Be immersed in the deep green forest of one of the world's richest bio-diversity hotspots. Mashpi Lodge brings together first-class service with the natural and cultural wonders of the Ecuador. Only guests of the lodge can access this cocoon of luxury among the rooftops of the Ecuador's rainforest. Hike the nature trails, explore by the lodge's sky bike, get a different perspective from the observation tower, and observe the wildlife around Mashpi Lodge.
Highlights
Discover the magical unseen world of the Mashpi forest on a night walk
Stay in the heart of one of the world's richest bio-diversity hotspots
Explore the rainforest by trail, sky bike, observation tower, and gondola
Moderately active but not overly strenuous. This level includes activities like casual cycling, yoga, or excursions/activities that typically last 3-5 hours total each day.
The adventure begins around 8:00AM when you will be picked up from one of the designated Quito hotels (Swissotel, JW Marriott, Hilton, or Casa Gangotena). Start the journey along the western flank of the Andes next to the "Middle of the World" which marks the equatorial line. Contine west, following the course of the Rio Blanco passing the archaeological site of Tulipe and farming communities along the way.
Arrive Mashpi Lodge mid-morning to settle in and enjoy lunch. With the help of the expedition staff, choose from the offered activities and plan them at your own pace. The afternoon could behold a hike through the forest or gliding above the canopy on the Dragonfly cable car! When darkness falls, your guides will take you into the night to search for frogs, snakes, and even tarantulas.
The dawn light brings with it an opportunity to view the "early birds" of the rainforest. Observe a variety of fascinating bird species as they search for food while you enjoy a cup of morning coffee. Later this morning, you will take the 15-minute walk to the Observation Tower. Looming above the treetops, it allows guests a unique perspective of the surroundings. From the tower, guests can opt to take a tandem Sky Bike ride above lush forest, then across a river and gorge. Other activities, such as nature walks, hikes to waterfalls, or just more wildlife observation, can be enjoyed before lunch.
This afternoon at the Life Centre, explore the life of butterflies, flower species, birds, and mammals of the area. The fruit feeders at the Centre draw a wide variety of animals, so this is the perfect place to see many different species in one place. Guests can also choose to sit in on educational lectures or visit the nearby orchard of banana trees, cacao, coffee, wild raspberries, and more!
Day 3: Mashpi Reserve | Quito
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch
Take advantage, yet again, of the morning hours to seek out mixed-species feeding flocks of birds on a guided walk. In a single flock, you may see over 20 different species! Return to the lodge for breakfast invigorated by this unique encounter.
Around 8:30AM, guests will head out on a beautiful 2-hour hike to Copal Waterfall. Pass orchids, bromelias, and moss-covered trees before reaching the spectacular 165 foot waterfall.
Return to the lodge by noon for one last meal at your temporary home in the rainforest. Leave for Quito at approximately 1:30PM and be dropped off at one of the same designated Quito hotels.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Initial deposit is $600, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen
TrustScore 4.8 | 176 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 176 reviews on
9 hours ago
Adventure Life is always an excellent choice when planning complicated, extreme, or exotic vacations or expeditions. They provide friendly professional services and advice and are enthusiastic and encouraging in helping us to prepare and thoroughly enjoy our trip. They handle all the details which greatly reduces the stress of planning a difficult trip. I'm very impressed with Adventure Life and definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Scott Trochim
2 days ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
4 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
5 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.