Imagine waking up to the singing of parrots and the calls of spider monkeys hovering in the treetops. Hotel del Parque is located within Guayaquil’s Historical Park, a tropical oasis trapped in time, a place where palm leaves and exotic flowers sway in the breeze from the Daule River.

Hotel del Parque is an unforgettable experience of history and elegance: a tropical oasis trapped in time, perfectly located in the Samborondón neighborhood, the ideal place to start your Ecuadorian adventure.

Our historic 19th century property offers a pleasant atmosphere of sophistication. You will find elegant Ecuadorian furnishings, impressive marble bathrooms, free Wi-Fi, plus a minibar and air conditioning.

During your stay, you can dine on fresh seafood at the luxurious riverfront restaurant. You will also enjoy a massage or beauty treatments in a unique setting within the bell tower, with wooden beams from the original, recently restored, Gothic chapel. Spruce up your experience with chocolate tasting, coffee roasting, and various walks in our stunning tropical surroundings.

THE HISTORY
The history of Hotel del Parque is one of kindness and hospitality. The building originally provided shelter for the homeless, the elderly, and the disabled. Today, having been carefully transported, piece by piece, from its original 1891 site, carefully renovated and placed in the Historic Park, it remains an example of refuge, surrounded by the peace of the natural world.

Formerly it was known as the Hospicio Corazón de Jesús. The property was built in 1891 by the oldest charitable institution in Guayaquil. It would be the first hospice in the city, and its founders, Manuel Galecio and his wife, Mrs. Jesús Pereira, declared that it should only give shelter to homeless, elderly or disabled men and women.

Condemned to be demolished in the 1980s, the property was acquired by the Central Bank of Ecuador and moved, piece by piece, to its current location in the Historical Park. There, it was meticulously restored along with three other heritage buildings.

The Hotel del Parque staff undertook the renovation of the façade, transforming it, with great care and tenacity, from an old construction to the luxurious property of today. Designer Julio Vinueza was inspired by the property’s Republican architecture to create the sophisticated interiors.

ROOMS & SUITES
The 44 guest rooms, on two levels, are fully equipped with furniture made in Ecuador, modern and antique at the same time. The shades of gray and yellow contrast and blend with the lush tropical world that surrounds the surroundings, while respecting the property’s historical origins.

PARK SUITE
Revel in Ecuadorian bliss in this spacious suite with a private room with a king size bed, a separate living room and dining room, a small pantry kitchen, and four large windows overlooking the main park. The master bathroom has an elegant freestanding bathtub overlooking the tropical gardens. A tropical twist on a classic

JUNIOR SUITE
Find yourself in a luxurious space with more than 66 square meters with a king bed and a view of the garden. In addition, this space can be connected to a Signature Room to form a two-room suite.

DELUXE KING
A king size bed awaits you in this Deluxe room with all the charm and comfort reflected throughout the hotel and neighborhood. Sleep and wake up to the sun and a view of the garden.

DINING
Enjoy the culinary magic of Hotel del Parque, where a meal becomes a culinary journey. Whether it’s in the elegant setting of our riverside dining room, a private dinner in the park or even in the comfort of your room, here you can dine on delicious and vibrant creations made with the freshest local ingredients.

CASA JULIÁN
In our distinctive restaurant Casa Julian, you will find the best flavors of Ecuador incorporated into a unique signature cuisine. Located inside a restored nineteenth century building overlooking the Daule River, transmits a magical and unforgettable experience.

CAFETERÍA EL JARDÍN
Our Resto-Café “El Jardin” is located in a lush garden surrounded by trees, offering fresh light meals, including a selection of gourmet sandwiches, salads, baked goods and excellent coffee. El Jardín offers the perfect place to take a break in the best atmosphere.

LA PÉRGOLA
At La Pergola an incredible experience awaits you at the foot of the Daule River, accompanied by tapas and signature cocktails with a phenomenal view. The best way to enjoy unique moments with friends and family.

WEDDINGS
Say “I do” at Hotel del Parque to experience a wedding as magical as the Historical Park. Our magnificent wedding venues in Guayaquil overlook the Daule River and we will host the event that you will remember for a lifetime. We can provide the perfect setting for your rehearsal dinner, wedding preparation, ring ceremony, or reception.

Every detail of your wedding is perfectly handled with our wedding specialists. From linen tablecloths and selection of the ideal tableware, to visionary event idea and culinary perfection, your wedding details are being taken care of. We are here to answer any questions and make sure your special day is perfect.

EVENTS
Hotel del Parque is the setting for spectacular events. Our Ecuadorian paradise promises to inspire with an environment of unspoiled nature mixed with historical architecture; a trip to a past era. With our superb service and attention to detail, your special occasion will be an unforgettable experience.

The events at Hotel del Parque are exciting. You can choose the lounge space above our world-class Casa Julián restaurant or our outdoor space on the banks of the Daule River. The guests gather in a tropical oasis that shelters the time that they share with each other. And with our perfectly planned menu items and attentive service, you will be assured of a fabulous event.

MASSAGE ROOM
For an exceptional treatment, guests can enjoy a luxurious massage in the wooden bell tower of the historic chapel, accompanied by a spectacular 360-degree view of the gardens – a unique spa experience that you will only find at Hotel del Parque.

THE PARK
Tucked away in the botanical gardens of the Parque Histórico, Hotel del Parque seems to be far from the hustle and bustle of the city. Explore this intimate paradise with diverse ecosystems, restored 19th century houses, and cultural performances on the banks of the Daule River.

NATURE PATHS
The natural areas, which recreate three different ecosystems in more than three hectares, are home to aromatic and medicinal plants. The wildlife sanctuary is the natural habitat for a range of exotic creatures, from iguanas and crocodiles, to endangered giant harpy eagles and tiny spider monkeys.

HISTORIC BUILDINGS
The urban area of Parque Histórico, with each step, offers a glimpse into Guayaquil’s past, with dreamlike restored 19th century buildings, as well as the former property of Banco Territorial, and the old houses of the richest families in the city – all rescued before being demolished – as well as fabulous trams of the time.

CULTURAL HERITAGE
A part of the eight hectares of the historical park is dedicated to raising awareness of the cultural heritage of Guayaquil: from vibrant folk dances and theatrical performances to traditional sweets and tabacco of past centuries sellers.

THE RIVER
The park is located on the banks of the Daule River, which casts its golden light on the surroundings at sunset. The Daule River joins the Babahoyo River, approximately two kilometers from the Historical Park, to become the Guayas River, the most important river in the Pacific of South America.

The park is open to the public from Wednesday to Sunday (although there are exclusive areas for hotel guests) and the plant and animal areas can be explored via a winding path.

EXPERIENCES
Admire the natural curiosities and cultural traditions of Ecuador, a country rich in heritage and wildlife. Beyond the tranquility of the Hotel del Parque, you will find adventures in the area and educational experiences in the city of Guayaquil, including cultural museums, natural parks and a busy boardwalk along the river.

IMMERSED IN NATURE
Discover our wildlife sanctuary, where rare and endangered species such as the harpy eagle and alligators live among mangroves and exotic plants. The hotel concierge can also arrange a private tour of the animal sanctuary and its surroundings.

COFFEE TOUR
If you are a coffee lover, you will love our coffee experience where we will explain about the plant, the process and the art of roasting it. The textures and aroma of one of the finest coffees in the world remain with you even after you have roasted your own beans with the help of a specialist.

CHOCOLATE TOUR
Find and harvest your own cocoa pods, and see how they are transformed into artisan chocolate using traditional methods. Housed in a house over 120 years old, you will find the finest cocoa beans in the world and have a chocolate tasting experience like never seen before.

Website: www.hoteldelparquehistorico.com

Rooms: 44

Price: from 368 EUR per night

Explore the best of Galapagos from the Angermeyer Waterfront Inn and discover the enchantment of the islands with comfort, privacy and splendid amenities.

Let all your worries disappear beyond the blue ocean and begin an exciting adventure of clear waters, breathtaking sunsets and glorious beaches, enjoy the town from our spacious rooms and signature suites, designed to provide our guests with natural light and soft tones to create a clean aesthetic.

Our welcoming spaces are perfect to appreciate the moments you share with friends and family when you travel, a place to truly rest after a day of exploration at the Galapagos Islands.

The decor invites you to unwind and take time to admire all the nature that surrounds you as each room evokes the breeziness of the beach, an island mood to start fresh adventures far away from the routine.

We offer our guests various accommodation options, standard rooms, superior rooms and suites, which usually have a view of the ocean or the hotel’s garden. All rooms have private bathrooms with hot-water showers, and feature fans, air conditioning, tv, minibar, and other amenities.

All rooms are smoke-free. Wifi is available throughout the hotel and we provide laundry service, airport transfers, assistance with tours and more, just ask our staff. A remarkable variety of delicious breakfast is included when you book with us, which you can enjoy at La Isla Grill, our local gourmet restaurant.

THE HISTORY
The Angermeyer Waterfront Inn is situated on one of Puerto Ayora’s most historic grounds. Until 2003 the home of Gus Angermeyer sat here. He was among the earliest settlers on the island of Santa Cruz. Having left Germany in the early 1930´s, he and his brothers set on an adventure bound for the Galapagos islands.

Charles Darwin’s descriptions and tales from whalers and other adventurers about these unique bounty islands, inspired their dream of a life in harmony with nature and their surroundings. And the Galapagos islands would prove to be everything they had dreamed of – and then some.

When arriving in the Galapagos islands in the mid 1930´s there were only a few already living here – among them some Germans, Norwegians and Ecuadorians. They settled on the island of Santa Cruz, and in the following years the three brothers who would remain in the islands married and had families of their own.

Some families settled in the highlands where they would grow crops, vegetables and fruits in the more fertile soil, while others – among them the Angermeyers – settled around the bay area where they would build boats for fishing. The three brothers and their families all settled around the area later known as “Angermeyer Point”.

For obvious reasons their homes were built from the natural resources available, mainly lava rocks and wood. Many of these structures are still standing today and are a main part of the atmosphere in the area.

One of the Angermeyer Waterfront Inn’s central structures is Gus Angermeyer’s “cave” – now serving as the hotel reception and café. This legendary site was Gus’ sanctuary, where he would read the works of Shakespeare and Einstein and tell about his amazing adventures to those who were fortunate enough to get invited.

Our aim has been to capture as much of Gus’ spirit as possible – meaning to live in tranquility and harmony with nature and our surroundings.

SUITE
In our one of a kind suites you can enjoy balconies with direct ocean views, all comfortably furnished with a cozy space for taking in the beauty of the waterfront at Puerto Ayora. Relax and unwind surrounded by majestic sceneries in a suite designed to meet all your needs. Suites can be accommodated as single, double or triple.

SUPERIOR ROOM
The superior rooms offer direct ocean and garden views, with amazing balconies facing the waterfront. Wake up every morning with the sounds of the ocean and enjoy Galapagos from these wonderful rooms, furnished to provide you with a privileged point of view to rejoice with the awe-inspiring scenery. Rooms are available as single, double or triple options.

LA ISLA GRILL
On Santa Cruz island you’ll find many places to enjoy local delicacies but you don’t have to go far from the hotel to delight yourself with a truly delicious gastronomic experience.

Right at the patio of the Angermeyer Waterfront Inn our guests can enjoy the wide variety of extraordinary dishes of La Isla Grill, a remarkable restaurant, with stellar customer service; a wonderful place for enjoying spectacular views and feeling the breeze while tasting delicious signature dishes.

Isla Grill Restaurant offers an unrivaled view to the beauty of the islands, it’s furnished in a contemporary style with clean lines, culminating in a familiar, comfortable and pleasant space. At Isla Grill you can enjoy a great selection of dishes ranging from fresh seafood and fish to savory tender meat.

The expertise of this restaurant at combining grilled flavors with a touch of Midori Pub is evident.  Delicious fresh breakfasts are provided each morning by the food experts of Isla Grill, you will get to choose from a fine selection of options from a breakfast menu.

Be amazed at the seafood flavors of the mouth-watering fresh dishes of Isla Grill Restaurant, like Gus Octopus, Ceviche Midori, Grilled Tuna, Churrasquito or Galapago´s Style Lobster.

The culinary masters of Isla Grill are ready to surprise your palate with appetizers, ceviches, salads, land grill, seafood grill, desserts and more, always using fresh and organic local ingredients to support the local community. All dietary preferences and needs can be catered.

DRINKS & COCKTAILS
Join the charming atmosphere of Santa Cruz at the restaurant’s bar with a complete variety of national, imported and artisanal beers and colorful and delicious cocktails to relax by the ocean and share formidable moments with family and friends.

Our glorious signature cocktails are a delight as well, like the Tortuga Bay, Whisky Ginger or the Punta Estrada. Dare to try our spiced handcrafted sangria. A top quality of liquors and a worthy wine list are available to compliment your special occasions.

MEETING & EVENTS
At the Angermeyer Waterfront Inn we are happy to create memorable moments and celebrate special occasions. Birthdays, tasting events, marriage proposals, romantic surprises, candlelit dinner at our private deck, you name it, we are experts in ambiance, our sea view confirms it.

The hotel and the restaurant can tailor experiences according to your needs. From a private work dinner to an elegant wedding, we can help you create unforgettable events on our beautiful waterfront.

DISCOVER GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
Galapagos Islands are a vast archipelago with many fascinating places to visit, some close by from Santa Cruz Island and others further away. Time genuinely flies by when you’re having fun traveling and when you’re exploring all there is to see and experience in this world-class destination.

We’ve tailored these itineraries and packages to offer our guests a way to get the most out of their visit but also enjoy relaxing and discovering the wonders of the island at their own pace.

Subject to availability, the Angermeyer Waterfront Inn can assist you with a customized itinerary and special packages for longer visits to the islands, which may include a pre or post cruise extension, diving expeditions and daily yacht tours so you can explore the archipelago by sea and then rest after all the adventuring in our hotel from where you can enjoy sandy beaches, delicious seafood and the charming nightlife of Santa Cruz Island.

Galapagos is a vast archipelago with multiple activities available to enjoy the beauty of this National Park. Many attractions of the islands can be visited directly from our hotel, a perfect base to explore incredible highlights on Santa Cruz Island and beyond.

You´ll be able to get to some great local places just by walking a little, as the Inn is located near centric attractions. Others may be accessible only by a car ride, sailing, or if you dare, even by diving in the turquoise ocean waters of Galapagos.

AT WALKING DISTANCE
The Angermeyer Waterfront Inn’s unrivaled location allows our guests to visit some spectacular spots of Santa Cruz Island by walking, although sometimes a short water taxi ride may be needed to access specific places.

Beaches with fine white sand and crystal clear waters for swimming, snorkeling and even surfing and paddleboarding among other magnificent activities and tours are available within walking distance of our hotel.

CHARLES DARWIN STATION
A great close by place to visit is the Charles Darwin Research Station, here you’ll learn about the Galapagos Islands origins and observe giant Galapagos tortoises and other species. You can also visit native gardens and a public library.

This important Research Station has worked for decades to provide scientific knowledge to ensure the conservation and restoration of the Galapagos Islands. Next to the station you’ll find a beautiful beach where marine iguanas usually sunbathe. The Angermeyer Waterfront Inn can offer you a guided tour of the Research Station, ask our staff for more information.

LAS GRIETAS
Las grietas, meaning “The Cracks”, is a volcanic fracture in which saltwater and freshwater mix to create a marvelous ecosistem with natural pools to swim and snorkel among tropical fish. Bathe in crystalline and calm waters surrounded by giant rocks and discover all the beauty of this lovely formation.

You can jump off to the water or enjoy the marked trails of the site. This unique and beautiful place is a great spot for watching a variety of birds. The Angermeyer Waterfront Inn can offer you a guided tour of Las Grietas, ask our staff for more information.

