Tucked away amongst the cloud forest in the protected 3,212-acre Mashpi Rainforest Biodiversity Reserve, about three hours northwest of Quito, in Ecuador, is Mashpi Lodge - a sophisticated and contemporary lodge. Described as a “luxury cocoon in the clouds”, Mashpi Lodge is perched 900 meters above sea level surrounded by rainforest crisscrossed with waterfalls between dramatic, verdant hills, and a profusion of plant species, from ferns and bromeliads to hundreds of orchid species, visible through its floor-to-ceiling glass windows. The Lodge, built with the latest techniques in sustainable building, is designed to blend beautifully with its surroundings that is populated by a staggering 500 species of bird, hundreds of amphibian and reptilian species, and animals such as monkeys, peccaries and even puma.
Located close to the lodge is a Sky Bike that allows guests to explore the forest canopy from above and through. The bike is dangled from a 656-foot cable stretched between two points in the forest crossing a gorge above a river at an insane height of 196 feet. It has seats for two people and one of them uses the pedal the push the bike along at leisure.
The Sky Bike at Mashpi Lodge is similar to the Sky Cycle – a pedal-powered roller coaster located in Washuzan Highland Amusement Park in Okayama city in Japan.
Photo credit: Mashpi Lodge
Photo credit: Mashpi Lodge
Sources: Inhabitat / www.mashpilodge.com
This is an absolutely beautiful place! Too bad it's $1500+ a night to stay there.
ReplyDeletewow, i want to try it. in my country, indonesia, has many interesting places like this. I hope there will be available the equipment on an adventure like this
ReplyDeleteGreat experience near Quito! bad thing is that too expensive that hotel. Other posibility is go to Mindo, very beautiful lodges with low prices.
ReplyDeleteregards
David