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Misty cloud forest canopy and tree ferns seen from the Mashpi Lodge reserve in Ecuador’s Chocó region

Mashpi Lodge and Galápagos Tour: Cloud Forest to Kicker Rock

Days Icon 9 Days
Location icon Ecuador and Galapagos
Budget icon From USD 7,128 p.p.
Request a quote Book now

Mashpi and Galápagos Tour Summary

Combine Ecuador’s cloud forest and Galápagos Islands on this 9-day Mashpi Lodge and Galápagos tour, beginning in Quito before heading into the Chocó Andino Biosphere Reserve. At 950 meters above sea level, Mashpi Lodge sits deep in the cloud forest, surrounded by exceptional birdlife and canopy activities including the Sky Bike. Back in Quito, explore the colonial center and enjoy a chocolate tasting before flying to San Cristóbal for Kicker Rock snorkeling and a visit to the Interpretation Center. Compare this itinerary with our Ecuador tours.

Rebecca Adventure Travel is a B Corp Certified, female-founded tour operator based in Quito, creating tailor-made journeys across Ecuador and the Galápagos since 2014. Mashpi is about a three-hour drive from Quito, with the final section on an unpaved road, so the itinerary allows a full day for the journey rather than treating it as a day trip. Included are private transfers, two nights at Mashpi with all activities and meals, the Galápagos flight, island excursions, and 24/7 local support in English, Dutch, and Spanish. Park entry and the INGALA card are paid in cash on arrival.

Highlights

  • check Quito's Historic Center

    Explore Quito’s colonial streets, grand churches, and historic plazas—a UNESCO World Heritage site.

  • check Mashpi Lodge

    Discover the Chocó cloud forest from a secluded lodge surrounded by exceptional biodiversity and birdlife.

  • check Sky Bike & Canopy Tower

    Cycle above the Mashpi canopy and climb the observation tower for close-up views of toucans, tanagers, and the surrounding forest.

  • check Kicker Rock (León Dormido)

    Snorkel through the channel between towering volcanic rocks, where sharks, rays, sea turtles, and marine birds gather.

Reviews

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Geoff V 
 
15/08/2025
 
 
 
 
 Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5 
Galapagos trip
Every detail and excursion was perfect. The guides were outstanding, hotel was first class. I would highly recommend Rebecca
  
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Daniel R 
 
06/02/2025
 
 
 
 
 Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5 
Intimate luxury Galapagos immersion
Highly recommend. The guide, nature hikes, snorkeling, kayaking, and food were outstanding. Rebecca Adventures is responsive and friendly.
  
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Tripadvisor rating score: 4.9 of 5, 
based on 588 reviews

Prices

Prices, based on number of guests, start at:
1 guestUSD 10,124 p.p.
2-3 guestsUSD 7,816 p.p.
4 or more guestsUSD 7,128 p.p.

Mashpi and Galápagos Tour: Day-by-Day Itinerary

Download itinerary

  • DAY 1: Quito arrival and the historic centre

    People relaxing in a green public plaza in front of a white colonial bell tower during a Quito Old Town walking tour

    This thrilling Mashpi Lodge and Galápagos tour begins with your arrival in Quito, where a host will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your boutique hotel in the historic center.

    The rest of the afternoon is free to relax or explore the surrounding colonial streets, churches, plazas, and artisan shops.

    • Activity Activity:Exploring. Relaxing.
    • Transport Transport:Car.
    • Meal Meal:Dinner.
    • Accommodations Accommodation:Hotel Illa Experience or similar.

  • DAY 2: Quito, chocolate tasting and culinary walk

    Plated gourmet dish featuring crispy roasted meat and grilled vegetables served during a Quitu Food Experience in Quito

    Begin the day with a guided walk through La Ronda, one of Quito’s historic streets, visiting artisan workshops and learning about the neighborhood’s traditional crafts. Continue into the UNESCO-listed historic center to see Plaza Grande, San Francisco Church, and the ornate La Compañía de Jesús.

    After a traditional Ecuadorian lunch, visit the Guayasamín Museum for a chocolate tasting with To’ak. In the evening, enjoy a multi-course dinner at Quitu Identidad Culinaria, where Chef Juan Sebastián Pérez (subject to availability) creates contemporary dishes using Ecuadorian ingredients and traditional techniques.

    • Activity Activity:Exploring. Tasting.
    • Transport Transport:Car.
    • Meal Meal:Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.
    • Accommodations Accommodation:Hotel Illa Experience or similar.

  • DAY 3: Transfer to Mashpi Lodge in the cloud forest

    Contemporary luxury glass hotel nestled in dense cloud forest vegetation at Mashpi Lodge under a misty mountain ridge

    Leave Quito this morning for the scenic drive to Mashpi Lodge, descending from the Andes into the Chocó cloud forest. The journey takes approximately three hours with an English-speaking guide.

