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Metropolitan Touring’s Mashpi Lodge In Ecuador
My wife and I had the distinct pleasure of staying at the luxurious eco-lodge, known as …
Mashpi Lodge
set high on the western slopes of the Andes, in the Ecuadorian Chocó cloud forest.
This was an amazing 2 night outdoor exploration stay, unlike anything we have ever experienced in all our years of travel around the world.
One of National Geographic’s 50 Unique Lodges of the World
About The Mashpi Lodge
The Mashpi Lodge is owned by {Metropolitan Touring}. This well established and world renowned travel company began operating excursions to the Galapagos Islands back in the 1950’s.
Since then, beginning with its original founder {Eduardo Proano Paz y Mino}, now own and operate three expedition ships in the Galapagos Islands {Yacht Isabela II, Yacht La Pinta and the Santa Cruz II}.
The company also owns two other luxury hotels in Ecuador and which my wife and I had the pleasure of staying at as well.
They include; The { Finch Bay Hotel} on Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos Islands and the historic { Casa Gangotena Hotel} in Old Town Quito.
The man behind Mashpi Lodge is Ecuadorian entrepreneur, environmentalist and former mayor of Quito,{Roque Sevilla}, is the individual who envisioned Mashpi Lodge.
Mashpi Lodge – Location
Mashpi Lodge and the {Mashpi Rainforest Reserve}, consists of 6,000 acres of Chocó cloud forest. Once owned years ago by a timber company, Sevilla purchased the property to save the forest and its inhabitants.
Located about a 3 hour drive outside the city limits of Quito, the lodge sits in the cloud forest 3,116 feet above sea level on the western slopes of the Andes.
When you arrive at the Lodge, you literally feel you are in the middle of nowhere in an immensely dense jungle.
Consisting of only 25 guest rooms, this 5 star rated luxury eco-friendly lodge is also a research station and education center for exploration and discovery. Their focus is on the education and protection of the rainforest and its inhabitants for generations to come.
“Studies involve butterflies, mammals, birds, fish, amphibians, reptiles and macro-invertebrates, and include scientific discoveries of new species.”
Mashpi Lodge – Accommodations
A special feature to this Lodge, is they do have guest rooms to accommodate solo travelers and come with special rate offers.
Rooms are unique in design with huge floor-to-ceiling beautiful panoramic windows. Each room is designed where guests can keep the blinds open day and night in complete privacy, with surrounding views of the dense cloud forest outside.
For those who prefer more privacy, each room has remote controlled draw down black out curtains for your convenience.
Our {Wayra} guest room was very large in size, with a very comfortable king bed and pillows. There were 2 sitting chairs with an end table to sit and enjoy the surrounding cloud forest view outside.
Our room also included a desk and chair for added convenience.
The main bath was fully equipped with all the amenities one would expect in such a high caliber of accommodation, complete with a walk in shower.
Each guest room offers;
Safe deposit boxes;
Luxury bathrooms;
Hairdryers;
Wi-Fi Connection;
Telephone;
Bathrobe and slippers;
Reusable water bottle;
Fresh, filtered water.
Mashpi Lodge – The Experience
As our package was booked with Metropolitan Touring, transportation to and from our hotel in Quito was included with our stay.
Upon arriving at the Lodge, we were warmly greeted by staff along with a special welcome fruit beverage.
Once checked in at reception, we were invited to enjoy lunch in the main dining room, while our room was being prepared and our bags delivered to the door.
After lunch and as other guests arrived, we were then escorted to the main Expedition Lounge, where we were introduced to the Lodge’s manager and the customer relations manager.
A full briefing of what to expect and enjoy during our stay Mashpi Lodge.
Mashpi Lodge – Dining
This is an all inclusive luxury resort, with incredible dishes prepared by their executive chefs. All non alcoholic beverages are also included during your stay.
There is a full bar in the main dining area, complete with daily {Happy Hour} cocktails available for guests. All meals were absolutely incredible and all served by the restaurant’s wonderful and experienced staff.
Below, is just a sample of some of the amazing meals prepared for breakfast, lunch and dinner, that you can expect to receive during your stay.
Guests have a variety of beautifully prepared meals from the menu to choose from. From fine dining options to more casual selections.
Just one of the many excellent experiences you will have during your stay at Mashpi Lodge.
Mashpi Lodge – Rainforest Adventures
Your stay at Mashpi Lodge includes personalized and numerous rainforest adventures and educational opportunities for each guest.
There’s no time to be wasted during your stay at Mashpi. Your stay is tailored to your level of fitness, desires and expectations. To fully experience each outdoor activity, the Lodge recommends a 2 night stay.
We did just this and it was perfect!
After our introduction and check in to our guest room, we were to get ready for our first outdoor adventure with our assigned experienced naturalist guide {Gabriel}.
It was time for a little hike in order for our guide to get to know each one of us and to assess our level of fitness for the day’s hikes and adventures over the next 2 days.
If you wish to take part in each activity, which I highly recommend, your days will be full from morning until evening.
Day 1
Sky Bike and Observation Tower
On our first afternoon there was no time to be wasted. We started on a nice leisurely hike with our guide and just one other couple, making our way through the cloud forest to the Sky Bike.
The 6,000-acre Mashpi Rainforest Reserve, is home to over 400 species of birds, frogs, a variety of different trees and other endemic species found nowhere else in the world.
The ride was loads of fun and the views of the cloud forest were amazing!
If you have loads of energy, there’s a huge observation tower you climb to take the view above the trees 85 feet/26 meters above.
Unfortunately it was misty with cloud cover during our visit, so we passed on the opportunity and just sat back and enjoyed the sites, sounds and smell of the cloud forest, while our fellow guests attempted the climb.
