Mashpi lodge is a gorgeous luxury lodge set amid the rainforest in Ecuador. It is only a 3-hour drive from Quito and offers an amazing wildlife experience. You will need a minimum of 3 days for this trip, but you can extend it as well.
Check out these amazing activities!
Sky Bike
Located close to the hotel, the Sky Bike makes for a novel and exciting way of exploring 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 meters (655 feet) apart – while zipping over a beautiful gorge complete with running rivers that flow around the rocks and trees below.
Observation Tower
One of the best ways to enjoy the beauty of Mashpi is from the observation tower. The tower is a metallic structure with winding steps. It stands at about eight stories (26 meters/85 feet) high and is ideal for all types of wildlife lovers. Species spotted from here include toucans, woodpeckers, barbets, tanagers and parrots, as well as birds of prey.
Life Center (with butterfly research and exhibition)
Here we will get to learn about the species of butterflies found in this region, observing the whole process of metamorphosis from egg to beautiful butterfly. About 300 species of moths and butterflies have been identified to date in the Reserve, and our team has successfully managed to reproduce 50 of these to date. About a dozen can be seen at the Life Center itself.
Hummingbird Garden
The forests of Mashpi boast a total of 32 hummingbird species that have been identified to date. These inhabit different altitudes throughout the reserve, with around 19 species that are observable right at our Hummingbird Garden. In order to make it easier to see these amazing creatures at our Garden, we have placed several hummingbird feeders and fruit feeders right beside our covered seating area.
Hikes and Waterfalls
Water is key to life in Mashpi, and there’s nothing like an invigorating dip full of nature’s energy at the end of a hike! The water temperature tends to hover between 18 and 20 °C (64 and 68 °F), which is perfectly refreshing after warming up with the first part of your hike.
Birdwatching and Wildlife Observation
With some 400 species of birds spotted to date – 35 of which are endemic (meaning they’re only found in Mashpi’s nearby forests) – Mashpi’s Reserve is a birdwatcher’s paradise.
You don’t need to be an experienced ornithologist or even travel that far to see and enjoy the mystical beauty of birds.
Night Walks
When darkness falls, a new troupe of creatures emerges: your guides will accompany you in search out tiny (and some transparent!) frogs, snakes, insects and even tarantulas during a Night Walk.
Dragonfly (canopy gondola)
The highlight of any trip to Mashpi is the Dragonfly – an exciting, open-air cable car system that carries you over, across and sometimes even directly through the forest canopy, offering guests a relaxing way to enjoy the reserve from overhead.
(Extra fee)
Wellness Spa
Two massage rooms await on the 2nd floor of the lodge for a wide variety of beauty and body treatments, including single or couples massages. There is also an open-air hot tub and yoga deck.
(Extra fee)