Explore the Masphi Reserve cloud forest in adventurous ways of your own choosing and discover the charms of Quito, two destinations recognized by UNESCO for their unique characteristics and historical importance.
DAY 1
On arrival at the Quito International Airport, proceed through Immigration, collect your luggage, and clear Customs. Afterwards, you will meet our local representative and transfer to your hotel near the airport.
Check in is 3:00pm. Although every effort will be made to have your room available before this time, this cannot be guaranteed. Should you have an early flight, you may wish to book an extra night so that your room is ready upon your arrival.
Meals are on your own today.
DAY 2
After breakfast, meet your guide and head towards Mitad del Mundo, a commemorative site built on the equator where you can straddle two hemispheres at the same time.
Visit the Intiñan Ethnographic Museum, which reveals the history, customs, and lifestyle of Ecuador´s pre-Columbian indigenous people. It also offers interactive demonstrations of the area’s geography, magnetism, and natural science.
You will continue to Mashpi Lodge in the western slopes of the Andes. This is truly a destination where nature meets luxury, a boutique hotel designed with plenty of windows to give guests a front-row seat to one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet.
Located on a scenic plateau in the heart of a biosphere reserve, Mashpi Lodge features breathtaking views of the surrounding rainforest and mountains and the unique ecosystems within them. Every detail, from its architectural grandeur to its sophisticated interiors, allows guests to be deeply immersed in the splendor of nature through its expansive, floor-to-ceiling windows.
Mashpi Lodge is far more than a five-star hotel in an exquisite location; it also provides access to the Mashpi Reserve and a research station that is at the forefront of rainforest protection and education.
You will have the opportunity to join a variety of unforgettable tours including bird watching. More than 400 avian species have been catalogued in the reserve, 35 of which are not found anywhere else on Earth. You can also visit the hummingbird garden, the observation tower, life center, butterfly farm and interactive laboratory. Other options include a day or evening hike and a Sky Bike tour above the forest canopy.
Upon arrival, you will enjoy lunch and get comfortably settled in your room. One of the naturalists will then provide a brief introductory talk about the cloud forest and its conservation, the available activities, and helpful tips about what to wear and what to bring on the excursions.
In the afternoon, if you choose, gather in the lobby, and proceed to the Napa Trail, which cuts through areas where the forest is regenerating large patches of pristine forest. Along the way, you will learn about the ecological succession and the importance of forest conservation for the Chocó region.
This trail also possesses great scenic beauty and is good for bird watching. Towards the end of the trail, you will find a unique forest of iron palm, whose wood is used mostly in the construction of houses. The trail is of moderate difficulty and the guided walk takes approximately two hours.
Upon your return, dinner will be served at the lodge. Mashpi’s gastronomic identity is inspired by the native ingredients and organic items foraged in the forest such as wild garlic and chillangua, a cilantro-like herb. The cuisine is prepared using modern techniques, yet still pays homage to Ecuador’s rich culinary heritage.
The team at Mashpi Lodge have also prepared a series of evening lectures for guests that wish to learn more about the cloud forest ecology. Lectures include “The Secret Wildlife of Mashpi,” “The Camera Trap Project” and “Chocó, a Biological Hotspot.” These lectures will be given by one of the naturalists or a resident biologist.
Every experience at Mashpi is tailored to your interests and ability levels. When you arrive at the lodge, you will see a chart with all the available activities. Adjustments can be made at any time along the way, ensuring that you have the experience of a lifetime.
DAY 3
The below represents a sample of the activities that you may wish to participate in.
Enjoy a 15-minute walk to the Sky Bike and observation tower. The tower presents the protected forest in all its glory. With a height of 30 meters (100 feet), this elevated vantage point allows you to appreciate the complex structure of the forest and the biodiversity of species that inhabit the treetops. To reach the top, you must climb up 162 steps, but the views are well worth the effort.
The Sky Bike makes for an original and exciting way to explore the forest canopy up close. It is designed for two people to use at once, with one person pedaling the bike along a cable stretched between two points in the forest, crossing a gorge above a river between the rocks and trees below. Silent, easy-to-use, and fun, it is an activity that provides a chance to observe the natural world close to the lodge.