LA PLAYA DE LOS ALEMANES
Playa de los Alemanes or German Beach is one of the most famous attractions of Santa Cruz Island, known for its crystalline turquoise calmed waters and white sand. This rather small but very popular beach, is easy to access and allows visitors to swim, snorkel, kayak and observe the Galapagos Islands fauna from a privileged place.

This natural public beach is protected by mangroves, when you visit this or any beach, please remember to keep hydrated, apply sunscreen and never leave any trash residues behind.

THE STATION BEACH
Another beautiful and easy to access Galapagos beach is The Station Beach. You’ll find this gorgeous place on your way to the Charles Darwin Station. This lovely beach is perfect for swimming, snorkeling and birdwatching.

Sunsets are breathtaking and the atmosphere on the beach is relaxed. At Playa de la Estación sea lions, marine iguanas and other incredible species are often seen enjoying the sun along the volcanic rocks and white sand at the shore of the beach.

FISH MARKET 
If you’re a fan of fresh fish and would like to explore the daily community life of Puerto Ayora you’ll enjoy a visit to the local fish market. You can get there by taking the route along the bay of Puerto Ayora, where you’ll find souvenir shops and other attractions.

At the fish market you’ll get a glimpse of the lively morning routine of the fishermen and buy the catch of the day for a really fresh lunch. Nevertheless, probably the most amusing aspect of the fish market is the spectacle of pelicans and sea lions waiting for the perfect opportunity to steal some food. The best time to visit this unique place is early in the morning.

JUST A RIDE AWAY 
Although many of the Santa Cruz island’s popular activities are close by the Angermeyer Waterfront Inn, there are other unique places that will require some light traveling as they are a little further away from the hotel. Explore all of the terrains of Santa Cruz Island and discover incredible natural formations, volcano craters, pristine beaches and more.

RANCHO PRIMICIAS
If you’d like to explore the highlands of Puerto Ayora you can’t miss Rancho Primicias, a wonderful reserve famous for its giant Galapagos tortoises that can be seen wild and free, roaming carelessly in their natural habitat.

Walk among these iconic tortoises and experience an up close look at the emblem animal of the archipelago. To get to this great place you’ll need to take a 30 minute ride to the highlands of the island, a trip that´ll be worth the wait.

LAVA TUNNELS
Definitely the world of the Galapagos Islands never ceases to amaze, around Santa Cruz Islands you can visit multiple stunning natural formations, but perhaps the most peculiar ones are the Lava Tunnels. These enormous geological wonders were formed by volcanic eruptions and are considered a labyrinth of complex passageways that connect underground.

The atmosphere inside the tunnels is silent and cool and you can really hear the echo of your voice in these long volcanic rock tunnels where once lava passed through, millions of years ago while the islands of this wonderful archipelago were forming.

TWIN CRATERS
The Twin Craters, or Los Gemelos are astonishing formations located in the highest lands of the island. They’re two big depressions on the land, separated only by a road.

These impressive holes were formed by volcanic eruptions, many even say they’re remnant craters of ancient volcanoes. On this spectacular landscape you can hike, explore and watch an incredible variety of Galapagos birds.

EL TRAPICHE
El Trapiche is a surprising place to visit, this is a complete farm where delicious organic crops are cultivated. Coffee, sugar cane, tomatoes and more, grow in these fertile lands where they’re also processed for consumption. Visitors can enjoy all the stages of fascinating, old timey and artisanal ways of processing products like “aguardiente” liquor or ground coffee.

The name of the place makes reference to the name of an artisanal machine used to extract the juice out of sugar cane. On this educational and entertaining tour you can purchase the farm’s products, such as coffee and sugar cane liquor.

EL GARRAPATERO BEACH
This whole beach is considered a National Park in itself, right on the eastern side of the island, you’ll find this captivating beach where a great variety of wildlife can often be seen and there`s nothing but nature around you.

The turquoise water of the sea is perfect for snorkeling, swimming or just enjoying a relaxing day. If you’re looking for a less crowded place to sunbathe or take a walk this is the right place. There’s a trail on this beach for encountering flamingos in a nearby lagoon. Kayaking is also popular at this secluded site.

CERRO MESA ECOLOGICAL RESERVE 
At the eastern side of the highlands of Santa Cruz Island you’ll find the Cerro Mesa Galapagos Ecological Reserve, a remarkable viewpoint where you can take extraordinary landscape pictures, hike and enjoy birdwatching surrounded by the native forest of this side of the island.

This exceptional place offers camping sites to spend the night under the stars, a visit to the biggest sinkhole of the island and adequate gear and bicycle equipment to explore the area. Cerro Mesa is located at close distance from the Garrapateros beach, a joint visit is possible.

CHATO II
Another great place to visit in our beloved Santa Cruz Island is El Chato II, a big ranch on the highlands where giant tortoises live and roam free while visitors walk among nature.

This reserve is a great place for bird watchers also, there are multiple species of birds around the area. Due to the size of the place a guide is recommended when visiting this attraction although you can find trails to discover tortoises along the way.

TORTUGA BAY BEACH
Tortuga Bay is a beach to fall in love with, its white fine sands melt in your hands, you’ve never seen such distinct sand. Many visitors of the Galapagos Islands state that this is their favorite beach in the archipelago, and it’s no wonder why, kilometers of a white sandy beach with ponds filled with tropical fish, wildlife sightings and pristine turquoise waters make this beach an absolute must.

A trail must be followed by foot to reach this paradisiac beach, it’s the perfect place for relaxing, swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and even surfing!

SAIL TO NEARBY ISLANDS
It’s hard to visit the Galapagos Islands and resist the urge to explore beyond what your feet allow, you’ll want to dive into the clear waters around you and just see more. Each island of this archipelago is unique and features different species and landscapes.

When you stay at the Angermeyer Waterfront Inn at Santa Cruz Island you can book a one day escapade to some of the awesome nearby islands and discover even more of the beauty of Galapagos. Taking a sailing tour for a day is a great way to explore beyond the sea and then, after all the adventuring, return to the commodities of our hotel.

At these popular tours you’ll hike, meet incredible wildlife and snorkel, lunch will be served aboard the yacht. Most yachts have a capacity of maximum sixteen passengers and early booking is needed if you’d like to enjoy this sailing experience, as it’s a shared service with limited availability. We have carefully designed great expedition programs for you to choose from.

BARTOLOME ISLAND
The one day excursion to Bartolome Island begins in the Itabaca Channel, you’ll enjoy a beautiful two hour long ocean ride till you reach this central island with fantastic scenery. Bartolome Island formed over an extinguished volcano and around the isle it’s possible to see other remarkable volcanic formations in multiple colors like red, orange, green and black.

A spectacle for all visitors. The famous Pinnacle Rock is one of the main attractions of this island, a place where Galapagos penguins can be seen. At this stunning snorkeling site you may also meet marine tortoises and many tropical fish.

SANTA FE ISLAND
Another popular Day Tour is a visit to Santa Fe Island, a dazzling volcanic terrain formed by millennial eruptions. This is an ideal site for trekking and snorkeling, so if you’re a fan of adventure traveling, you’ll enjoy Santa Fe Island.

Land iguanas and sea lions will welcome you, along with blue footed boobies, Darwin’s finches and more. Wildlife is everywhere you look, enjoying the sun and the waves of this paradise land. This tour could last around eight hours, so be prepared for a long day exploring the sea of this magnificent archipelago.

NORTH SEYMOUR ISLAND
North Seymour Island was raised from the bottom of the ocean after the intense seismic activities that took place thousands of years ago, when the archipelago was forming.

This almost flat landed island provides marvelous wildlife encounters, get ready to be greeted by Galapagos sea lions and some of the most iconic Galapagos birds like blue-footed boobies and frigatebirds.

The island is home of the endemic land iguana, as well as the only marine iguana in the world. On this excursion for the day you’ll get to sail and explore for about eight hours, lunch will be served aboard the yacht.

SOUTH PLAZA ISLAND
South Plaza Island is one of the smallest islands of Galapagos but yet it has the largest land iguana population of the area. The island possesses big cactus forests and it’s always visited by sea lions and blue footed boobies.

This One Day tour will take you to the shores of the astounding South Plaza Island where the clear, turquoise waters of the ocean oppose the red tones of the land for an astonishing landscape. Around the isle wildlife is abundant and you may meet special and unique species such as land and marine iguanas, pelicans, alligators and a great variety of birds.

EXPLORE UNDER THE SEA
If you’re up to even more adventures at sea, diving is the next step for exploring the wonders of Galapagos Islands. Discover a whole new world diving into Galapagos underwater ecosystem and meet the most amazing ocean life, explore beneath the waves and swim among the unique creatures of this magic archipelago.

Just imagine diving in this aquatic paradise of 76,448 square miles of protected marine habitat, exploring the incredible Galapagos Islands underwater, is to enjoy truly immaculate native marine life and share the ocean with beautiful astonishing creatures like sharks, rays, turtles and more, at their natural habitat.

Scuba Diving is another popular activity on the archipelago so booking in advance is needed to secure a spot on these special shared tours. There are multiple options for great diving, either at open sea or at shallow waters, diving sites are ranked according to difficulty, whether you’re a beginner or a professional diver, there’s a place for you to join the underwater life for the adventure of a lifetime.

At Angermeyer Waterfront Inn we can tailor make the ideal package for you, including accommodation as well as a few days of diving and some other excursions in the islands; you may also combine some days of diving either before or after a cruise.

Rooms: 16

Price: from 299 EUR per night

Source: www.angermeyer-waterfront-inn.com

Located just outside the Yasuní National Park and within the Yasuní Biosphere Reserve, La Selva Lodge is perfect for travellers seeking their ideal Amazon experience — whether they are six or sixty. A luxury resort in the heart of the rainforest, everyone will find something to love.

La Selva Lodge is located on the north bank of the Napo River, which eventually flows eastward and joins the mighty Amazon on its way to the Atlantic Ocean. It takes about five hours to travel from your hotel in Quito to your jungle suite, by plane, motorized canoe, by foot, and arriving in a silent paddle canoe.

At La Selva we take great pride in the quality of the meals and beverages we serve. Our talented chefs use fresh ingredients and local produce for daily meal preparation, promising a genuine experience of Ecuadorian and international gastronomy.

Fresh juices, local produce and fruit are part of our ongoing commitment to support local communities. We are happy to accommodate any special diet whether you are vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and kosher. Please let us know in advance of your preferences.

La Selva Lodge features a unique spa, where specialized treatments create a heightened sense of relaxation and connection with the amazing wonders of the forest. We also offer intimate yoga sessions and classes on the jetty overlooking the waters of the lake… Ready to find peace amid the breathing heart of the forest..?

From dawn to dusk, you can always count on a member of staff to help you with whatever you need in terms of food and beverages. Our bar is fully-stocked with local and international beers, liquors, and gins. Feel free to start a tab and pay the night before you leave.

We are fully committed to minimizing the ecological impact during our activities and operations in the Amazon. At the same time we hope to create positive bonds with surrounding native communities, as well as local businesses in the area that share our vision. While staying at La Selva, you are creating a positive impact in the Ecuadorian Amazon and its native communities.

ROOMS & SUITES
La Selva Amazon Ecolodge has 19 spacious suites, including three Scenic Suites with views of Lake Garzacocha and four roomy Family Suites. The design of the rooms at La Selva is inspired by the architecture of the native people’s homes. The airy, shady layout keeps things cool even in the hottest hours of the day.

The Scenic and Superior Suites include exclusive rainforest showers, private balconies, and panoramic views, while the Family Suites include extra-spacious bathrooms, hammocks and a hot tub on a private porch.

12 SUPERIOR SUITES
Designed for today’s adventurer-traveler, our Superior Suites bring together traditional architecture with modern conveniences. Tastefully decorated, you’ll find a large bed draped with a mosquito net, a living area for kicking back, a private balcony perfect for taking in the beauty of the rainforest, and an ample bathroom fitted with a refreshing rainforest shower.

4 FAMILY SUITES
Our Family Suites provide the space and comfort that families traveling together will cherish. With a king bed for parents and two double beds for children, plus sofas and coffee tables, a private porch from which to admire the greens of the forest, plus a hammock for a relaxing siesta and hot tub for all to enjoy.

3 SCENIC SUITES
Located high up on the banks of our lake, our Scenic Suites define the rainforest experience. At dawn or at dusk, you can enjoy the incredible colors of the skies and surrounding jungle world from your own private balcony, drink in hand. The suite is completed by comfortable sleeping arrangements, sofas, and a spacious bathroom fitted with a tantalizing rainforest shower.

RAINFOREST WELLNESS
La Selva Lodge invites you to experience our spa treatments in the middle of our protected rainforest reserve as well as our soulful yoga sessions: we have created a truly unique space in which to relax and connect with the natural world like few others on the planet.

Inspired by the natural beauty and essence of the Amazon, our highly-qualified massage therapists provide innovative and traditionally crafted treatments sure to delight.

YOGA SESSIONS
with our on-site yoga instructor
Available upon request (no extra cost)
The yoga retreats offered at La Selva are one of a kind and range from beginners to experts regardless of age, stamina or fitness level. Our experienced yoga instructor will lead the sessions, either in the morning or in the evening, before or after your excursions with your guide, or replacing an activity for longer sessions.

SPA TREATMENTS
Just like the Amazon, we know each of our guests is unique. Our therapies are tailored to your desires and designed to restore vitality, health and wellness. These treatments help improve circulation and infuse well-being. Finish one of our treatments feeling re-energized and refreshed!

ENERGIZING BATH WITH COPAL TREE LEAVES
This bath is a great way to restore energy and bring an overall feeling of relaxation. The Copal leaves provide the body with the powerful energy of the sun, transmitting properties of the earth. It is a gentle healer that removes negative energies and is tied to physical, energetic, and mental health.

AMAZONIAN BATH
For a complete 60 minutes, relax and enjoy a massage with almond oil and a bath infused with Amazonian herbs. Our therapist will use herbs such as the energizing guayusa leaves native to the Amazon Rainforest, found nowhere else. The leaves are known to offer stimulating properties.

NATURAL YUCCA MASK (CASSAVA)
This is a mask made of yucca, also known as cassava. It is easily absorbed and improves the texture and condition of your skin, while softening and brightening your complexion. One of the major benefits of the yucca is how it acts as a moisturizer and energizer, providing more elasticity.

YOGA SESSIONS
The yoga retreats offered at La Selva are one of a kind and range from beginners to experts regardless of age, stamina or fitness level. Our experienced yoga instructor will lead the sessions, either in the morning or in the evening, before or after your excursions with your guide, or replacing an activity for longer sessions.

WHAT BENEFITS DOES BEING IN NATURE BRING?
Research carried out over the past decade has revealed that modern humanity’s separation from nature is depriving us of many benefits.

Countless studies show that nature strengthens our ties to spirituality, improves our cognitive abilities, helps us de-stress in measurable ways, improves our mood, battles depression and anxiety, and is an important part of preventing diseases caused by a sedentary lifestyle.

While sailing across the serpentine Amazon, listening to the songs of birds, and smelling the fresh green scents, it is also much easier to tune into our spiritual side.

One fascinating study showed that people who are spiritual, are also happier; somehow, it seems that connecting with a force that runs through all living things, has positive effects for our psyche and our general wellbeing.

ACTIVITIES & WILDLIFE EXPLORATION
Our experienced guides will accompany you on the following activities, depending on the time of day, season, weather, physical abilities of the group and where they believe wildlife is more likely to be found. Each activity was designed to showcase the best of the Ecuadorian Amazon.

CANOE RIDES
Enjoy a canoe ride on our lagoon, Garzacocha, and discover a great diversity of plants and animals in two different landscapes and ecosystems.

