Mashpi Lodge is one of the great luxury eco-lodges in the world. Located in the heart of Ecuador’s cloud forest, Mashpi Lodge is just a 3 1/2 hour drive from Quito but feels world’s away. It offers an extraordinary experience that blends luxurious accommodation with unparalleled access to one of the planet’s most biodiverse ecosystems. We spent three days at Mashpi Lodge, taking advantage of our all-inclusive expedition that makes this luxury lodge unique. Surrounded by the rainforest, you can expect daily excursions, fine dining, and pampering during your stay.
Mashpi Lodge – Galapagos Extension
Our Mashpi Lodge stay was an added extension of our Galapagos Cruise with HX Hurtigruten Expeditions. HX Hurtigruten Expeditions has partnered with local tour company Metropolitan Touring to create memorable post- and pre-excursions that provide guests with luxury stays.
We added Masphi Lodge to our Galapagos adventure to create the ultimate adventure in Ecuador. Combine that with a few days in Quito, and we felt that we had experienced the best of what the country has to offer. We can truly say that staying at Mashpi Lodge is absolutely worth the three-hour drive on bumpy roads. This remote location in the heart of Ecuador’s Andean foothills is the perfect alternative to the Amazon Rainforest.
About Mashpi Lodge and Reserve
The lodge’s ground level is a hub of knowledge and relaxation. There is a presentation room, a cozy reading area stocked with an extensive collection of books about Ecuador, and quiet nooks where visitors can relax and take in the view of the jungle. Free Wi-Fi is also available throughout the lodge.
Everything Under One Roof
Once we were in for the night, we could comfortably walk from the first floor to the third floor and from room to room. This was a welcome escape.
For relaxation, there is an outdoor wellness area featuring an open-air Jacuzzi, and a room dedicated to massages and treatments is on the third floor. Dining at Mashpi Lodge is an event you won’t forget. The extensive menu features flavors of the region using fresh local ingredients, served in a breathtaking two-story-high dining room with mesmerizing views of the forest.
Location and Setting of Mashpi Lodge
What to Expect at Mashpi Lodge
While our room was being prepared, we ate lunch in the dining room. All meals are provided free of charge during your stay, and we started off with a buffet of salads and breads followed by our choice of main entree from the extensive menu. The lodge’s commitment to conservation and eco-friendly practices is evident in every aspect of its operation, from the construction materials to the daily activities offered to guests. Menus save paper by accessing them via tablet or phone.
After lunch, we met our hosts in the presentation room. They introduced us to the lodge and explained its history and purpose.
By providing eco-conscious accommodations and engaging visitors in educational and sustainable tourism practices, Mashpi Lodge serves a dual purpose: it acts as a guardian of the forest’s diverse flora and fauna and as a catalyst for change, inspiring guests to become advocates for conservation efforts around the globe.
Mashpi Lodge Guides and Staff
A highlight for visitors is going on a nocturnal walk in search of creatures of the night. When visiting Mashpi Lodge, it isn’t just a comfortable and relaxing stay; it is an immersive experience in a living paradise.
Its secluded location offers guests a unique opportunity to disconnect from the outside world and immerse themselves in the natural beauty and tranquility of the cloud forest. Albeit, free WiFi is available throughout the lodge.
Accommodations at Mashpi Lodge
Luxury Hotel Rooms
Wayra Rooms
Solo travelers can also book a smaller room to accommodate one person.
It was grateful for the hair dryer as the 100% humidity of the cloud forest you will need, air conditioning, and laundry service. Each day Mashpi Lodge invited guests to have their clothing dried free of charge. The lodge also offers rain ponchos should you need one on your guided excursions.
Yaku Suites
For those seeking an even more opulent experience, the three Yaku Suites are located on the first floor of the hotel and offer additional space,
Top Attractions to See at Mashpi Lodge
Throughout our stay, we enjoyed the property’s amenities and hiked through the Masphi reserve in search of wildlife, birds, and natural waterfalls.
Mornings started early, and we had full days of exciting excursions to enjoy. After breakfast, we were out exploring the jungle on either a hike or a visit to the Life Center, hummingbird garden, or until after dark. You can make your stay as busy or as relaxing as you wish. You are not pressured to go out on walks every second of the day, but trust us, you will be missing out if you skip them. We took part in two excursions a day, a night walk, and presentations.
