the city that straddles them.

Before it became widespread knowledge that planet Earth was in fact round, people all over the globe assumed it to be some sort of sprawling flat expanse. Yet, when the Earth’s roundness was accepted, other questions arose. Where was the middle? That is how the equatorial line was defined, an invisible line that lassoes the world dividing it into a northern and a southern hemisphere.

The Middle of the World City, and the impressive monument within, was erected during the 17th century, when a French Expedition determined the exact location of the equatorial line. On this tour, we begin by visiting the northern part of Quito, capital of Ecuador, and then heading up towards the Middle of the World City. There you can contemplate the magnificent monument that divides planet Earth into a northern and a southern half.

Complete this vertiginous day with an incursion into the highly enlightening Intinan Museum, also known as the Equinox Solar Museum, where you can learn more about the history behind the equatorial line. After this tour, you will know where you stand, not only in Quito or in Ecuador, but on Earth.

Meeting/pick-up point: Pick-up available from private addresses or hotels located in the metropolitan district of Quito.
Duration: 5 hours.
Start/opening time: Between 8/8.30am.
Languages: English and Spanish.