TRAILS
Heading out from the lodge, your guides can lead you on half-a-dozen trails that wind their way through the surrounding rainforest and connect with the lake. You never know what you might find along the way… A giant ceiba tree, strangler figs, walking palms, Azteca ants, heliconias, bromeliads, and maybe even some forest fauna — if you’re lucky.

KICHWA COMMUNITY VISIT
Several indigenous communities live near La Selva and guests are able to visit to learn about their way of life. We like this quote that perfectly sums up why our guests enjoy the community visit so much; “People travel because it teaches them things they could learn no other way.” – Lance Morrow

AMAZON OBSERVATION TOWER
Our tower offers amazing views from its platform 35 meters (115 ft) up from the forest floor. It’s nestled into the branches of a giant kapok tree, allowing us to observe life in the surrounding forest canopy.

From here, we can spot many different species of birds, insects, and monkeys, as well as different types of flowers. The tower offers great opportunities for photography, filming and bird watching. The tower is located a 15-minute walk from the lodge. Guides will accompany you to the observation tower either in the morning or the afternoon.

PARROT CLAY LICKS
One of the most amazing sights in the Amazon that is relatively easy to enjoy is observing parrots coming to feed on clay, on the banks of rivers or streams. There are two places on the south bank of the Napo River (inside Yasuni National Park) where parrots, parakeets and even macaws gather.

They come to obtain the minerals in the clay that help them to digest the fruits and seeds better. For this excursion, we take motorized canoes along the Napo and enjoy a box lunch in the forest.

NIGHT-TIME CANOE EXCURSION
You’ll go out with the guides in canoe with a spotlight onto Garzacocha Lagoon to spot caimans, bats, owls and more.

FAMILY ACTIVITIES
At La Selva, we are proud to have created unforgettable moments for families to share together for more than a quarter of a century. We regard ourselves as the most child-friendly lodge (ages 5 and up) in the Ecuadorian Amazon.

Our youngest guests can participate in our junior naturalist program, while older children will find dozens of activities to keep them busy, from hiking, kayaking, canoeing, fishing and exploring the tree tops from our observation tower.

KAYAKING
This is a great way to do some exploring on your own time. The kayaks are kept by the dock. Ask reception for the paddles and life jackets to go out on your own. You’ll have the opportunity to see monkeys, Hoatzins and many other tropical rainforest birds.

Swimming: Please inform reception you will be going for a swim. You can ask them for a towel instead of using one from your suite. The water is very refreshing after a jungle hike and feels silky smooth due to the blackwater.

STAR GAZING
The night sky at La Selva is perfect for viewing constellations in the Southern Hemisphere. Ask your guide to help point them out! We are currently working on new star gazing kits for the Junior Naturlist Children’s Program.

NIGHT EXCURSIONS
Hikes and canoe rides allow guests to enjoy the nocturnal choruses and sounds of the forest as well as trying to spot bats, nightjars, some insects and possibly to get a glimpse of the caimans that lurk at the lake’s banks. Walking excursions give us the chance to encounter nocturnal creatures such as tarantulas, whip-scorpions, toads and frogs, and possibly snakes.

CHARAPA TURTLE ADOPTION PROGRAM
“The adventure begins with an early morning departure from the lodge, followed by a 15 – 20 minute motor canoe ride on the Napo River. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by the local community. They will take you to where the small Charapa Turtle pools are located.

Here is where the community collects the eggs from the turtles and where they will be protected until they hatch. Once hatched, tourists have the rare opportunity to choose a turtle, give it a name, and then liberate it into the Napo River.

A conservation certificate in the name of the Charapa Program will be given to stating the name of your freed turtle and a small gift from the community. This activity has a cost of only $5 USD per turtle and this input is given directly to the community, it does not pass through any other entity so you can feel good about where you are putting your donations.

The community also offers various products produced and crafted within such as coffee, chocolate, and handicrafts that visitors can purchase. Afterwards, the guide will transport you back to the lodge the same way you came.

You will have time to enjoy the many free activities we offer such as kayaking, fishing, and yoga or depending on how much time you spent at the community, you will be back in time for lunch”.

PRIVATE VISIT TO PAÑACOCHA
Established in 1994, Pañacocha is located between the two largest protected areas in the Amazon, Yasuni National Park and Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve and consists of 56,000 hectares of pristine lagoons and rivers.

The protection of Pañacocha offers rare exceptional views of 9 different species of primates, 500 species of birds, and 100 different species of fish in the protected waterways. Highlights include spotting Aracaris, a small specie of toucan, sloths, and possibly pink river dolphins. Pañacocha also boasts tropical butterflies with endless varieties of colors and patterns.

On the excursion to Pañacocha expect to leave La Selva by 7am to reach the Napo River. There, a motor canoe will be waiting, and together you and your guide will travel 2 hours down river to the mouth of the Pañacocha River.

One stop will be made to pay the local community before entering the lagoon. Afterwards, we will navigate the black river of Pañacocha for approximately one hour until finally arriving to the lagoon. In the lagoon pink river dolphins may sometimes be spotted and depending on a number of factors there may also be a chance to swim.

Food will be supplied in a boxed lunch at the lagoon and afterwards we will return to the lodge somewhere around 4pm in the afternoon. Since almost the entire trip is done on the Napo River and in the Pañacocha lagoon, it is an extraordinary chance to experience the waterways of the Amazon and see many interesting things deep in the jungle that not many people have the opportunity to encounter.

Website: www.laselvajunglelodge.com

Rooms: 18

Price: from 670 EUR per night

Be our guests! We are the Kichwa, and we welcome you to our rainforest home. When you stay with us, you become part of our extended community where we will share and teach you about our environment and culture.

At Sani Lodge, you are not only choosing an amazing adventure, but also the opportunity to immerse yourself in our Kichwa lifestyle. Come join us and support our indigenous community while simultaneously protecting the rainforest that you will love to call home.

Sani Isla is included in the list of the 100 best sustainable destinations in 2019, granted by the Green Destination committee, becoming the only destination within this list for the entire Ecuadorian Amazon.

Being included in this list is high prestige as these destinations are actively portraying world leadership in the protection of its panoramic views, natural habitats, and wildlife, as well as respect for animals and indigenous communities, becoming a standard for sustainable tourism development for other countries. Sani Isla has shown this potential for which it has concurrently won the Best of Nature award as well!

THE COMMUNITY
In 1922, our first ancestors of Sani Isla arrived from the Napo province. Domingo Cecilio Licuy Vargas and his wife, Xaviar Pascual Licuy and his wife, Siku and his family, Sani and her family, and Aurelio Andi and his family were joined in the years to follow by others from the Napo and Pastaza provinces.

Yet, it was not until December 1976, when Father Jose Miguel and Mr. Humberto Andi organized the community and raised awareness of their rights, that the Commune Kichwa Sani Isla was officially established.

The Sani Isla Kichwa community was founded with the purpose of defending our culture, customs, and language. Our home comprises 42,000 hectares north and south of the Napo river and crossing through two provinces, Sucumbios and Orellana.

Currently, our community includes 600 adults and children, working together for mutual support and continuing our traditions for generations to come. We open up our community to you, so you can experience our way of life, build lifelong personal connections, and become an extended family member of our extraordinary community.

THE VISION
To provide the world with a deeper understanding of what it means to live in harmony with the forest and allow others to experience our way of life. By promoting sustainable practices here in Ecuador, we can demonstrate to the world how impactful sustainable ecotourism can be. Becoming a tourist destination of excellence with international recognition allows us to grow and protect our community, culture, and traditions for generations to come.

GUIDED EXPERIENCE 
Our guides are with you every step of the way, serving as the bridge between you and the rainforest, making your experience safe, memorable and unique. Each guide focuses on the individual needs of each visitor, ensuring that you have every interest and desire satisfied throughout your stay at your rainforest home. We will customize your individual experience to accommodate age, interests, physical abilities, and any other factors.

SUPPORT A COMMUNITY 
All profits benefit our community members, so staying at Sani Lodge means you are contributing to our social and community development by helping us send our kids to school, improving our healthcare, and conserving our traditions and culture.

NATURAL BEAUTY
Sani Lodge delivers the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in our primary rainforest. This lush landscape is home to vast varieties of wildlife including birds, mammals, and reptiles. Encounter this breathtaking biodiversity and incomparable scenery through our low-impact trails built with environmental safety in mind.

PROTECT THE RAINFOREST
By visiting Sani Lodge, you are participating in sustainable tourism that preserves an unspoiled part of the earth and reduces the pressure to allow development that would infringe on our natural rainforest environment.

COMFORT TIED WITH IMMERSION
Staying at Sani Lodge means relaxing in our comfortable cabins, enjoying our native Ecuadorian food, and having all the amenities needed to feel at home with the Kichwa. Our goal is to ensure that you have a local integrative experience so that you can feel completely immersed in the magic of the rainforest.

EMPOWER WOMEN
Traditionally, in many local communities, jobs and economic freedom for women are limited, but at Sani Lodge we ensure that all members of the community are included. In fact, Sani Lodge proudly partners with the Sani Warmi project, empowering Sani women to run their own business making and selling artisan crafts.

You have the exceptional opportunity to experience and learn from these amazing women who strengthen the Sani Isla community with their creativity and entrepreneurial spirit.

CABINS
At Sani Lodge, our cabins are designed to provide you with comfort and safety while still fitting into the environment that surrounds the lodge. Sani Lodge has 13 first class cabins of which 10 are double/single cabins, 1 is a mini suite cabin, 1 is a family cabin, and 1 is a multi-cabin with 4 rooms and 5 beds.

All cabins are built with local wood, have window openings covered with mosquito nets and roofs made of toquilla straw leaves, and are equipped with fans and running water. These facilities are truly in harmony with the jungle and will allow you to live an unforgettable dream.

FAMILY CABIN
Enjoy with your family while you relax in one of the most exotic places on the planet. The natural and healthy environment of the Amazon is conceived in harmony with the interior and exterior of our cabin and is an example of responsible consumption framed within sustainable development. Our family cabin has a large balcony from where you can enjoy the incredible scenery, the lagoon and direct contact with nature.

DOUBLE OR SINGLE CABIN
You can stay alone or accompanied and connect completely with all the activities we offer in one of the most biodiverse places on the planet. Relax at the same time that our team provides a large number of amenities for you to enjoy an exceptional experience during your vacation.

MINI SUITE CABIN
Disconnect in the middle of the rainforest in our comfortable mini suite cabin where you will have more privacy while you feel immersed and comfortable in one of the most pristine places on the planet. Our cabin offers a spectacular view of the lagoon. Ideal for quiet evenings contemplating a sunset in the Amazon forest.

MULTI CABIN
Our multicabaña is ideal to share with your group of friends or family while enjoying all the activities offered in our lodge. Do not miss out on the most beautiful sunsets of the Amazon from one of the best views.

THE SANI LODGE RESTAURANT
Offers a rustic and relaxed atmosphere for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The open windows let you enjoy the song of the frogs and cicadas as you savor your meal. Our chefs prepare a mixture of international and local Ecuadorian cuisine to delight the palates of travelers from around the world.

Serving times are accommodated to your itinerary and food is served either buffet style or restaurant style depending on the number of visitors. All ingredients used in the kitchen are grown and sold locally in order to further support both the community and neighboring farmers.

Bottled water is provided free of charge, and we encourage guests to bringing a reusable water bottle to help minimize environmental impacts. Snacks are provided for excursions, and are also prepared in the kitchen each day and packaged in reusable containers to minimize waste and further preserve our rainforest.

The Sani Lodge bar is equipped with wooden chairs and tables that overlook the lagoon providing the perfect end to your day. Sip a cold beer, wine or a classic cocktail made by our barman while enjoying the view of the glistening lagoon waters. Chat with fellow visitors, tour guides, and lodge staff as you forge the personal connections that make a visit to Sani Isla the experience of a lifetime.

SANI WARMI
Today, the Sani Warmi women now serve as some of the strongest defenders of the rainforest. Traditionally, in many local communities, jobs and economic freedom for women are limited. While many lodges in the Amazon do not hire women as an employment policy, in our Kichwa community and at Sani Lodge, all members of the community are included.

In fact, Sani Lodge proudly partners with the SANI WARMI project, which empowers the women of Sani Isla to run their own business making and selling artisan crafts constructed from local seeds, vines, and fibers. This business provides a sustainable source of income for the women while encouraging the protection of over 42,000 hectares of pristine rainforest from outside intrusions.

The Sani Warmi project was started in 2008 in partnership with the nonprofit Rainforest Partnership, based in the United States, and Conservación y Desarrollo, based in Ecuador. The project was started to combat the increasing pressures the community faced from companies wanting to use our lands for oil prospecting.

Sani Warmi combines small business development and environmental education in order to make this project successful in helping to protect over 42,000 hectares of pristine rainforest.

Today, the Sani Warmi women now serve as some of the strongest defenders of the rainforest. The project continues running successfully without any outside funding, and only advising support from Rainforest Partnership.

During your visit to Sani Lodge, you will have the opportunity to visit the Sani Warmi House, meet the women artisans, taste the flavor of typical Kichwa food, and see how a traditional Kichwa family lives. By visiting, you are supporting the community, empowering the Kichwa women, contributing to their continued success and becoming part of our family.

OBSERVATION TOWER
No visit to Sani Lodge is complete without a visit to our 100ft (37m) Observation Tower. To reach the Tower, your guide will take you on a 30 minute row boat ride across Lake Challuacocha followed by a short 10-minute walk.

nce atop the Tower, you can truly experience the visual magic of the Amazon. As you gaze out over the top of the lush green jungle canopy, look for the elusive White-throated Toucan and Red Howler Monkeys asleep in the treetops.

More than 565 species of birds have been recorded from the Tower, including colorful macaws, toucans, honeycreepers, tanagers, flycatchers, and hummingbirds. The Tower will be highlight of your trip!

PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT
We built Sani Lodge to create a revenue stream that will continuously support and strengthen our Kichwa community. Sani Isla spans across our pristine rainforest and is home to some of the most abundant biodiversity planet Earth has to offer.

We built Sani Lodge to create a revenue stream that will continuously support and strengthen our Kichwa community, rather than watch the beauty of our local environment spoiled by oil drilling.

The continuous success of Sani Lodge allows us to thrive within our community and be stewards of the Earth, keeping our ancestral lands safe from any intrusions on our natural rainforest.

We are strong believers that sustainable tourism is achievable while limiting negative impact both in our community and the lodge itself. To achieve this goal, we have created several programs to promote conservation that benefit us and nearby communities.

These conservation policies are not limited to the Lodge, but are practiced throughout the entire community. We are continuously striving to improve ourselves so that we can live sustainably and be one with the forest.

AMAZON WILDLIFE
When you visit Sani Lodge, you will hike through our forest that encompasses 2,274 species of trees and bushes.  This vast refuge is home to incredible animals such as jaguars, pumas, giant otters, and the humble squirrel monkey as well as 550 species of birds, 80 species of bats, 105 species of amphibians, 83 species of reptiles, 64 species of stingless bees, and 100,000 insects per hectare!

With our extensive knowledge of Amazonian wildlife, we can provide you with a real and unique experience of the Ecuadorian Amazon Rainforest.

INDIGENOUS CULTURE
Sani Lodge is owned and operated by our Kichwa community, and we welcome you to immerse yourself in our way of life. At our restaurant, you’ll enjoy authentic Ecuadorian food made with local ingredients. Our community guides can’t wait to share a meal and their stories with you.

In the center of the Sani Isla community, you can visit the Sani Warmi Project, independently run by the Kichwa women who will open up their home to you. See, hear, taste and savor the true culture of the Sani Isla community while learning how we live in unity with the forest.

GUIDED IMMERSION
Are experts in sharing their extensive knowledge about the local flora and fauna. Our guides are also members of the Sani community who have grown up in the rainforest and raised in the Kichwa culture and way of life.

