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Central & South America

Mashpi Cloud Forest Lodge

Duration
3-4 Days
Prices From:
US$ 1,824

Experience Ecuador's wild side at Mashpi Cloud Forest Lodge.

Highlights of Ecuador

Mashpi Cloud Forest Lodge was designed as the ideal springboard for exploring the biodiversity of the surrounding jungle. Spend 3 days here enjoying the highest standards of comfort, service and cuisine, along with the knowledge of expert guides. The Mashpi experience is about discovering life in the tree tops, trekking along trails, listening to animal calls, bathing beneath pure waterfalls, and relaxing under the forest canopy.

 

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Duration
3-4 Days
Prices From:
US$ 1,824

Itinerary View Trip Map

Day 1

Quito to Mashpi Jungle Lodge

The adventure begins in Ecuador's capital, Quito, at 8:30 AM with a pick-up for guests staying in Quito's main hotels. Mashpi Reserve, a 1,200-hectare (3,000-acre) conservation property located within the district of Quito, forms a part of the Ecuadorian Choco rainforest, known as one of the world's greatest biodiversity hotspots. The sudden shift in altitude from 2,800mts to 1,000mts (9,200 to 3,300 feet above sea level) allows spectacular natural diversity of the Andean landscape. Travel through the dry valley of Pomasqui towards the cordillera's you stern flank, into lush, misty cloud forest, and enter the magical world of Mashpi.

After lunch and a briefing, you will be comfortably settled into your room where you will be able to rest before starting with your afternoon activities. During the briefing you will be introduced to the cloud forest and its conservation, the activities from which you can choose during your stay, and helpful tips about what you are to bring to the excursions.

After a short rest, you will gather together at the lobby in order to head out on your first adventure exploring one of the trails of the Reserve, chosen by the guides depending on daily conditions. This walk will serve as an introduction to the ecological succession processes and the importance of forest conservation for the Choco region. All of your trails offer great scenic beauty and each includes a unique attraction, such as a forest of "iron palm" (Iriartea deltoidea), special birdwatching opportunities, or other unexpected surprises.

For all guests interested in knowing more about the cloud forest's ecology, every evening there is a series of different lectures like the "Secret Wildlife of Mashpi, the trap camera project", or the "Choco, a biological hotspot", which talk about the formation and diversity of the Choco, and the scientific research projects. The lectures will be given by one of your naturalists or your resident biologist at 7:30 PM.

Meal Plan Lunch and Dinner
Duration2 Nights
Accommodation

Mashpi Lodge

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    Mashpi Lodge

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    The sophisticated and strikingly-contemporary lodge is designed as the ideal springboard for exploring the bio-diverse world of its reserve. Mashpi Lodge features views of the forested mountains on one side and the forest right up close on the other through its floor-to-ceiling glass windows. The …

    The sophisticated and strikingly-contemporary lodge is designed as the ideal springboard for exploring the bio-diverse world of its reserve. Mashpi Lodge features views of the forested mountains on one side and the forest right up close on the other through its floor-to-ceiling glass windows. The Lodge, built with the latest techniques in sustainable building and employing hydroelectric power in the near future, is designed to blend beautifully with its surroundings. It features contemporary, minimalist decor, mixing warm earth tones, notes of bright colour, and clean lines.

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Day 2

Mashpi Jungle Lodge

The forest always rewards the "early birds", as the dawn light lures a variety of fascinating species in their search for food. A good place to find birds is actually right at the hotel's terrace, with a cup of fresh coffee, tea or hot chocolate in hand, from where you can enjoy not only the beauty of the forest but also the many species that come to feed on insects and fruits at nearby trees. Your guides will help us spot what's around, offering a peek inside their telescope for a close-and-personal view of the incredible bird richness Mashpi possesses. This activity begins at 6:30 AM and lasts about an hyour. Then, enjoy breakfast at your hotel restaurant.

Your guides will recommend the best daily program for you and your group depending on your interests, your level of physical fitness and daily trail conditions. Choose from the many trails and activities, including the following:

Trails
As you enter the realm of the rainforests, you will become aware of life at every step: mushrooms and "fox fire" fungi below, tree trunks festooned with orchids, lichens and mosses, giant ferns reaching up to the light above, coiling vines, swirling mists and clouds of moisture. And then, from nowhere, comes the sound of rushing water, a waterfall amid this glistening, green world, where you can wade through rivers, walk along their banks, revive your senses.