The Sky Bike ride takes no more than 10 minutes. It can be a roundtrip adventure, or you may walk back to the lodge along one of the beautiful forest trails.
The Oxibelis trail takes you to a small waterfall and then back to the lodge. Another alternative for those in very good physical condition is taking the Limones trail, which has some steep points, to the San Vicente´s waterfall, after 45 minutes away.
Once you return to the lodge, you will be offered a refreshing natural juice drink and fresh towels before lunch.
In the afternoon, set out for the Howler Monkeys trail and Life Center. Follow the Aulladores trail through the forest where many centenarian trees survive, the copal tree being the most emblematic.
Along this trail your local guide will listen to the sounds in the forest to point out fauna such as tropical birds and howler monkeys. The accompanying naturalist will speak to you about the ecology and conservation of the forest. Both will share their extensive knowledge of forest plants and their uses.
At the Life Center, you will see birds, rodents, and other mammals, most of which visit the fruit feeders along the expansive wooden deck. The Life center is conceived as a place for learning and discovery, but also where guests can be at one with nature.
Inside the Life Center guests will learn more about the butterflies that inhabit the region and see the process of their stages from eggs to larva or caterpillar to chrysalis or pupa to winged wonder. Other points of learning include the species of host plants such as passion flowers, birds of paradise and milk weed used by the butterflies to lay their eggs and feed the larvae. Nearby, there is an area for growing useful plants, bushes, and trees such as banana and plantain, manioc, cacao, hot chili pepper, coffee, and wild raspberries.
Before dinner, you may wish to take part in an invigorating one-hour evening tour. At night the forest is transformed completely, the sounds and smells become more intense, and your senses will be heightened as you follow the guide along the forest path.
Turn off your flashlight and observe the sparkling of fireflies in the woods, listen to the flutter of bats and look for the faint glow of bioluminescent fungi such as foxfire or fairy fire on the ground. Hear the call of owls and night birds and the rustling of the branches above you as the kinkajous, an arboreal mammal related to raccoons, race through the treetops searching for ripe fruits.
Back at the lodge, enjoy a delicious dinner.
DAY 4
The below represents another sample of the activities that you may wish to participate in.
Mashpi Lodge offers a haven to bird enthusiasts seeking to view the species that inhabit the beautiful Choco Bioregion, a UNESCO biosphere reserve.
For instance, every morning starting at 6:00am, guests can go to the lodge rooftop terrace where freshly baked snacks and hot coffee, tea and chocolate are set out, along with spotting scopes and binoculars. As the day breaks, the air fills with the sounds of hundreds of birds, many of which are perched in the trees and vegetation in the immediate surroundings of the lodge, allowing guests to often see incredibly rare species without leaving the lodge.
Mashpi’s Dragonfly is an excellent way to witness the reserve’s most exceptional and magical moments. This open-air cable car system carries you across and sometimes even directly through the forest canopy, offering guests a relaxing way to enjoy the reserve from overhead. There are two main stations, six towers and an intermediate station where guests can get on and off if they wish. The guides can stop the gondola at any point to allow visitors to observe any flora and fauna that catches your eye. An entire roundtrip takes approximately 40 minutes to complete. Each of the four gondolas can carry up to four guests and one guide.
Lunch and dinner are served at the lodge in between activities.
DAY 5
After breakfast and check out, you will meet our local representative for the nearly 3-hour road transfer to Quito.
Quito was an important trading center long before Spanish colonizers arrived, and one of the best places to see artifacts and art from these pre-Columbian times is Casa del Alabado. This fantastic museum holds a collection representing most of the societies that have ever inhabited the area now known as Ecuador. This exhibition gives you a sense of the artistic and intellectual depth of this land’s inhabitants.
A sightseeing tour of the city will show off some of the reasons why Ecuador's capital earned its honor as the first UNESCO World Heritage site. Marvel at San Francisco Church and its museum of religious art, and visit bustling Independence Plaza, flanked by the Presidential Palace and Quito Cathedral. Rich in art treasures, fine woodcarvings, and flowering balconies, it is the historical center of Quito.
During the tour, enjoy lunch in a restaurant before checking in to your hotel. After some time to freshen up, you will visit the magnificent La Compañía de Jesus, a baroque-style church adorned with seven tons of gold leaf. Inside, you will find an interior meant to resemble paradise as the gold shines brightly into the church, strategically illuminating the altar.
