San Jorge Botanical Reserve NOVA Southern University Medical Mission Group

SAN JORGE ECO-LODGE & BOTANICAL RESERVE in Quito is located 17 minutes from Quito Airport in the Pichincha Foothills. We are the only private reserve and eco-resort located near the capital city and offer airport transfers 24/7. Our 18 th century Ecuadorian eco-lodge with its own 200 acre botanical reserve will be your primary base for your visit. Our student programs offer practical education on ecology, botany, ornithology, conservation, shamanism and culture as well as adventure and service days. We offer cultural programs, working will local students, painting a schoolhouse for example. San Jorge hosts a barbeque fiesta with students from a local school and you can even work at a local Ecuadorian mud brick factory to learn how houses are built in the highland mountains. Accommodations include student dormitories with shared baths. Enjoy our swimming pool, sauna, Turkish Bath and Jacuzzi, along with other amenities such as game room, lounge, and museum. Explore our vast gardens and exotic birds, within a comfortable Eco-lodge environment.

San Jorge de Milpe Eco-Lodge

New**   The construction of our new eco-lodge at San Jorge de Milpe Reserve will be completed by December, 2006.  This brand new lodge is located in the Subtropical Rainforest with its beautiful pristine trails, running rivers, cascading waterfalls, observatory decks with panoramic views, 300 varieties of orchids, plus over 450 species of birds and native wildlife. Hammocks are strung for relaxing in comfort and watching the birds at their feeders. You can even spot birds through the windows of your room! San Jorge de Milpe Eco-lodge (near Mindo) has the comfort and rustic elegance of a Subtropical rainforest lodge with spectacular scenery, making it the ideal eco classroom for students in a range of disciplines.

Here’s what we offer:

Ecology ● Botany ● Shamanism

Medicinal Plant & Sacred Waterfalls Expedition: San Jorge Botanical Reserve (High Barren Plains, Highland Rainforest & Paramo). Trek to the tropical rain forest, visiting up to 5 sacred waterfalls. Learn about the medicinal attributes and usage of up to 250 varieties of native plants in their raw state. We will also identify birds along the way, where 130 species make their home. 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. Picnic lunch by the waterfalls.

Shamanism Practices: Students will experience Shaman practices and a touch of authentic Indian culture. Relieve illness and stress with ancient Andean treatments prepared by a real Indian doctor. Herbs, tobacco, cologne and eggs are the main ingredients used for the treatment. Participate in a question and answer session. Two students will be selected from the group for a “cleansing”.

Botany at San Jorge de Milpe Reserve: ( Subtropical Rain Forest) Trek on Photo Waterfalls #3 primary jungle trails inside a natural paradise, observing a variety of birds and wildlife along the way. With over 450 species, this area of Ecuador is considered a bird watching mecca. Guided nature expedition, hiking/exploring/scientific studies, majestic waterfalls, swimming in the Subtropical Rainforest; wild surroundings, tropical plants/flowers/orchids/wildlife. Bring along swim suit and water shoes.

Conservation

Lake Tahoe Community College – Environmental Studies

Conservation at San Jorge de Tandayapa Reserve: (Cloud Forest) A wonderful eco-day with hands-on projects of planting native trees/plants and helping to maintain trails, including a guided hike through the network of trails in the Cloud Forest. Nature expedition with botanical identification. Picnic lunch at our bungalow; relax in hammocks, enjoy the panoramic views, birds and other wildlife.

Service Days  

Trinity College

Option #1: Paint a Schoolhouse. Lend a hand working with local students to give their school a fresh coat of paint. When we’re finished, we will enjoy a picnic lunch with the Ecuadorian students in the afternoon.

Option #2: Experience a common work day in Ecuador today. Students will work at a traditional mud brick factory, owned by an Ecuadorian family who will teach them how to make mud bricks. Bilingual explanations will be given throughout the process. Afterwards, enjoy a typical Ecuadorian lunch of beans, cheeses, sauces, potatoes and chichi prepared by the Family.

Option #3: San Jorge will host a BBQ, inviting local students, giving us a chance to interact and enjoy live Andean music and traditional fare

Culture

Duke University Biology Department

The Last Incan Emperor's Trail at San Jorge Botanical Reserve: Experience the ancient wonder of the Andes Mountains, trekking, hiking, biking, or horseback riding along The Last Incan Emperor's Trails. Travel back through the ages as you enjoy the ecological miracle of the Ecuadorian countryside. Experience the ancient wonder of the Andes Mountains following in the footsteps of the ancient Incas along a pre-Inca road (1500BC).

Old Colonial Quito City Tour & Middle of the World: 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 private guide will provide complete information on the baroque colonial art. Visit the most important areas: Plaza de la Independencia, Plaza San Francisco, Plaza Santo Domingo, La Merced, La Compania, Penecillo. Continue on to visit Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World). While this imaginary line passes through many nations on Earth, the Republic of Ecuador is the only one that bears its name.

Otavalo Indian Market & Surrounding Villages: We will have the opportunity to shop for world famous handmade wool and alpaca products at the world famous Otavalo Indian Market. Also, visit San Pablo Lake, Cotacashi (leather village), and Cuicocha (sacred Indian lagoon), OR San Antonia de Ibarra wood carving village.

Adventure  

Cotopaxi Volcano: Cotopaxi National Park is Ecuador’s oldest protected area, harboring the world’s highest active volcano Cotopaxi, which stands 5,887 meters high. All around the beautiful snow-capped peak one can explore the high-altitude moorlands and learn about their great biodiversity. When in Cotopaxi National Park, we will visit Limpiopungo Lake and hike around the area, taking in breathtaking sights of the refuge at 4500 meters above sea level.