Here are some of the top attractions you can expect at Mashpi Lodge.
Sky Bike
We spent three days with our fellow guests that consisted of another couple and a solo traveler. Solo travelers will feel right at home on Mashpi Reserve as guided tours take you out in groups to see the local wildlife. We made friends with our group that we spent three days with. As they rode the Sky Bike, we had the chance to check out another popular attraction.
Observation Tower
Hummingbird Sanctuary
We have had other hummingbird encounters in the past, but none have allowed us to hold the feeders and let the birds feed off the palms of our hands.
Life Centre
At the life center, we relaxed on a wooden platform watching beautiful birds come and go.
There is an enclosed butterfly sanctuary where we learned about the lifecycle of the butterflies and walked through the netted enclosure watching them fly about. There are many conservation projects, including the butterflies, and during our hike back, we even saw a rescue that was being taken care of inside the lodge.
Waterfalls and Hiking Trails
Walking through the trails, we hiked through shallow rivers, eco-friendly steps, and tree-covered trails to see several waterfalls during our stay.
Mashpi Lodge is crisscrossed by rivers and streams that give rise to stunning waterfalls. Guided hikes along the forest’s trails allow guests to marvel at these natural wonders and encounter some of the forest’s inhabitants.
During our final day, we even went hiking to the highest waterfall on the reserve. Our fellow guests had already checked out of the hotel, but we had a bit more time, so Lizardo took us out to explore more, and we are glad that we sucked up the energy to do it! This was totally worth the long hike.
Night Walks
For people who have never been to a rainforest at night, the guided night walk provides a fascinating glimpse into the lives of the forest’s night-time residents, including frogs, insects, nocturnal birds, and other night creatures.
Presentations
We enjoyed happy hour drinks while listening to the half-hour presentation before dinner having dinner.
Dragonfly Canopy Gondola
Unfortunately, the Dragonfly Canopy Gondola was undergoing renovation while we were visiting Mashpi Lodge, but it should be open by now, and it is a must-do experience.
This is a canopy gondola that glides silently over and through the treetops. This tranquil journey offers an unparalleled perspective of the forest, allowing guests to witness the complexity and beauty of the ecosystem from a comfortable and secure vantage point.
Jacuzzi Room
Surrounded by slatted wooden panels, we booked 45 minutes in the cabana located just steps from the main lodge of the hotel. Surrounded by tropical plants, the rainforest, and a private setting, we had an evening of pure bliss as we soothed our aching muscles after all that hiking in the hot bubbling water. How often does one get to soak in a tub in the jungle?
What is Included at Mashpi Lodge
Expert Guides – Most guides and staff are hired from the local community, supporting the local economy. Three gourmet meals, including soft drinks and water. The meals include buffet starters, appetizers, main dishes, and desserts. Rubber Boots—Once you arrive, you will be fitted with rubber boots, which will be yours for the duration. Water bottles – Water bottles are given to you in your hotel room, and they are yours to keep. There are freshwater filling stations around the hotel. Refillable water stations Insect repellant – We also received Insect repellant with our water bottles when we checked into our room. Clothes drying Service – After a day of hiking, we dropped a laundry bag off at the front desk so they could dry our clothes. The rainforest is very hot, humid, and wet, and this was a luxury amenity that we took full advantage of. They had our laundry back to our room each night. WiFi – Masphi Lodge is a place to unwind and unplug, but they do understand that it is the 21st century. There is free WiFi throughout the hotel. Hotel transfers – Mashpi Lodge is located in a remote region of Ecuador. It can be tricky to get to and transfer services are included to the hotel from Quito.
What’s Not Included at Mashpi Lodge
Check out is at 12:00 noon, but we had arranged for our driver to pick us up at 3 pm, so we had time to enjoy another adventure at the hotel in the morning followed by a spa treatment in the afternoon. It was the perfect way to end our day before hitting the bumpy roads back to the metropolitan district of Quito.
Mashpi Lodge is a magical spot in the middle of the jungle of Ecuador. If you are planning a trip to the Galapagos Islands or any other place in the country, we highly recommend splurging on this once in a lifetime experience.
Whether you’re an avid birder, a nature enthusiast, love to hike, or want to experience waterfalls in the rainforest, Mashpi Lodge promises an adventure that will leave you with lasting memories.
