TelefériQo, Aerial lift on Pichincha Volcano, Ecuador.

TelefériQo is an aerial lift system on Pichincha Volcano that carries passengers up the mountainside over roughly 2.5 kilometers. The journey takes visitors from lower elevations on the volcano's slopes to a station near the summit of Rucu Pichincha.

The system began operating in 2005 when it was built to make the mountain areas around Quito more accessible. This project reflected growing interest in opening up the natural highlands to wider tourism.

The name TelefériQo merges teleférico with Quito, and the Q stands in for the city. At the top, Paseo Cruz Loma holds a souvenir shop and the Cruz Loma Café facing the city, plus a pet park. On clear days the viewpoints take in Cayambe, Antisana, Cotopaxi and Rumiñahui.

Morning visits offer the clearest views, as clouds tend to gather on the slopes later in the day. Starting your ascent early helps you avoid crowds and maximize what you can see from the upper station.

The ticket stub must be kept for the return trip, and as of 2018 a photo ID was required to buy a lift ticket. The policy works as an alert system in case hikers heading for the Rucu Pichincha summit, a three-to-four-hour walk, do not come back when expected.