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EcuadorThe 2,500-hectare (6,177-acre) private Mashpi reserve is a place to learn, transform, and grow and for families to bond. What sets Mashpi apart from other lodges is that it has several different activities for families that allow guests to experience the cloud forest in a unique way. There is something for everyone, from guided hikes through the lush rainforest to night walks and observing nocturnal species.
Welcome to Mashpi Lodge: A one-of-a-kind rainforest hotel in Ecuador that offers the Ultimate Family Vacation. Follow along in this blog as we look at what activities we have in store for you and your family, should you choose to visit us!
Activities for families in Mashpi Lodge
At Mashpi Lodge, as soon as you step outside each morning in the heart of the ecotourism in Ecuador, you and your family will have something to admire and learn about. You can play in the gentle creeks or point out the insects and animals that inhabit the area. Our guides have plenty of experience designing guided tours for families and their children. You can rest assured that they’ll be focused on providing everyone with a fun and rewarding experience at the Mashpi reserve. It’s a brilliant idea to bring kids to Mashpi Lodge: what better place to introduce them to the wonders of nature than right here, in this beautiful or pristine rainforest?
Mashpi Laboratory
Our working laboratory is an exciting place to hang with your family. Here, children are invited to examine various animal specimens collected from the reserve and can even investigate the structure of butterfly wings through a microscope. A stereo microscope with two eyepieces is also available in the lab, making it much easier to study objects closely. A visit to the lab is also an opportunity to meet Mashpi’s resident scientists, who continually work on projects to learn more about the lives of the plants and animals that inhabit the reserve.
The Mashpi Lodge Laboratory is an excellent place for kids to learn about the surrounding ecosystem and have fun at the same time. Kids may explore the wonders of the rainforest and have up-close encounters with nature, making it an unforgettable experience. Visiting the laboratory will give visitors a deeper understanding of our tropical rainforest and its complex ecosystem. Both kids and adults will enjoy learning and exploring at the Mashpi Lodge Laboratory.
Life Center
The Mashpi Life Center is an incredible place for kids. Here, families will experience the lifecycle of butterflies in real-time, watching as this magnificent creature emerges from its chrysalis. And with our outstanding, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic guides, they can explore a world of beautiful birds and unique animals, understanding the importance of protecting wildlife through their fascinating stories.
The Sky Bike
Riding the Sky Bike is like riding a tandem bicycle through the jungle canopy. It has room for up to two passengers, meaning you can accompany your child. You’ll get an unparalleled bird’s eye view of the cloud forest and the rivers below. Depending on how fast you pedal, the ride takes around 10 minutes from point A to point B, 200 m (655 feet) apart. You should take advantage of this unique experience on your family vacation to Ecuador.
Note: Children must be at least 1 meter (3 feet) high to ride the Sky Bike.
The Dragonfly
The Dragonfly gondola ride is often seen as one of the biggest highlights of a Family Vacation at Mashpi Lodge. The Dragonfly is an open-air cable car that, on average, glides some 200 meters (656 feet) above the forest floor. Guests are taken across 2 kilometers (over 1 mile), bringing them within arms-length of the canopy at specific points!
Night Walks
Night walks are thrilling for everyone, but perhaps even more so for young explorers. Under cover of night, guests are treated to an entirely different animal group that only comes out at night. Using the flashlights provided by the lodge, guides and guests shine a light on the forest, carefully looking out for the animals. You’ll want a camera, so you are ready to snap some pictures of nocturnal snakes, tarantulas, frogs, and glow-in-the-dark fungus in the company of one of our fantastic Naturalist Guides.
While most of the trails around the Mashpi reserve can make for fascinating night walks, there are two where guests can see a surprising number of nocturnal species: Torrenteer Lagoon and the path to the Life Center. Not only can you observe wildlife during your night walks, but you will also learn about the fascinating ecosystem in which they live.
Mashpi Lodge great for families
All-in-all, the number and variety of activities for families at Mashpi Lodge provides a well-rounded experience that will surely put a smile on the faces of both kids and adults alike. At Mashpi Lodge, every family member will participate in something that, regardless of age, will inspire excitement for the natural wonders of the Ecuadorian rainforest right here at this one-of-a-kind eco-lodge!
So, are you ready to give your family the gift of adventure? Make your reservation at Mashpi Lodge today by clicking here! Start planning your family vacation to Ecuador.
