Getting to Mashpi does not require nearly as many forms of transportation as it does getting to the Amazon, but it is certainly no less of a journey. Head north of Quito in a comfortable van, taking in the changing scenery. Try to avoid making the trip on a Friday evening, when the Quitanios are also getting out of the city to enjoy their weekend. Along the way, you’ll see stall after stall of flower vendors - Ecuador is one of the top exporters of roses, after all. Slowly the towns begin to thin and crop up less and less frequently, and in smaller and smaller sizes. You will take the pan-American highway for some of the journey, winding through the rolling hills on smooth pavement.
Eventually, though, you will turn off the main route and head off the beaten path - literally and figuratively - en route to the Mashpi Reserve, a private and secluded 3,000 acre property in the cloud forest. An hour and a half of bumping along dirt roads leads you to a gate straight out of Jurassic Park. Stop to stretch and use the facilitiies because there are stil a few miles of hard scrabble dirt road to go.
Jurassic Park? No - Welcome to Mashpi Lodge (Liz Boeheim)
The feeling of arriving at the Mashpi lodge is somewhat miraculous. You will pull up to an unassuming covered patio area that leads into the open floor-plan lodge. You may be indoors, but everywhere you look you can see the forest. Two-story windows in the dining room create a light, airy atmosphere and reinforce the feeling of being integrated into surrounding environment.
Incredible views from the Mashpi dining room (Liz Boeheim)
Throughout your stay, that feeling will not abate. From the floor-to-ceiling windows in every suite, to the dragonfly canopy ride that takes you sailing across the treetops, everything about Mashpi is intended to crelate a deep engagement with the cloud forest and its creatures while maintaining the highest level of service and luxury.
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
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