You will then enjoy an exclusive visit into the heart of the complex, passing through centuries year-old doors and hallways. You will come face to face with the imposing domes of the church, hidden so well that not even most locals have visited. Picture what the city was like hundreds of years ago as you climb up to the domes, where you will be served a cocktail while taking in the unmatched views of San Francisco Square, the Presidential Palace, and the Pichincha volcano.
You will spend the evening at Casa Gangotena, a Relais & Châteaux property located in the center of Old Town. Lavishly renovated, it was once the home of several presidents and is steeped in rich history.
DAY 6
After breakfast, transfer to the Quito Airport for an international flight to Santiago. Upon arrival in Santiago and after passing through Customs, Immigration and luggage claim, a representative will meet you for the transfer to your overnight hotel, the Ritz Carlton or similar. Lunch and dinner will be on your own.
NOTE: Guests are normally allowed to only check 1 suitcase; however, for this program an additional piece has been added to the cost. Therefore, guests can check in free of charge 2 suitcases with a maximum weight 50lbs (23kg). Each guest is also permitted free of charge one carry-on bag with a maximum of 15lbs (7kg).
Should guests need to check in more than 2 pieces or have any overweight luggage on the flight, they will need to pay the airline fees at the airport upon check in. The average cost is approximately $120 USD per extra suitcase and an additional $120 USD for an overweight bag. Fees are imposed by the airline and are subject to change.
DAY 7
After breakfast, you will check out and transfer to San Antonio, where you will embark the ship.
Land Program Details Step by Step:
•Please note: The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. This program is subject to flight confirmations which are beyond our control. All program details including timings and any flights indicated below are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change. Direct flights are never guaranteed.
•Itineraries with the most up to date details (at the time) will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. You will then receive one last final itinerary from our ground operator with a Welcome Letter upon arrival or at your hotel. Please review that Welcome Letter and your final itinerary carefully for any further amendments.
•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.
•Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released.
Extra Nights
•All extra nights booked through the cruise line are confirmed at the hotel that is used on the FIRST NIGHT of your land program
•If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be met as per the flight details provided and transferred to your hotel. Check-in is 3:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast, as well as activities, are on your own until day 2 of the program.
•If you have an early-arriving flight, you may wish to book an extra night as your room will not be ready for occupation until approximately 3:00pm.
•If you book extra nights on your own, transfers are not included.
DAY 1
Arrive at the Mariscal Antonio José de Sucre International Airport in Quito.
Once you have gone through Customs and Immigration and collected your luggage, you will be met at the international Arrivals Door and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at your leisure and meals are on your own.
3:00pm Check in time at the hotel. Although every effort will be made to have rooms available sooner, this cannot be guaranteed. Guests with early flights may wish to book an extra night to guarantee a room upon arrival.
Overnight at the Eurobuilding Airport Hotel or similar
Meet and Greet and Transfers
•Final cruise documents will be emailed 21 days prior to sailing. The local ground agent’s telephone number will be on page 1, if you can’t locate the meet-and-greet representative upon arrival. Be aware that the representative may be assisting others and may not be in sight when you first exit Customs and the luggage claim area.
•Look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo and possibly your name. If in doubt, ask the airport staff to direct you to the meeting area for transfers or to page our representative.
•Meet and greet and transfers are arranged for guests arriving on Day 1 of a land program or for extra nights booked through the cruise line and are arranged based on the flight details received by guests at least 14 days before sailing. Guests arriving independently before the program start date will not have a transfer included.
•If we have not received your flight details or your flights have changed, and the Destination Services Land Team has not been notified, then a transfer cannot be provided, and guests will be responsible for getting to the land program hotel at their own expense. Please immediately contact our Reservations Department for any flight changes before departure.
