Ecotourism is often praised as the responsible choice for travelers who want to minimize their impact on the environment. But what exactly is it? Ecotourism is defined as tourism that has a low impact on the environment while also developing sustainable practices for local communities. This type of tourism can involve outdoor activities (such as hiking, bird watching, and kayaking) and a mix of low-impact accommodations as well as sustainable practices like sourcing produce locally.

Lately, some projects have turned it up a notch and even developed luxury options to promote ecotourism as a key feature in the economies of developing nations.

Ecotourists are also generally interested in learning about the culture and history of their destination. Thus, projects that mix cultural experiences with natural sites have become the mainstay in this emerging trend.

When planning your next trip, make sure you ask questions regarding local populations and what is there history with the environments they live in. Is your trip helping to foster harmony between them and nature? What sustainable practices are in play? How does your tour operator foster ecotourism and general sustainability practices?

Here are 5 must-visit ecotourism destinations in Ecuador

1. Mashpi

Located in the Chocó bioregion, Mashpi is a haven for biodiversity. When it comes to sustainability and immersion, Mashpi is in a class of its own: offering visitors the chance to experience some of the world’s most pristine natur999al beauty, while also playing an important role in conservation efforts.

Mashpi is home to an incredible diversity of plant and animal life, including many rare and endangered species. The lodge itself was built using cutting-edge sustainable technologies and was designed to have minimal impact on the surrounding environment. Visitors can explore the reserve on foot via its multiple paths, or even by zip line and gondola, getting up close and personal with the amazing biodiversity of the area. With its commitment to sustainability and conservation, Mashpi is truly a one-of-a-kind destination for ecotourism and is a current trendsetter when it comes to ecotourism practices.

2. Cotopaxi

Another must-visit destination for any ecotourist is Cotopaxi National Park. Home to one of the world’s highest active volcanoes, Cotopaxi is an adventure lover’s dream. The park also has a number of different trails that wind through some stunning scenery, making it the perfect place to hike or mountain bike. Visitors to the park can enjoy hiking, camping, bird watching, and even horseback riding. With so much to see and do, it’s no wonder that Cotopaxi National Park is such a popular destination for both Ecuadorians and international visitors alike.

3. Galapagos

Of course, no list of Ecuador’s top eco-destinations would be complete without the Galapagos Islands. This archipelago is world-renowned for its unique wildlife, and it’s a must-see for any nature lover. From snorkeling with sea lions to hiking through lava fields, there’s plenty to do in the Galapagos.

The Galapagos National Park* is also home to a variety of unique species, including the giant tortoise, which can weigh up to 1,000 pounds. Ecotourism is an important part of the park’s economy, and visitors can experience firsthand the beauty and fragility of this unique ecosystem.

In addition to its natural wonders, the Galapagos archipelago also has a rich cultural history. The islands were once home to pirates and whalers, and today they are a popular destination for travelers from all over the world. Whether you’re interested in its wildlife, its history, or its natural beauty, there’s something for everyone in the Galapagos Islands.

4. Yasuni

Yasuni National Park is one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, and it’s also one of the most threatened. The park sits atop an oil reserve, and drilling has already begun in some areas. However, much of the park remains pristine and untouched. It’s a truly magical place and one that needs to be protected. Ecotourism may help curve the impact oil extraction has by generating alternative revenue that is dependent on keeping this incredible region pristine rather than on the exploitation of natural resources.

5. Cajas

Last but not least, Cajas National Park is a must-visit for any eco-tourist. Located in the Andes Mountains, the park is home to an incredible variety of flora and fauna. From alpacas and llamas to condors and flamingos, there’s plenty of wildlife to spot in Cajas. The park also has some stunning scenery, making it the perfect place to go hiking or horseback riding.

Why is Ecuador so lauded when it comes to Sustainable and Responsible travel?

When experts extol the virtues of ecotourism, Ecuador is one of the first countries that comes up. And for good reason! This small country is home to an incredible variety of ecosystems, from the Amazon rainforest to the snow-capped peaks of the Andes. Its also a veritable treasure trove when it comes to cultural experiences that range from the culinary to the urban and historic.

Ecotourism is a Growing Industry

Ecotourism is a growing industry, and it offers many benefits for both travelers and local communities. Ecotourism allows people to enjoy the beauty of natural areas without damaging them. It also provides an important source of income for locals, who can use this money to improve their standard of living and protect their environment. In addition, ecotourism helps to create jobs in remote areas where employment opportunities are otherwise limited.

Whether you’re looking to minimize your impact on the environment or support local communities, ecotourism is the responsible choice for travel. And there’s no better place to experience ecotourism than in Ecuador. From the Choco bioregion to the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador is teeming with natural beauty and biodiversity, so make sure you keep this incredible country in mind when setting up your travel bucket list!

*Keep in mind: The Galapagos islands are comprised of both inhabited areas and the Galapagos National Park. In order to get the full Galapagos experience, you need to make sure you include forays into the Park itself. When planning a trip, make sure you ask your provider about access to the key visitor sites. You can also book a cruise in one of the Expedition Vessels that sail around the island to guarantee full immersion in the most lauded visitor sites.