By having these truly local inhabitants guide you through your journey, you will begin to see the rainforest through their eyes and feel the forest in a way you never imagined possible.

These dedicated professionals will be with you every step of the way, ensuring not only your safety, but also crafting your individual experience to guarantee that this is a trip you will never forget.

Rooms: 10

Price: from 500 EUR per night

Source: www.sanilodge.com

Located in the lush highlands of Santa Cruz Island, in the heart of the Galapagos Islands, Galapagos Safari Camp is the ideal base and perfect springboard for discovering the other-worldly landscapes, amazing wildlife and spell-binding magic of this remote archipelago, made famous by Charles Darwin nearly two centuries ago.

With only nine safari-style tents, a family suite, lodge, pool and viewpoint spread over 55 hectares of land roamed by wild giant tortoises and bordering the Galapagos National Park, we are small by design and exclusive by definition. Our size allows us to be flexible, to customize your experience.

Enjoy a dip in our plunge pool and maybe a nap beneath its moss-laden trees. As the bright equatorial light fades, follow the trail to our rustic Viewpoint. The setting sun turns the western skies into a pink and purple canvas dotted with the misty islands of the archipelago.

Order a drink, swap stories or exchange pictures with like-minded fellow travelers. Savour some tapas and snacks. Sit back, be present. Love yoga? Tomorrow, take your mat to the Viewpoint to greet the dawn.

Choose a chair outdoors to read a book from our library. Sink into an armchair. Ask us to mix a drink from our bar. Discuss how you want to spend the following day with your host. Like all our guests, you’ll soon enough feel the Camp is like your second home.

A Journey of Purpose and Passion
Our Camp was built on a dream. When we first arrived at the farm in 2003 and scrambled up a tree to get a better look at the lay of the land, we were captivated by the incredible views, our immediate intimacy with nature, the unspoiled and raw beauty of what our senses were experiencing.

It was intoxicating and overwhelming in its uniqueness: a Galapagos experience that defied description.

We bought the land and started living on the farm. It became a way of life that connected us to incredible Galapagos experiences and defined the pillars of our philosophy: Purpose, Personalisation, Experiential, Honest Dining, Seamless Journey, Balanced Disconnection.

Creating Meaningful Experiences
We had always been part of a travelling culture, and most of those adventures to exotic destinations were defined and made memorable and remarkable by the people who welcomed us with a smile and a commitment to service.

Through simple but comfortable surroundings, farm to table cuisine and mindful attention to detail, we decided to create Galapagos experiences for likeminded travellers who are inspired by nature and seek meaningful life experiences.

Begin Your Journey with Us
As we realised as we climbed down from the tree and began making our dream a reality — and just as you will realise when you explore with us — the Galapagos challenge us all on many levels. They are powerful in their raw, volcanic beauty.

Their legacy has lessons for us all. Their creatures’ fearlessness is unlike anything you will have experienced. Challenges await, adventures too, in our company, and stories to pocket and cherish, share and inspire.

In the Heart of the Archipelago
Bordering the pristine lands of the National Park and nestled into the wild highlands of Santa Cruz Island, in the heart of the Galapagos Archipelago, our family-owned Camp is ideally located, private, quiet, and far from the crowds of Puerto Ayora.

At One with Nature
We first fell (irresponsibly?) in love with the wild, raw beauty of this 50-hectare farm. Then, our deep sense of responsibility for and connection with this place, these islands and their creatures led us to create our Camp.

With just 9 stylish African-style tents immersed in lush vegetation and a family suite close to the main lodge, the feeling is discreet, unpretentious, familiar and wholly appropriate to our natural world.

The Galapagos Safari Camp experience is all about close intimacy with nature, a true sense of place, warm sincere hospitality and outstanding Ecuadorian cuisine, all within a unique setting.

A Place to Call Home
From the moment you pass through the elegant doors and into our tall-ceilinged main lodge, you’ll be captivated by the sweeping views of the forests, coastline and nearby islands which stretch out before you.

The lodge’s position on the rim of an extinct volcanic cone inspired our lodge’s design, an elegant arc that greets the sun in the morning to the east, and is bathed in golden light at the end of the day.

The surrounding trees sway, finches and mockingbirds flit, the hills tumble down to the ocean, with not a human in sight. Step through the glass doors and out onto the veranda. You’ve arrived

Luxury Tent Safari
Arrayed in an arc on a hillside with views that stretch off towards the coast, seen from above our tents look like little canvas cocoons nestled into a vast natural sanctuary — which is essentially what they are.

Our safari tents are covered by three layers of canvas for comfort and shelter. Their private balcony decks, perfect for some hammock-time, give way to spacious, stylish rooms decorated in tasteful safari-style simplicity.

All our tents have several electrical sockets for charging cameras and devices. Stretch out on your comfortable bed and enjoy the views. Take a sun-powered hot shower in your en-suite bathroom before heading to the viewpoint for sunset drinks.

Our spacious tent bedrooms can be set up as double, twin or triple, and are included in your Safari experience.

Family Suite
Ideal for multigenerational families and those travelling with younger children, our Family Suite sleeps six. It features a master bedroom and two twin rooms, all with their own bathrooms.

Its wooden furniture and floorboards blend perfectly with the natural environment and give it a warm, homely feel, perfect for travelling broods.

Secluded from the lodge and tents, the Suite’s expansive deck, makes the perfect spot for enjoying the view, sunset and making friends with visiting finches, while listening to the rustle of the breeze in the trees. While parents unwind upstairs, little ones can have fun in the playroom downstairs.

A Culinary Journey
Our four-course tasting menu offers a nightly journey across Ecuadorian cuisine and beyond, with local recipes and traditional dishes reimagined with refined simplicity, using locally-sourced products whenever possible. A carefully-curated wine list offers a tour of South American wines to complement the experience.

Think quinoa pesto salad with roasted carrots, vegetables & yogurt… Grouper in an Ecuadorian coastal-style coconut sauce… Wahoo ceviche with sweet-potato cubes… Pork leg, marinated in beer, lemon and butter, roasted, accompanied by a passion fruit sauce, steamed corn in a leaf, avocado and spicy pickle…

Dining in Nature
You can choose to have dinner al fresco on the veranda or indoors at our long, hardwood table. Whether relaxing at the pool, sharing conversation and drinks at the Viewpoint or by the fireplace, or even enjoying a quiet game of chess, we’ll always be there to anticipate your needs, before you even realized you had one.

Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, need gluten-free, or have allergies, just let us know — we’ll ensure your needs are cared for.

Taste the World’s Finest Chocolate
To add another layer of experience at the Camp, we can arrange a chocolate-tasting session. Not only will you have the chance to taste To’ak Chocolate — regarded as the world’s finest and rarest chocolate — you’ll learn about the history and health-giving properties of this bean — which is originally from Ecuador.

Moreover, you will get to sample the world’s first Galapagos chocolate bar, made with our very own cacao.

An Explorer’s Picnic
Imagine a private picnic up in the wilds of the Highlands or inside the mysterious tubes of a lava tunnel, all set up for when you arrive from your adventures. Contact us to plan this special experience.

Catch your Dinner
Personalise your safari with our artisan fishing experience and we can prepare your day’s catch for dinner – whether you like your fish steamed in a leaf, battered, fried, baked or raw as sashimi or sushi. It’s up to you!

Starry Nights
After dinner, curl up by the crackling fireplace. As sleep gets the better of you, wander outside. The night sky shines with bright constellations, your faithful companions as you stroll off for your night under canvas…

Celebrate with Us
Let us know in advance the special occasion you’d like to celebrate while staying with us — whether a seven- or seventy-year-old birthday, an anniversary, honeymoon — or you just want to surprise your loved ones. We love a good challenge and creating cherished moments.

Working with Nature
Are you willing to forgo the trappings of traditional luxury, reawaken your senses and experience nature in an intimate, transformative, appropriate way that fills you with memories and leaves no trace behind?

As you plan your journey we urge you to keep this important question in mind: how appropriate is my tour?

At Galapagos Safari Camp we fully embrace your soul-searching quest for meaningful answers when you set out to explore the planet: What will my impact be? Will I be respecting the natural and human environment while traveling? What will I have to give up for the sake of the planet?

Do you care?
In itself a large and heavily protected area -97% of land and the surrounding marine reserve are under Galapagos National Park authority- the Galapagos remain one of the last pristine natural sanctuaries, and amongst the most fragile in our planet.

Living in the Galapagos we felt the urge to respect and protect this fragile ecosystem. From the very beginning we strove to balance the expectations of our guests with the responsibility of looking after this swath of wilderness we chose to call home.

Despite the archipelago being considered one of the best managed nature-based tourism destinations, there are still many ways in which tourists’ footprint can be lessened.

What is the Appropriate way of visiting the Galapagos?
We believe we all need to adjust, to attune our expectations, to embrace the uniqueness of each destination we visit; to be aware and mindful of all that travel implies and the consequences of our choices.

Going beyond Galapagos National Park restrictions, we choose to work with nature, -rather than against- creating opportunities for you to discover -and enjoy- the endless source of wellness that comes from being in direct, unrestricted touch with the natural world.

Tread Lightly
It is with intent that the layout of the camp follows the land; little to no alterations were required during construction as we adapted to the terrain.

Indoors and outdoors blend; tents stand nimbly on stilts, fanning into the forest. Uncluttered spaces, fitted with warm earthen colours and comfortable furniture that highlight the views.

Awaken Your Senses
Strategically oriented canvas and netting allow the natural breezes of the Highlands to run unimpeded, cooling the tents and lodge and bringing in the scents and sounds of the forest.

Low-intensity lighting creates an intimate atmosphere that doesn’t intrude on the habits of nocturnal wildlife and allows unhindered view of the starry skies of Northern and Southern hemispheres.

No Water, No Life
That fresh water is scarce in a volcanic island will come as no surprise. Native and endemic species have evolved in ingenious manners to adapt themselves to this restriction, but human demands put endless pressure on this life-sustaining resource.

Collecting rain water was a priority when designing the Camp. A clever network of gutters and a huge reservoir that can sustain our yearly needs allow us to collect fresh water, which is then filtered and treated for human consumption.

The reservoir creates a wildlife-friendly humid area as well, in which frigates have been seen to come from down the ocean to wash out the salt from their feathers.

Food for Thought
Farm-to-table cuisine is full of nuances in the Galapagos, as farming puts pressure on land and water that are essential for ecosystems to thrive. Local is not always the most sensible solution.

Fine dining, on the other hand, also requires a fully-stocked pantry to cater to open menus full of endless choices that involve frequent sourcing from the mainland and notable waste of unused produce.

At Safari Camp we believe in Honest dining: carefully crafted tasting menus that combine what is readily available in the islands -and safe to consume without creating extra demand- with Ecuadorian ingredients and recipes, reducing the waste and the pressures of a larger selection while catering to any type of food preferences or restrictions.

The Galapagos Islands
Galapagos… its name echoes with enigmatic promise. A place not quite on the map but somehow firmly planted in our imaginations.

Born of fire 1,000 km / 600 miles out in the Pacific, the volcanic archipelago is world-renowned, famed for its amazing, fearless creatures who inhabit its 13 larger islands (four of which are inhabited) and hundreds of islets, rocks and outcrops.

It’s influenced by no less than four ocean currents which drive its species’ diversity and its natural cycles.

A Living Museum and Showcase of Evolution
Protected by a national park across 97% of its landmass and by one of the world’s largest marine reserves, it remains a remarkable example of conservation and sustainability.

Evolutionary Theory
Inspiration for Charles Darwin and the scientists who have followed in his wake, the Galapagos archipelago is the birthplace of evolutionary theory.

These islands teach us how life adapts, thrives or fails, change our conception of Man’s perch in the great Tree of Life, help us to experience a deeper connection with the natural world, to discover something new (or forgotten) about ourselves.

A Place for Firsts…
The Galapagos are an endless source of wonder. To roam their captivating landscapes, or swim among their teeming waters, while wildlife goes about completely unperturbed by our presence never fails to move, to touch, to transform the way we think about ourselves and nature.

We invite you to broaden each of your senses, to open up to these islands’ magic. We promise you you’ll return home changed, refreshed, inspired, more attuned to nature and to your inner self. The Galapagos is a place for firsts…

Among the Wild Things
From our Camp on Santa Cruz Island, in the heart of the archipelago, you set out on our Safaris to encounter amazing, often endemic and sometimes very curious creatures who have adapted to the demanding conditions of these remote islands, stranded in the vast blues of the Pacific Ocean.

No Two are the Same
Their volcanic origins mean that each island is different from the other: some uplifted from the ocean floor by titanic forces, others seemingly only recently frozen in time in mid-eruption.

Even their vegetation is peculiar and contrasting, with pioneering plants clinging to the slopes of ash-laden hillsides, forests of ghostly-grey palo santo trees, carpets of bright scarlet sesuvium that seem dabbed to life by an Impressionist painter…

Galapagos Islands Tours
Our Safaris are faithful to our vision of authenticity and hospitality, personalized and exclusive, appropriate to our environment and respectful of the Galapagos National Park and its creatures.

Choose a Land-Based Safari to create your own wildlife adventure, sleeping on land while exploring Santa Cruz and neighbouring islands during the day.

Classic Safaris
Designed with our years of experience living, travelling and hosting friends and guests in the Galapagos, our Classic Safaris are our best-seller.

They are much more than land-based tours: they combine experiences on Santa Cruz Island — including private transfers to/from the airport, discovering the Highlands on arrival and a full day of further exploration — with two days of boat excursions to beautiful, uninhabited neighbouring islands.

Based on your interests, you can add more days and activities as you wish.

Family Safaris
We designed our Family Safaris over land and sea to enable your family to have fun together, to connect with each other, and fall in love with the extraordinary natural world of the Galapagos.

Our small size and the fact that we lived and raised our family here over many years means we can craft your perfect family adventure, that is at-once exciting, engaging and educational.

The Galapagos combine these elements like few destinations in the world and we’re passionate about getting it right for you — from our private land-based activities, child-friendly guides, pool and menus to our ability to adapt activities on the fly to your needs and interests.

During school holidays, your children can enjoy our Kid’s Club with a series of creative activities at the end of the day.

Dive Safaris
The Galapagos Marine Reserve is among the largest in the world, a sanctuary for hundreds of different species, many highly endangered. One in four marine species is endemic, found nowhere else on the planet. As a result, SCUBA diving in the Galapagos is considered one of the world’s finest underwater experiences.

Isabela Island Extension
Combine one of our safaris on Santa Cruz Island and extend your stay in the Galapagos Islands by taking an exciting flight by small plane to the largest island in the archipelago, Isabela. Stay at one of our recommended beach-front properties while discovering Isabela’s charming sights and intriguing creatures.

Spend your days hiking volcanoes, snorkelling with sea lions and penguins, swimming off the beach and visiting historical sites. You will be accompanied by your private guide throughout the journey.

Pre- & Post-Cruise Safaris
An Island-based stay at Galapagos Safari Camp is the best upgrade to a Galapagos Cruise, and can be taken either before or after your cruise. Choose from our Relaxing or Active Pre- or Post-Cruise Extensions — and don’t forget we can personalize any option.

Luxury Galapagos Islands Cruises
There are a bewildering number of luxury yachts and ships with permits for luxury Galapagos cruises, all offering differing services and itineraries. We can guide you impartially on making the best choice possible for your party.

We’ll take into consideration aspects such as the size of the ship (is there a doctor on board?), family friendly activities, extra activities (like kayaking and paddle-boarding), itineraries and islands to visit and species to spot.

Amazon Tours
Rise at dawn. Paddle out across a silver-tinted lake. Meander among the buttressed routes of towering rainforest trees. Listen to the calls and squawks of dozens of different bird species. Meet and learn from indigenous forest denizens. Marvel at a million forms of life.