For outdoor and nature enthusiasts, this is a place like no other you will ever discover. Throw in a little luxury and you’ve got the Mashpi Lodge experience!
After our outstanding first afternoon, our guide {Gabriel} was able to assess our physical abilities and limitations. After discussions with him on what he recommended for the next day’s activities, we knew it was going to be a day full of adventure.
But our first day was not done yet!
Evening Exploration Hike
How about an evening exploration walk in the pouring rain, to discover life in the dense forest after dark.
It’s an incredible experience to hear and see many nocturnal creatures that come alive at night. The {Mashpi Torrenteer} frog, a new species discovered at the lodge, can be heard and seen.
Your guide will find and shine the light on things that you would have never seen or even known were present. From a variety of insects, spiders, frogs, scorpions and more. Yikes!!
As well in the evening hours if you prefer, there is always an educational talk in the {Expedition Room} hosted by one of the many naturalist guides.
Mashpi Lodge SPA and Hot Tub Facilities
Yes, you can book a time at the Lodge’s SPA for a relaxing massage and a wide variety of beauty and body treatments.
The Samay Wellness Center located down a short path from the main building, has a large open air hot tub that can be booked for private use.
As well, you will find an outdoor yoga and meditation deck located in the Center.
Day 2
Hummingbird Garden – Magnolia Trail and Magnolia Falls – Dragonfly Canopy Gondola
Our second day was filled to the brim with activities. Starting with a 6 am gathering at the rubber boot and poncho station. Complimentary rubber boots and rain ponchos are provided and definitely needed on many of the outdoor activities.
It was time to hop in the van and head a short way to a favorite location in the choco forest, to observe the many beautiful varieties of birds.
Bird Viewing & Hummingbird Garden
Our naturalists insisted it would be worth the while and afterwards, we would head to the {hummingbird garden}, for a nice picnic breakfast
.
During breakfast, you can observe over 20 species of hummingbirds, along with a variety of other birds active in the early morning hours.
It was an absolutely perfect way to start our busy day. We have never seen such a variety of colorful birds in one place at the same time!
Returning after a wonderful morning, you have free time to relax, take a nap, have lunch and then get ready for some hiking in and along the {Magnolia Trail} to Magnolia Falls.
Enjoying a casual picnic breakfast surrounded by a variety of hummingbirds!
Magnolia Trail and Magnolia Falls
This is a superb walk with your guide, surrounded by the beauty of nature and the cloud forest. You reach the end, where you arrive at picturesque Magnolia Falls.
Our guide for this hike in the afternoon was {Eugene}, who led us along at a nice leisurely pace, with many stops to just take in nature and the beautiful surroundings.
For those so inclined, it’s a chance to take a refreshing dip in the clear waters. Definitely worthwhile and where else are you going to get an opportunity to take a swim in the jungle!
Dragonfly Canopy Gondola
It was then time to continue on to catch the Dragonfly open-air cable car. This is a 4 person cable car and one of the highlights of your Mashpi Lodge experience.
The gondola line is 2 kilometers/ 1.25 miles long. It moves very slowly so you have a chance to soak in the beauty of the cloud forest surrounding you. Your guide can have the gondola stop and/or reverse at any time via radio communication.
We did just that, as he spotted a group of capuchin monkeys in the trees. Apparently Eugene said that this was a rare sighting from the cable car at this time in the afternoon and that we were fortunate to experience.
What an outstanding day with our guides and one that will leave us with lasting memories of a lifetime.
After dinner, it is your choice whether you wish to take part in an educational talk in the Expedition Room, go for another night hike or just do what you wish at your leisure.
It’s then time to head to the dining room for dinner to complete your day.
Day 3
The Life Center
For our last morning before checking out at noon and heading back to Quito and after a superb pancake breakfast along with fruit, our guide {Gabriel} suggested we hop in the truck and head straight to the Life Center.
This would give us extra time to sit and relax and spot the many early morning active birds, along with a wild guinea pig that happened to drop by for a snack. Gabriel was even able to call some howler monkeys down in the jungle for us.
Also at the Life Center is a 🦋 butterfly farm which is used for discovery and learning.
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After an excellent relaxing morning with our guide, enjoying the natural surroundings 🦋 butterflies and birds, it was time to hike back to the truck and return to the Lodge, to pack up and check out by noon.
Our 2 night stay was an amazing extraordinary experience, like no other we have ever had. To be immersed into the cloud forest jungle, yet with luxurious accommodations and meals, it was simply incredible.
From first rate customer service, to days filled with adventure personalized by your professional naturalist guide, it is no wonder National Geographic has listed the Mashpi Lodge as one of – 50 Unique Lodges of the World.
If you love nature and are an outdoor enthusiast, then you will absolutely love your stay at Mashpi Lodge. A 2 night stay is strongly recommended, to be able to take part in all the activities that are offered at this facility.
It is the perfect compliment to any of {Metropolitan Tourings} vacation packages. Their team of travel professionals will put together the perfect Ecuador travel package that is just right for you.
Together with our stay at their 2 other lavish resorts, along with a wonderful Expedition Cruise in the Galapagos Islands, we couldn’t have asked for a more complete vacation package to Ecuador.
For more detailed information on this very unique property, I have listed their official website below for your convenience.
Mashpi Lodge
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Safe and Healthy Travels!
Although our stay was in collaboration with Metropolitan Touring & Mashpi Lodge, rest assured, all content and opinions are mine and reflect my personal views only.
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Unauthorized use is strictly prohibited.
Did You Know …
“Ecuador’s Cloud Forest Stretches From North of Quito To The Border With Peru.” Join Me On Instagram For Travel Photos, Video’s & More!
Casa Gangotena Hotel {Review}
Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel {Review}
Galapagos Islands Cruise {Review}
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