The dictionary definition of a guardian is a person who cares for or guards something, but beyond that strict definition, a guardian could also be a thing or an animal, not just a human: a dog or any other animal that defends or protects. Today, technology also acts, one way or another, as a guardian: we live among surveillance sensors, speed cameras, and voice-activated home digital security technologies. No matter what type of guardian we’re talking about, their mission is to protect something valuable from something potentially dangerous.

The Forest Guardians project, as its name suggests, aims to safeguard the integrity of the protected forest of the Mashpi Reserve — located in the northwest of Quito’s Metropolitan District, within the Chocó Andino Biosphere Reserve — employing technology at the service of conservation.

Download the Rainforest Connection app to listen to the Guardians of the Forest in Mashpi live:

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Mashpi Lodge and Fundación Futuro, together with the United States-based Rainforest Connection, have employed this technology in the 2,500-hectare Reserve since 2019. They have averted dozens of threats to its integrity, although, above all, the 10 Forest Guardians have acted as deterrents — would-be loggers or hunters know the Guardians are listening out and so avoid it.

Today, the goal is to take advantage of this same technology to go one step (or several) further. Why not, in addition to monitoring the sounds of illegal activities, identify the sounds of the fauna present in the forest? Why not use them to improve scientific knowledge of forest species? Why not enable guests and explorers to understand further the work of the Forest Guardians and of conservation?

Listen to the sounds of the reserve while reading this article!

The science of forest sounds

It may seem difficult to understand how one records all the sounds of the forest, but let’s break it down. In nature, we can hear the rain, the wind, birdsong, the chirping of insects, the vocalizations of amphibians and mammals, or any other animal that emits acoustic signals. Dozens of sounds occur simultaneously.

On the one hand, we have biological sounds, which are called biophony, such as a howler monkey when it calls out to its troupe, a toucan making its presence known to others, a tree frog chirping hoping to find a mate, or the almost deafening concert of cicadas when sunset falls on the forest. These animal sounds are usually accompanied by those conjured by the rain, the wind, the rustle of leaves, the burbling of a river — these are called geophony. Finally, we have sounds produced by humans, known as anthropophony, such as chainsaws, vehicles, voices, or shotguns.

Together, they all make up soundscapes: the acoustic properties of a particular area. Think of it as a symphonic concert, with different instruments that we cannot always separate and differentiate. In fact, it’s extremely hard for our ears to identify and/or interpret each sound separately. Without the ability to discern sounds as we do with the colors of a visual landscape, we become accustomed to hearing the soundscape as a single melody, without recognizing individual chords. This is where technology is a wonderful tool.

In order to understand this world better, we need to discuss bioacoustics, the scientific discipline that studies the sounds of nature, especially animals, and interprets them in order to identify a location’s biodiversity, to understand behavior, and to evaluate the communication or sound interactions between animals. For several years, bioacoustics have been used to identify species according to the characteristics of the acoustic signals they emit. Today, the use of audio recorders placed in the environment has revolutionized the study of species diversity. They require minimal financial investments, little time in the field, and don’t disturb the local wildlife. Their use is even more revolutionary in locations that are difficult to access and monitor — which is the case of the hilly, dense, rainy, and muddy terrain of the Mashpi Reserve!

Years of research have generated significant bioacoustics databases, also called acoustic libraries, that contain the details of the vocalizations of different species. The Forest Guardians technology then uses these libraries to monitor continuously, record creatures that are not easily detected with the naked eye and identify what species it is. Thus, in addition to acting as protectors, the Guardians become forest experts. How?

The artificial intelligence behind Guardians of the Forest

The Guardians are automatic sound recorders. Seen from above, they look like a small windmill, with eight fixed blades. These are, in fact, solar panels oriented towards the treetops that capture sunlight and power the waterproof box of tricks beneath. The box has built-in microphones that detect sounds (and ultrasounds) 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. The recordings are stored in an internal memory, while a cell phone signal transmits the information to the Rainforest Connection platform, which in turn monitors the sounds in real-time. The platform was developed to facilitate the handling of huge amounts of acoustic information generated by the recorders (at dozens of locations all around the world). To give you an idea, each “Guardian” transmits more than 50,000 sound files to the platform in a single year.

Download the Rainforest Connection app to listen to the Guardians of the Forest in Mashpi live:

Download on Apple’s App Store

Download on Google Play Store

One of the biggest challenges is analyzing such a vast amount of information. The development of mathematical algorithms that apply sound recognition technology using complex statistical models by Rainforest Connection has therefore been essential. These algorithms detect coincidences or similar patterns between the files transferred by the recorders with those of the acoustic libraries that serve as a basis to identify species of frogs, bats, birds, etc., all in a matter of seconds. In this way, the presence or absence of some species is detected and the acoustic diversity in each area is determined. Soundscape recordings are therefore incredibly useful tools for estimating forest health and landscape changes, while the sounds of each species separately help us to assess biodiversity, and even lead to the discovery of new species or at the very least, improve records of identified species.