Two of the Lodge's main trails are the Howler Monkey and Magnolia (named after an oak) trails. Both link up with the the Dragonfly canopy gondola system. Along the trails, guests will learn more from both their Naturalist Guide and Local Guide about the myriad plants, insects and animals that inhabit this biodiverse universe. The guides will enthusiastically share their knowledge of their characteristics, behavior, and uses.

Due to Mashpi's mountainous topography, trails are rarely flat. The Howler Monkey (mainly primary forest) and Magnolia (mainly secondary), although short - 2 km and 700 m, respectively - are steep. The trails' steepness is an advantage since the hillsides enable more light to penetrate the forest, thereby increasing the diversity of plants and animals that one can observe at each stratum. Both trails have been specially adapted to make walking easier, using embedded recycled plastic crates to create steps and firm paths.

The way back uphill on both these trails can be aboard the Dragonfly, reached by wading through the shallow river in rubber boots, and walking the connecting trail to the Cotinga Tour.

A popular trail after completing the Sky Bike activity (see below) takes us to San Vicente waterfall, a 45-minutes-to-an-hyour steep hike that demands good physical condition. You can also hike the Oxibelis trail that takes us to a small waterfall before heading back to the lodge. The combination of activities (Sky Bike, observation tour and hike) can take between 2 to 4 hours, depending on the trail chosen.

The Copal Waterfall trail offers a beautiful 2-hour-long hike featuring a landscape of moss-covered trees, bromeliads and orchids at every corner. The trail ends at a spectacular waterfall over 50 m high.

A refreshing natural juice and fresh will be waiting for you when you return the lodge, along with a varied and delicious lunch at the hotel restaurant. And the afternoon is yet again free for other activities. Consult your guide about the trail options and forest adventures that are best for you.

Refreshing waterfalls
Water is key to life in Mashpi, and there's nothing like a refreshing dip at the end of a walk. Several rivers cross the Mashpi Reserve close to the hotel, many forming beautiful small waterfalls, cascades and pools. The water temperature is between 18 and 20C (64 and 68F).

Life Centre
Close to the lodge, the Life Centre is conceived as a place for learning and discovery, but also as a space for guests to disconnect, contemplate the views, sit in comfortable chairs, read a book, and enjoy a fresh cane juice.

The best way to reach the Life Centre is actually through the forest, so you take what you've come to call the "Howler Monkey's trail". This path crosses primary forest dominated by many ancient trees, being the "copal" (Dacryodes cupularis) the most emblematic of them. You occasionally get to listen to rare birds, such as the Rufous-fronted Wood-quail (Odontophorus erythrops) or the Rufous-crowned Antpitta (Pittasoma rufopileatum). Your guides are keen on noticing every sound that comes from the forest deep, hoping to reveal colourful birds or elusive howler monkeys, while your naturalist guide explains the habitat's ecology; both share with us their extensive knowledge on forest plants and their medicinal uses.

Once at the Centre, guests will learn more about the butterflies that inhabit the region, being shown the process of these creatures from eggs to pupae to chrysalis to winged wonder. Some 200 species of butterfly have been identified to date in the Reserve, with nearly a dozen observable at the Centre. Other points of learning dozens of species of orchids, bromeliads and passion flowers all around the structure. You will also discover various species of host plants that butterflies use to lay their eggs on, such as passion flowers, birds of paradise.

Close to the Centre, you have established an area for growing medicinal plants (ideal for a reviving herbal infusion) and beyond, many varieties of bushes and fruit trees, including banana and plantain, manioc, cacao, tobacco, coffee, bread fruit, and heart of palm. These attract all sorts of wildlife, from birds to rodents to mammals - making for easier observation from the comfort of the Centre's expansive wooden deck. Most of the interpretation at the Centre will be imparted by local guides or people involved with the project from local communities. Guests will find ingredients from these gardens in the dishes prepared back at the lodge.

Observation Tour
There are few easier or better ways to appreciate the beauty of the Mashpi Reserve's forest and hills than climbing the Observation tour. Here, guests are able to enjoy an exciting bird's-eye view and the dramatic panoramas that surround the lodge from the observation tour. This is a metallic structure, with a staircase that climbs to about eight-stories high (26 m or 85 ft), ideal for wildlife observation, particularly at dawn or dusk. Species that can be spotted here include toucans, woodpeckers, barbets, tanagers and parrots as well as raptors. The tour is a 10-minute walk from the lodge.

