Quito Equator Line Tour Review: Hidden Gems & Beer Tasting

Ever get that feeling like you need to stand in two places at the very same time? Like, physically be in two separate parts, very far away from each other, without some sci-fi teleporter gizmo? Well, on a trip not that far back from now, that very idea brought me here to Ecuador, and I’m talking about that fabled Equator Line. A line that divides the Northern Hemisphere from the Southern one. I booked what seemed a pretty popular tour, you see – Quito Equator Line and Hidden Gems Tour with Beer Tasting. A line, plus exploring some cool things near it, and with cold beer somewhere there? Sounded just spot-on, at the time.

First Stop: The Iconic Mitad del Mundo

So, very early, like before the sun considered bothering to wake up, our little tour bus swung by to get me from my lodging. That initial destination? Why, it’s Mitad del Mundo, which basically means “Middle of the place that we all know and love” in Spanish, as it is that famous monument you might see in many pictures. It marks, at least according to some older data, the Equator’s position. The thing kind of looms large, which is rather perfect for taking photos. Touristy? Totally. Is that sort of sight really a must-see, even if you want to do other things there too? Possibly.

One quick side note, the real, true, exact Equator, and like where GPS tells us that particular latitude runs, isn’t actually where the monument proudly stands. Close, though. In any case, Mitad del Mundo is sort of brimming with energy, you see stalls selling all kinds of things, music going, and bunches of tourists having a blast snapping pictures. Is that monument worth seeing? You may have to ask yourself that. It has all those flags you probably love and things.

Next Up: The Intinan Museum – Science & Fun?

Then that came next, this small, and very offbeat spot they named the Intinan Museum. So, it’s only a stone’s toss away from Mitad del Mundo, this place bills itself as like, the location of the actual Equator, which you can see by checking a GPS device there, that verifies its position there. This site is sort of interesting, let’s just be real about things. It’s really interactive, you see, you can try spinning water in a sink to watch which direction it goes (or doesn’t, that), attempt to balance an egg on a nail, and even get that coveted Equator stamp for your passport, should you have one for traveling between other imaginary lines. Anyway, all the guides that they have there? They were a riot, mixing a lot of showmanship with all those supposed science facts.

Now, as a tiny disclaimer: some individuals are prone to see that certain demos here? It’s only kind of for show, so be mindful of not having those expectations rise sky-high. Still, that museum really delivered on providing that entertainment, and you will be giggling at balancing that egg (and totally failing to). This may only be worth visiting depending on if you embrace having a slightly lighthearted time. I would only visit if there aren’t too many other individuals at that exact time as you however. Is there room for exploration? You tell me.

Pululahua Crater: Viewpoints and Volcanic Grandeur

Beyond the line? Now this is where that tour actually shined. The Pululahua Crater lookout point. Not every individual thinks the Equator is exciting; like, so the bus took a short route over, going up the mountain there, and whoa, what a show, that mountain gives.

What do they call Pululahua now? It is what’s considered, I think, one of those only-occupied-crater-places anywhere. Views just totally drop from that spot over the greenly blanketed volcano, and it looks pretty epic. The weather could sometimes make all the difference too, it could actually shroud things a whole lot, it is something they have to deal with. On the time I showed up, I basically saw that whole crater displayed out down beneath me. Bring something to click with. Oh yeah, be really prepared to catch a load of really excellent photographs.

Calacalí Town and Artisan Encounters

Going from the vista, they cruised us there into Calacalí. Just imagine: there is something like a quaint village vibe thing going right there. We actually dropped into what you call a local market and saw some regional artisanal stuff on sale. To watch people getting artful stuff put together from close? Cool stuff, right here. And the people they call locals really were nice. Some did even invite discussion concerning just where ingredients come from and what really informs making any things local there. It brought even more sense on just why getting to explore some small town and neighborhoods can mean learning things about places. It goes beyond stuff you get at places with tourists.

The Brews: A Craft Beer Experience

Closing on where this story leads: time got spent tasting something good! Way back during that promotion, they hinted to brewski’s, so just get prepared.

After the bus ride finished; yeah, stopping locally meant checking somewhere selling regional brews. Good ones. I got a set, just enough to give it a sampling; some lagers as much as a stout, so yeah. They had stuff there everyone likes and finds taste in. It felt chill and ideal. Good taste- testing a brewery that locals sell and serve in a casual way too; you even get people to speak to if that peaks something from inside you, yeah?

The tour guide brought lots on their country and local drinking places around their lands, which gave some charm. Here I thought that this added a taste locally I did anticipate, truthfully.