In the Mashpi Reserve, each of the 10 Guardians has an exact name and location within the forest. Thanks to the platform’s artificial intelligence, a map of each acoustically-detected species has been and is continuously being created. In this case, the position of the recorders is represented by a point on the map, whose size changes according to the number of times the call of species was detected at a certain location. The algorithm also calculates the detection frequency according to the time of day so that we know the times of greatest activity, which in turn helps us to understand how species behave in each place.

Real-time monitoring empowers researchers and conservationists, but also citizens who want to better understand what kinds of actions are needed to improve conservation programs. It is used to evaluate changes in diversity over time, estimate impacts on population dynamics, and contribute to environmental education. In short, projects such as the Forest Guardians bring together scientists, conservationists and citizens every time they are participants in the benefits of the project and share the information obtained from the recordings.

Now it’s your turn

The Forest Guardians project invites guests of Mashpi Lodge to reflect on the sounds of nature. In the future, they will also be active participants in the conservation projects that are carried out in the lodge’s reserve.

For now, explorers can learn more through the talks imparted by the lodge’s guides; they can handle Guardians in situ to understand how they work, and how their complexity is disguised as simplicity, at the lodge’s Science Lab; they can use the Rainforest Connection application from the App Store or Google Play to listen live to the sounds recorded by each Guardian; and can appreciate the experience of listening to the sounds of nature as background music inside the lodge’s dining room.

Birdwatching has become an exciting activity for millions of people, with an increasing number of clubs and groups found in different countries across the globe. In fact, it has become one of the fastest-growing hobbies in all of North America! Birdwatching tours have evolved from a simple recreational activity to a burgeoning industry and one of the world’s strongest ecotourism drivers. 

The industry has led to a spike in sales for seed suppliers, birdhouse builders, and small businesses, helping people connect with nature in their own backyards. However, as people are starting to venture out into the world again and birdwatchers are ready to explore even the most remote corners of the planet, there’s no doubt that Ecuador is one of the very best destinations to embark on a birdwatching tour. 

Home to over 1,600 bird species within just 283,000 km2 (109,000 mi2), this mega-diverse paradise hosts the verdant Amazon rainforest, the towering Andes, the lush Pacific coast, and the renowned Galapagos Islands. Each of these incredible habitats is home to dozens, if not hundreds, of different bird species.

However, perhaps Ecuador’s crown jewel for birdwatchers is nestled deep within the Andean cloud forest where the Andes meet the Pacific coast. Known as the Choco Bioregion, it is home to hundreds of bird species, many of which are endemic to the region, leading to incredible opportunities for observing some of the planet’s rarest species. Right in the middle of the Bioregion lies the private Mashpi Reserve, which consists of over 5,000 ha. of pristine, original-growth cloud forest – a veritable paradise for birdwatchers.

Mashpi Lodge offers a haven to explorers seeking to get closer to all the incredible bird species that inhabit the beautiful Choco Bioregion, one of Unesco’s biosphere reserves. That’s why, if you’re interested in enjoying a unique birdwatching experience, we got you covered!

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Birdwatching at its finest: Mashpi is home to native and endemic species that cannot be seen elsewhere

The sheer number of bird species found in the Mashpi Reserve –nearly 400 to date, of which 36 are endemic (meaning they are found nowhere else in the world)– is simply mind-boggling.

One of the Mashpi forest stars is the Andean cock-of-the-rock, or Gallo de las Peñas in Spanish. Like many others, the males and females have very different features, most notably the color of their plumage with this particular species. The male has a large disk-like crest and brilliant scarlet or orange color on its head and upper torso. It has a black tail and wings, and pale greyish scapulars. The female is significantly drabber and browner than the male and has a less prominent crest. The male’s bright orange color makes it easy to spot, especially when they team up to dance en troupe for the females! Reaching the place where they perform this dance can be a bit difficult, but the reward is truly impressive. This experience is truly fascinating if you’re looking for a challenging birdwatching tour!

There are also three different Toucans species in Mashpi, each of which differs in size and colors. Well-known for their large multicolored beaks and vibrant plumage, they live primarily in tropical climates but can also be found in the Choco. Their brightly-colored feathers and bills can help you spot these birds among the dense forest canopy. These are just two of the 400 species we mentioned earlier. The pristine environment at the Mashpi Reserve makes it an ideal place for them to live and, in turn, a perfect place for birdwatchers to come and enjoy these stunning species in their natural habitat. Every activity you do in Mashpi Lodge is technically a birdwatching tour! 

Mashpi has knowledgeable and native guides that have first-hand knowledge of the bird species

Since the creation of Mashpi Lodge, the closely-knit team has always sought to work with the local community and those living in the area surrounding the Reserve, who actively contribute to the forest’s conservation. Mashpi Lodge offers numerous job opportunities for its neighbors and gives them professional training and English classes. These same people share their vast knowledge of the surrounding lands and wildlife with the Lodge guests, making birdwatching a unique, enriching experience.

