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Maquipucuna Lodge

  • Ecuador – Mashpi – Maquipucuna – scientific station
  • Ecuador – Mashpi – Maquipucuna – room
  • Ecuador – Mashpi – Maquipucuna – Spectacled Bears
  • Ecuador – Mashpi – Maquipucuna – waterfall
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Maquipucuna was founded in 1988 as a non-profit organisation dedicated to conservation and has been functioning as a lodge for tourists since 1993.

Maquipucuna was founded in 1988 as a non-profit organisation dedicated to conservation and has been functioning as a lodge for tourists since 1993.

One of the most remote lodges in the Mindo Reserve, Maquipucuna is favoured by birdwatchers and other wildlife lovers, for its unique and tranquil riverside location where at least 340 species of birds have been identified. Rich in biodiversity, it is also home to 250 types of butterfly and 2000 species of plants, with 40km of trails offering opportunities to spot spectacled bears on specialised bear tracking tours (Aug-Nov), as well as rare species of frogs and pumas. Night hikes are available in the evenings to go in search of nocturnal creatures.

The accommodation is simple, but comfortable, with 10 rooms and a family cabin. All rooms are ensuite and have a terrace or balcony with seating area. Some have river views. The restaurant serves a fixed menu of locally sourced food, with views out over the lush forest-clad mountains. A rooftop relaxation area provides an excellent spot for reading a book, whilst the elevated dining area is popular with guests and hummingbirds alike.

Bartolome, Galápagos

What our clients say

  • Most memorable experience: "Where to start? Huge evening skies on the Napo river, pulling out of Chimbacalle station on the Tren Crucero in a cacophony of whistling and hooting; the…

    DH, Portsmouth Jun 2015

  • Ecuador was a fantastic adventure: welcoming friendly people, beautiful landscapes and amazing wildlife. To fit in two cities, the Andes, the Amazon, the cloud forest and the Galapagos Islands into…

    GE, Glasgow Jun 2012

  • Two parts: Seeing cotopaxi and the surrounding area for the first time, and stepping off the boat onto floreana and having to avoid sea lions and iguana, magical.

    HT, Conwy Nov 2014

  • Waking up at Hacienda Porvenir and being able to see the sun rising near Cotopaxi. Being in the Galapagos once again and seeing all the wildlife - such a unique…

    JB, Edinburgh Jul 2014

  • Ecuador was a fantastic adventure: welcoming friendly people, beautiful landscapes and amazing wildlife. To fit in two cities, the Andes, the Amazon, the cloud forest and the Galapagos islands into…

    GE, Glasgow Oct 2026

  • Everyone was very concious of preserving water and not littering - it seems part of everyday life in Ecuador

    KK, Belfast Dec 2010
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Our Expert's Opinion

Paul Winrow Giffin
Paul Winrow-Giffin - Travel Expert

After graduating in Computer Science, Paul spent seven months travelling from Colombia to Argentina and came home hooked on Latin America.

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Papagaio

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Our exciting range of articles on Latin America explore everything from iconic destinations and lesser-known cultural gems to delicious traditional recipes. You’ll also find exclusive travel tips, first-hand client reviews and the chance to get your personal questions answered by our travel experts.

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Bartolome, Galápagos

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  • Kathryn
    Kathryn Rhodes - Travel Expert

    Kathryn backpacked across Argentina, Chile, Bolivia and Peru before joining us. She has a degree in Philosophy and French and is a keen netball player.

  • Ben
    Ben Line - Travel Expert

    Ben fell in love with Latin America on a six month backpacking trip from Colombia to Mexico in 1995. Since then he has explored most of South America, including living in Peru for a year. He is now Head of Sales.

  • Hannah
    Hannah Donaldson - Travel Expert

    Having spent part of her childhood in Colombia and worked in Brazil and Costa Rica, Hannah's ties to Latin America run deep. Hannah is a much valued Travel Expert in our Tailor-made Holidays and Group Tours sales team.

  • Juliet
    Juliet Ellwood - Travel Expert

    After graduating with a degree in Anthropology and History and having been fascinated by Latin America since childhood by the book featuring photos of Nazca, Juliet first visited the region in 2003. Since then, Juliet has visited the majority of countries in Latin America but has particularly extensive experience with Peru, a country she loves for many reasons but not least, its incredible archaeological richness and delicious food!

  • Maggie
    Maggie Wilson - Travel Expert

    Maggie visited Latin America on her first backpacking trip when she was 19. Since then, she has taken every opportunity to travel, and has managed to explore a lot of the region in subsequent trips.

  • Hannah
    Hannah Waterhouse - Travel Expert

    Hannah had an early introduction to Latin America when her family moved to Ecuador and she returned to study in Buenos Aires for a year before backpacking across the continent.

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