DAY 2
AM Breakfast at your hotel
8:30am Transfer to the Equator
9:30am Visit the Intiñan Museum
10:30am Drive to Mashpi Lodge (2.5-3 hours)
1:00pm Approximate check-in time and lunch
2:30pm Afternoon activities
TBA Dinner at the lodge
Overnight at Mashpi Lodge
DAY 3
From 6:30am Breakfast and full day of activities at Mashpi Lodge
TBA Lunch and dinner included
Overnight at Mashpi Lodge
DAY 4
From 6:30am Breakfast and full day of activities at Mashpi Lodge
Dinner and overnight at Mashpi Lodge
DAY 5
AM Breakfast at the lodge
8:00am Transfer to Quito (2.5-3 hours)
11:00am Quito city tour with lunch
Check in at your hotel
5:30pm Walk to La Compañía Church
5:45pm Visit the church including a cocktail and exclusive entrance to see the domes
7:30pm Return to your hotel
TBA Dinner at the hotel
Overnight at Casa Gangotena
DAY 6
AM Breakfast at the lodge
10:00am Transfer to the Quito Airport
10:45am Check-in
12:30pm Flight from Quito, Ecuador to Santiago, Chile via Guayaquil, Ecuador (flight details TBA and subject to change, direct flight not guaranteed)
1:23pm Arrival in Guayaquil, change planes
2:39pm Flight from Guayaquil to Santiago, Chile (flight details TBA and subject to change)
9:32pm Arrival in Santiago
You are met after going through Customs, immigration, and luggage claim
TBA Transfer to your hotel
Lunch and dinner on own today, light snacks provided on the flight
Overnight at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel or similar
DAY 7
AM Breakfast at your hotel, morning at leisure
12:00pm Transfer to the port
2:00pm Embark the ship in San Antonio, Chile
NOTE: The program at Mashpi Lodge is not escorted and guests will not be escorted on the flight from Quito to Chile. There will be a local representative on transfers to and from the lodge but the activities at the lodge are run solely at the discretion of the staff at the lodge. You will be given a local emergency contact number should you require any assistance that the team at the lodge cannot assist with. A local representative will accompany guests at the airport and assist with check-in and the group will be met in Chile by another local representative.
Expected Weather:
In the early morning, the weather in Mashpi is usually cloudy around the lodge, with fog rolling in and around the trees and vegetation, significantly reducing visibility. This doesn’t mean that you can´t see birds and animals, though. In fact, birdwatching at daybreak is one of the absolutely best times to see a tremendous variety of bird species and other mammals.
The fog will lift by mid-morning and the sun will start to shine through the clouds, bathing the Choco cloud forest in sunshine. The sun stays out until early afternoon, when clouds start to move in once again, blanketing the forest in shade. There is often a short shower in the afternoon, and once it stops raining it normally clears up again, although it just as often continues to rain softly into the evening. After sunset, the fog starts to roll in again, delicately enveloping Mashpi Lodge until morning.
The coldest it gets at Mashpi Lodge is 64 °F (18 °C), while the warmest it gets is 77 °F (25 °C)
What to Bring:
Quito and Chile:
• A sweater or lightweight jacket for the cooler evening temperatures in old town.
• A lightweight (preferably non-plastic) raincoat as during wet season from October to April becomes rainy mostly in the afternoon and evening.
• Comfortable walking shoes with low or no heels due to the cobbled spots in old town. Sandals may not be comfortable for some sightseeing activities.
• Sunglasses with a strap, sun block and/or hat is highly recommended for the Equator line visit.
Mashpi Lodge
• Hat
• Dar or earth-toned, fast drying long-sleeve shirts, t-shirts, and pants
• Lightweight rain jacket and sweater or fleece
• Comfortable hiking shoes and water shoes with non-slip soles
• Long breathable moisture-wicking sports socks (to wear with rubber boots)
• Bathing suit, hat, sunscreen
• Binoculars, camera and accessories, portable flashlight
•Ziploc-style baggies to keep your items dry when on tour
Note:
The lodge provides: rubber boots, rain ponchos, walking sticks and re¬-fillable water bottles
For evenings in the lodge, they suggest casual attire.
Local Currency:
Ecuador’s local currency is US Dollars
Chile’s currency is the Chilean Peso. MasterCard, Visa, American Express are regularly accepted throughout the country.
Electricity
Ecuador uses 110-volt, 60 cycle electricity, same as the US. Plugs are typically the 2-pronged flat type so US travelers will typically not require a converter or adapter. Hotels may be able to provide adaptors however we suggest bringing your own universal travel adaptor for electric devices.
Chile operates on a 220V supply voltage. You will require a power plug adapter in Chile for sockets type C and L which differ from US plugs.
