Mashpi Lodge

Day 1

We leave from a hotel located in the north side of the city at 7:30. Guests not staying at this hotel will be picked up by Mashpi Lodge’s own transport beforehand and driven to the departure point. We take the highway north of Quito, passing the Equator Monument and Latitude 0, and then we climb over the pass and from here on, it’s downhill towards the Pacific Ocean.

After about two-and-a-half hours, we arrive at the entrance to the Mashpi Rainforest Biodiversity Reserve, which extends over the surrounding 1,300 hectares (3,212 acres) – a haven for wildlife and biodiversity. Here, we’ll stop at the Hummingbird Viewpoint to learn more about these irrepressible flying machines, enjoy a drink. We then wind our way 6 km (3.75 miles) further aboard electric buggies until we reach the lodge itself, at approximately 12 pm. Here guests are welcomed with a refreshing drink and checked in to their rooms. Lunch is served soon after, followed by a short time to relax.

After lunch, the afternoon’s activities begin (please see options detailed below). These will depend on factors such as group size, physical abilities and weather conditions.

Before dinner, guests will meet their Naturalist Guides for a short briefing about the next day’s activities. Optional night walks head out from the hotel following dinner.

Day 2

For those who want to enjoy the beauty and magic of dawn in the forest – which is when most birds are active and calling, as well as when views are often most spectacular – early morning activities are organised before breakfast. Following breakfast, we head out from the lodge to explore, returning for lunch and a rest, before enjoying an afternoon amid Nature, then dinner, night walks and sleep.

Day 3

On the last day, there’s an early breakfast, followed by a shorter morning activity and check out. There’s then time to relax at the Lodge, watch a video presentation or birdwatch from the terraces. A substantial snack is served at 10.30am and we leave the hotel at 11am. About an hour away, we visit the intriguing archaeological site of Tulipe. We then drive back eastwards, winding our way up the Andes towards the capital, arriving at Quito hotels between 3 and 4 pm (depending on traffic, location and number of passengers).