The bilingual Guides and Expedition Leaders at Mashpi Lodge are thrilled to share everything they know about the Reserve’s bird species. Whether you have questions about their eating habits, mating habits and rituals, or even why their plumage is a particular color, they have the answers!

Guest experiences are tailored to their interests and ability levels. When they arrive at the Lodge, you will see a chart with all the activities you can do during your stay. Adjustments can be made at any time along the way, ensuring that guests have the experience of a lifetime in the Mashpi Reserve. 

One incredible opportunity tailored for birdwatchers is the early morning wildlife observation offered from the rooftop terrace of Mashpi Lodge. Every morning, starting at 6:00 A.M., guests can go to the terrace where warm, freshly-baked snacks and hot coffee, tea, and chocolate are set out, along with several spotting scopes and pairs of binoculars. As the day breaks, the air fills with the sounds of hundreds of birds, many of which are perched in the trees and vegetation in the immediate surroundings of the Lodge, meaning that guests can often see incredibly rare species from the very Lodge itself!

Exploring with Varying Levels of Challenges

Besides early-morning observation, the very best way to see the Bioregion’s unique and colorful birds is to delve into their natural habitat. Doing that may require longer walks into the Reserve that, while giving guests incredible opportunities to see Mashpi’s many inhabitants, present different challenges as well. When guests arrive at Mashpi Lodge, they discover that they are actually stepping into a cutting-edge research station at the forefront of cloud forest and rainforest conservation. Even while the Lodge itself was being built, many unusual steps were taken to preserve the Reserve, making sure that nature itself was disturbed as little as possible.

In fact, the Lodge is proud that they didn’t cut down a single tree or opened up a trail while it was under construction. The trails winding through the Mashpi Reserve are actually old trails that already existed before the land being purchased by its current owner. This, however, can mean that some of the hikes may be a little trickier to navigate. The Lodge’s website provides guests with maps and pictures of the trails to give them a better idea of how long and the trails can be and their differing levels of difficulty. 

However, keeping in mind that the purpose of a trip to Mashpi is to see remarkable bird species and breathtaking nature in general, guests will have plenty of time to take a gander with their binoculars and take award-worthy photos. Whether pictures are taken with smartphone cameras or professional cameras with telescopic lenses, guests have more than enough time to catch their breath and listen to the fascinating stories and facts that the Guides as so good at telling.

So, once you are ready to revisit the world, Mashpi Lodge is definitely the best place in Ecuador for embarking on a birdwatching tour. Start planning yours today!

Start planning your stay!

Experience a completely revolutionary definition of wellness in Ecuador by visiting the Mashpi Lodge Rainforest Spa.  This rainforest spa experience can take your mind off any unpleasant thoughts that may be plaguing you. Staying here will invigorate your soul and give you peace of mind.

We are happy to announce that Mashpi Lodge won Ecuador’s best spa lodge award in the World Travel Awards last year!

We also earned the Safe travels stamp from the World Tourism Council. Mashpi Lodge has reinforced safety protocols to ensure guests will feel completely safe during their stay. At Mashpi Lodge, your health and safety are our number 1 priority. Next is to ensure that you have a relaxing and wonderful vacation with us.

Wellness at Mashpi Lodge 

Our SAMAY (which means Soul in native Kichwa) is Mashpi Lodge’s Wellness Center and a key feature of the Mashpi Lodge Rainforest Spa. All guests get to enjoy an open-air hot tub where you get to lie back, enjoying the blue skies above and the numerous species of birds. If you love yoga, we have an outdoor yoga deck, providing you with an even better experience. Your meditation and yoga exercises, practiced while surrounded by the stunning ambiance, will leave you feeling invigorated, revived, and restored.

At our Wellness Center, all guests can pamper themselves with our single and couples Spa treatments, all executed by our expert staff. We have Individual and Couples Massages, Exfoliation, and Open-air Treatment available.

Our Mashpi Lodge Rainforest Spa is where you can reconnect with yourself and achieve a relaxed body, mind, and spirit. It will be an unforgettable experience.

Our Rooms

Situated at a private reserve in the impressive Chocó Bioregion, staying at Mashpi Lodge lets you escape the city’s hectic rhythm.
You’ll look forward to waking up every morning and seeing the beautiful forest with its stunning views and flora. You get to see an abundance of greens and browns – all from the comfort of your own bed, in the floor to ceiling glass walls. What can be better than that?
We have beautiful suites designed to give all our guests the relaxation and privacy they deserve.

Whatever room you book at Mashpi Lodge, we can assure you of a quiet and peaceful stay. You are always surrounded by nature, and we ensure a good night’s sleep every single night. Don’t worry about the bugs and creepy crawlies, as we know how to manage them at the resort, the Lodge’s design is entirely hermetic in nature. Our sustainable hotel policies make Mashpi Lodge the premier luxury experience, perfectly in balance with nature and her needs. 

