Read indepth magazine
Mashpi Lodge: At the Forefront of Ecuador’s Rainforest Protection
Located inside Mashpi Natural Reserve at the heart of the Ecuadorian cloud forest, Mashpi Lodge is at the vanguard of Ecuador’s attempts to preserve its ever-decreasing rainforest, which is so crucial to the earth’s health.
Demonstrating the power of eco-tourism to make a real difference, the 24 room, glass-fronted lodge offers guests the chance to immerse themselves in an intimate jungle experience while learning about the efforts being made in the realm of rainforest preservation.
One of National Geographic's Unique Lodges of the World, guests at the property can enjoy presentations and talks by a resident biologist about nature conservancy and the Mashpi project.
Thanks to Metropolitan Touring, Mashpi’s sister-company and Ecuador’s foremost Destination Management Company, achieving its aim of going neutral, the Mashpi Reserve has recently doubled in size, with the longer term aim of protecting even more of its geographical reach.
To reach this target, Metropolitan Touring’s ongoing partnership with its holding group, Fundacíon Futuro, aims to promote conservation, restoration and low-emission production practices on the land of local communities via its ‘Forest Guardians’ initiative.
As part of this project, ten digital patrolling stations have been installed along the forest’s perimeter which records sounds 24/7, allowing identification of any illegal extractive activities such as logging, hunting and land invasion and action is taken by local environmental authorities for immediate action.
Notable facilities and services at the lodge include an observation tower, hiking trails, natural massages with stones, herbs and leaves from the area, and guest rooms complete with floor to ceiling windows offering a panoramic views of the surrounding jungle.
Quito Mariscal Sucre International Airport is a 3-hour drive away.