San Jorge owns 4 private nature reserves throughout Ecuador, known as The Magic Birding & Photography Circuit.  Kept in the rich, natural state, all of our exclusive reserves offer the chance to fully immerse yourself in all that is Ecuador; a diverse array of flora, fauna, climate regions and hundreds of beautiful birds, butterflies and wildlife. Our hiking tours will take you through San Jorge Botanical Reserve (High Barren Plains/Highland Rainforest), San Jorge de Tandayapa Hummingbird Sanctuary (Cloud Forest) and San Jorge de Milpe Orchid & Bird Reserve (Tropical Rainforest) known for its majestic waterfalls and swimming holes.  With over 1,700 species of birds, 60 species of Hummingbirds, wildlife, over 300 varieties of orchids and diversity of flora and fauna within 7 different eco-systems, we offer the best options for hiking, birdwatching, and naturalist tours.

San Jorge Eco-Lodge & Botanical Reserve - the regions only private reserve, situated on 200 acres of native flora and fauna, in the Pichincha Foothills, just 17 minutes from Quito Airport, and yet a world apart from the busy city.  We are a traditional 18th Century Resort, nestled in a rustic mountain setting.  San Jorge offers peace and tranquility, quality personalized service, restaurant, gardens, pool and convenient airport transfers.  Enjoy virgin nature and Ecuadorian tradition at San Jorge Eco-Lodge & Botanical Reserve, within a comfortable Eco-Resort environment.  The Magic Hiking Circuit Tours offer practical education on ecology, botany, ornithology, archeology, and the awareness of the surrounding environment, with bilingual private guides.   The Last Inca Emperor’s Trails at San Jorge Eco-Lodge Botanical Reserve provide a first hand experience of pre-Inca and Inca history with its ancient trails for miles of hiking and trekking.  Enjoy the pristine beauty at San Jorge de Milpe Eco-Lodge- Orchid & Bird Reserve  in the Tropical Rainforest, with superb hiking trails, running rivers, 11 cascading waterfalls, observatory sites, over 300 varieties of orchids, 30 varieties of hummingbirds and over 450 bird species.

Upon your evening arrival at Quito Airport, you will be met by your escort and transferred to the beautiful San Jorge Eco-Lodge & Botanical Reserve/Quito, which will be your primary base.

San Jorge Eco-Lodge & Botanical Reserve/Quito is located in the High Barren Plains/Highland Rainforest.  Beautiful Andes hacienda rooms with private baths & hot showers, comfortable & decorated in typical décor, heated rooms. Accommodations include a double room, with private bath and hot shower. Enjoy peace & tranquility at our mountain lodge in the Pichincha Foothills.  Upper level rooms are located on terraced hillside. (Optional: Room with Balcony, View & Queen Bed). Explore our beautiful vast gardens and exotic birds, within a comfortable Eco-Resort environment.   Relax at our festive El Cucayco Restaurant, serving delicious Ecuadorian and international cuisine grown from our own organic gardens, and overlooks the valley of Quito.

NEW!!  San Jorge de Tandayapa Eco-Lodge is located in the Cloud Forest at San Jorge de Tandayapa Hummingbird Sanctuary. Recently opened January 2009!   Accommodations include double room with private bath/hot shower, where as many as 500 species live; pristine hiking trails, observation deck, our open aired Hummingbird Restaurant overlooking feeders and spectacular views,  superb photography options, a total peaceful and tranquil setting inside the Cloud Forest.  Hiking at San Jorge de Tandayapa Hummingbird Sanctuary is for active people who can walk the hillier Cloud Forest trails.

San Jorge de Milpe Eco-Lodge (newly constructed in 2007) is located in the Tropical Rainforest at San Jorge de Milpe Orchid & Bird Reserve.   Accommodations include a double room with twin beds, with private bath and hot shower, (Optional: 3 sided windowed rooms with Views), an observatory deck with panoramic views; relax and watch the hummingbirds eating at their feeders. You can even spot birds from the windows of your room! This new eco-lodge has the comfort and rustic elegance of a rainforest lodge, with spectacular scenery, making it the ideal retreat for hikers and naturalist alike, with all level hiking trails.