To ensure all our guests’ safety, we will also allow guests to eat their meals in their respective rooms by offering additional room service. While we maintain physical distancing at our restaurants, we kindly ask you to opt for room service to ensure the utmost safety.

Delicious and healthful meals

Discover the different flavors of Ecuador with Mashpi Lodge’s exquisite dining! Ecuadorian cuisine is a sure delight for your eyes and palate. Our chefs will prepare all sorts of flavorful gourmet dishes that will satisfy your appetite for great-tasting yet healthy dishes. Our 2-story dining room with floor-to-ceiling glass windows provides guests with the opportunity to see the breathtaking views outside.

All guests get to experience spectacular dining from our experienced chef. We offer continental-style breakfasts — guests can choose from a variety of fresh fruits, different types of cheese, and bread plus energizing fruit juices and smoothies.

Lunch is a light affair with fresh vegetables, sandwiches, international dishes, and Ecuadorian cuisine. The classic Ecuadorian Ceviche, and all its varieties, is a must-try. At dinner, expect even more intimate and romantic dining with our floor lamps and delectable dishes.

Dining is not complete without wine and cocktails. We have a cocktail menu designed explicitly with the surrounding forest in mind. You get to sip an exotic array of cocktails you won’t taste anywhere else in the world, all themed around the forest and its many wonders.

For all our guests’ safety, we make sure that proper physical distancing is practiced in the dining area. Disinfection stations are available. Also, our ventilation systems are equipped with ultraviolet filters.

We have replaced buffets with à la carte meals for safety purposes, as it’s safer and personal space between tables is a guarantee. To minimize direct contact, our team will adhere to the use of PPE and hand sanitizers. Rest assured, we will never compromise the safety of our guests. At Mashpi Lodge, you can dine healthily and safely.

Wonderful Mashpi Lodge Experiences

Mashpi isn’t just a jungle spa experience, it also offers a whole slew of relaxing and enriching experiences. Our guided excursions offer you a deep connection with the forest and its inhabitants: you can swim in natural pools created by waterfalls, walk through impressive trails and rivers, enjoy the view from our Dragonfly canopy gondola, and skybike, do a night walk, and more. You’ll be guided by local naturalist guides that know the reserve like the back of their hand. We would recommend that you find the time to explore the world of Mashpi. It will be a beautiful experience that you will remember for the rest of your life.

The DragonFly is an exhilarating, open-air cable car experience that carries you over to the forest canopy, providing you with an even better aerial view. You get to see the beautiful vistas, breathing the fresh and healthy air of the forest. Another exciting experience giving you stunning views from above is the Sky Bike. It’s ideal for everyone, including children (accompanied by an adult, of course.) If you want to see more of the forest you can climb to the top of our Observation Tower,  a metal staircase that rises up to 85 feet giving you a simply perfect vantage point of the region. This distance from the ground is perfect for spotting toucans, barbets, parrots, woodpeckers, and birds of prey.

Visitors who want to experience trekking in the forest must visit the Healing Waterfall. The waterfall is a beautiful, special place to simply relax and meditate. If you do not want to trek there, you can always take a vehicle part of the way, walk to the sky bike station and take the dragonfly upon your return.

Another gem to explore is Copal Waterfall. The trail will take you on a magical walk through the forest and leads you to the enchanting waterfall. Don’t forget to get a refreshing dip! Close to the hotel are small waterfalls called Magnolia Waterfall. It’s excellent for bathing, with an all-natural Jacuzzi.

With a guide, don’t forget to experience Mashpi at night. The Torrenteer Lagoon is just a short walk from the resort. It’s the natural habitat for various frog species, including glass frogs, rain frogs, and tree frogs. You may see other fascinating species at the lagoon.

You will never run out of beautiful experiences at Mashpi Lodge. It truly is a place for both relaxation and exciting discoveries.

Also,  Mashpi Lodge isn’t just for solo travelers and couples – it’s a family-friendly place ideal for adults and kids alike. You can educate your children about the beauty of nature, exciting all of their senses as they get up close and personal with the forest. Our Life Center Butterfly Farm will teach them about the different stages of butterfly metamorphosis. It will be a delightful experience for all children and adults. It’s okay to let kids out of their comfort zone, so they can fully explore and share in the adventurous spirit. They’ll be perfectly safe, of course, thanks to all our health and safety measures!

We have day hikes and night hikes available for everyone! At the end of the day, all guests will have a fulfilling and educational experience exploring the surrounding forest.

To ensure the safety of guests, all procedures are contact-free. Proper physical distancing and use of protective equipment will be standard. 

Some useful items

To make the most of your vacation in Mashpi Lodge, we would recommend that you pack:
A hat to keep your eyes and skin always protected from the sun.

• Long sleeve shirts for trekking.
• Dark or lightweight pants for wet conditions.
• Breathable socks.
• Comfortable hiking shoes.

Other useful items you can pack include sunblock, a camera, sweaters, flashlights, and ziplock bags for your wet clothes. Keep in mind that we also sell these things at the resort.