    Arrive around midday for lunch before choosing from the lodge’s activities. Options include the Life Center, butterfly sanctuary, birding deck, and forest trails. In the evening, join a guided night walk to look for nocturnal wildlife such as frogs, spiders, and snakes.

    • Activity Activity:Tasting. Wildlife Watching. Hiking.
    • Transport Transport:Car.
    • Meal Meal:Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.
    • Accommodations Accommodation:Mashpi Lodge or similar.

  • DAY 4: Mashpi canopy, sky bike and waterfall trails

    Vibrant green hummingbird hovering in flight with wings outstretched during a Mindo Birdwatching cloud forest tour

    Start early with a guided sunrise birding excursion in the cloud forest, when species such as toucans and tanagers are particularly active. Return to the lodge for breakfast before choosing from the day’s activities.

    Hike through the forest to waterfalls, ride the Dragonfly cable car above the canopy, visit the hummingbird garden, or take the Sky Bike across the gorge. You can also visit the science center or spend time at the spa, depending on your interests.

    • Activity Activity:Exploring. Sightseeing. Wildlife Watching.
    • Transport Transport:Boat.
    • Meal Meal:Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.
    • Accommodations Accommodation:Hotel Mashpi or similar.

  • DAY 5: Return to Quito

    Red scooter parked outside the elegant colonial facade of Illa Experience Hotel for a seamless Hotel Arrival in Quito

    Enjoy one final morning at Mashpi with time for a short forest walk, a visit to the Life Center, or another activity before departing.

    After breakfast, begin the approximately three-hour private drive back to Quito. Once you arrive, the remainder of the day is free to relax or explore the city.

    • Activity Activity:Transfer.
    • Transport Transport:Car.
    • Meal Meal:Breakfast. Box Lunch.
    • Accommodations Accommodation:Hotel Illa Experience or similar.

  • Day 6: Flight to San Cristóbal

    Galapagos sea lion calling out from the shore of a sandy beach in San Cristobal with volcanic hills in the background

    Transfer to Quito’s Mariscal Sucre International Airport for your flight to San Cristóbal. The flight takes just over two hours, including a short stop in Guayaquil.

    Before departure, your luggage will be inspected and sealed by SICGAL, and you’ll obtain your $20 Transit Control Card (TCT), payable in cash. On arrival in the Galápagos, you’ll also pay the $200 National Park entrance fee in cash before transferring to your hotel in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno.

    • Activity Activity:Transfer.
    • Transport Transport:Car.
    • Meal Meal:Breakfast.
    • Accommodations Accommodation:Golden Bay or similar.

  • Day 7 : Kicker Rock snorkeling

    The iconic volcanic rock spires rising from the sea at sunset on a kicker rock tour in the Galápagos Islands

    Set out in the morning for Kicker Rock, or León Dormido, a dramatic volcanic formation rising about 140 meters above the sea. After approximately an hour by boat from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, enter the channel between the two rock faces for a snorkeling excursion.

    Look for whitetip reef sharks, manta rays, sea turtles, tropical fish, and seabirds around the rocks. After lunch onboard, continue to a nearby beach for a short hike and time to relax before returning to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno in the afternoon.

    • Activity Activity:Snorkeling.
    • Transport Transport:Boat.
    • Meal Meal:Breakfast. Box Lunch.
    • Accommodations Accommodation:Golden Bay or similar.

  • Day 8: San Cristóbal highlands and the Interpretation Center

    Fresh seafood ceviche garnished with lime and red onion served with plantain chips during a Ceviche Cooking Class

    Visit the Galápagos Interpretation Center to learn about the islands’ volcanic origins, unique wildlife, human history, and conservation efforts. Continue on foot to Tijeretas Hill, following a coastal trail to viewpoints overlooking the surrounding landscape and opportunities for snorkeling.

    Later, visit Punta Carola, a beach where sea lions and seabirds are often seen along the coast. In the late afternoon, head to Playa Mann for a hands-on ceviche class using fresh local ingredients.

    • Activity Activity:Cooking. Exploring. Snorkeling.
    • Meal Meal:Breakfast. Lunch.
    • Accommodations Accommodation:Golden Bay or similar.

  • Day 9: Departure

    Sea lions silhouetted against a golden sunset along the beach in San Cristobal during island Departure in Galapagos

    Transfer from your hotel to San Cristóbal Airport for your flight back to the mainland. Keep your INGALA Transit Control Card accessible, as you’ll need it before boarding.

    The flight to Quito takes approximately 2½ hours, including a brief stop in Guayaquil. Your Mashpi Lodge and Galápagos tour ends upon arrival in Quito.

    • Activity Activity:Transfer out.
    • Transport Transport:Car.
    • Meal Meal:Breakfast.