Climb to the queezy heights of an observation tower beside a giant kapok tree. Understand the incredible connections and cycles that make an Amazon rainforest tour so special. Watch the dawn or sunset paint the horizon in brilliant fuchsias, oranges and pinks. An experience in Ecuador’s Amazon is a true privilege.

Andes Tours
The Andes run like the fossilized spine of a dinosaur through Ecuador, as they make their way from the Caribbean down to the wilds of Tierra del Fuego: the longest, grandest mountain range in the world.

Ecuador’s share is fascinating, home to snow-capped peaks that shine impossibly bright beneath the Sun’s equatorial rays, fuming volcanoes cloaked in mists and skirted by wild paramo grasslands and green forests, small towns full of crafts, markets and traditions, and no-end of experiences to enjoy no matter what your idea of a perfect day might be.

Cloud Forest Tours
Less-known than the rainforest, the cloud forest is in fact thought to be even more biodiverse, home to millions of species such as the Andean Spectacled Bear, pumas, ocelots, frogs, toads, insets and mesmerizing numbers of bird species.

It’s an ecosystem still giving up its secrets to science, a place to treasure and protect. Wander this land of incredible connections, full of life, full of mystery, with expert guides and enjoy how it comes alive with every step.

City Tour Extension
Quito and Guayaquil are the main points of entry into Ecuador and the Galapagos. We recommend that you plan for at least a couple days to discover what they have to offer.

Quito’s beautifully preserved colonial quarter is one of the world’s first UNESCO World Heritage sites and full of history and character. It also has a lively food and artistic scene worth exploring.

Guayaquil is a lively port town. It’s beautiful riverfront is flanked by historic buildings that bore witness to the city’s golden age in the cacao trade.

Quito Tours
Ecuador’s capital is a fascinating destination and should definitely be included in your plans. Quito’s Historic Center, varied restaurants and bars, art and music scene and history lend themselves to fun days of urban exploring.

Its church-filled Old Town is a pleasure to explore by foot while its modern neighbourhoods and cultural life can prove equally engaging. We can help arrange accommodation and activities that highlight both the capital’s heritage and present.

Discover Guayaquil
Guayaquil is a bustling, busy and dynamic metropolis, historically the engine-house of Ecuador’s economy: from here the nation’s wealth is shipped abroad and the world’s goods enter the country. As a result, it’s a proud port city, in complete contrast to the chilly nights of Quito in the Andes.

You’ll find an attractive riverside walk, good museums, handsome plazas, fun parks, some historic quarters, fantastic seafood cuisine and a dynamic cultural scene, all complimented by an irrepressible coastal joie-de-vivre.

Our Guayaquil extensions include airport transfers to and from a hotel of your choice. We recommend the handsome Hotel del Parque for its elegant rooms and facilities, first class service, and gourmet cuisine. We can also find other hotels that work with your itinerary and needs.

At one with the Galapagos Islands
Environmentally- friendly practices have been at the core of our business since the Camp was just an idea in our minds.

Appropriate luxury for us means working with nature to ensure little impact while enhancing guests’ natural experiences. This is our ethos, what we pursue and believe in. And, it has to be said, it is simple common sense.

From choosing tents over concrete buildings to restoring a former cattle-farm bordering the National Park back to its wild, native forest cover, at every opportunity we deliberately choose to do what is good for nature while ensuring that it will also be good for you.

Learn how your stay will contribute to the sustainability of the Galapagos Islands.

Balancing the needs of the human population in the Galapagos with those of nature conservation requires a thoughtful approach that ensures community’s wellbeing without placing costly demands on the environment.

Being responsible members of the Galapagos community is an integral part of our way of doing business. We fulfill that commitment by creating a network of local suppliers, supporting local households and helping strengthen the local economy in a sustainable way.

A pool of over one hundred suppliers are involved in creating and delivering the experiences that will make your safari a life-changing one, while happily sharing their knowledge with you. They are always willing to share their knowledge and tales with you!

At the camp, 60% of the dedicated staff anticipating your needs are also our neighbours in nearby Santa Rosa community, and some of them also supply us with fresh produce.

We regularly cooperate with local schools. When guests request it -usually families with young children- we can arrange “meet&greets” that allow local and tourist kids have fun together around a ball game or planting trees as part of our reforestation program.

We strongly believe that environmental education and awareness are the key to the sustainability of the Galapagos, and we take every opportunity to support like-minded organizations and projects.

Website: www.galapagossafaricamp.com

Rooms: 10

Price: from 834 EUR per night

Closer to Quito than the Amazon rainforest, yet offering the same adventure experience, Mashpi Lodge is every nature lover’s dream. Following all health and safety protocols, Mashpi Lodge is the place to encounter 400 species of birds, trees, frogs, endemic species found nowhere else in the world, complete with crashing waterfalls and incredible flora.

Get ready to trek down hidden paths, splash through rivers, rise at dawn to spot rare birds, or fly high above it all aboard our Dragonfly Canopy Gondola. At Mashpi Lodge, the world around us is alive and breathing, waiting for us to begin our descent into its magical embrace.

Located on a scenic plateau, the lodge features breathtaking views of the surrounding forested mountains and their unique ecosystems. The design and style enable total immersion through its floor-to-ceiling panoramic glass windows. Like a cathedral to the natural world, Mashpi is a perfect blend of luxurious comfort and engagement with one of the world’s most stunning environs.

LOCATION
It seems incredible that such a wild and remote site could even be associated with a city, yet Mashpi actually lies within the Metropolitan District of Quito – the capital of Ecuador.

The lodge, which is only about 100 km (60 miles) northwest of Quito, was built at 950 meters (3,117 feet) above sea level. The surrounding reserve ranges in altitude from 500 meters to 1200 meters (1,640 to 4,000 ft) above sea level.

This transitional state combines with the tropical and subtropical climates to create a spectacular site, teeming with a variety of flora and fauna that is seldom found in such startling variety.

ARCHITECTURE
Located at a former lumber mill, Mashpi Lodge was built using the latest techniques in sustainable construction in order to prevent damage to the forest, with much of the structure having been preassembled in Quito and designed around the topography of the site to prevent further damage to the trees.

It is designed to blend in perfectly with its natural environment, respecting the natural space it occupies. Stunningly contemporary and featuring modernist design and décor that mixes warm earth tones, steel, stone, and glass in striking perspectives, Mashpi Lodge makes for a true cocoon of luxury in the middle of the forest.

OPEN AIR PANORAMIC TERRACE 
With its pergola-style roof and outdoor seats and tables, the lodge’s open-air terrace provides a space for guests to enjoy splendid views and relax to the sounds of the forest and its inhabitants that flutter within touching distance.

The terrace is one of our favorite places for early-morning birdwatching. Grab your binoculars and scroll down to spot some birds from the terrace. Mashpi is designed to completely immerse you in the world of the surrounding forest, serving as a luxurious retreat in the middle of stunning views.

The lodge’s rooms are spread out across three different floors, all of them designed with floor-to-ceiling windows guaranteeing immersion, no matter the height. Ground-level rooms offer a look into the incredible forest floor, while the mid and high floors offer access to the gorgeous canopy.

The room types can be mixed and matched to accommodate different group sizes. No matter what floor, room, or mixed accommodation you chose, rooms offer a soothing experience that will guarantee your rest after a day of incredible activities.

ROOMS & SUITES
Awash with greens and browns, the trunks, branches, vines, leaves, birds and swirling clouds all around, it’s a bit like being in a crystal capsule, observing the forest life from the comfort of your bed. The cutting edge of the Lodge’s hermetic design keeps you safe from the forest, without limiting the immersive experience.

The rooms’ subdued lights are never jarring, and automatic blinds can be lowered or raised to adjust natural lighting levels. Sound-proofing technology, as well as humidity and temperature control systems, enables the perfect rest, guaranteed.

YAKU SUITES
The lodge’s three Yaku Suites (Yaku is a Kichwa word meaning “Water”) are perfect for couples looking for a more intimate, luxury experience. The state-of-the-art tubs offer the perfect opportunity to soak and relax after a day chock-full of forest activities.

WAYRA ROOMS
Our Wayra rooms (Wayra is a Kichwa word which means “wind”) are ideal for large groups or families. Rooms can be interconnected for a more shared experience. They are spread out over the three levels of the Lodge, so you can choose the view: forest floor or canopy and above.

WAWA ROOM
Our Wawa Room (Wawa is the Kichwa word for “baby”) is ideal for a more intimate, solo experience and comes with special rate offers. Smaller than our other rooms, the Wawa Room is ideal for the traveler looking to experience the forest on their own.

DINING
An exclusive privilege of our guests, dining at Mashpi offers another form of exploration and delight: a discovery of the diverse regions of Ecuador through the fresh and local ingredients that are found in our exclusive gourmet dishes, all of them accompanied by exquisite wines and cocktails.

THE RESTAURANT
The Lodge’s towering Dining Room is two-stories high and serves as a spectacular space for a lively gourmet experience. Mashpi’s chefs draw inspiration from the diversity of Ecuador’s cuisine and ingredients, making the most of the Lodge’s location between the coast and the Andes and providing guests with the best of both worlds.

THE BAR
It’s the perfect spot to meet new friends before dinner or share a drink with your guide. The cocktail menu at our Bar has specifically been designed with Mashpi and its surrounding forest in mind.

So come have a seat by the Bar and let your palate explore the wide and exotic array of cocktails that we offer, all of them prepared by our expert mixologists. After that, feel free to pair your dinner with any of the fine wines from our extensive wine list.

ECUADORIAN CUISINE
Mashpi’s gastronomic identity is inspired by the native ingredients and exuberant flavors of the forest, such as wild garlic, chillangua and several other organic products. Our cuisine combines modern techniques and ongoing culinary research, all while paying homage to Ecuador’s rich culinary heritage.

For breakfast, our guests enjoy a wide variety of fresh fruits from the region, different types of bread, cheeses, hams, your style of eggs, cereals, home-made jams, organic honey and granola, plus energizing fruit juices to fuel yourself up for the day’s activities.

Lunch is deliberately light, mixing a wide variety of fresh vegetables, soups, sandwiches and a fusion of Ecuadorian and international dishes. Ceviche, an Ecuadorian classic, might be also be featured. Pair your meal with a refreshing fruit juice and then indulge in a delicious dessert.

Dinner is a more formal affair. The theatrical setting of the two-story dining room, which is accentuated by its subdued floor lamps, creates an intimate and romantic space that is perfect for savoring our chefs’ exciting and innovative cuisine. Prepare for a culinary journey across Ecuador’s diverse regions, all of it prepared with imagination and flair.

SPA & WELLNESS
Two massage rooms await on the 2nd floor of the lodge for a wide variety of beauty and body treatments, including single or couples massages. All of these treatments are expertly executed by the hands of our talented spa staff.

The very name says it all. Our SAMAY (“soul” in native Kichwa) Wellness Center is a space where care is highly personalized and life itself is celebrated. We have designed our two wellness areas to blend perfectly with the lodge’s natural environment, offering experiences to help enrich your stay with us.

The adjacent wellness area, which is accessible via a short path that winds through the lush foliage, offers great opportunities for viewing numerous species of birds, relaxing in the covered open-air hot tub or practicing your favourite asana on the welcoming yoga deck. Join us for a relaxing getaway and reconnect with the essence of life itself.

OPEN-AIR HOT TUB
The perfect space to lie back and let your worries wash away as you gaze out from our hot tub to the greens of the rainforest canopy and the blue of the sky beyond.

OUTDOOR YOGA DECK
Complement your journey with your practice. Our outdoor yoga deck provides a remarkable space for meditation and yoga that will leave you feeling restored, revived and inspired. Mats are available at the lodge.

BOUTIQUE
Our small boutique sells a variety of books, guides, expedition attire, and souvenirs as well as toiletries and other essentials for guests. Treat yourself, friends and/or family to fragrant essential oils, award-winning Ecuadorian chocolate or a one-of-a-kind shirt.

VIEWING PLATFORM 
Like a ship’s prow, our viewing platform juts out over the forest and provides the ideal space to immerse yourself in the world of Mashpi. You’ll be left in awe with the view and mesmerized by the calls of the birds and the dance of nearby butterflies.

EXPEDITION ROOM
An extensive library of books awaits in the Expedition Room on the first floor. The space is also used by our Naturalist Guides for activity briefings and by our science team for presentations, the latter of which involve sharing discoveries about the forest and our conservation efforts.

THE LABORATORY
Our laboratory is the home of investigation projects that are carried out within the Mashpi Reserve, manned by our resident Wildlife Project Coordinator.

Here, both young and old can learn more about past and ongoing scientific projects that are carried out by our team and guest researchers. We even have a special area here that’s designed for children, with several activities to engage young minds.

LIFE CENTER
Located an easy 20-minute walk from the Lodge, the Life Center is one of the most magical places in the Reserve. Watch tayras and tropical birds come to feed as you relax or breakfast on the wooden deck, feeling at one with nature. You can also learn about the metamorphosis of the different species of butterflies that inhabit the reserve.

THE FOREST EXPERIENCE
The Mashpi Reserve – a steaming, breathing and living place – perfectly showcases the lungs of our planet and the organisms that live therein. To descend and step inside of the reserve is to discover the hidden wonders of life.

It is a universe in and of itself where, from the micro to the macro, flora and fauna surround and dance around you like never before. The magic here is palpable and its raw, untouched essence is so thick you can almost taste it. It’s what brought us here in the first place, and it’s what inspired us to share this unique forest experience with the world.

MEET THE MIND BEHIND MASHPI
“We want to awaken your curiosity, spark your imagination and immerse you in this biodiverse world. We want you to discover the forest with its plethora of trees, plants, animals and insects. We want you to feel the energy of rushing rivers and cleansing waterfalls. We want you to be mesmerized by the enigmatic movement of the clouds and fog…”

Roque Sevilla is the main shareholder and visionary creator of Mashpi Lodge. He is a passionate environmentalist, orchid buff, successful businessman, former mayor of the city of Quito and Chairman of the Board at Metropolitan Touring – one of Ecuador’s largest and leading Tour Operators.

EXPERIENCE NATURE
Mashpi Lodge sits at 950 meters (3,117 feet) above sea level. Nestled between lower montane rainforest and cloud forests in the heart of a 2,500-acre private reserve, the Lodge is a luxurious outpost in the middle of a lush, green world, 70 percent of which is primary forest.

Species thrive here, not only those within the realms of our understanding but also those yet to be discovered. The Mashpi Frog and Magnolia are both endemic to this very forest and were only identified in the last few years – imagine what other creatures remain undiscovered!

Mashpi, located in the northwest corner of the Metropolitan District of Quito, the capital of Ecuador, provides guests with an unprecedented opportunity to explore both cloud forest and rainforest – two types of ecosystems that are highly rich in species and biodiversity.

From the roots of the trees all the way up and over the canopy, guests will always be accompanied by experienced and insightful guides, most of which grew up playing around inside these same forests.

THE FOREST OF THE CHOCO
The Chocó biogeographical region spans the length of Panama, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. It encompasses the biodiversity hotspot known as the Tumbes-Chocó-Darién, which extends along the western edge of the Andes mountain range.

It is considered to be of “high interest for the global conservation of biodiversity” and is also the first forest to be considered a “Model Forest” in Ecuador. Worldwide, there are only 28 of these hotspots that manage to cover a total of 164 countries.

The Chocó-Andean forest, which is located along the western flanks of the Ecuadorian Andes, consists of about 125,000 hectares (309,000 acres). Only about two percent of its original forest remains intact. It is home to approximately 18,000 people, most of whom are farmers.

By visiting Mashpi Lodge, you are directly contributing to the conservation and deeper understanding of this unique and precious ecosystem and biogeographical region.

THE FLORA
The Chocó forest is one of the most diverse forests in the Neotropical realm. It is estimated that tropical forests, which comprise just 6% of the world’s surface area, contain somewhere between one-half to three-quarters of the earth’s plant and animal species.