At Mashpi Lodge, we ensure utmost safety for all our guests and the most relaxing time at one of the most lauded Wellness Centers in all of South America. We love offering a complete, holistic experience that will leave you feeling, energized and renewed, but we also want you to feel a deep sense of connection to Mother Nature and one of its most amazing sites on earth, a variable paradise! We hope to see you soon, safe travels.

Find out why the amazing Choco Forest is teeming with activity after night falls. The night walks and activities offered at Mashpi Lodge simply cannot be passed up

This post was last updated on July 5th, 2022

At Mashpi Lodge, your health and safety are of the utmost importance to us

By focusing our preparation, protocols, and procedures on the traveler experience, we can prioritize your safety and wellbeing throughout your time with us. A solid, capable, and proven staff handle everyday safety checks of our hotels, expedition vessels, and transportation vehicles), while our well-connected operations team coordinates details at every turn.

Keeping in mind that the world is a magical place, we acknowledge that these are uncertain times for travel. That being the case, tourism and travel experts, like us, are adapting to today’s challenges and preparing for potential eventualities, however improbable. Our greatest asset is our team, and our go-to tools are knowledge, experience, and a solid network of thoroughly vetted partners and service providers.

Additionally, our team is constantly improving via trainings, seminars, and the daily practice that comes with welcoming travelers from all over the world! Let’s take a look at some more specifics.

Safety Measures

This is what we are about. Our implementation of up-to-date safety measures in all our products and experiences goes hand in hand with routine maintenance and care for our vehicles, vessels, and properties. This is just one piece of the puzzle.

Staff training, drills, and firsthand knowledge of critical actions and operations are another important component. In the past, we’ve had to deal with unforeseen issues that have at times impacted our operations. Each of these has been a solid learning experience and an opportunity to hone our skills and strengthen our resilience. It’s what gives us the confidence to guarantee your safety and wellbeing.

Approaching your safety responsibly, with professionalism, seriousness, and compassion, means maintaining our transportation and accommodation spaces pristine and disinfected; keeping our public areas safe, clean, and clutter-free, and making sure our facilities are neat and tidy at all times.

Medical Expertise at the Ready

We take it one step further than just about all our competitors by having a medical officer available 24/7 aboard each of our Galapagos expedition vessels; professional guides with emergency medical training ready to respond to any emergency, big or small, no matter the hour, at our Mashpi Lodge; and nearby medical professionals that can arrive in an instant at our Casa Gangotena Boutique Hotel in Quito, Ecuador and our Finch Bay Hotel in Galapagos.

Similarly, our teams in Peru and Colombia work with trusted providers. Their protocols and procedures have been thoroughly vetted; these include emergency protocols that we have carefully reviewed and that we trust.

Safety in Motion

Domestic Flights and Ground Transportation

Electronic, contact-free procedures are beginning to replace the more traditional or formal check-in procedures. Don’t be surprised if the next time you travel you notice personal interactions limited when strictly necessary. To guarantee physical distance, waiting areas, counters, and screening points are undergoing some pretty cool changes, too. These vary from airport to airport, and terminal to terminal. It’s an exciting time to be traveling!

On the ground, our vehicles, and personnel (including guides, luggage-handling staff, and drivers) follow a set of protocols that includes readily available hand sanitizer, the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) when necessary, ample spaces and spacing when recommended, and so on. Additionally, our team takes part in regular health screening via checkups, and vehicles undergo regular, rigorous disinfection and cleaning. Sometimes, luggage is handled or transported separately by a support team.

Many of our transfer vehicles—that pick you up or drop you off at the airport—already have limited or low capacity so as to give our guests a little more personal space.

Safety at Sea

Expedition Vessels

We’ve already covered some of our most important safety measures regarding the Galapagos, where we have our three awarding winning expedition vessels ready to welcome you aboard. Here is a quick recap of what we’re doing to keep you safe at sea.

• Onboard medical officer available 24/7, with a dedicated medical treatment and consultation area.
• Crew member and passenger health screenings prior to boarding.
• Latest technology (like UV filters and ozone cleaning systems) aboard each vessel.
• Increased personal space for guests and crew, including modified public areas.
• Excellent guest-space ratios that average well above the recommended 28.26 square feet per guest in cabin, dining, and social areas.

Small expedition groups led by Park-certified Naturalist Guides. We operate with at most, 11 or 12 guests per guide, far fewer than the GNP-stipulated maximum of 16 guests per guide.

Safety at Rest

Our Hotels

The numerous team members at each of our hotels (Casa Gangotena, Mashpi Lodge, and the Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel) participate in a routine health screenings at each location. Each hotel’s dining and bar areas are disinfected and cleaned throughout the day. Also, our products have always been geared towards boutique, non-massive facilities; ample spaces are guaranteed, and ventilation systems incorporate ultraviolet filters and ozone-based cleaning equipment.

It is important to note that each of our essential processes carries the environmental seal of approval for use in natural settings that are highly sensitive, like the Chocó Bioregion and the Galapagos Islands.