Mashpi and Galápagos Tour Map

9-Day Luxury Ecuador and Galapagos Experience Map

Inclusions

  • Meals as described in the itinerary.
  • Accommodation in a single, double, or triple room.
  • Airport pickup and drop off at San Cristóbal airport at your arrival/departure time.
  • Galapagos domestic flights.
  • Local bilingual naturalist guide (English/Spanish).
  • All activities as described in the itinerary.
  • Snorkeling equipment: mask, snorkel, fins and life vest.
  • Entrance fees as described in the itinerary.
  • 24/7 assistance in English, Dutch, and Spanish.

Exclusions

  • International return flights to and from mainland Ecuador.
  • Meals and drinks not specified in the itinerary.
  • Water taxi (USD 1 per person) for transfers between the speedboat and the harbor.
  • Wetsuit rental (recommended from May to November): USD 5 per person, per day (cash only).
  • Personal travel and health insurance.
  • Optional gratuities for the guide.

Accommodations

Beachfront exterior view of Golden Bay Hotel in San Cristóbal Island surrounded by palm trees and turquoise water
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
📍 San Cristobal

Hotel Golden Bay

Luxury oceanfront boutique hotel set on Playa de Oro in San Cristóbal.

  • Oceanfront Location
  • Outdoor Pool
  • On-site Dining
Illa hotel Experience Front, luxury hotels in ecuador
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
📍 Quito

Hotel Illa Experience

Luxury boutique hotel in Quito's historic center offering rich cultural experiences.

  • Historic Center
  • Cultural Experiences
  • Gourmet Dining
Mashpi Lodge
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
📍 Mindo

Mashpi Lodge

Luxury rainforest lodge set in a Andean cloud forest reserve with panoramic views.

  • Cloud Forest
  • Luxury Design
  • Eco Friendly

9 Luxury Days in Ecuador: FAQs

  • Is two nights in the lodge sufficient on this Mashpi Lodge and Galápagos tour?

    Yes. The sky bike, canopy tower, and waterfall trails each take half a day, and most bird activity is at dawn.

  • How far is Mashpi Lodge from Quito?

    About three hours by road, the last hour unpaved through the Chocó Andino Reserve. Private transfers are included, and the drive itself passes through several climate zones.

  • Can you combine cloud forest and the Galápagos islands in one trip?

    Yes, and they complement each other. Mashpi is dense and wet; the islands are open and dry. Nine days allows you to enjoy both without rushing either.

  • What wildlife will I see on this Mashpi Lodge and Galápagos tour?

    At Mashpi, you can see more than 400 bird species, including toucans, barbets, and glass-winged butterflies, plus pumas and olinguitos (a cute mammal in the raccoon family).

  • Which Galápagos island does this Mashpi Lodge and Galápagos tour visit?

    San Cristóbal, for Kicker Rock, La Lobería and the Interpretation Center. It is the island with the shortest airport transfer, which suits a nine-day itinerary.

Additional Information

  • Prices for the upcoming travel season are subject to change.
  • Essential items to bring include comfortable and lightweight clothing (with a jacket as a precaution), water, sunblock, sunglasses, and your passport.
  • To enter Ecuador, your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your intended departure from the country.
  • Prices are subject to seasonal surcharges during Christmas, New Year’s, and Holy Week (Semana Santa).
  • For children under the age of 12, there is a 10% discount.
  • Activity schedules are subject to change based on departure/arrival times and availability. All inclusions are guaranteed until the afternoon of the final day of the itinerary.
  • Maximize your time in the Galápagos by choosing early arrival and late departure flights. Late arrivals or early departures may cause you to miss some of the included tours.
  • Bring smaller baggage/bags since public transportation on the Galápagos Islands is quite limited.
  • ​​There are no guides on the public speedboat transportation between islands.
  • It is suggested to have current travel insurance, including personal medical insurance. Please inform us of any known medical conditions you have.
  • Take the necessary precautions to avoid food poisoning (always wash your hands before eating, don’t eat street food, only eat peeled fruits, etc.).
  • Tap water in the Galápagos Islands might contain bacteria and should not be consumed, not even for brushing your teeth. Bottled or purified water is always recommended.
  • Rebecca Adventure Travel reserves the right to change the itinerary without prior notice due to weather conditions, availability, National Park regulations or notifications, or unforeseen circumstances.
  • When flying to the Galápagos from Quito or Guayaquil, we recommend arriving in the city at least 24 hours before your flight to avoid inconveniences.

Advantages of Booking with Rebecca Adventure Travel

  • Impactful Travel: Develop meaningful connections that provide mutual enrichment for both travelers and host cultures.
  • Empowering Locals: Support family-owned businesses, immerse yourself in local culture, and contribute to local economies.
  • Sustainable Travel: Preserve cultures and environments for future generations with our Huella Positiva, a sustainable and regenerative tourism model.
  • Peace of Mind: We’re here for you every step of the way, offering requisite insurance, certifications, and rebooking options.
  • Customized Service: Our personalized Travel Curator ensures your trip meets your needs and exceeds your expectations.

When you book a tour with us, you agree to our terms and conditions.

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