Middle of the World and Cloud Forest Route

The day begins early,  at the Pucará de Rumicucho, an Inca fortress that still holds the energy of ancient times.

The journey continues to the Intiñán Museum, where guides perform fascinating equatorial experiments — balancing an egg on a nail, watching water swirl in opposite directions depending on the hemisphere, and sharing stories of pre-Columbian worldviews. (Entrance: $5)

The Temple of the Sun welcomes visitors with the artwork of Cristóbal Ortega Maila, who paints with his hands while sharing Andean spirituality and ancestral therapies. (Entrance: $4)

The visit focuses on the Mindo Butterfly Garden, a sanctuary of color and form that enriches the natural experience. (Entrance: $7

The Ventanillas del Pululahua Viewpoint offers a breathtaking view of one of the few inhabited volcanic craters on Earth — a valley draped in mist and lush vegetation.

The tour continues, with a visit to the Carlota Jaramillo Museum, dedicated to the “Queen of the Pasillo.” Her records, photographs, and personal items keep her legacy alive. (Entrance: $2)

 A stop in Calacalí transforms the parish into an open-air museum with photo galleries and local treats like espumilla.

Lunch is served at 12:30 p.m. at Patio Organic Traditional Food or La Cuchara Orgánica, priced between $8 and $15.

In the afternoon, the Tulipe Museum invites visitors to explore Yumbo and Inca heritage in a ceremonial center linked to sacred waters, with ecological trails and living archaeology. (Entrance: $3)

Finally, relaxation arrives at Yumbo Spa, where hot-stone massages and ancestral treatments bring the day to a soothing close.

Heading to the Santa Lucía Reserve (advance reservation required).

Arrival at the morning. marks the start of a 2.5 km guided hike through slopes of 45–60%, surrounded by pristine primary forest. Home to more than 400 bird species and 300 types of orchids, this ecosystem thrives between 4,200 and 8,200 feet above sea level.

After a short break, a two-hour walk through cloud forest trails reveals the rich biodiversity that makes Santa Lucía a true scientific hotspot.

At 1:00 p.m., lunch is served at the reserve lodge, featuring traditional Ecuadorian dishes.

The return begins descending through Andean landscapes to Nanegal, reaching the parking area around 3:30 p.m., and arriving in Quito around 6:00 p.m.