Mashpi Lodge

Located in the Ecuadorian Choco, just 3 hours’ drive from Quito, lies Mashpi Lodge, in the heart of a 1,300-hectare pristine lush tropical forest where you will experience the perfect fusion of nature and luxury. The lodge offers the perfect base for adventures in the Ecuador forest, where you discover the sounds and colours of nature, meet the world of hummingbirds & butterflies, and discover hidden waterfalls.

Perched at 900 m (3,116 feet), the Lodge is surrounded, by a profusion of plant species, from ferns and bromeliads to hundreds of orchid species, many newly-discovered. A staggering 500 species of bird - including some 36 endemics - are also can be seen. Monkeys, peccaries and even puma, although rarely seen, make their homes inside the Reserve. The highlight of any trip to Mashpi is a ride aboard the Dragonfly, an innovative cable system which carries you under, through and above the forest canopy: a unique way to see the world anew.

The rooms, arranged over three floors, all face north, with floor-to-ceiling glass windows, some on two sides. You wake up to a captivating view awash with greens and browns, with trunks, branches, vines, leaves, birds and clouds all around. It's a bit like being in a capsule, observing life beyond from the comfort of your bed. The rooms' lighting is subdued, hidden LED lights running along the handsome wooden bedheads.

There are 24 luxurious rooms, including 3 'Yaku' suites and 20 'Wayra' rooms and a Wawa single suite. The Lodge features a beautiful outside terrace with a pergola roof extends, tables and seating, as well as lounge chair - a wonderful location for a morning yoga session. On the first floor, there is a Library, with an extensive collection of books, which is used by guides and the resident biologist for talks and presentations. Close-by, the small boutique sells a range of books, guides, clothing and crafts, as well as essentials for guests. There is also a computer with internet access, and Wi-Fi is available throughout the lodge. The Wellness Space is opened to the breezes and sounds of the forest, perfect for relaxing after hikes, while specialized massages and treatments using natural local ingredients such as earth, stones, and herbs.