TOUR
the farm
LEARN ABOUT CONSCIOUS CACAO AND CHOCOLATE
Learn the entire process used to make our organic chocolate bars!
You will experience the preparation of the fertile soil, the harvest of organic cocoa, the food forest, the processing of cocoa, the preparation of chocolate and the best part: an explosion of flavors!
HIKE
We will guide you on a walk through the edible forest where you will observe the biodiverse cocoa plantations. In addition, we will teach you about the Cacao Fino de Aroma (fine aroma cacao) and the importance of its conservation.
Depending on the season in which you visit us, you will be able to distinguish the plants that we use in the flavored bars, such as cardamom, turmeric, macambo, vanilla, ginger, calamondin, guayabilla, among others.
VISIT THE CROP
We will also talk about how chocolate is grown and the importance of having healthy and living soils to be able to produce 100% organically. You will discover the fertilization process of our cacao.
You will experience a set of new smells and textures of the organic fertilizers that we manufacture on the farm using forest microorganisms.
ELABORATION PROCESS
We will guide you to the artisanal drying area. You will learn how we dry the cacao beans with renewable energy and a wood-fired rocket oven. You will be able to see the processing plant from the outside. We will explain the step-by-step process of making chocolate, from seed to bar.
TASTING
Finally, you will delight in tasting our chocolate bars and learn to recognize why our Cacao Fino de Aroma holds the bastion of the Slow Food community.
THE LOCATION
Mashpi Chocolate Farm: “Mashpi Shungo”, town of Mashpi, Chocó Andino, Pichincha, Ec. (You will receive information )
ABOUT THE ESTATE
Currently, 82% of the property is dedicated to the conservation of water, flora and fauna; the remaining 18% is being restored with regenerative agroforestry systems. The use of local resources and knowledge allows us to generate a productive model free of agrotoxins and, therefore, zero pollution for producers, consumers, biodiversity, water and soil.
DETAILS
– The approximate time from Quito to Mashpi in private transportation is 3 hours.
– The guided tour lasts approximately 2 hours.
– The tour is designed for young people and adults. Consider that for small children it can be tiring.
– Difficulty of the walk: easy.
SUGGESTIONS
– Bring long-sleeved shirts and long pants, tall socks to protect yourself from insect bites.
– Bring natural insect repellent, commercial repellents can be very harmful to the river and animals.
– Comfortable walking shoes or tall boots -depending on the time of year, certain sections of the walk may be muddy.
PRICING
| Number of visitors | Price per person |
| 1-2 people | $24 |
| 3 – 8 people | $12 |
| Rate for students and groups interested in agriculture. (9 or more people) | $8 |
| Kids younger than 8 years old: 50% discount on all rates above. | |
BOOK YOUR TOUR TODAY
To reserve your visit, you must deposit 50% of the tour total.
Book at least 3 days in advance. We will not be able to guarantee your space and the availability of the visit with less notice.
Use the visit us form for more information on how to make your deposit.
AVAILABLE DAYS AND TIMES
Saturday 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Sunday 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
If you prefer to visit on another day, ask for availability 7 days in advance.
workshops
AND PERSONALIZED VISITS
Do you want a visit or a personalized workshop? Do you want to visit us with a group of producers or researchers?
We can create an option that suits your needs!
THEMES
We can focus the visit or workshop on these topics:
– Ecological management of cocoa crops
– Organic agriculture / Production of organic inputs
– Agroforestry / Food forests
– Good manufacturing practices in chocolate
– Chocolate processing
– Bird watching
– Agrotourism/nature tourism
LET’S STAY IN TOUCH
To create an educational and enriching experience for your group, we need around 7 days in advance.
In a personalized way we can help you with the logistics of the trip and with the alternatives offered by the Mashpi community to give you a complete experience.
STAY
IN THE MASHPI COMMUNITY
As active members of the community, we work with other families and businesses in the town of Mashpi to provide a full touristic experience to our visitors. Make the best out of your trip by staying for a few nights at our neighbors’ place and tasting their incredible, locally sourced and endemic menus.
Contact us for information so you can build your custom itinerary.
LODGING
To support community tourism, we recommend you contact the Río Mashpi Tourism Association.
You can enjoy cozy cabins in the middle of the forest, or stay with families in the community. Another alternative is to bring your tent and use the camping area that is very close to the community and the river. It is recommended to make reservations three days in advance.
Contact: Administrator of the Mashpi River Association –
José Vásquez – +593 99 355 0603
Other accommodation options:
*we recommend using Whatsapp to communicate with people and businesses in Ecuador. This method of communication is widely available and almost everyone uses it. :
| Lodging | Contact |
| Chonta Loma |
+593 99 781 3511 |
| Kary Pastrana | +593 98 620 0530 |
| Pambiliño | +593 99 176 5850 |
|
Yakunina – |
+593 98 493 5500 |
RESTAURANTS
Chontaloma Restaurant:
Experience an incredible combination of Italian and coastal Ecuadorian seasoning: Doña Flor María Castillo Quiñonez runs the restaurant in the Chontaloma Reserve, Mashpi, where her family offers accommodations and a menu inspired by native Esmeraldas and the land of her son-in-law, Italy. Highly recommended!
Community dining room of the Río Mashpi Association:
You can enjoy healthy foods native to the area, such as palm heart ceviche, Creole chicken broth or tilapia. It is recommended to make reservations three days in advance.
| Restaurant | Aprox. cost |
Contact |
| Chonta Loma | $8 per person |
+593 99 781 3511 |
| Aso. Río Mashpi | $6 per person |
+593 99 355 0603 |
OTHER ACTIVITIES IN MASHPI
Visits to the butterfly farm, birdwatching tours, waterfalls and trails: Tourism Association
Yakunina Permaculture Center: yakunina.com
Pambilino School Forest: pambilino.org
SER Tour Ecological regeneration trail: Hike that visits 4 regenerative farms, passing water streams and food forests. Contact: +593 96 773 1489
PLEASE NOTICE:
– The network coverage of most of the cell phone operators in Ecuador does not reach Mashpi. Try to be punctual when you arrive.
– We do not have a continuous garbage collection service. Plan to take home the non-organic waste you generate.
BUY CHOCOLATE AT THE FARM
Are you passing through Mashpi and want to buy chocolate? You will be able to see our production model and our facilities. You will eat a chocolate that has traveled 0 kilometers from the cocoa to your mouth!
Chocolate sales hours:
Monday to Friday: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturdays and Sundays: confirm availability in advance a few hours in advance.
VIRTUAL
TOUR
While we would love for you to visit us in Ecuador, we have created a new virtual (AR) tour of the farm so you can take a look around our home and operation.
Please follow the links to visit the following locations within the farm. If you need a description of what you’re looking at, please click on the three dots on the top right-hand corner of the virtual tour to learn more.