~ We WElcome You to our paradise ~

Our Ecuador hiking Tours

• 5 Days

 

San Jorge is also a tour operator who provides 25 optional eco-tours for cultural and nature lovers as well as for spouses or companions who wish to enjoy other types activities; including Galapagos Islands Cruises and Peru archaeological tours as extensions.

Ecuador is famously rich in bird life with more than 1,700 species of birds, and 20% of the world's total, 3000 species of orchids, thousands of species of butterflies and moths and a huge amount of native plants. Visitors who want to take full advantage of Ecuador need to gain access to a variety of remote regions, many of them only available through the The Magic Birding and Hiking Circuit.

Quick facts of Ecuador

Quito ~ The First City to be declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
World Famous Galapagos Islands
The Andes Mountains – the world’s longest mountain range
17 Distinctive Ethnic Indian Groups
Cotopaxi Volcano ~ the highest volcano in the world; 5,870 mts. O.S.L.
3,000 species of Orchids
1,700 species of Birds (world record per square meter)
132 species of Hummingbirds (world record)
65 Volcanoes
12 different climate steps of the world
Diversified variety of foods

Choose a pre-scheduled tour date & itinerary, or specify your own travel dates to us.  Please tell us how many people will be traveling with you.

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Commentaries

Don Shaver, Lake Worth, Florida USA
All aspects of the tour to San Jorge de Quito, Tandayapa and Milpe were well coordinated. The people that were our guides and brought our food went well beyond all expectations. The helpfulness went beyond expectation. Facilities were well kept and food was excellent. The attention we got in the biking trip was great. The guides were always attentive. The food was excellent, well prepared and good variety. Transportation well coordinated.

Shirley A Wager-Pagé, Washington DC USA
San Jorge de Milpe is excellent. Wonderful setting. We enjoyed the entire experience. Quito City tour: The guide very knowledgeable about the history and art. Otavalo Tour, we enjoyed the market and Juan Carlos, very resourceful And we enjoyed his company. He knew a lot about the culture and geography of the country. Airport transfers were excellent. Food excellent, Great lodging, maintenance Good. Hiking trails in Milpe, excellent. It was an excellent experience and we would recommend San Jorge Eco-lodges to our friends and family.

Stan and Rusty Towers, Ann Arbor Michigan USA
We did enjoy touring with San Jorge every day. All was outstanding -  well organized for comfort, convenience, and access to the various  ecosystems they represent.  All our guides were knowledgeable, friendly, flexible, and passionate about their work, their specialty and their beautiful country of Ecuador.
We were impressed with all aspects of your services, specially the warmth and personal concern shown by all all staff for our comfort and satisfaction. San Jorge Eco-Lodge exceeded our expectations and made us very happy that we chose it. We will recommend you with enthusiasm!  What to improve? Nothing, except continue to maintain your mission and your standards.

Heather Dean & Steve Meyers, Anchorage, AK USA
We took self-guided hikes on the trails at San Jorge Botanical Reserve/Quito. The maps and signage are very helpful and the trails very enjoyable.  The waterfall/canyon trail is especially beautiful, but the other trail gives a good contrast in habitat for birders.  Everything was fantastic and we especially enjoyed and appreciated the service and interaction we had from/with Vicente.

Seelenfreund Family Group, CA, USA
What a beautiful place!! If you like a peaceful setting in the mountains, surrounded by animals and beautiful flowers, this is the place.  Jorge, Sr., was a guide for a wonderful hike in the hills above the Hosteria.  Loved the llama family, the mustang horses and the turkeys behind the restaurant.  The pool could have been at the finest resort.  The architecture of the Hosteria was so picturesque, I couldn’t stop taking photos.  Thank you for a wonderful experience. Horseback riding tour was excellent!  We enjoyed our stay very much.  The grounds are beautiful and the staff very friendly.  The food was very good.  We will be back!  Thank you!

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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!