San Jorge Eco-Adventures, Cultural & Historical Tours

HIKING NATURALIST TOURS, MOUNTAIN BIKING, HORSEBACKRIDING,
MEDICINAL PLANTS, SHAMANISM & COOKING CLASSES AT SAN JORGE

HIKING AT SAN JORGE BOTANICAL RESERVE/Quito  (High Barren Plains/Highland Rainforest & Paramo)
Medicinal Plant & Sacred Waterfalls.  In the San Jorge Botanical Reserve/Quito, we will trek to the highland tropical rain forest, visiting our sacred waterfalls.  Here, we will learn about the medicinal attributes of the native plants, containing up to 250 varieties in the region and still being used in their raw state. At the same time you will take in the fabulous panoramic views of Quito, its valleys and mountains along with views of the volcano peaks of Cayambe, Antizana, Pasochoa, Pululahua, Pichincha and Illalo.  We can observe 11 mountains from various points of San Jorge Botanical Reserve, with 360 degree panorama views.  To be published soon, San Jorge is presently writing a book on The Medicinal Plants of the Andes Mountains, describing all of the plants medicinal benefits and usages.
Overnight at San Jorge Eco-Lodge/Quito

HIKING IN WORLD FAMOUS CLOUD FOREST (Cloud Forest) – located 50 minutes from San Jorge Eco-Lodge/Quito
San Jorge de Tandayapa Hummingbird Sanctuary (Cloud Forest).  Guided Hiking Naturalist Tour, with over 500 species birds, panorama views, running rivers, wild surroundings, tropical plants/flowers and exotic wildlife with our tropical Cloud Forest.  Wide variety of hummingbirds, over 40 varieties of orchids. Open air Hummingbird Restaurant with hummingbird & tanager feeders. Delicious Ecuadorian and International meals; grown from own organic gardens. 
Overnight at San Jorge Eco-Lodge/Quito or San Jorge Eco-Lodge/Tandayapa

HIKING & SWIMMING  (Primary Tropical Rain Forest) – located 2 hours from San Jorge/Quito and 1:10 from San Jorge/Tandayapa
San Jorge de Milpe Orchid & Bird Reserve (Tropical Rainforest). Guided Hiking Naturalist Tour with swimming at the waterfalls. Trek on beautiful primary trails inside a natural paradise, observing a variety of birds along the way.  This is considered a bird watching paradise with over 450 species.  Beautiful cascading waterfalls, running rivers, wild surroundings, tropical plants/flowers, over 300 varieties of orchids, colorful insects, frogs, hundreds of beautiful butterflies and moths, including wildlife and great photography.  With luck, you may see sloths, armadillos and a variety of other animals. Bring along swim suit and water shoes.
Overnight at  San Jorge Eco-Lodge/Quito, San Jorge Eco-Lodge/Tandayapa or San Jorge Eco-Lodge/Milpe

HIKING – SAN JORGE BOTANICAL RESERVE/QUITO
The Last Incan’s Emperor’s Trails - Hiking & Historical Tour - (Chasqui Trail) following the same footsteps as the pre-Incans.  This hike will take us from Quito to the Yumbos land towards Tulipe which crosses San Jorge Botanical Reserve/Quito.  We see the coluncus and old road vestiges when hiking the area, along with panorama views of the mountains, flora and fauna makes for a wonderful hiking adventure. Last Incan Emperors Trail
From the top, you will take in the fabulous panoramic views of Quito, its valleys and mountains along with views of the volcano peaks of Cayambe, Antizana, Pasochoa, Pululahua, Pichincha and Illalo.  We can observe 11 mountains from various points of San Jorge Botanical Reserve.  Overnight San Jorge Eco-Lodge/Quito

HORSEBACK RIDING ECO-ADVENTURE to the high barren plains at San Jorge Botanical Reserve/Quito.  Experience a slice of 17th Century life!    Ride Mustang Horses with traditional saddles up to Guagua Pichincha.  Visit the Andes potato and cattle farms.  Great sightseeing!  We will go around a pre-Inca road (1500 BC) and ride up to (4700 mts o.s.l.) to the Highland Rainforest.   San Jorge invites its guests to discover this unique part of Ecuadorian life; picnic lunch with horses.  (minimum 8 person group to operate this tour). Overnight San Jorge Eco-Lodge/Quito.

SHAMANISM PRACTICES Spend the evening at San Jorge Eco-Lodge/Quito or while in Otavalo, with a real touch of Indian culture.  Visit with a local Shaman who will discuss his experiences, ancestral beliefs and secrets which are passed down from generation to generation. Your questions are welcome. For an incredible, unique experience, participate in a "cleansing" ritual for an introduction to Shamanism.  Overnight San Jorge Eco-Lodge/Quito

ECUADORIAN COOKING CLASS  -  ½ Day Cooking Lesson at San Jorge Eco-Lodge/Quito.  Learn hands on to make empanadas or other delicacies.  (minimum 6 participants)  Overnight San Jorge Eco-Lodge/Quito

MOUNTAIN BIKING ½ DAY TRIPS  - Includes mountain bike, helmet, gloves, guide, transportation. 