Mashpi is home to a wide array of flora, from ferns and bromeliads to a plethora of orchids, many of which have just been recently discovered. Biologists from around the world have collaborated with our team of scientists to observe, study and understand these species.

The Mashpi Reserve’s staggering level of biodiversity is due to the combination of its tropical climate, the equatorial sun, high quantity of rainfall and different elevations. This unique blend of elements creates a world where species thrive in a million different ecological niches.

THE FAUNA
A staggering 400 species of birds – of which 36 are endemic (meaning they are found nowhere else in the world) – are estimated to inhabit the forests of Mashpi. Monkeys, peccaries and even pumas make their homes inside the Reserve’s dramatic, verdant hills which are dotted by majestic waterfalls.

A myriad of invertebrates and amphibians inhabit this world. While you’d be lucky to catch a glimpse of many of these shy creatures, a network of camera traps allows to us to sneakily observe their movements in breathtaking proximity and clarity.

THE COMMUNITY
Mashpi would not be what it is without the collaboration of the local community. From the outset, we have sought to work hand-in-hand with those living in the areas surrounding the reserve, implementing an innovative program in which they, as well as Lodge employees, become shareholders in the enterprise.

Mashpi offers numerous job opportunities for members of the neighbouring communities including professional training and English classes. These same people will go on to share their unparalleled knowledge of the surrounding lands and wildlife.

Guides, lodge staff and the team of para-biologists, for example, might tell you of how they used to work as hunters, loggers or miners on the same land during the days before the project. Their relationship with Mashpi, in this sense, is truly transformative.

And Mashpi takes it one step further: the communities are also the primary providers of agricultural and other food products and supplies that are used at the lodge.

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AT MASHPI
Mashpi Lodge is far more than just a five-star hotel in an exquisite location: you are accessing a research station that is at the forefront of rainforest protection, the Mashpi Reserve.

Before the construction of the lodge was even completed, the Mashpi project hired a biologist to carry out an ambitious research project. Said biologist was tasked with finding out as much as possible about the diverse and unique ecosystems that thrive within the Mashpi Reserve.

The information this biologist gathered became part of the lodge’s conservation and resource management strategy, strengthening the Lodge’s concept of sustainable tourism and forest preservation.

Our science and investigation projects are now quite ample and varied in scope and have even yielded the discovery of new species, previously unknown to science, including totally new frog and orchid species that exist nowhere else on earth!

The final goal of this whole project is to bolster both the importance of research and enrich our knowledge of the lodge’s surrounding ecosystem. This knowledge is then shared with local communities, our guests and the world at large, all with the aim of underlining the importance of conserving this fragile and fascinating bio-region.

Our research efforts have grown over the years. We have signed collaborative agreements with national and international conservation organizations.

We have worked with several universities, participating and designing different research projects that involve butterflies, mammals, birds, fish, amphibians, reptiles and macroinvertebrates. We have even discovered entirely new species and shared them with the international science community!

All of these initiatives have allowed us to see how our efforts should go beyond merely protecting our reserve and its hotel. Science at Mashpi Lodge must be a combination of research, education, ecotourism and community support in order to truly have the impact that we desire.

ACTIVITIES & EXPERIENCES
The wonders that await at Mashpi Lodge will delight even the hardiest of urbanites. The world of Mashpi is yours to discover, to experience, to cherish, and our expedition leader and highly-trained naturalist guides – many of them native to the region – are here to share the journey with you.

Below, we have outlined the main activities and experiences that we offer our guests. You are free to combine them as you see fit. Upon arrival and every evening, you and your guide will meet to discuss how you wish to spend your time with us.  If you have any specific requests, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’ll be more than happy to help!

FAMILY TRAVEL
They are the special moments we get to share with our loved ones: a hike through pristine wilderness, a delicious meal served with style, an adventure that leads to learning and family unity. Mashpi Lodge offers all of this and so much more.

Fill your children’s eyes with the staggering beauty of nature, swing on a vine, and fly through the air on the Dragonfly. Watch as they become explorers and risk-takers, jumping out of their comfort zone with complete ease and security. Just a few days at Mashpi Lodge transforms the way we see the world and provides a welcome natural escape from everyday life for grownups and kids alike.

DAY HIKES
Put your boots on and get ready to splash around in puddles, swing across the forest while roaring like Tarzan, and experience the raw power of the Mashpi waterfalls as you bask in the placid swimming holes at their base.

Soak in the sounds of the forest and awaken your senses through the knowledgeable eyes of our naturalist guides as they pinpoint each and every component of this natural environment to the sheer delight of the whole family.

NIGHT WALKS
Give the kids the true definition of surround sound and hold hands in wonder under the pitch-black cover of night. Stand still and tune-in to the animals that lay awake at night as red beams of light dart to and fro, scanning for the source of each sound that emanates from a plethora of crannies.

Step closer to these organic instruments and marvel at the magnificence of their design, maybe even spotting the wholly surreal Mashpi Torrenteer glass frog, only recently discovered by researchers at the Lodge. Surprises await around every corner!

THE BUTTERFLY FARM
A whirlwind of colors and shapes will surround you as you walk into our butterfly farm at the Life Center. See the different stages of butterfly metamorphosis from our breeding programme experts. And then, marvel at the beauty and intricate patterns of these delicate creatures as they land on the tips of your fingers! The kids will feel enchanted, the parents delighted.

SKY BIKE
Spin your legs through what feels like a dream, as the wheels lift off and you and your child pedal up high, crossing the lush canopy of the magical Mashpi jungle and enjoying amazing views of the immense forest below. With clouds and birds beneath your very feet, who’s to say flying was only possible in our dreams?

KID’S CORNER IN THE LAB
From the beginning, Mashpi Lodge has combined a focus on top hospitality with scientific research that aims to further knowledge of this biodiversity hotspot and promote environmental awareness.

The laboratory, located adjacent to the main lodge, is home to a number of significant on-going experiments which have already led to the identification of several species new to science.

Now the young have their own space for their personal voyage of discovery in Mashpi Reserve, with kid-friendly tools that allow them to dig deeper and get inspired, accompanied by an expert that will awaken their love for science and nature.

Closer to Quito than the Amazon rainforest, yet offering the same adventure experience, Mashpi Lodge is every nature lover’s dream. Following all health and safety protocols, Mashpi Lodge is the place to encounter 400 species of birds, trees, frogs, endemic species found nowhere else in the world, complete with crashing waterfalls and incredible flora.

Get ready to trek down hidden paths, splash through rivers, rise at dawn to spot rare birds, or fly high above it all aboard our Dragonfly Canopy Gondola. At Mashpi Lodge, the world around us is alive and breathing, waiting for us to begin our descent into its magical embrace.

Located on a scenic plateau, the lodge features breathtaking views of the surrounding forested mountains and their unique ecosystems. The design and style enable total immersion through its floor-to-ceiling panoramic glass windows. Like a cathedral to the natural world, Mashpi is a perfect blend of luxurious comfort and engagement with one of the world’s most stunning environs.

LOCATION
It seems incredible that such a wild and remote site could even be associated with a city, yet Mashpi actually lies within the Metropolitan District of Quito – the capital of Ecuador.

The lodge, which is only about 100 km (60 miles) northwest of Quito, was built at 950 meters (3,117 feet) above sea level. The surrounding reserve ranges in altitude from 500 meters to 1200 meters (1,640 to 4,000 ft) above sea level.

This transitional state combines with the tropical and subtropical climates to create a spectacular site, teeming with a variety of flora and fauna that is seldom found in such startling variety.

ARCHITECTURE
Located at a former lumber mill, Mashpi Lodge was built using the latest techniques in sustainable construction in order to prevent damage to the forest, with much of the structure having been preassembled in Quito and designed around the topography of the site to prevent further damage to the trees.

It is designed to blend in perfectly with its natural environment, respecting the natural space it occupies. Stunningly contemporary and featuring modernist design and décor that mixes warm earth tones, steel, stone, and glass in striking perspectives, Mashpi Lodge makes for a true cocoon of luxury in the middle of the forest.

OPEN AIR PANORAMIC TERRACE 
With its pergola-style roof and outdoor seats and tables, the lodge’s open-air terrace provides a space for guests to enjoy splendid views and relax to the sounds of the forest and its inhabitants that flutter within touching distance.

The terrace is one of our favorite places for early-morning birdwatching. Grab your binoculars and scroll down to spot some birds from the terrace. Mashpi is designed to completely immerse you in the world of the surrounding forest, serving as a luxurious retreat in the middle of stunning views.

The lodge’s rooms are spread out across three different floors, all of them designed with floor-to-ceiling windows guaranteeing immersion, no matter the height. Ground-level rooms offer a look into the incredible forest floor, while the mid and high floors offer access to the gorgeous canopy.

The room types can be mixed and matched to accommodate different group sizes. No matter what floor, room, or mixed accommodation you chose, rooms offer a soothing experience that will guarantee your rest after a day of incredible activities.

ROOMS & SUITES
Awash with greens and browns, the trunks, branches, vines, leaves, birds and swirling clouds all around, it’s a bit like being in a crystal capsule, observing the forest life from the comfort of your bed. The cutting edge of the Lodge’s hermetic design keeps you safe from the forest, without limiting the immersive experience.

The rooms’ subdued lights are never jarring, and automatic blinds can be lowered or raised to adjust natural lighting levels. Sound-proofing technology, as well as humidity and temperature control systems, enables the perfect rest, guaranteed.

YAKU SUITES
The lodge’s three Yaku Suites (Yaku is a Kichwa word meaning “Water”) are perfect for couples looking for a more intimate, luxury experience. The state-of-the-art tubs offer the perfect opportunity to soak and relax after a day chock-full of forest activities.

WAYRA ROOMS
Our Wayra rooms (Wayra is a Kichwa word which means “wind”) are ideal for large groups or families. Rooms can be interconnected for a more shared experience. They are spread out over the three levels of the Lodge, so you can choose the view: forest floor or canopy and above.

WAWA ROOM
Our Wawa Room (Wawa is the Kichwa word for “baby”) is ideal for a more intimate, solo experience and comes with special rate offers. Smaller than our other rooms, the Wawa Room is ideal for the traveler looking to experience the forest on their own.

DINING
An exclusive privilege of our guests, dining at Mashpi offers another form of exploration and delight: a discovery of the diverse regions of Ecuador through the fresh and local ingredients that are found in our exclusive gourmet dishes, all of them accompanied by exquisite wines and cocktails.

THE RESTAURANT
The Lodge’s towering Dining Room is two-stories high and serves as a spectacular space for a lively gourmet experience. Mashpi’s chefs draw inspiration from the diversity of Ecuador’s cuisine and ingredients, making the most of the Lodge’s location between the coast and the Andes and providing guests with the best of both worlds.

THE BAR
It’s the perfect spot to meet new friends before dinner or share a drink with your guide. The cocktail menu at our Bar has specifically been designed with Mashpi and its surrounding forest in mind.

So come have a seat by the Bar and let your palate explore the wide and exotic array of cocktails that we offer, all of them prepared by our expert mixologists. After that, feel free to pair your dinner with any of the fine wines from our extensive wine list.

ECUADORIAN CUISINE
Mashpi’s gastronomic identity is inspired by the native ingredients and exuberant flavors of the forest, such as wild garlic, chillangua and several other organic products. Our cuisine combines modern techniques and ongoing culinary research, all while paying homage to Ecuador’s rich culinary heritage.

For breakfast, our guests enjoy a wide variety of fresh fruits from the region, different types of bread, cheeses, hams, your style of eggs, cereals, home-made jams, organic honey and granola, plus energizing fruit juices to fuel yourself up for the day’s activities.

Lunch is deliberately light, mixing a wide variety of fresh vegetables, soups, sandwiches and a fusion of Ecuadorian and international dishes. Ceviche, an Ecuadorian classic, might be also be featured. Pair your meal with a refreshing fruit juice and then indulge in a delicious dessert.

Dinner is a more formal affair. The theatrical setting of the two-story dining room, which is accentuated by its subdued floor lamps, creates an intimate and romantic space that is perfect for savoring our chefs’ exciting and innovative cuisine. Prepare for a culinary journey across Ecuador’s diverse regions, all of it prepared with imagination and flair.

SPA & WELLNESS
Two massage rooms await on the 2nd floor of the lodge for a wide variety of beauty and body treatments, including single or couples massages. All of these treatments are expertly executed by the hands of our talented spa staff.

The very name says it all. Our SAMAY (“soul” in native Kichwa) Wellness Center is a space where care is highly personalized and life itself is celebrated. We have designed our two wellness areas to blend perfectly with the lodge’s natural environment, offering experiences to help enrich your stay with us.

The adjacent wellness area, which is accessible via a short path that winds through the lush foliage, offers great opportunities for viewing numerous species of birds, relaxing in the covered open-air hot tub or practicing your favourite asana on the welcoming yoga deck. Join us for a relaxing getaway and reconnect with the essence of life itself.

OPEN-AIR HOT TUB
The perfect space to lie back and let your worries wash away as you gaze out from our hot tub to the greens of the rainforest canopy and the blue of the sky beyond.

OUTDOOR YOGA DECK
Complement your journey with your practice. Our outdoor yoga deck provides a remarkable space for meditation and yoga that will leave you feeling restored, revived and inspired. Mats are available at the lodge.

BOUTIQUE
Our small boutique sells a variety of books, guides, expedition attire, and souvenirs as well as toiletries and other essentials for guests. Treat yourself, friends and/or family to fragrant essential oils, award-winning Ecuadorian chocolate or a one-of-a-kind shirt.

VIEWING PLATFORM 
Like a ship’s prow, our viewing platform juts out over the forest and provides the ideal space to immerse yourself in the world of Mashpi. You’ll be left in awe with the view and mesmerized by the calls of the birds and the dance of nearby butterflies.

EXPEDITION ROOM
An extensive library of books awaits in the Expedition Room on the first floor. The space is also used by our Naturalist Guides for activity briefings and by our science team for presentations, the latter of which involve sharing discoveries about the forest and our conservation efforts.

THE LABORATORY
Our laboratory is the home of investigation projects that are carried out within the Mashpi Reserve, manned by our resident Wildlife Project Coordinator.

Here, both young and old can learn more about past and ongoing scientific projects that are carried out by our team and guest researchers. We even have a special area here that’s designed for children, with several activities to engage young minds.

LIFE CENTER
Located an easy 20-minute walk from the Lodge, the Life Center is one of the most magical places in the Reserve. Watch tayras and tropical birds come to feed as you relax or breakfast on the wooden deck, feeling at one with nature. You can also learn about the metamorphosis of the different species of butterflies that inhabit the reserve.

THE FOREST EXPERIENCE
The Mashpi Reserve – a steaming, breathing and living place – perfectly showcases the lungs of our planet and the organisms that live therein. To descend and step inside of the reserve is to discover the hidden wonders of life.

It is a universe in and of itself where, from the micro to the macro, flora and fauna surround and dance around you like never before. The magic here is palpable and its raw, untouched essence is so thick you can almost taste it. It’s what brought us here in the first place, and it’s what inspired us to share this unique forest experience with the world.

MEET THE MIND BEHIND MASHPI
“We want to awaken your curiosity, spark your imagination and immerse you in this biodiverse world. We want you to discover the forest with its plethora of trees, plants, animals and insects. We want you to feel the energy of rushing rivers and cleansing waterfalls. We want you to be mesmerized by the enigmatic movement of the clouds and fog…”

Roque Sevilla is the main shareholder and visionary creator of Mashpi Lodge. He is a passionate environmentalist, orchid buff, successful businessman, former mayor of the city of Quito and Chairman of the Board at Metropolitan Touring – one of Ecuador’s largest and leading Tour Operators.

