Mashpi Lodge Family Trip
Eva Merkx is one of the driving forces behind Happy Gringo Travel. Her experiences in Ecuador led her to share her passion for travel here with others. Along with her husband Cristian and their two children, Yulia and Hanna, she travels to the four regions of Ecuador-exploring the country in search of outdoor family adventures.
This quest recently led to the Mashpi Lodge in the cloud forest northwest of Quito. Keep reading for some in-the-know insights into three days at one of National Geographic’s Unique Lodges of the World. The annually updated list showcases stunning locations internationally that combine sustainable tourism with conservation.
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Mashpi Lodge is a ¨cocoon of luxury in the clouds¨ – a beautiful lodge surrounded by the magical cloud forest. If you've not visited a cloud forest before then first check out our 8 top reasons to visit the Ecuadorian cloud forest!
Mashpi is located in the sprawling Choco Andino Reserve, which was declared a new biosphere reserve by UNESCO in July 2018. This part of the reserve is highly sought after by bird watchers and is teeming with endemic flora and fauna.
Within the boundaries of the Choco is the Mashpi Reserve- 1,200 hectares of lush cloud forest that´s protected from logging and other intrusions of the modern world. Founded by a former mayor of Quito with a passion for the outdoors, Mashpi has a strong conservation strategy-combining sustainable tourism and forest preservation to give guests a one-of-a-kind immersion into the diversity of the cloud forest.
Since the beginning, the Mashpi Reserve and lodge have been hosts to scientists from all over the world whose ongoing mission is to explore, research, and document the natural world of the cloud forest. New species have been discovered here and studies by universities worldwide are paving the way for a better understanding of the nuances of the forest.
The lodge is an elegant retreat and the activities that you can do as a family put you in the midst of an Andean paradise. Waterfalls, rivers, valleys, and rolling tundra covered in blankets of clouds hide howler monkeys growling in the distance, birds that capture the imagination, and surprises around every bend in the trail that friendly and fun guides point out with deft skill.
Mashpi Lodge is great to visit as a family – the activities, guides, food, and service are very much oriented towards making every member of the family feel good. The kids will explore the forest with their wildlife checklist, and the hikes and activities will be adjusted to your personal needs and interests as a family. Besides that, the naturalists´ local knowledge combined with backgrounds in science and education opens up the natural world for travelers of all ages.
Mashpi Lodge - Top 10 Activities for Kids
So, what all traveling parents really want to know is how to keep the kids entertained and engaged. At Mashpi Lodge it's really easy - there is so much to do for children of all ages, and lots of opportunity for educational learning.<>
1. Swimming in Waterfalls
When I asked my kids what they most enjoyed at Mashpi Lodge, the unanimous top hit was the waterfall swim! Nothing is better than a refreshing swim under one of the waterfalls of the reserve - very clean and pure water. There are around thirty waterfalls in the reserve, four of which are easily reached by the network of trails throughout the area. So, pack swimsuits and towels ready to explore!
2. Six a.m. Birdwatching
Every morning at 6am the lodge organizes a very special activity for the kids on their rooftop tower. Kids learn how to use binoculars for birdwatching, how to spot birds and use the numbers of the clock to indicate where the birds are perching. Yulia and Hanna loved it and wanted to repeat this activity the next morning, despite the early hour!
3. The Capuchin Monkey Trail
From Mashpi Lodge there are great options for forest hikes, from easy short hikes to more exhilarating hikes that take a couple of hours. We opted for the Capuchin Monkey Trail and hiked for 3 and a half hours through the dense cloud forest. On route our guide explained about the flora of the region. Other highlights include a Tarzan jungle swing or taking a swim in an amazing waterfall that’s one of the most beautiful in the reserve. This waterfall was amazing, and what’s more, you can go around to the back of the chute of water to feel the energizing force! To get back to the lodge, we used the Mashpi Dragonfly Cable car (more about that next).
4. The Mashpi Dragonfly Cable Car
This is a huge cable car system over the forest canopy offering a relaxing way to enjoy the amazing views of the reserve. The network is one of the innovative ways that Mashpi Lodge has created to take you into the cloud forest from above. Guides can stop the gondolas to point out the birds and other creatures of the reserve. After a fun hike, it’s a great way to finish the trip in style. Highlights include remote waterfalls seen only from above as they aren’t accessible otherwise.
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From an Ecuador destination expert today5. Butterfly Farm
With kids this is amazing; we learned the whole process of metamorphosis from the eggs to the emergence of beautiful butterflies. About 300 species of moths and butterflies have been identified to date in the Mashpi reserve, about a dozen of which can be seen in the butterfly farm. Due to the impressive number of different butterfly species in the reserve, they have been a major focus for study and research.
6. Night Walk
One evening, after sunset, we went on a thrilling hike through the forest where frogs and nocturnal animals filled the air with a natural symphony of sound. We had a great guide who spotted everything in the shrouded forest… A few of the creatures we saw were huge spiders, frogs, and tarantulas! Even though my daughters are not big fans of creepy crawlies, they found the experience fascinating.
7. The Skybike
Definitely a fun activity to do with the kids – biking in the clouds is an experience that brings the forest to life. The Skybike is located close to Mashpi lodge and only takes about 20 minutes to ride. The trip takes you soaring over a gorge and one of the rivers of the reserve below. One person pedals the bike along a treetop cable with marvelous forest views from every angle.
8. The Mashpi Lab Visit
Mashpi Lodge has combined sustainable tourism with a focus on scientific research that aims to further the knowledge of this biodiversity hotspot and promote environmental awareness. The laboratory, located adjacent to the main lodge, is home to a number of significant on-going experiments, which have already led to the identification of several species new to science. Here we met with a biologist who explained to us about the butterflies and moths of the cloud forest and about the scientific projects that are carried out at Mashpi.
9. The Mashpi Hummingbird Garden
The hummingbird garden is another highlight of Mashpi Lodge. Located at an hour and a half by car from the lodge, this is a beautiful quiet spot where hummingbird feeders are hung out so you can catch amazing views of around 19 different hummingbird species found in the area. Tucans, colorful tanagers and squirrels are also often seen here. Since we were only at Mashpi Lodge for 2 nights, we unfortunately didn´t have enough time to visit the hummingbird garden – a good reason for us to come back!
10 Relax-time at Mashpi Lodge
Mashpi Lodge is also a great place to just relax and unwind in the peaceful surroundings of the forest. Every room has large panoramic windows that look out on the forest, using nature as part of the aesthetic of the design. Enjoy some time at the outdoor Jacuzzi or take a massage or beauty treatment at the Spa. Take a glass of wine at the beautiful bar, and experience the food! The buffet-style menu revolves around the food of the four regions of Ecuador, serving traditional dishes including ceviche from the coast and hearty stew from the mountains. The kitchen uses wild garlic grown in the reserve and many other herbs and spices from the forest that adds a new twist to the creative plates. Let yourself get spoiled by service which is always there with a smile.
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I hope you enjoyed reading about our family experience at Mashpi Lodge. I really cannot recommend it highly enough, with or without kids, Mashpi is a taste of luxury in the cloud forest, with plenty to keep you busy for says on end.
If you'd like help organising your own Mashpi Lodge visit, then just let me know. I'll be happy to share more tips with you for a magical experience. Happy Gringo custom make Ecuador vacations to all regions of the country, including the Galapagos Islands, Andean Mountains, Amazon Rainforest, and of course the Cloud Forest. Contact us for a FREE TOUR QUOTE.
