San Jorge de Milpe Orchid & Bird Reserve
Western Upper Tropical Rainforest
The Magic Birding & Photography Circuit

San Jorge de Milpe’s two Lodges are located 2 hours away from San Jorge/Quito Lodge, 2-1/2 hours from downtown Quito,  and 1 hour from San Jorge de Tandayapa Lodge. Offering over 450 bird species, numerous wild orchids, hundreds of butterflies and moths, flora and fauna, reptiles, and mammals. (You may even see our resident Tyra drop by!). 

The stunning upper tropical rainforest surrounding the lodges feature well-kept pristine birding trails - a total of 8 different trails to explore the different features of the reserve, with 11 spring fed waterfalls, crossed by the large Chaguaryacu River.
At the edge of the reserve is a 65 foot high hilltop with a 360° panorama view of the surrounding valleys. Unique to San Jorge de Milpe is our one of a kind, Bird Observatory Hilltop, the perfect place to go birding and watch mixed flocks come through. In average, 65 bird species are seen here from 6-to-8 AM.  
San Jorge de Milpe is part of the globally important Tumbez-Chocó endemic region and borders with the protected forest reserve of Masphi. It is located inside the Hummingbird Route (Ruta del Colibrí), one of the world´s most famous birding areas, and is a major birdwatching destination in South America.

Birds at The Magic Birding Circuit
Photos by George Cruz

Trip Advisor Certificates of Excellence Award

September 11, 2019 – A new hope is born at San Jorge de Milpe Reserve in Ecuador. First footage of an adult Banded Ground-Cuckoo (Neomorphus radiolosus) feeding its young recently born at the reserve. Video taken by Luis Alcivar

Video of Banded-ground Cuckoo

Banded-ground Cuckoo at San Jorge Milpe Reserve

Wingspan Australian Birding Magazine Article

NEWS RELEASE:  Banded Ground-Cuckoo sightings

San Jorge de Milpe Cliff Lodge is also located at San Jorge de Milpe Orchid & Bird Reserve, built in 2007. 

With an 8 minute walk from the parking lot inside the exuberant forest, this two-story cedar built Lodge offers 8 double rooms  with capacity for up to 16 people.  It features an all modern complex, a balcony observation deck on each floor with spectacular views of the valley!

All rooms have mesh netting to keep out insects, private bathrooms with hot running water and flushing toilet, electricity, Orthopedic mattresses, comfortable outdoor sitting areas & hammocks.  A dinning bungalow is situated next to the lodge, which serves healthy, delicious meals featuring food from on-site organic garden, Bar with great views of the forest - optional beer, cocktails and soft drinks

San Jorge de Milpe Forest Lodges are ideal for birding, hiking, natural history tours, photography, eco-adventures, romantic getaways, or as an educational retreat. Unique to San Jorge de Milpe is our one of a kind, Bird Observatory Hilltop.

Birding huts inside the forest

Golden Winged Manakin Birdwatching Tours Ecuador

Pacific Parrotlet   Birdwatching Tours Ecuador

 

San Jorge de Milpe Orchid & Bird Reserve
Climate: Upper Tropical Rainforest
Altitude : 3541 feet /  1000 meters o.s.l.   Coordinates N  00   02.632  WO  53.229
In Milpe you will truly discover why this area is world-famous for its birding...there are large flocks of Tanagers everywhere! Known for majestic waterfalls and swimming holes, Milpe offers a variety of birding excitement with the presence of the Chocó Trogon, Pale-mandibled Araçari, Yellow-collared Chlorophonia, and Broad-billed Motmot among the many others listed below.

Top 6 Highlight Birds - Banded Ground-cuckoo, Long-wattled Umbrella Bird, Rose-faced Parrot, White-tipped Sicklebill, Olive Finch, Yellow-tufted Dacnis

Common Birds to Look For:	Fairly Common Birds to Look For:
Swallow-tailed Kite, Cattle Egret, Black Vulture, Turkey Vulture, Ruddy Pigeon, Maroon-tailed Parakeet, Red-billed Parrot, Bronze-winged Parrot, White-collared Swift, Red headed Barbet, Bay headed Tanager, Summer Tanager, Black-capped Tanager, Blue-gray Tanager, Whit- lined Tanager, Palm Tanager, Swallow Tanager, Silver-throated Tanager, Blue-necked Tanager, Lemon-rumped Tanager, Golden Tanager, Thick-billed Euphonia, Buff-throated Saltator, Black-winged Saltator, Blue black Grassquit, Yellow bellied Seedeater, Pale mandible Aracari, Squirel Cuckoo and Roadside Hawk.	Toucan Barbet , Laughing Falcon, Gray-headed Kite, Black-checked Woodpecker, White-winged Tanager, Moss-back Tanager, Ochre-breasted Tanager, Tropical Gnatcatcher, Band-backed Wren, Black-stripped Sparrow, Broad-billed Motmot, Rufous Motmot, Barred Hawk, Broad-winged Hawk, Long-tailed Antbird, Buff-rumped Warbler, Boat-billed Flycatcher and Rufous-winged Tyrannulet, Golden-olive Woodpecker.
Uncommon and Scarce:	Hummingbirds:
Glistening-green Tanager, Esmeraldas Antbird, Blue-fronted Parrotlet, Red-masked Parakeet, Tiny Hawk, Double-toothed Kite, Osprey, Plumbeous Forest Falcon, Long-wattled Umbrella Bird, Dark- backed Wood Quail, Gray and Gold Tanager.	White-whiskered Hermit, Stripe-throated Hermit, Tooth-billed Hummingbird, White-necked Jacobin, Green Thorntail, Violet-bellied Hummingbird, Purple-chested Hummingbird, Purple-bibbed Whitetip, Empress Brilliant, Velvet-purple Coronet, Purple-crowned Fairy, Purple-throated Woodstar..

San Jorge’s NEW Forest Birding Lodge
~ Spectacular birding & hiking at the most beautiful lodge of the surroundings ~

New Deluxe Rustic Bungalow Suites with Private Balcony & View
NEW restaurant & bar at San Jorge de Milpe Orchid & Bird Reserve overlooking tropical rainforest
NEW San Jorge de Milpe Forest Lodge.                                   All birding & hiking trails are marked with signage

CLICK TO ENLARGE Magic Birding & Photography Circuit Map

San Jorge Recently Published Books
The Birds of the Metropolitan District of Quito Read Book Preview	Medicinal Plants of Ecuador Read Book Preview
Yumbo Culture Read Book Preview	San Jorge Cookbook Read Book Preview

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!