EXPERIENCE NATURE
Mashpi Lodge sits at 950 meters (3,117 feet) above sea level. Nestled between lower montane rainforest and cloud forests in the heart of a 2,500-acre private reserve, the Lodge is a luxurious outpost in the middle of a lush, green world, 70 percent of which is primary forest.

Species thrive here, not only those within the realms of our understanding but also those yet to be discovered. The Mashpi Frog and Magnolia are both endemic to this very forest and were only identified in the last few years – imagine what other creatures remain undiscovered!

Mashpi, located in the northwest corner of the Metropolitan District of Quito, the capital of Ecuador, provides guests with an unprecedented opportunity to explore both cloud forest and rainforest – two types of ecosystems that are highly rich in species and biodiversity.

From the roots of the trees all the way up and over the canopy, guests will always be accompanied by experienced and insightful guides, most of which grew up playing around inside these same forests.

THE FOREST OF THE CHOCO
The Chocó biogeographical region spans the length of Panama, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. It encompasses the biodiversity hotspot known as the Tumbes-Chocó-Darién, which extends along the western edge of the Andes mountain range.

It is considered to be of “high interest for the global conservation of biodiversity” and is also the first forest to be considered a “Model Forest” in Ecuador. Worldwide, there are only 28 of these hotspots that manage to cover a total of 164 countries.

The Chocó-Andean forest, which is located along the western flanks of the Ecuadorian Andes, consists of about 125,000 hectares (309,000 acres). Only about two percent of its original forest remains intact. It is home to approximately 18,000 people, most of whom are farmers.

By visiting Mashpi Lodge, you are directly contributing to the conservation and deeper understanding of this unique and precious ecosystem and biogeographical region.

THE FLORA
The Chocó forest is one of the most diverse forests in the Neotropical realm. It is estimated that tropical forests, which comprise just 6% of the world’s surface area, contain somewhere between one-half to three-quarters of the earth’s plant and animal species.

Mashpi is home to a wide array of flora, from ferns and bromeliads to a plethora of orchids, many of which have just been recently discovered. Biologists from around the world have collaborated with our team of scientists to observe, study and understand these species.

The Mashpi Reserve’s staggering level of biodiversity is due to the combination of its tropical climate, the equatorial sun, high quantity of rainfall and different elevations. This unique blend of elements creates a world where species thrive in a million different ecological niches.

THE FAUNA
A staggering 400 species of birds – of which 36 are endemic (meaning they are found nowhere else in the world) – are estimated to inhabit the forests of Mashpi. Monkeys, peccaries and even pumas make their homes inside the Reserve’s dramatic, verdant hills which are dotted by majestic waterfalls.

A myriad of invertebrates and amphibians inhabit this world. While you’d be lucky to catch a glimpse of many of these shy creatures, a network of camera traps allows to us to sneakily observe their movements in breathtaking proximity and clarity.

THE COMMUNITY
Mashpi would not be what it is without the collaboration of the local community. From the outset, we have sought to work hand-in-hand with those living in the areas surrounding the reserve, implementing an innovative program in which they, as well as Lodge employees, become shareholders in the enterprise.

Mashpi offers numerous job opportunities for members of the neighbouring communities including professional training and English classes. These same people will go on to share their unparalleled knowledge of the surrounding lands and wildlife.

Guides, lodge staff and the team of para-biologists, for example, might tell you of how they used to work as hunters, loggers or miners on the same land during the days before the project. Their relationship with Mashpi, in this sense, is truly transformative.

And Mashpi takes it one step further: the communities are also the primary providers of agricultural and other food products and supplies that are used at the lodge.

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AT MASHPI
Mashpi Lodge is far more than just a five-star hotel in an exquisite location: you are accessing a research station that is at the forefront of rainforest protection, the Mashpi Reserve.

Before the construction of the lodge was even completed, the Mashpi project hired a biologist to carry out an ambitious research project. Said biologist was tasked with finding out as much as possible about the diverse and unique ecosystems that thrive within the Mashpi Reserve.

The information this biologist gathered became part of the lodge’s conservation and resource management strategy, strengthening the Lodge’s concept of sustainable tourism and forest preservation.

Our science and investigation projects are now quite ample and varied in scope and have even yielded the discovery of new species, previously unknown to science, including totally new frog and orchid species that exist nowhere else on earth!

The final goal of this whole project is to bolster both the importance of research and enrich our knowledge of the lodge’s surrounding ecosystem. This knowledge is then shared with local communities, our guests and the world at large, all with the aim of underlining the importance of conserving this fragile and fascinating bio-region.

Our research efforts have grown over the years. We have signed collaborative agreements with national and international conservation organizations.

We have worked with several universities, participating and designing different research projects that involve butterflies, mammals, birds, fish, amphibians, reptiles and macroinvertebrates. We have even discovered entirely new species and shared them with the international science community!

All of these initiatives have allowed us to see how our efforts should go beyond merely protecting our reserve and its hotel. Science at Mashpi Lodge must be a combination of research, education, ecotourism and community support in order to truly have the impact that we desire.

ACTIVITIES & EXPERIENCES
The wonders that await at Mashpi Lodge will delight even the hardiest of urbanites. The world of Mashpi is yours to discover, to experience, to cherish, and our expedition leader and highly-trained naturalist guides – many of them native to the region – are here to share the journey with you.

Below, we have outlined the main activities and experiences that we offer our guests. You are free to combine them as you see fit. Upon arrival and every evening, you and your guide will meet to discuss how you wish to spend your time with us.  If you have any specific requests, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’ll be more than happy to help!

FAMILY TRAVEL
They are the special moments we get to share with our loved ones: a hike through pristine wilderness, a delicious meal served with style, an adventure that leads to learning and family unity. Mashpi Lodge offers all of this and so much more.

Fill your children’s eyes with the staggering beauty of nature, swing on a vine, and fly through the air on the Dragonfly. Watch as they become explorers and risk-takers, jumping out of their comfort zone with complete ease and security. Just a few days at Mashpi Lodge transforms the way we see the world and provides a welcome natural escape from everyday life for grownups and kids alike.

DAY HIKES
Put your boots on and get ready to splash around in puddles, swing across the forest while roaring like Tarzan, and experience the raw power of the Mashpi waterfalls as you bask in the placid swimming holes at their base.

Soak in the sounds of the forest and awaken your senses through the knowledgeable eyes of our naturalist guides as they pinpoint each and every component of this natural environment to the sheer delight of the whole family.

NIGHT WALKS
Give the kids the true definition of surround sound and hold hands in wonder under the pitch-black cover of night. Stand still and tune-in to the animals that lay awake at night as red beams of light dart to and fro, scanning for the source of each sound that emanates from a plethora of crannies.

Step closer to these organic instruments and marvel at the magnificence of their design, maybe even spotting the wholly surreal Mashpi Torrenteer glass frog, only recently discovered by researchers at the Lodge. Surprises await around every corner!

THE BUTTERFLY FARM
A whirlwind of colors and shapes will surround you as you walk into our butterfly farm at the Life Center. See the different stages of butterfly metamorphosis from our breeding programme experts. And then, marvel at the beauty and intricate patterns of these delicate creatures as they land on the tips of your fingers! The kids will feel enchanted, the parents delighted.

SKY BIKE
Spin your legs through what feels like a dream, as the wheels lift off and you and your child pedal up high, crossing the lush canopy of the magical Mashpi jungle and enjoying amazing views of the immense forest below. With clouds and birds beneath your very feet, who’s to say flying was only possible in our dreams?

KID’S CORNER IN THE LAB
From the beginning, Mashpi Lodge has combined a focus on top hospitality with scientific research that aims to further knowledge of this biodiversity hotspot and promote environmental awareness.

The laboratory, located adjacent to the main lodge, is home to a number of significant on-going experiments which have already led to the identification of several species new to science.

Now the young have their own space for their personal voyage of discovery in Mashpi Reserve, with kid-friendly tools that allow them to dig deeper and get inspired, accompanied by an expert that will awaken their love for science and nature.

Website: www.mashpilodge.com

Rooms: 18

Price: from 1.184 EUR per night

Source: www.mashpilodge.com

Step into the elegance and luxury of a bygone era at Casa Gangotena Boutique Hotel in Quito. Situated in the heart of Quito’s Old Town, our beautifully and eclectically-appointed mansion sings with the history of the city maintaining all the safety protocols.

Whether it be the rooms, suites, terrace or gardens, or Casa Gangotena’s restaurant each is a space for you to unwind, discover, and dream.

As if you were part of the Gangotena family many years ago, you will feel entirely at ease here. Enjoy the hotel’s many free exclusive activities that will show you Quito Old Town’s best-kept secrets.

After a day filled with history and culture, go back to the comfort and luxury of our hotel in Quito to unwind and enjoy its timeless elegance.

An authentic taste of Ecuadorian warmth and hospitality
We believe in being ambassadors of Ecuadorian hospitality and providing our guests with an intimate space to experience the hotel in their own, unique way. Intuitive and world-class service are at the ready to make this a reality.

And what better place to experience this level of hospitality than amid Casa Gangotena’s Boutique Hotel neoclassical and Art Deco architecture?

Trust us when we say you’ll feel completely at ease whenever you take a moment to relax and admire the hotel’s contemporary interior design, antiques, fine furnishings and quintessential comforts.

The History of Casa Gangotena
Casa Gangotena occupies a pivotal spot in Quito’s Old Town: the southwest corner of San Francisco Plaza, the history of which dates all the way back to the time of the Incas.

According to early Spanish chroniclers, the plaza remained surrounded by temples and palaces during the 15th century, with one temple having sat right where Casa Gangotena now stands today.

Over the course of the following centuries, the large plaza would serve as the site of a giant open-air market (otherwise known as a “Tianguiz”) for indigenous traders from the surrounding regions.

The importance of the San Francisco Plaza throughout the Colonial period and the following centuries led several wealthy families to build their homes around it.

The mansion that once occupied the hotel’s present site eventually ended up becoming the residence of several Republican-era presidents. Unfortunately, in 1914, a calamitous fire destroyed much of that mansion.

Remarkably, what remained of that structure was completely rebuilt in 1924 by its owners, the Gangotenas — one of the capital’s leading families — whose members have consisted of important industrialists, politicians, landowners, academics and even poets.

The Gangotena family owned the stately home until the mid-2000’s when the current owners (Metropolitan Touring) purchased the mansion with the goal of converting it into a world-class boutique hotel.

In 1978, Quito’s Old Town was declared the first-ever UNESCO World Heritage Site city thanks to having the largest and best preserved Historic Center in the Americas. A few years later, Casa Gangotena was included in the city’s cultural heritage inventory.

Be sure to head up to our third-floor terrace and enjoy unrivaled views of the majestic mountains and volcanos, all as you reflect on the profound and historical significance of the San Francisco Plaza along with its surrounding churches and neighborhoods!

Art & Architecture
Several Art Nouveau and Art Deco elements from the original Casa Gangotena mansion shine today like never before. These include original and lovingly-restored painted ceilings, oil paintings, wooden paneling, gorgeous mirrors, murals and friezes.

This hotel in Quito is further adorned with fine antiques and beige Egyptian marble that adds warmth to its hallways. Striking Statuarietto marble, with its fine grey-colored veining, covers every bathroom from floor to ceiling.

In the Heart of Quito
Casa Gangotena enjoys an incredible location right across from the centrally-located San Francisco Plaza, which is just a few blocks away from the gilded interior of the La Compañía Church as well as the City Museum, the Santo Domingo Plaza, the Presidential Palace, numerous cultural hotspots and the bustle of one of the capital’s most iconic neighborhoods.

Our hotel in colonial Quito is the perfect option to explore the most iconic landmarks of the city.

A Part of the Community
It wasn’t long after we purchased the property that we began getting involved in several community projects. These include the award-winning Heritage Guardians initiative, which focuses on neighborhood integration and promoting the value of heritage and traditions.

It also seeks to establish designated “routes” for visitors to explore, meeting locals and experiencing their daily life and lore along the way.

A Dedicated & Passionate Team
We take pride in our hotel’s awards and accolades, which reflect the dedication and passion that our team puts into every detail of our guests’ experience.

No request is too complex, no favor too big. We aim to cater to every wish. At Casa Gangotena Boutique Hotel, Ecuadorian hospitality shines and is always delivered with a smile.

Rooms & Suites

The rooms at Casa Gangotena Boutique Hotel in Quito, with both double and king-size beds, are arranged across all three of its floors.

Remaining faithful to the design of the old house, rooms vary in size yet all of them remain quite spacious, averaging around 35 square meters (377 square feet). All of our rooms benefit from the mansion’s tall, elegant ceilings which draw the bright Andean sunlight into their interiors.

Their decoration consists of plush carpets, towering window frames, flowing curtains and Art Deco furniture such as desks, armoires, tables and armchairs. All rooms are air-conditioned, carpeted, non-smoking and sound-proofed.

All have their own private bathroom (nearly all with separate bathtubs and showers). Amenities include: telephones, intelligent key-cards, in-room safe boxes, wireless internet and a flat screen TV with international cable channels.

Suite

At the end of the western wing of the property, on the first and second floors, 2 Luxury Rooms are interconnected, providing more space for families and visiting dignitaries. Both of them can be converted into Suites.

Our suites consist of one room with a king-size bed, while the connecting room can be arranged according to guests’ needs, be it with additional beds, sofas, desks, etc. These rooms overlook the garden and bask in warm afternoon sunlight.

Discover the flavors of Ecuador
Inspired by Ecuador’s stunningly-rich and diverse ingredients, Casa Gangotena has developed its own creative take on signature cuisine.

We aim to continuously explore and experiment with the flavors, scents, textures, and ancestral cooking techniques that make up Ecuador’s gastronomy and culture. Our restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, Café Quiteño (“high tea”), and dinner.

Meet the chef
Chef Emilio Dalmau’s passion for life is reflected in the creativity he brings to the kitchen and in the excellent rapport he enjoys with his team.

His search for the roots of our traditions and cuisine have taken him on a journey of discovery; forever evolving into incredible creations that never fail to surprise and delight the senses.

The Crimson Room
The Crimson Room once served as the ballroom of the Gangotena family. It has now been renovated to serve as the perfect space for intimate dinners or small celebrations. It also makes for a superb space for meetings, wedding receptions or educational lectures, with room for up to 25 people.

The Garden
A calming sanctuary from the buzz of the city, our walled garden is a place to sit back, drink a tea or an ice-cold beer, and contemplate life. Surrounded by native trees, plants and flowers, the burbling stone fountain provides the perfect, soothing soundtrack.

Rooftop Terrace
The third-floor, panoramic terrace’s romantic views encompass the city and provide the perfect backdrop to enjoy a tea or coffee, cocktail, or vintage wine.

Challenge yourself to spot all of Quito Old Town’s iconic churches, including Santa Clara, La Merced, San Agustin, Santo Domingo, La Compañía and the neo-Gothic Basilica. If you’re fortunate, the snow-capped peak of the Cayambe volcano will shine in the distance to the northeast.

The Bar
A den for sophisticated travelers, our bar invites you to relax amid its leather chairs, comfortable banquettes, wood paneling and oil paintings.

Secluded nooks and light-filled window seats, as well as the noble wooden bar itself, are the ideal spots to indulge in an Old Fashioned or one of the sophisticated specialty cocktails prepared by our bar staff.

As an added treat, why not brush up on your firsthand knowledge of one of the world’s favorite spirits with our world-class gin tasting? A pleasant way to end the day, indeed!

Café Quiteño
Casa Gangotena’s Restaurant breathes new life into this classic Quiteño equivalent to British “High Tea,” which is served at the tables or sofas of our orchid- and flower-filled patio.

We offer a selection of premium Ecuadorian coffees, infusions made with herbs and flowers (some of which are fresh from the garden), as well as exquisite pastries and sandwiches.