#1 - Nono-Tandayapa Cloud Forest Route – Downhill Trip, 55 km.  Rated: Easy to moderate
This is a famous Birdwatchers secondary route.  While descending from the beautiful virgin cloud forest, visit the Sierra, an enormous canyon, Tandayapa and Pichincha’s untouched foothills.  This is a fairly easy ride that offers incredible sightseeing from an altitude of 3,200 mts. down to 1,500 mts. To the Cloud Forest.   We will witness some amazing vegetation changes as we explore virgin rainforests on this magical tour for riders of any level!        
Overnight San Jorge Eco-Lodge/Quito or San Jorge Eco-Lodge/Tandayapa

#2 - Middle of the World expedition -  San Jorge Botanical Reserve/Quito  Rated:  Difficult
Farm crossing adventure with the best Andes farm sightseeing in Ecuador.  Uphill climbs.
Overnight San Jorge Eco-Lodge/Quito

#3 - Yanacocha 1500 B.C. The Last Incan's Emperor's Trail (volcano adventure) – San Jorge Botanical Reserve/Quito  Rated:  Moderate to Difficult.  Bike through a Highland Rain Forest and Andes Valleys to the Guagua Pichincha active volcano!! The best highland adventure. 
Overnight San Jorge Eco-Lodge/Quito

#4 – Quito crossing Cumbaya Valley, by old train road.  Rated:  Easy to moderate.
Overnight San Jorge Eco-Lodge/Quito

#5 – Old Colonial Quito Sightseeing Bike Tour – Held on Sundays.  Rated:  Easy to moderate
Overnight San Jorge Eco-Lodge/Quito

HIKING, CULTURAL, INDIAN MARKETS, AVENUE OF THE VOLCANOES, HOT SPRINGS & HISTORICAL TOURS

Old Colonial Quito City ½ Day Tour
We will explore the Capital of Ecuador, considered part of the Cultural Patrimony of Humanity by UNESCO.  During your visit you will learn about the colonial art in the churches, history, archaeology and folklore in the museums.  Your bilingual guide will provide complete information of the baroque colonial art.  Visit the most important areas:  Plaza de la Independencia, Plaza San Francisco, Plaza Santo Domingo, La Merced, La Compania, Penecillo.
Overnight San Jorge Eco-Lodge/Quito

La Mital del Mundo (equator line) Middle of the World ½ day Tour – Visit the outdoor museum of indigenous artifacts.  Find out if water really does spin the other way South of the Equator; and enjoy several other demonstrations of gravity’s power.  Overnight San Jorge Eco-Lodge/Quito

Otavalo Indian Market & Surrounding Village Tour - Visit the world famous Otavalo Indian Market.   You will have the opportunity to shop for world famous handmade wool and alpaca products.  Also, visit San Pablo Lake, Cotacashi (leather village), and Cuicocha (sacred Indian lagoon), OR San Antonia de Ibarra wood carving village.  Overnight San Jorge Eco-Lodge/Quito

Traditional Indian Food Markets:
Sangolgui Market – Saturday or Sunday – includes round trip transportation
San Rogue Market – Quito – Thursday, Saturday or Sunday – includes round trip transportation
Overnight San Jorge Eco-Lodge/Quito

Cotopaxi Volcano Avenue Sightseeing & Historical Tour
(High Barren Plains) Cotopaxi National Park is Ecuador’s oldest protected area, harboring the world’s highest active volcano Cotopaxi, which stands 5,887 mts. high. Drive through the Volcanoes Avenue crossing all the southern area of Pichincha Province (on a clear day, great views).  This tour will be a mix of volcanology, geography, information on local animals/ farming/cattle and history of traditional living  in Ecuador.  Take in distant views of Cotopaxi Volcano and learn about its surroundings.  This tour does not go inside the park. 
Overnight San Jorge Eco-Lodge/Quito

Papallacta Natural Hot Springs (High Barren Plains)
Journey through the High Andes Barren Plains (4000 mts. o.s.l).  Drive the same route as Francisco De Orellana walked when he discovered the Amazon River.  We will climb up the Central Andes chain until we reach Papallacta Lake where we will stop at the thermal springs. This is a wonderfully relaxing day.  During the trip, you will visit the Coca Cayambe Reserve, which is considered an Andes Condor area and your guide will give you a botanical and ecological explanation of the area.  (1:10 hour from San Jorge Eco-Lodge)
Overnight San Jorge Eco-Lodge/Quito

Papallacta Natural Hot Springs & Hiking/Birding Tour (High Barren Plains)
Hiking Naturalist Tour.  Visit Papallacta Pass learning about the flora, fauna and birds along the way; including a stop at the Hot Springs.
Overnight San Jorge Eco-Lodge/Quito

THE MAGIC BIRDING CIRCUIT TOURS

THE MAGIC HIKING CIRCUIT TOURS  

• Galapagos Island Cruises including airfare from Quito: 4 or 7 night options. Superior Tourist or First Class Yachts
• Amazon Jungle Lodge packages including airfare from Quito:  3 or 4 night options

Cheryl Korowotny
International Director
The Magic Birding & Photography  Circuit
SAN JORGE ECO-LODGES & BOTANICAL RESERVES
Quito – Tandayapa – Milpe - Cosanga - Estero Hondo-Sumaco Bajo-Guacamayos
Ecuador – South America
Email: birdwatching@eco-lodgesanjorge.com
(877) 565-2596 Toll Free USA & Canada.

Magic Birding & Photography Circuit Map

San Jorge has been awarded the Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence for the past 11 consecutive years!