Luggage information
The luggage allowance for the international flight between Quito and Santiago is as follows:
Guests are normally allowed to only check 1 suitcase; however, for this program an additional piece has been added to the cost. Therefore, guests can check in free of charge 2 suitcases with a maximum weight 50lbs (23kg). Each guest is also permitted free of charge one carry-on bag with a maximum of 15lbs (7kg).
Should guests need to check in more than 2 pieces or have any overweight luggage on the flight, they will need to pay the airline fees at the airport upon check in. The average cost is approximately $120 USD per extra suitcase and an additional $120 USD for an overweight bag. Fees are imposed by the airline and are subject to change.
Documents and Visa Requirements:
This program takes place in both Ecuador and Chile.
A passport that is valid at least 6 months after travel is required
Please check with your local embassy for any visa requirements for your nationality for any of the countries visited on this program.
VERY IMPORTANT
The name on your cruise booking, passport and any visas if required, must all be exactly the same for flight ticket purchase for this program otherwise guests may be denied travel by flight. Please ensure that all documents are identical in spelling to the names provided for your cruise reservation including first, middle, and last name. Manifests generated by the cruise line must match your travel documents. Guests are responsible to make sure that there are enough pages in their passports for any visas that are required – Minimum two pages for each visa.
Failure to have the required documents ahead of time will result in denial of travel and guests will have to pay for any expenses incurred in order to not proceed with the program.
The above information is subject to change and serves as a guide only. We would like to take this opportunity to remind all of our guests that it is the ultimate and sole responsibility of the guest to ensure they meet the entry requirements for each destination.
If traveling internationally, the countries you are flying to and/ or connecting through may have different document requirements and as such we encourage you to visit the government and airport websites of every country you will be traveling to throughout the journey to familiarize yourself with their requirements for your nationality.
Aircraft type (subject to change):
Airbus A319
Hotel addresses:
Eurobuilding Hotel (Airport)
Calle 24 de Septiembre S2-389 Conector Alpachaca, Quito 170907
Mashpi Lodge
Mashpi 150150
Casa Gangotena
Bolívar, Cuenca, Quito 170401, Ecuador
Ritz-Carlton Santiago
El Alcalde 15, 7550655 Las Condes, Región Metropolitana, Chile
*We will only substitute hotels in unforeseen situations. If a hotel is substituted, it will be similar and with equal ratings and standards and guests will be notified in advance. If guests are not notified of any changes before departure, then the hotels listed in this program will be used.
Program Includes for guests:
•1 night at the Eurobuilding Airport Hotel in Quito (Deluxe Room) or similar hotel including breakfast
•3 nights at Mashpi Lodge (Wayra Room) including all meals, soft drinks, and activities
•1 night at Casa Gangotena in Quito (Luxury Room) or similar hotel including breakfast
•1 night at the Ritz-Carlton Santiago (Double room) or similar hotel including breakfast
•Transfers in air-conditioned vehicles
•English-speaking guides on tours
•Airport assistance in Quito
•Local representatives on transfers
•1 x 250 ml bottle of water per person on each transfer
•All activities at Mashpi Lodge
•Tours and entrances per the itinerary
•Porterage at the Quito, Lima, and Santiago airports
•Economy class international flight between Quito and Santiago (direct flight not guaranteed)
•1 additional suitcase per person on the international flight between Quito and Santiago
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated arrival information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, an arrival transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
Program Excludes for guests:
•Any meals not listed
•Hotel incidentals including mini bar, telephone calls, laundry, room service
•Beverages with alcohol
•Gratuities for drivers and guides
•Excess or overweight luggage on the flight other than what is included
•Visa fees if required
•Spa services at Mashpi Lodge
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, and gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation. Weather appropriate clothing; hats; sunglasses; and flat, comfortable walking shoes are generally recommended.
Please note: All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Land Programs must be purchased no later than 90 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 90 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program. Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released.
Price: $5,249 per guest based on double occupancy.
Hotel and Land Program pricing is not combinable with FREE 1-Night Pre-Cruise Luxury Hotel Package. If applicable, please contact Regent Seven Seas Cruises or your travel agent for multi-night pre-cruise hotel pricing information. Land program promotions are subject to terms.