Looming above the treetops, Mashpi's observation tour allows your guests to enjoy the protected forest in all its glory. At 30 m (100 ft) above the ground, this is an ideal site for nature lovers, allowing us not only to appreciate the forest's complex structure, but also the incredible species richness that thrives throughout the canopy (70% of the forest's biodiversity is found here). You climb 162 steps to reach the top.

Dragonfly
Of course, if you really want to see the amazing canopy life, you need to get a birds' eye view. Luckily, this is now possible, thanks to the Dragonfly canopy ride. Glide through the tree tops at a relaxed pace and view the dense forest, interrupted by cascading waterfalls, from an air-born perspective. In 40 minutes, the Dragonfly takes us on a route covering 2 km (1.25 mi) and gives us the opportunity to appreciate the true immensity of the Reserve, contrasting delightfully with the discoveries of minute life forms that you achieve on walks through the dense forest below. Enjoy the Dragonfly on its own or combine it with other hikes and activities to make the most of your journey.

Sky Bike
Located close to the hotel, the Sky Bike provides another original and exciting way to explore the forest canopy up close. Designed for two people to use at once, one person pedals the bike along a cable stretched between two points in the forest, around 200 m (655 ft) apart, crossing a gorge above a river flowing between rocks and trees below. Silent, easy-to-use and fun, it's an activity for children over 8 years-old accompanied by an adult, providing guests with another chance to observe the natural world close to the lodge and even spot its denizens. To enjoy the ride, one must be at least 1 m tall (3.2 ft) (children must be accompanied by an adult). The bike ride takes no more than 20 minutes.

Hummingbird Viewpoint
The forests of Mashpi boast 32 hummingbird species identified to date, inhabiting different specific altitudes, with around 19 species alone observable by guests. In order to make it easier to see these amazing creatures, a shelter with seating provides the ideal setting, with feeders for the birds strung from its roof. The site is located at a natural viewpoint, which, on clear days, provides breathtaking views of the Reserve's forested hills.

Night walks
The Mashpi forest is transformed at night, with far more activity visible than during the day. Optional night walks will head out from the hotel after dinner to discover its nocturnal creatures and their behavior. The species range from moths as big as your hand to miniature glass and tree frogs, croaking toads, birds, owls, rodents and mammals, and even fox fire, an Avatar-like luminous fungus. It's a magical world, often astounding at the micro level, and seldom explored, ready to be discovered in expert company.

Wellness Centre
The peaceful surroundings of the Reserve call out for a spiritual moment in which you unite body, mind and spirit. Keep up your practice at the yoga deck or just lie back and enjoy a massage, time in the outdoor hot tub (see which birds you can spot while you soak), or any of your spa treatments.

Night briefings
Each evening, at 7:30 p.m., your Naturalist Guides or resident biologist share the wonders of the Mashpi with your guests. Learn about ongoing research projects, conservation initiatives, natural history of the region and much, much more.

Meal Plan Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3

Mashpi Jungle Lodge to Quito

Your day again begins early, at 6:30 AM, in the hotel lobby and takes advantage of the fact that many bird species come to the hotel to feed. After a cup of coffee, you walk down the road seeking out mixed-species feeding flocks: these usually feature different insectivorous bird species that move together while foraging. In a single flock, you may see over 20 different species, making these more-or-less common encounters an undeniable treat for bird aficionados. The activity takes one hour; you return to the lodge for breakfast.

There is time for a short hike today or one of your other activities. Check with your guide for the best option.

You return to the hotel for check out at 11:00 AM. Your transfer leaves Mashpi Lodge at 11:30 AM. You will be given a complimentary box lunch to enjoy during your drive back to Quito.

Meal Plan Breakfast and Lunch

Other Information

DEPARTURES:

Daily

PRICE INCLUDES:

  • Return Quito to lodge transfers
  • Jungle transfers as listed
  • Activities, guides and meals as indicated
  • Accommodation as indicated or similar 

PRICE EXCLUDES:

  • Beverages unless specified in the itinerary
  • Meals not mentioned
  • Travel insurance
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Visa fees if required
  • All international and domestic airfares and airfare taxes unless specified

OTHER INFORMATION:

Child rate is applied to children under 12 years-old sharing room with at least one adult. Maximum of 2 children under 12 years-old can share a room with an adult. Hotel has interconnected rooms.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

Prices are "from" per person based on twin/double share accommodation and for travel in low season. Seasonal surcharges and blackout dates may apply. Limited seat/spaces and all pricing is subject to change and availability. Rates for single or triple travellers are available on request - please enquire.

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TB CONDORTQUI23SG: MLRBR3 ROOM
8 Dec 2023

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