Our Restaurants and Bars

À la carte meals are a safer option than buffet-style meal offerings. Room service meals are always an option should our guests want to enjoy a little more personal space while having a delicious meal. Our dining spaces are naturally designed to be and feel quite ample. Our waitstaff are considerate in their use of PPE, and things like readily available hand sanitizer and appropriate distancing are good practices that we continue to observe.

Our hotels’ dining areas provide a personal space ratio 1.8 times higher than the international suggested a minimum of 28.3 square feet per guest, often averaging above 51.4 square feet per guest.

Safety while Touring Visitor Sites and Attractions

All our visiting sites are part of well-preserved sanctuary destinations. In the Galapagos Islands, when visiting any site within the GNP, you’ll always be accompanied by a Park-certified naturalist guide, and we always observe Park rules.

Similarly, within the amazing rainforest preserve at Mashpi in the heart of the Chocó Bioregion, we will continue to operate with small groups of around four guests per guide.

Also, our land tours are designed to take you to fascinating places, avoiding tourist traps and overcrowded attractions.

In conclusion…

We believe that enhancing the way we keep you safe, by incorporating new technology and better practices, helps us mitigate any potential risks to your wellbeing. We are committed to doing our very best to safeguard our guests’ health, safety, and wellbeing while showing them a unique and truly beautiful part of the world.

In essence, we create a sort of safety corridor, by escorting our guests along each part of their visit. Our goal is for our guests to feel safe and confident throughout their entire time with us, from the moment we greet them to the moment we drop them off on route to their next destination. This is something we know will add value to their experience, and it’s part of who we are.

Mashpi Lodge's airtight design and a carefully implemented Safety Protocol make for a multilayered level of protection that guarantee your safety.

Ecuador has become a leading ecotourism destination thanks to growing international appreciation for its outstanding levels of biodiversity. Choosing where to stay often becomes more difficult for those looking to make an environmentally conscious decision. The global sphere has only recently begun defining sustainable tourism, and green standards are not always reliable.

As these types of accommodations grow in popularity, many hotels may add “eco” to their name simply to attract more tourists. Thus, ecologically minded tourists may be wary when it comes to choosing an eco lodge resort in Ecuador, wishing to verify its authenticity while checking to make sure it offers outstanding service and unforgettable adventures.

About our ecolodge

The History of Mashpi EcoLodge

The history of Mashpi Eco Lodge is tethered to the Chocó rainforest, which has suffered one of the highest rates of deforestation. The Chocó is but a tenth of its original size, having lost 90% of its territory to exploitation over the past several decades. The land where Mashpi Lodge is located sits within the Mashpi Reserve, a vast, lush, and protected area that straddles both cloud and rainforest.

Given this, Mashpi Lodge has become a vital force for preserving the ecosystems of the Chocó mainly because the remaining part of the forest has retained 80% of its primary growth. The Lodge is located where the timber company’s sawmill once stood, and the roads leading to this breathtaking site are the old logging roads. This way, our ecolodge resort has significantly minimized its environmental footprint since before the construction thanks to the pre-existing infrastructure.

Before construction of the lodge was even completed, a biologist was hired to learn as much as possible about the ecosystems throughout the 1,200-hectare (almost 3,000-acre) reserve. These findings became part of a continually expanding research project incorporated into the Lodge’s conservation and resource management strategy.

Today, the eco lodge that is Mashpi is involved in several research projects, including work with trees and vegetation, butterflies, fish, birds, reptiles, mammals, macroinvertebrates, and amphibians. It has signed multiple agreements with national and international conservation groups and works with universities to further promote the importance of research and knowledge. Mashpi’s team of scientists, naturalist guides, and researchers continue working on expanding their understanding of the land where it is located.

What makes Mashpi Eco Lodge Unique?

Located in the Chocó Bioregion, Mashpi Lodge is a luxury jungle lodge in one of the most biologically diverse places on Earth! The reserve surrounding our hotel is home to over 400 species of birds, alongside numerous species of trees and frogs that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Additionally, it’s amazing topography includes waterfalls and distinctly unique flora that will make your trek through the forest an unforgettable journey. When choosing your rainforest vacation accommodations, Mashpi Lodge is certainly one of the best options in South America. Our hotel has received several accolades and has been named the best rainforest hotel by several awarding entities.

The challenge, therefore, lies in deciding which of the stunning and diverse regions of Ecuador you will want to visit and in finding the perfect eco lodge for you. Many of the ecolodges in Ecuador are in the Amazon region. Still, they are also found among the country’s cloud forests, including its western rainforest, which is part of the Andean Chocó at the foothills of the Andean highlands.

Each region varies significantly in biodiversity, climate, and geographies. The Chocó rainforest, for example, is strikingly unusual because, as it rises into the mountains, it transitions into a cloud forest. It makes for one of the few accessible areas in Ecuador that is both rainforest and cloud forest.  As a result, this rainforest is home to a stunning collection of endemic life, including over 400 species of birds, 43 species of amphibians, and 65 species of reptiles.

