Ecuador's Cloud Forest

Day 1 : Quito > Mashpi Lodge

This morning you will be met at your hotel in Quito and transferred with fellow guests to Masphi Lodge, located three and a half hours (110km) by road from Quito in the evergreen wilds of the Andes’ western slope. Departing Quito on the highway north and after passing the Equator Monument and Latitude 0, the sudden shift in altitude (from 2800 metres above sea level to 1000 metres above sea level) will allow you to discover the spectacular natural diversity of the Andean landscape. The road crosses the valley of Pomasqui dominated by Andean dry forest, and then to the western flank of the Andes through the Cloud Forest and the road ends in Mashpi at the beginning of the tropical rainforest.

You will spend the next two nights at Mashpi Lodge where you can join guided excursions, walks, bird-watching and nature encounters.

After settling in, you are introduced to your naturalist guides who will briefly speak about the cloud forest and its conservation, the activities you will be offered during your stay, and helpful tips about what to wear and bring to the excursions. This is followed by lunch.

After lunch enjoy a hike in the cloud forest on the Cucharillo Trail – named after the Cucharillo tree (Magnolia dixonii), which in Spanish means ‘little spoon’, an Ecuadorian endemic that is common at Mashpi, although otherwise threatened throughout the country. The trail requires some physical condition due to its steeper portions, but has been made less demanding thanks to recycled plastic crates that have been used to form steps and make paths firmer. At the end of the trail find a large waterfall and rocky riverbed with beautiful ponds and smaller waterfalls. The excursion takes about 2 hours to complete. There is some time to relax before an optional evening excursion.

The forest transforms by sunset: the sounds and smells intensify and other senses are awakened. You will discover the evening croaking of nocturnal frogs and incessant buzz of insects. Turning off flashlights, you will be able to observe sparkling fireflies and feel bats zipping by and on the ground, discover the faint glow of bioluminescent fungi all around. 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 excursion begins at 7 pm and takes about 45 minutes to an hour. We then return to the lodge to enjoy a delicious dinner.

Day 2 : Mashpi Lodge

Spend a full day enjoying many of the activities on offer which include:
• Hikes along primary and secondary growth trails through the cloud forest, so incredibly rich in bio-diversity
• Dragonfly aerial gondola above the forest canopy
• Life Centre, including explanation and displays of butterflies, frogs and toads, along with a wonderful selection of orchids and bromeliads
• 26-metre high observation tower – ideal for wildlife viewing
• The Sky-bike – a unique way to cycle 200 metres along a zip line in the canopy of the forest
• Hummingbird viewpoint, with some 16 species of this colourful bird commonly on display
• Traditional medicinal plants – their uses and benefits explained
• Swimming in beautiful natural pools

Day 3 : Mashpi Lodge > Quito

This morning is an early start for bird watchers with a guided tour – the Ecuadorean cloud forest is one of the finest ecosystems on earth to view an amazing variety of avian life, we return to the lodge for breakfast. There is time for a short hike today or one of our other activities. Check with your guide for the best option. Return to the hotel for check out at 11:00 a.m. Your transfer leaves Mashpi Lodge at 11:30 a.m. You will be given a complimentary box lunch to enjoy during our drive back to Quito.