Horseback Riding at San Jorge Botanical Reserve : Travel back through the ages as you enjoy the ecological miracle and exceptional sights of the Ecuadorian countryside. Ride Mustang horses with traditional saddles up to Guagua Pichincha. Visit the Andes potato and cattle farms and ride up to the Paramo (4700 ms o.s.l). San Jorge invites its guests to discover this unique part of Ecuador on a Horseback Riding Eco-Adventure to the high barren plains at San Jorge Botanical Reserve. Experience the ancient wonder of the Andes Mountains riding The Last Incan Emperor's Trails, following in the footsteps of the ancient Incas along a pre-Inca road (1500BC). Includes a picnic lunch overlooking the Andes Mountains.

Galapagos Islands

Galapagos Islands Cruise for 3, 4 or 7 night sailings, including airfare from Quito.  Select from Superior Tourist and First Class yachts.

For prices - Send us  your travel dates – month/year and how many students and tour leaders are traveling in your group.

Note: Travel insurance is mandatory for student groups.

Be sure to ask us about course accreditation.

TOUR leader incentive program: For each group of 10 attendees or more, 1 tour leader will receive complimentary accommodations at San Jorge Eco-Lodge & Botanical Reserve . For each group of 16, one tour leader will also receive a complimentary Galapagos Cruise & Airfare.

Quick Facts About Ecuador
Did you know that Ecuador has: 1600 species of birds- 20% of the world's total, more than 40 species of parrots, 115 species of hummingbirds, 4500 species of butterflies, 10% of the world's total population of vascular plants (25,000 total), 11% of the world's total number of orchids and 60 volcanoes (45 mainland/ 15 located in the Galapagos Islands) of which 17 are still active, including Cotopaxi; the world's highest active volcano at an elevation of 19,283 feet o.s.l. Ecuador is also the largest producer of bananas and the third largest producer of shrimp in the world!

Conservation & Preservation at San Jorge Botanical Reserve San Jorge is dedicated to restoring and preserving the wild & natural habitat of Ecuador, by increasing awareness of environmental conservation issues through ongoing education and hands-on projects. Working in cooperation with school groups and volunteers, San Jorge provides opportunities for Scientific & Cultural studies, educating students and tourists alike.

San Jorge's Botanical Reserves consists of over 485 hectares of untouched, protected land, preserving the habitat of the many indigenous plants, animals and over 800 species of birds, native to four eco-systems throughout Ecuador. This includes very rare species such as the Greater Scythebill and Andean Condor; endangered and scarce species such as the Rufous Antpitta, Orange Breasted Falcon, and Glistening Green Tanager.

We are also continuously working to preserve and cultivate many plants and botanicals including over 250 medicinal varieties, many of which contain ingredients vital to the world's pharmaceutical industry. Over 3000 new trees have been planted in the two past years, in an ongoing effort to replenish Ecuador's San Jorge's natural reserves. By employing and training local farm workers, we are assisting and supporting the local residents, while also teaching them the many benefits of practicing healthy eco-tourism and conservation. We have even established a clothing drive for the children and families in the vicinity of San Jorge. Eco-Tourism has become the most effective way to promote rainforest conservation and awareness of environmental issues, and the conservation skills learned at San Jorge can and will be passed on from generation to generation. It is very important to us at San Jorge to give back to the community, making our future leaders more responsible and sensible regarding our environment, health, and lives.

Each year we continuously strive to give back to our native country, with our major efforts concentrated in preserving the land by protecting it, replanting areas that have been destroyed, and reinvesting into the future of Ecuador. By providing bird watching tours; and hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding expeditions at our reserves and surrounding areas, we hope to raise global consciousness of the need for stronger conservation efforts in the Andes and Amazon regions

History of San Jorge
Around the 18th Century, Pedro Vincente Maldonado, an Ecuadorian Scientist, improved the pre-Incan road that crosses the San Jorge Reserve. Once repaired, the road was traveled by French scientists LaCondaime, Godin and Bougeur to measure the Middle of the World, now marked by a large monument in Cala Cali. San Jorge, once known as Singuna Farm, was then owned by General Flavio Alfaro and illustrious 19th Century President Eloy Alfaro, leader of the Liberal Revolution in 1912 and originator of the 'Panama Hat'.

Volunteers wanted: We are currently accepting applications for volunteers and student internships. To apply, submit a resume and cover letter via email

Wisdom Of the Andes

June 27 - August 11, 2008 (Travel abroad: August 1 - 8)
3 credits (undergraduate & graduate)

Location
The travel abroad component of the program is based at San Jorge Eco-Lodge and Botanical Reserves, located just outside of Ecuador’s capital, Quito. The facility is an 18th century farm situated on 200 acres of protected land in the Pichincha Foothills. The only private reserve near Quito, San Jorge is home to a large variety of endemic plants and animals, including more than 130 species of birds, and has several pre-Inca trails and sacred waterfalls. San Jorge’s reserves encompasses four distinct ecological zones including high barren plains, highland rain forest, cloud forest, and subtropical rain forest. Students can explore the grounds on mountain bike, horseback, or on foot. The program also includes day excursions to Quito–renowned for its beautiful historic center and colonial architecture–and the nearby towns of Otavalo and Ibarra.

For further information about the program, please contact:
Latin American and Caribbean Center
T: 305-348-2894 | E: lacc@fiu.edu

Explore this itinerary

Would you like to help the neighboring villages of San Jorge? Quito Clothes Drive

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