Quito, Ecuador’s capital, a city with a rich cultural and historical heritage located above the Guyallamba drainage basin on the slopes of the active Pichincha stravolcano, sits high in the Andean foothills at an altitude of 2.850 metres, constructed of the foundations of an ancient Incan city, higlighted by a thriving street art, is plenty of parks, colonial architecture, surprisingly delicious food, with an easy access to nature among its numerous attractions offers the “Ruta Escondida” The Hidden Route, an attractive tour and a rural treasure in the metropolitan district.
This route that takes visitors through the district of Quito enjoying an itinerary highlighted by charming towns, historical sites, beautiful landscapes, majestic mountains and valleys full of history, offering a ,unique chance to experience a less touristy side of the region compared to the main attractions in Quito.
Designed to showcase the natural and cultural richness of the metropolitan area surrounding Quito, the tour focuses on experiencing local traditions, architecture, and daily life of smaller centres, villages and hamlets.
The route crosses five rural parishes, such as Athaualpa, Chavezpamba, Perucho, Puéllaro and San José de Mina inviting visitors to connect with Quito’s rural life through its culture, cuisine, landscapes and the hospitality of its inhabitants,,an ancestral path built by indigenous peoples, offering authentic and memorable experiences.
Cloud and dry forests, morlands, towering mountains, green valleys, rivers, lagoons and remote villages are part of the “Ruta Escondida” , a privileged area for its variety of microclimates and unique flora nd fauna. The five parishes also offer national and international visitors, special attractions such as ancestral festivals, cycling routes, heritage temples, museums, and traditional flavours of the area.
The parishes of the “Ruta Escondida” are :
• Athaualpa - This Quito canton of the Pichincha province crossed by the Piganta River, which is originates in the Grande de Mojanda lagoon, is a captivating place that offers the perfect combination of history, architecture and nature. Formerly called Habaspamba, “Bean plain” was renamed in 1894 to honour the last Inca of the Tahuantinsuyu. Visitors can enjoy spas and hot springs include El Valle Encantado, El Paraíso, Saavi and Cubí, the beautiful lagoons, Laguna Grande, Laguna Pequeña and Laguna Negra, the stunning waterfalls Escondida, Santa Bárbara, del Rio Mojanda and del Cucho.
• Chavezpamba - This centre is the youngest of the five parishes, its name comes from the area’s first inhabitant, Manuel Antonio Chávez. Chavezpamba and its surroundings are home to attractions like Cerro Itagua, a spectacular natural viewpoint, Intinan Solar Museum and Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve. Known for its natural beauty and agricultural activities, this centre highlighted by majestic peaks and verdant valleys is a great destination for birdwatching and hiking along the Cubí River, a place where Quito legends, myths and traditions converge.
• Perucho – This captivating rural enclave in the Pichincha Province, characterized by mountains, green landscapes, and a focus on creating a strong connection between the built environment and nature. Its history dates back to pre - Hispanic times and it was inhabited by the Piruchos tribe. Renamed San Miguel de Perucho during the colonial period, this centre is home of the iconic “Casa Perucho”, a unique house designed to blend with its natural surroundings. Its relevant ancestral heritage and traditional architecture also include the Perucho Church, the first wooden church built in Ecuador, developed in 1542. Perucho offers opportunities for nature based tourism, like climbing, hiking, trekking and photography.
• Puéllaro - Situated in the north - central area of the province of Pichincha, Puéllaro is the gateway of the “Ruta Escondida” and is the only parish with three heritage churches. This centre boasts a wealth of natural, heritage, cultural, and productive resources, which is why is considered the “Fruit Garden of Ecuador”. The area of Puéllaro offers stunning attractions like the, the Pululahua Crater and the Alto de Culebrillas, a great spot for road cycling and is near the Mitad del Mundo plaza, a tourist and cultural complex with a monument that marks the location of the equator, dividing the northern and southern hemispheres. The area offers numerous outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, an ideal destination for mountain bikers and climbing.
• San José de Mina - Situated in the north central area of the province of Pichincha, the town owes its name to the old quarries and mines in the area. During the colonial and 19th century republican eras, this centre was prominent for its production of sugarcane and “aguardiente”, a spirit which was distributed in the city of Quito. Surrounded by beautiful mountain landscapes and lush nature, San José de Mina is an excellent destination for hiking and cycling and its boasts in its vicinity various tourist sites, such as archaeological ruins, Tolas de Alance, Terrazas de Ili, among others.
How to get there:
To reach the “Ruta Escondida”, you will need to head to the eastern part of Quito, towards the Valley of Tumbaco. If you have not a car, you can take a bus from Terminal Terrestre Quitumbe, Quito’s main bus terminal to Tumbaco and from there you will likely need to transfer to another local bus or taking a taxi to get closer to the specific trailhead.
Approximately an hour and half away from downtown Quito, by public or private transportation, tourists can explore more than 20 kilometres, of history, rural treasures, and authentic Andean traditions that stand the test of time.
Link
https://en.travel2latam.com/news-98189-the-hidden-route-a-rural-treasure-in-quito
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