Highlights

The Mashpi luxury resort in Ecuador’s could forest is the perfect way to round out your Galapagos Islands experience.

Sample Itinerary

Day 1 -Fly GALAPAGOS – QUITO

Private transfer to the JW Marriott. Accommodation for 1 night in Deluxe Rooms. On day 2 you will transfer to the Mashpi Lodge.

Day 2

The adventure begins in Ecuador’s heritage capital, Quito, at our 8 AM pick-up time for guests staying in Quito’s main hotels The transfer is shared. The Mashpi Lodge is located three hours by car from Quito (110 Km, 70 miles) in the evergreen wilds of the Andes’ western slope. The sudden shift in altitude (from 2800 msnm to 1000 msnm) will allow us to discover the spectacular natural diversity of the Andean landscape. Mashpi is a nature sanctuary located in the spectacular Chocó, one of the most celebrated bioregions in the world, known for its record-high endemism, rainfall and altitudinal range. After settling in you will be introduced to our naturalist guides who will briefly speak about the cloud forest and its conservation, the activities offered during our stay, and helpful tips about what to wear and bring during excursions.

After lunch enjoy a hike. Trail hiking require good physical condition due to some steep portions.

A large waterfall is found at the end of the  trail find a large.  The excursion takes about two hours to complete. The forest transforms by sunset: the sounds and smells intensify and other senses are awakened. We will discover the evening croaking of nocturnal frogs and incessant buzz of insects. If we turn off our flashlights, we will be able to observe sparkling fireflies and feel bats zipping by. On the ground, we’ll discover the faint glow of bioluminescent fungi all around. And as we turn our flashlights on again, we’ll quickly notice the reflection of hundreds of tiny insects. As we continue on, owls and other nocturnal birds may call into the night, while the rustling of branches above us may mean that we’re in the presence of kinkajous (Potos flavus), an arboreal mammal relative to the raccoon, making their way through the trees in search of ripe fruit. The night excursion is optional and begins at 7 PM and takes about 45 min to an hour. We then return to the lodge to enjoy a delicious dinner.

Accommodations: Mashpi Lodge (B, L , D)

DAY 3

EXPLORING THE CLOUD FOREST

 This activity combines early birding inside forest and the Life Center’s butterfly house. Our day begins at 6:30 AM in the hotel lobby, with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate and biscuits. We walk to the Life Center while seeking bird flocks crossing the road, hoping to catch sight of the many colorful tanager species that inhabit these forests. The best way to reach the Life Centre is actually through forest, so we will be hiking what we’ve come to call the “Howler Monkey’s trail”. This path crosses primary forest dominated by many ancient trees, being the “copal” (Dacryodes cupularis) the most emblematic of them. Early in the morning, the trail is buzzing with activity. We usually get to listen to rare birds (and occasionally may even have the opportunity of spotting them), such as the Rufous-fronted Wood-quail (Odontophorus erythrops) or the Rufous-crowned Antpitta (Pittasoma rufopileatum). Our guides are keen on noticing every sound and rustle in the leaves, hoping to reveal colorful birds or elusive howler monkeys, while our naturalist guide explains the habitat’s ecology; both will also be glad to share with us their extensive knowledge on forest plants and their medicinal uses. The Life Centre offers a marvelous view of the forest from the comfort of an expansive wooden deck, where wildlife abounds. We will identify the different birds and mammals that visit the fruit feeders and around 8 AM, we will enjoy a picnic breakfast. The centre is conceived as a place for learning and discovery, but also a place where guests can disconnect. We will explore the life of butterflies, the many species found in the Mashpi area and their metamorphosis from egg, larva, caterpillar, and chrysalis to winged wonder. We will also discover various species of host plants that butterflies use to lay their eggs on, such as passion flowers, birds of paradise, milk weeds and other species found in the garden. Not far from the Centre, we have also established a “tropical orchard” where many varieties of fruit trees and plants, including banana, manioc, cacao, hot chili peppers, coffee and wild raspberries, are grown. Around 10:30 AM, we head back to the lodge to rest, or maybe enjoy the Jacuzzi or a relaxing massage at the Wellness Centre, followed by a well-deserved lunch. Approximately 3 PM we gather at the lobby for our afternoon excursion along the Napa Trail. This trail crosses a variety of habitats including secondary and regenerative forests, as well as large patches of primary forest. The walk is a great opportunity to learn about the ecological realities at Mashpi and the importance of forest conservation within the Chocó bioregion. This is also a trail of great scenic beauty and an excellent opportunity for bird watching. The moderately difficult hike last about two hours. For those interested in learning more about the Ecuadorian cloud forest, we offer a lecture that sums up the different scientific research projects that take place at Mashpi.

The talk lasts around 30 minutes, and will include footage from our hidden camera traps, a project developed by our resident biologist, and a great display of the astounding diversity that thrives inside the forest.

Accommodations: Maship Lodge. (B, L, D)

 Day 4  

RETURN TO QUITO

This activity begins at 6:30 AM in the hotel lobby and takes advantage of the many bird species that come to the hotel to feed. After a cup of coffee, we walk down the road seeking mixed-species feeding flocks: these usually feature different insectivorous bird species that move together while foraging. In a single flock, we may see over 20 different species, making these more or less common encounters an undeniable treat for bird aficionados. The activity takes one hour; we return to the lodge for breakfast.   About at 8:30 AM we leave the hotel and head to Copal Waterfall. This beautiful 2-hour-long hike features a landscape of moss-covered trees, bromelias and orchids at every corner. The trail ends at a spectacular waterfall over 50 m high. We return to the hotel and depart to Quito at 11:30 am. Upon arrival transfer to the airport for your flight back home.

(B, BL)

** all activities are optional and will be chosen with the expedition leader according to the passenger’s physical level.

Pricing for 2025

Included: All tours, guides, transfers, hotels. all meals, VIP arrival and departure service at airports, all breakfasts, some lunches, flights between Vietnam and Seam Reap as indicated

Not included: International flights, meals not mentioned, gratuities, Travel insurance, personal purchases, alcoholic beverages and soft drinks.