VISITS

CONSCIOUS COCOA & CHOCOLATE TOUR

Visit the farm to learn all about the entire process that makes 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: the enjoyment of the palate!

Email us to book your visit

  • HIKE

    We will guide you on a walk through the edible forest where you will observe the biodiverse cocoa plantations. In addition, we will explain to you about fine aroma cocoa 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 CROPS

    We will teach you how chocolate is grown and the importance of having living soils to be able to produce 100% organically. You will discover the fertilization process of our cocoa.

    Expect to experience a set of new smells and textures of 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 cocoa 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 fine aroma cocoa is a stronghold of the Slow Food community.

LOCATION

Mashpi Shungo is the name of the cacao farm and where the workshop is located. We are in the Mashpi town, in the Chocó Andino Region of Ecuador in the province of Pichincha, Ecuador. We will give you detailed directions on how to arrive when you book a tour!

ABOUT THE PROJECT

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 agro-toxins and, therefore, zero pollution for producers and consumers, biodiversity, water and soil.

  • DETAILS

    – The approximate time from Quito to Mashpi by private vehicle is 3 hours.
    – The guided tour lasts approximately 2 hours.
    – The tour is designed for young people and adults. It can be too tiring for small children.
    – Difficulty of the walk: easy.

  • SUGGESTIONS

    – Bring long-sleeved clothing 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 rain boots: depending on the time of year, certain sections of the walk may be muddy.

  • COST

    Number of visitors ---- Cost per visitor

    1 to 2 people ------------$24

    3 to 8 people ------------$12

    Rate for students and groups interested in agriculture.


    (9 or more people) ------------$8

    Children under 8 years old pay 50% of the rates above

  • MAKE YOUR RESERVATION TODAY

    To reserve your visit, you must deposit 50% of the tour total.
    Make your reservation at least 3 days in advance. We will not be able to guarantee your space and the availability of the visit with less notice.

    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.  

    CONTACT US VIA WHATSAPP

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

  • CONTACT US

    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.

    CONTACT US VIA WHATSAPP

STAY

IN THE MASHPI COMMUNITY

Take advantage of the trip and visit other initiatives in our community !

We share information with you 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 Río Mashpi Association –
José Vásquez – +593 99 355 0603 

Other accommodation options:

WHERE TO EAT

Chontaloma Restaurant: 

Experience the Italian-Esmeralda 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.

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 Regeneration ecological trail:
Walk that crosses 4 regenerative farms, passing through water streams and food forests. Contact: +593 96 773 1489

TAKE INTO ACCOUNT

– The signal of most cell phone operators does not reach Mashpi. Try to be punctual when you arrive. 

– We do not have a continuous garbage collection service. Try not to generate waste and 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.