Wild Wonders of Mashpi

Yesterday morning, we left Quito and set off for Mashpi Lodge, a luxury eco-resort deep in the cloud forest, northwest of the city. The lodge is located in the Chocó Ecoregion, one of the most biodiverse areas on the planet. Unlike the Amazon rainforest, which is lower in altitude and has a more constant, humid climate, a cloud forest sits at higher elevations, where the air is cooler and misty, creating a unique ecosystem filled with moss-covered trees, orchids, and an incredible variety of wildlife.

Although the distance from Quito is only 117 km (73 miles), the journey took us over 3.5 hours. The last stretch was particularly rough—bumpy dirt roads, landslides being cleared, and at one point, we even had to tow a car out of the mud! 
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But once we arrived, we were met with a warm welcome and, after a quick lunch, headed straight into the forest for our first guided walk. Our guide pointed out an array of fascinating creatures—beetles, butterflies, exotic birds, and even a tayra (a type of weasel-like mammal). Sadly, we didn’t spot the famous toucan—maybe today will be our lucky day!