Consequently, it’s always a good idea to study each region carefully to choose the area that most aligns with your interests. When it comes to a jungle eco lodge, Mashpi is ideal!

Mashpi Research Center

The information gathered by Mashpi researchers is also used to ensure that Mashpi Lodge properly implements modern and sustainable practices. This includes looking at how waste is handled, how food and water are sourced, and how efficiently the Lodge uses electric energy.

Mashpi Lodge sources much of its food locally to reduce its carbon footprint. This also helps to preserve the surrounding environment by decreasing vehicule traffic as much as possible. Also, our lodge uses water from the nearby Torrenteer Waterfall and its numerous streams. The water is channeled into a holding tank, passing through a filter and a UV purifier before flowing back into the Lodge.

Extensive research and environmental work are made readily available to Mashpi Lodge’s guests, both in terms of sharing the knowledge acquired and using it to improve the experience for those who come from all over the world to visit. During informative tours through the Chocó cloud forest, research findings are eagerly shared. Guests are welcome to explore the surrounding ecosystems via hikes and activities guided by local naturalist guides.

Interactive Experiences

Mashpi Lodge has also developed several unique interactive experiences for its guests to experience the area, including the innovative Sky Bike, an Observation Tower, and Dragonfly Gondola, each one offering spectacular views of the forest canopy. The Life Center also allows guests to learn about the many butterfly species that inhabit the forest and observe the colorful toucans that visit the area. Mashpi also has a delightful Hummingbird Garden, where guests can observe the wide variety of hummingbirds that inhabit the area.

When it comes to a rainforest vacation filled with learning and discovery, Mashpi delivers!

Check out Mashpi Lodge’s guest-exclusive activities!

Activities

The Lodge

The modern structure of Mashpi Lodge was designed to blend seamlessly into the Chocó rainforest environment. Built piece by piece over the course of two years, not a single tree was felled during its construction. The beautiful contemporary design and decor provide guests with an oasis of peace and luxury amid this exotic destination.

Mashpi has implemented innovative sustainability solutions in its architectural design and maintenance. Its modern and comfortable accommodations are truly exceptional. The lodge’s structure also plays an important role in its energy efficiency. Let’s explain a little further.

During its construction, the architectural design team opted to use the Emmedue technique, which employs specific materials that counteract both hot and cool temperatures. This allows the facility to maintain a comfortable indoor climate all year round without having to depend on external heating or cooling systems, which is certainly important in a tropical area that sits close to the equator! At Mashpi, you can truly experience the most enjoyable rainforest vacation!

Community Involvement

Mashpi Eco Lodge has worked hard to cultivate an excellent relationship with the local community by supporting its economy, sharing knowledge about the surrounding ecosystem, encouraging sustainable practices, and fostering a sense of pride in the environment. The people that live close to Mashpi have historically devoted themselves to trade and agriculture, which is largely the case today.

As an alternative to the destructive activities that are still occurring in the region–illegal mining and logging, Mashpi Lodge provides locals the opportunity to learn about their resources and live in greater harmony with their surroundings, essentially becoming protectors and stewards of the Chocó. You’ll notice that a fair number of guides at Mashpi are folks that grew up in the region. Who better to teach guests about the unique ecosystems in and around the Reserve?

And these numbers extend to all staff and personal; nearly 75% of Mashpi Lodge employees are local. And, by providing employment opportunities and sourcing local food, Mashpi can do its part to boost the local economy.

Mashpi’s guests take part in different activities and hikes on which guides offer information about the history of the region and the nature within it, sharing stories from their own experiences growing up there.

In the Ecuadorian cloud forests, these stories are interwoven with the practices of the indigenous communities that have lived off the land, providing guests with rich and unique viewpoints. Not to mention, Mashpi Lodge is unique because it has made its employees stakeholders of the business itself, providing them with a percentage of the Lodge’s earnings.

Ecolodge resorts are becoming an increasingly popular choice for tourists thanks to their goal of offering genuine, sustainable, and quality experiences. These hotels are unique in that they offer guests the opportunity to leave city life behind and become immersed in the beauty of nature. They strive to provide guests with comfort and enlightenment.

Additionally, ecolodges seek to implement sustainable practices and monitor their environmental impact. They work to implement modern, ecologically sound practices and to provide transparency around the operations to the public.

Mashpi Lodge works to distinguish itself and provide guests with an authentic experience in one of the most ecologically diverse places in the world. Visitors are welcome to relax in harmony with nature or actively explore its trails leading to natural pools and waterfalls, completely hidden from the outside world.

The Lodge’s welcoming modern interiors invite people of all ages to continue expanding their knowledge and understanding of nature throughout their stay. Through its focus on research and conservation, together with its extensive work with the local community, Mashpi remains committed to preserving and expanding the precious ecosystems of the region while minimizing its carbon footprint and providing guests with a truly remarkable rainforest vacation.

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Concerned about potential dangers in the cloud forest? You shouldn't be! Mashpi Lodge is a remarkably safe place to visit.