About Us

George Cruz
George Cruz
Founder CEO, Naturalist / Photography / Bird Guide

George Cruz is an Ecuadorian-American citizen, was born in 1961 in New Jersey, United States. He was educated at American School of Quito and received a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine in 1987 from Central University of Quito. In 1989, he completed his post-graduate studies in animal surgery at Newark Flushing Medical Center. In 1993, he received a Hotel Management license from Instur Hotel Management School in Quito. As the founder of San Jorge Eco-lodges, George Cruz has developed historical, archelogical, botanical and ornithological reserch programs. Dr Cruz has been a natrual and cultural history guide since 200. He is also an accomplished birder, artist writer and authour of "The Birds of the Metropolitan District of Ecuador", "Medicinal Plants of Ecuador", and "The Yumbo Culture" fieldguides and books.

 

IRINA ESTELITA ALCIVAR

IRINA ESTELITA ALCIVAR
Founder, Operations Manager

Irina Alcivar was born in 1968 in Bahia de Caraquez, Manabi, Ecuador. She studied in Colegio Experimental Luciano Andrade Marin (CELAM) in Quito. Along with her husband George Cruz, Irina's influence and support has been essential in the creation of san Jorge Eco-lodges. Her keen knowledge on coastal and andean cuisine has played a key role as she has trained the staff on culinary arts at every lodge. Irina is also in charge of keeping the accountability and distributing the goods across all the ldoges. Irina currently leads an in-depth chocolate making tour at San Jorge Eco-lodge Quito and she is author of "Ecuadorian Cuisine - Cookbook". Irina has a great love for nature and birds and is known for her avid skills as a rare-bird spotter.

 

 

CHERYL KOROWOTNY

CHERYL KOROWOTNY
International Sales Director

Cheryl Korowotny was born in USA and studied Business in Boston, Massachusetts. Previously worked in Cusco, Mexico City, and in the USA within the travel industry for the past 25 years.

Since 1991 she has been a member of San Jorge's team, operating the San Jorge USA office where she serves as Director of International Sales and manages birdwatching, wildlife photography, eco-adventures and natural history tours worldwide for San Jorge Eco-Lodges of Ecuador. Cheryl's high level of expertise helps you plan a trip of a lifetime to Ecuador.

During her time off from San Jorge, she lives on a farm in New England with her husband, where she rides horses and plays tennis.

 

 

IRINA GABRIELA CRUZ


IRINA GABRIELA CRUZ
Sales Agent, Naturalist Guide

Irina Gabriela Cruz was born in 1995 in Quito Ecuador. She was educated at the American School of Quito. She is currently in junior year at Manhattanville College pursuing a duo mayour in Business Management and Biology. Gabriela's succesful academic achievement as a honor student is only complemented with her numerous gold medals won in track-and-field. Gabriela has engaged in several social work programs which have benefited her community. Irina Gabriela is a natural history guide and cultural guide for San Jorge. She has also served as an interpreter for numerous international medical brigades who have visited Ecuador.




LUIS ALCIVAR
Sales Agent, Naturalist / Birding / Photography Guide

Luis Alcivar was born in 1989 in Quito, Ecuador. He studied for two years in Barry University in Miami before moving to Lesley University in Cambridge where he received a duo mayor degree in Environmental Science and Bussinnes Administration. During this time, Luis also received a web programming and design certification from the Art Institute of Boston and from CEINFOR. Since 1999, Luis leads birdwatching, bird photography and naturalist tours for San Jorge Eco-lodges of Ecuador. Luis's advanced knowledge on birds and wildlife helps you plan a trip of a lifetime to Ecuador. In his leisure time, Luis likes to explore the most remote corners of his country to find and photograph colorful and rare critters.

San Jorge Staff

Vicente

Vicente has worked over 15 years for San Jorge Eco-lodge Quito. He is in charge of helping with your bags, lighting up your fireplace, and maintaining the lodge. Vicente can also help with bird identifications and he has a vast knowledge on indegenous medicinal plants. As of 2015, Vicente has consistently been feeding worms to a cute Tawny Antpitta. Antpittas are among the hardest bird families to see in Ecuador and you are certainly not going to see this species at Angel Paz Antpitta-feeding-station.

Rosita

Rosa is Vicente's wife and she's in charge of filling the feeders and preparing your delicious meals. Rosita lives in the lodge with her five children and with her new grandchild.

Fernando

Fernando was born in 1986 in Quito Ecuador. Fernando is in charge of serving your meals and making sure the gardens look pretty.

Maria

Maria was born in 1984 in Quito Ecuador. Maria is Fernando's wife and along with her mother Rosita, she is in charge of preparing your delicious meals.

Belinda

Belinda was born in 2009 in Quito Ecuador. Belinda is daughter to Fernando and Maria. Besides ridding her bycicle with training wheels, Belinda likes to watch to shopping with her mom.

San Jorge Tandayapa Staff

Estalin

Estalin was born in Quito, Ecuador and has worked for San Jorge Tandayapa for over 8 years now. Estalin is in charge of helping with your bags, and maintaining the lodge. Estalin's deep interest in birds has lead him to learn the english name of nearly all the bird species that occur in the area.

Pilar

Pilar is Estalin's wife and she's in charge of the kitchen and filling the hummer feeders. You will not be disappointed at her wonderful cooking.

Dianita and Maria Jose

Dianta is daughter to Estalin and Pilar. Dianita helps her mother in the kitchen. Maria Jose is Dianita's daughter and she loves to walk with the three baby peccaries that her grandfather Stalin rescued from the forest.

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
(877) 565-2596 toll-free USA/Canada 
Email: info@eco-lodgesanjorge.com

Magic Birding & Photography Circuit Map


San Jorge has been awarded the Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence for the past 8 consecutive years!

Recommended by Trip Advisor, Lonely Planet, Frommer’s Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands, Moon Travel, Fodor’s South America, Viva Travel Guide & Rough Guides