Brunch
What would Sunday be without a deliciously late breakfast spilling over into lunch? Casa Gangotena’s Restaurant Sunday Brunch is a festival of North American, European, and Ecuadorian traditional food, from bacon and pancakes to corviche and tigrillo, accompanied by tropical juices and unlimited sangrias. Please be sure to reserve in advance, as spaces do tend to fill up rather quickly.

Chocolate Quiteño at Casa Gangotena
Peek into a Quiteño home at 6 p.m. on a chilly afternoon and you might behold a family assembling around a steaming pot of hot chocolate.

Remarkably, this delicious drink is accompanied by fresh farmer’s cheese (queso de hoja or queso fresco), which is dropped into the mug and melted down into a delicious mixture of sweet and salty.

The sweetness is not derived from just any chocolate…Quiteño hot chocolate is made with chocolate de hoja, which is combined into the milk using a traditional wooden molinillo.

Host something spectacular, right here at Casa Gangotena

With its elegant interiors, historic feel and experienced staff, Casa Gangotena Boutique Hotel is the ideal venue for important and exciting events. Whatever the occasion, our hotel’s intimate spaces and superb level of service can delight up to 50 guests in Quito’s Old Town.

Graduations
Every day and every moment at Casa Gangotena never fails to bring with it something wholly unique. Enjoy a fine selection of tapas and craft beer, delight your palate with our signature cocktails or enjoy one of the best coffees and deserts in all of Old Town Quito!

Weddings
Celebrate the best day of your life at Casa Gangotena! Civil marriages and wedding ceremonies can all be organized and designed according to your style. We guarantee that Casa Gangotena will make for a glamorous and unforgettable experience!

Corporate Events
Casa Gangotena is the perfect place to host your corporate events. Presentations, meetings or dinners will be complemented by our beautiful interior design and exceptional gastronomy in our hotel in Quito.

Step out into a living, breathing museum
Cobblestone streets, whitewashed houses adorned with intricate balconies and grand plazas are quintessential features of Quito, forever under the gaze of the winged Virgin statue that sits high up on the Panecillo Hill.

Colonial Quito invites you to explore its streets, plazas and passageways that are steeped in the history and culture of the city, to peep into the darkened shops selling traditional hats and chocolates, and to pause on street corners to taste the snacks that Quiteños have enjoyed for generations.

Quito’s Old Town ranks among one of the largest and best-conserved historic centers in all of the Americas. It is a preserved wonder from a bygone era, brimming with museums and exhibitions that help piece together the larger picture of the city of Quito – a jewel on the crown of the Andes.

Weather & What to Pack
Ecuador has fantastic year-round weather. In Quito and the highlands, the dry season tends to last between June and September, with daytime temperatures hovering around 21 °C (70 °F). The rainy season lasts from October to May, with March and April typically being the wettest months.

During this latter season, guests can expect clear skies in the mornings and showers in the afternoon, followed by intermittent bursts of sunshine. Average temperatures during the rainy season tend to hover around 19 °C (67 °F).

We recommend

Ecuador is a country with a privileged location straddling latitude 0° on the northwest coast of South America.

Its compact size belies the outrageous number of species residing on its lands, which is why The World Conservation Monitoring Centre (part of the United Nations Environment Programme) named it one of the world’s top 17 mega-diverse countries.

Follow the path of the sun on its daily passage across the Equator (after which the country is named) and its four regions, each distinct, each inspiring in its own right.

The Galapagos Islands
The highlight of any trip to Ecuador is the Galapagos Islands. The archipelago is full of fearless and fantastic creatures that inspired Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution.

Whether aboard an expedition vessel (such as the Santa Cruz II, Yacht La Pinta or Yacht Isabela II) or from the Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel on Santa Cruz Island, the Galapagos won’t fail to impress.

Continental Ecuador
Aside from its impressive cultural treasures, Ecuador’s natural riches are staggering and amazingly diverse. Head north of the capital to experience volcanos, historic haciendas, lakes and Indian markets.

Head east to discover the mighty Amazon, where the concentration of flora and fauna is truly remarkable. Venture south for the mighty “Avenue of the Volcanos.” Casa Gangotena is only the beginning of the adventure!

Mashpi Lodge
Mashpi Lodge is the ultimate cloud forest destination for those who want to encounter hundreds of species of birds, trees and frogs found nowhere else in the world, complete with crashing waterfalls and incredible flora.

Trek down hidden paths, splash through rivers, rise at dawn to spot rare birds, or fly high above the canopy aboard the Dragonfly gondola.

Website: www.casagangotena.com

Rooms:0 31

Price: from 379 EUR per night

Due to its central location in the archipielago, it has provided us with the perfect opportunity to develop our unique land-based concept. Many of the most fascinating islands are nearby, with secluded white sand beaches and incredible wildlife.

As our guest, you will enjoy active, quality guided land and marine day programs in small groups. At night you will rest in our spacious and serene lodge.

THE PIKAIA LODGE CONCEPT IS DESIGNED FOR THE ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS,
physically active and adventurous traveler, who seeks close contact with the unique natural wonders of the Galapagos, with the highest level of comfort and services that can be provided within the limitations of such a remote, restricted and eco-sensitive location.

IN CONTRAST TO TRADITIONAL CRUISES, OUR LAND-BASED TOUR PROGRAMS OFFER HIGHER COMFORT,
more privacy and personalized attention, a finer gastronomy, arrival & departure date flexibility, and most important, the possibility to avoid seasickness common to live-aboard yacht cruises.

ALL THESE ISLANDS CAN BE REACHED WITHIN RELATIVELY SHORT NAVIGATION TIMES ON BOARD OUR 100 FT, COMFORTABLE, PRIVATE YACHT M/Y PIKAIA I.

Since the Galapagos Islands famously inspired Charles Darwin’s Evolution Theory and remain living proof of it, evolution is the theme of our lodge. With the lodge’s name, we honor our oldest known ancestors from which all modern mammals, fish and reptiles are descendant.

The Pikaia Gracilens is believed to be the first creature to have evolved into a vertebrate during the Cambrian period some 500 million years ago.

PIKAIA LODGE IS ON SANTA CRUZ ISLAND, WHICH IS LOCATED IN THE CENTRE OF THE GALAPAGOS ARCHIPELAGO. THESE ISLANDS BELONG TO THE REPUBLIC OF ECUADOR.
The Galapagos and its surrounding marine reserve are UNESCO Natural World Heritage sites. The marine reserve is one of the Seven Underwater Wonders of the world and the second largest protected marine reserve, after the Australian Great Barrier Reef.

OUR 31 HECTARES OF PROPERTY AND PRIVATE WILD GIANT TORTOISE RESERVE
are located 450 meters above sea level in the transition zone between the sunny, arid savanna and the lush tropical mist forest of the volcanic highlands. Given its unique location, the Lodge has a special microclimate: warm and sunny with fresh breezes for most of the year, and therefore, mosquito free!

ONLY 3% OF THE ENTIRE GALAPAGOS LAND MASS IS PRIVATE LAND FOR THE USE OF FARMS AND TOWNS, WHILE 97% IS NATIONAL PARK AREA, PROTECTED FROM DEVELOPMENT.
Before we acquired the property in 2006, it was a cattle ranch. All native vegetation and trees had been cut down and replaced by pasture. We are engaged in an ambitious program of reforestation with native, endemic species and have set favorable conditions for the wild tortoises and birds to return.

Terrace Rooms

These six beautiful rooms on the ground floor are nestled on top of the small plateau of our main crater , conveniently close to the main building. All of them have panoramic floor to ceiling windows with access to private shaded terraces and breathtaking unobstructed views.

Rooms were designed to have an optimal natural cross ventilation and thermal insulation for natural cooling. There also fitted with aircons and ceiling fans. The floors are made of bamboo wood for added bare foot comfort.

Balcony Rooms

These six beautiful rooms in the first floor are nestled on top of the small plateau of our main crater, conveniently close to the main building. All have panoramic floor to ceiling windows with access to private shaded balconies and breathtaking unobstructed views.

These rooms are 61 sq. m, including a 11 sq. m. balcony on the second floor, with a cozy contemporary décor and are naturally well lit. These are furnished with either two queen size beds or one king size bed.

Rooms were designed to have an optimal natural cross ventilation and thermal insulation for natural cooling. There also fitted with aircons and ceiling fans. The floors are made of bamboo wood for added bare foot comfort.

Garden Suite

This beautiful and spacious suite is nestled on top of the small plateau of our main crater, conveniently close to the main building. This suite has panoramic floor to ceiling windows with access to a private shaded terrace and breathtaking unobstructed views.

It is 74 sq. m, including a 16 sq. m. ground floor terrace with a private garden, with a cozy contemporary décor and naturally well lit. It is furnished with a king size bed and a sofa-bed.

It was designed to have optimal natural cross ventilation with thermal insulation for natural cooling. There also fitted with aircons and ceiling fans. The floors are made of bamboo wood for added bare foot comfort.

Pool Suite

This beautiful and spacious suite is nestled on top of the small plateau of our main crater, conveniently close to the main building. This suite has panoramic floor to ceiling windows with access to a private plunge pool and a shaded terrace with breathtaking unobstructed views.

THE EVOLUTION RESTAURANT IS SITUATED ON THE EDGE OF A CRATER.
It offers an unrivalled view over our infinity edge pool to the pristine Galapagos National Park and other islands in the archipelago. It is furnished in a contemporary style decorated with casual elegance, with a subtle artistic touch inspired by the evolution of mankind.

WINE CELLAR
EVOLUTION restaurant has an air-conditioned walk-in wine cellar with a range of the finest south american wines. Guests can select their wines with our Maitre’s advice to enhance their gastronomic experiences.

BREAKFAST
In the morning, EVOLUTION serves a variety of breakfast options, from full american style, hearty local traditional favorites, healthy treats as well as fresh made natural detox juice blends to kick-start your day full of adventure.

LUNCH
We take you on a journey from traditional Ecuadorian cuisine to our own spin of world renowed dishes, as well as feel-good food, which everyone enjoys from time to time. Lunch can also be served outside on our shaded desks with splendid panoramic views behind our infinity edge pool.

Lobby Lounge and DNA Bar

After a hard day of explorations you can chill out in splendid comfort, framed by a stupendous view of the Galapagos natural setting, bathed in the hues of the setting Equatorial sun.

Share your discoveries, digital pictures and videos with family, friends and fellow travelers, or just relax in the serene, cozy atmosphere. To ensure prompt service, Pikaia’s DNA Bar is strategically placed between the restaurant, the lobby-lounge, and the shaded terraces and pool area.

Our barmen can mix world famous cocktails as well as popular local drinks prepared with top quality imported liquors.

This garden corner, including a fire pit, is an incredible spot for enjoying the display of magnificent sunrise and sunset colours while admiring an ocean view with several islands on the horizon.

Infinity Pool
With its Peruvian travertine marble decks and furnished with comfortable tanning chairs, our pool is strategically placed to receive sunlight and be shade-free the entire day. This also maintains the water at a pleasant temperature.

Guests can take a refreshing dip or do some laps for exercise. There is a covered terrace next to the pool where guests can enjoy meals and drinks without changing clothes. At the eastern end, on the very edge of the main crater there is a covered gazebo with two sofas for relaxing, reading or quiet contemplation.

Homo Sapiens Explorers Lounge

Our comfortable Homo Sapiens Explorers Lounge is located in the main building with a 24-person seating capacity. All programmed guest conferences and lectures are held here. It is equipped with a large 3D HD-TV screen, a special selection of DVDs, 3D goggles, wireless microphones and amplification system.

Our library is dedicated to the topics of science, evolution and the Galapagos Islands. Temporary art and photography are exhibited here to promote local artists and scientific knowledge. For colder nights we have a fireplace for a cosy, warm and relaxed atmosphere.

Sumaq Spa

Our wellness center is an oasis of calm, perched on the rims of the craters at the eastern end of the main building with dramatic views of the Pacific Ocean.
Sumaq Spa is decorated with Peruvian travertine marble in a minimalistic Japanese zen style to soothe the mind.

Our whirlpool provides the best ambience to experience total peace and profound relaxation with its never-ending 270-degree view of the ocean.

It is a serene place to spend well-deserved time releasing muscular tension and stress while travelling, or to pamper and purify the body with a massage after a busy day of explorations. We have a massage room for parallel massage sessions for couples. Massage sessions can also be done in our guests’ rooms if requested.

If guests want to keep track of their workout schedule during their stay at Pikaia Lodge, our gym is equipped with a modern treadmill, elliptical trainer and spinning bike.

Our property boasts almost 3.5 km. of private paths for walking, jogging or biking. These scenic trails pass through reforested endemic forests, where our guests might even have the opportunity to encounter wild giant tortoises grazing.

Beaches + Kayaks

The Galapagos Island´s beaches are unique in the world. Great for swimming, snorkeling and even surfing. Beaches are just stunning with white, shiny sands, and dark, solid rocks, unique landscapes and deep crystal clear waters. Santa Cruz island has two fantastic white sand beaches, accessible without the need for guides.

TORTUGA BAY BEACH
One of the most spectacular beaches in all Galapagos and ranked among the 20 best beaches in the world, Tortuga Bay is one kilometer of secluded beach, with fine white sand, turquoise water, and views to Santa Fe Island.

As it is part of the National Park, it is free of constructions or development, and great for swimming, surfing, bodyboarding or bodysurfing. At the far end of the beach is a tranquil lagoon with its own smaller beach, surrounded by mangroves.

This is the perfect spot to swim, kayak or snorkel around the lava rocks amongst nurseries of small juvenile sharks and fish, golden rays and turtles. A colony of marine iguanas shares this beach, and rare endemic Opuntia cacti form the perfect backdrop.

EL GARRAPATERO BEACH
Near to the lodge is the secluded Garrapatero Beach, just 250 meters of pure white sand and turquoise waters, surrounded by mangroves and with views to Santa Fe Island.

Hiking and Jogging
Our property has more than 3.5km of internal private roads and paths for walking and jogging. Our paths boast incredible views and pass through reforested endemic forests full of birdsong, where guest will likely cross paths with wild giant tortoises.

At the front desk, we provide a detailed map of roads and trails inside and outside the Lodge. Visitors sites include volcanic craters, lava tunnels, small villages with organic coffee farms and cattle ranches. Guests can also rent transport to take them to different roads and paths around the island.

Mountain Biking
At Pikaia Lodge we have quality mountain bikes and helmets, free of charge for the unlimited use of our guests. At the front desk, we provide a detailed map of roads and trails inside and outside the Lodge. Spots to visit include volcanic craters, lava tunnels, small villages with organic coffee farms and cattle ranches.

The nearby Garrapatero Beach (10km from the lodge) is a favorite biking destination, with a downhill road passing through different environments with stunning views. From the road it is a 10-minute walk to swim at the beautiful white sandy beach

World Class Catch and Release Sport Fishing
We have the gear and local knowledge to provide you with an incredible Galapagos Islands fishing adventure. We offer deep sea fishing for Blue Marlin, Yellow Fin Tuna, Wahoo and Mahi Mahi.

We can also drop lines for Galapagos Grouper and Snapper if you want to try a bit of bottom fishing. We gear up with light & heavy tackle, popping, jigging and trolling then switching bait to fly fishing, spinners or trolling with 30lb reels.

World Class Scuba diving day tours
Around our base on Santa Cruz Island, recommended dive sites include North Seymour, Plazas islets, Cousins Rocks and Daphne islet. Guests can book prior to arrival, or with the assistance of our concierge, scuba diving day trips with selected and National Park authorized local dive operators.

Strong currents and low visibility can challenge even experienced divers on certain days. Scuba diving in Galapagos requires a minimum intermediate-advanced skill level.

Website: www.pikaialodge.com

Rooms: 14

Price: from 2.800 EUR per night