Ecuador Tours and Travel

 

San Jorge Eco Lodges

San Jorge Eco-Lodges & Botanical Reserves owns 4 private birding and Botanical Reserves, 3 natural sanctuaries and birding lodges, spanning six different eco-systems throughout Ecuador ( High Barren Plains (Páramo), Highland Rainforest outside of Quito, Tandayapa Valley Cloud Forest, Upper Tropical Rainforest in Milpe, deserted off road sites , and the Eastern Andes - Highland Amazon Cloud Forest. ). Kept in their rich, natural state, all of the exclusive reserves offer the chance to fully immerse your self in all that is Ecuador. A diverse array of flora, fauna, climate regions and hundreds of beautiful bird species await you. Stroll through our gardens and watch hummingbirds gather at the feeders. The Magic Birding and Hiking Circuit tours offer the perfect chance to combine nature, culture and birding at its best. San Jorge is the ideal retreat for some of the best birdwatching in the world, with over 1,000 possible species and 65 varieties of hummingbirds. The lodges and reserves are are proud to conserve 1500 acres of habitat for many indigenous plants, birds and other wildlife. This includes rare species such as the Andean Condor and Golden Winged Manakin, Rufous Antpitta, Orange-breasted Falcon and Glistening-green Tanager. Ecuador is famously rich in bird life with more than 1,600 species of birds, and 20% of the world's total, 3000 species of orchids, thousands of species of butterflies and moths and an 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.

Transfers to/from the airport are available. San Jorge Eco Lodge offers bilingual professional guides in birdwatching, archeology and history, natural history, botanics, horsebackriding, mountain biking, medicinal native plants and Shamanic cleansings. We also offer cultural tours, a Quito City tour, Otavalo market, Indian markets and Papallacta Hot springs . All tours include private transportation. Expeditions for all ages are available. Tours range from 1 – 20 days. Tours to all the reserves can be designed according to your travel dates. Forty-five percent of all tour proceeds go directly toward continuous conservation efforts at the reserves.

See sample Birding, Hiking, Biking and Multisport itineraries

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SAN JORGE ECOLODGE AND BOTANICAL RESERVE - QUITO

Begin your birding , cultural or naturalist adventure as soon as you arrive. San Jorge Eco-Lodge & Botanical Reserve in the Pichincha Foothills of Quito is located 17 minutes from Quito Airport. San Jorge has prime trails, specialized guides and lots of botanical, archeological and birding options.Exploring San Jorge Botanical Reserve Quito (3000 meters o.s.l.) which is part of the 40,000 hectare Bosque Protector Pichincha National Park, can produce up to thirteen species of hummingbirds, including the Purple-backed Thornbill and the very rare Black-breasted Puffleg as well as another 110 species of birds ,as well as .Enjoy astounding views of the surrounding volcanoes such as Cayambe, Antizana, Pasochoa, Pululahua, Pichincha,Ilalo, Cerro Puntas, Filocorrales, Casitagua , Mojanda Cajas, Fuya Fuya and others.

Accommodations at San Jorge Eco-Lodge & Botanical Reserve, an 18th Century Spanish hacienda, include private bath and hot shower, comfortably decorated in typical décor. Rooms are heated with wood fireplaces and central/electric heat. Upper level rooms are located on a terraced hillside and offer optional Balcony, Views and Queen Bed. Here you will find a peaceful atmosphere with gardens and courtyards in a rustic mountain setting. The facility has an outdoor tempered pool, Turkish bath, Jacuzzi and sauna, 2 restaurants, game rooms, 3 conference rooms, a small museum and lounge.

Archeological Tours at Botanical Reserve San Jorge take us back in time to 1500 BC. The Ancient Civilizations of Ecuador forged a trail through the highlands of the Andes, crossing the Nono Alto Valley , and connecting the Northern end of Quito to the Coastal interior regions. This trail traverses near the famous 'Middle of The World" line. It is in this area where Botanical Reserve Hosteria San Jorge is located. Is in these amazing area where all our cultural, ecological and adventure activities are developed, as same as the old and traditional ranch open it doors for nature lovers guests.

At the end of the day, relax at either one of the eco-lodge restaurants. Enjoy delicious Ecuadorian and international cuisine made with organic ingredients. San Jorge uses vegetables grown from their own pesticide free gardens and locally grown food from numerous eco-friendly farms in the region. Cocktails and a great wine selection are also found at our bar.

Common Birds to Look For: Hooded Siskin, Variable Hawk, Black Flowerpiercer, Cinereous Conebill Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, Masked Flowerpiercer, Southern Yellow Grosbeak, Eared Dove, Band tailed Pigeon, Streak throated Bush Tyrant, Red crested Cotinga, Spectacled Whitestar, Sapphire vented Puffleg, Shining Sunbeam, Band tailed Nightjar, Scarlet bellied Mountain Tanager, Great Thrush, Sparkling Violtear, Black tailed Trainbearer, Rufous napped and Tricolored Brush Finches, Tyrian Metaltail, American Kestrel and Rufous collared Sparrow .
Fairly Common Birds to Look For: Stripe headed Brush Finch, White bellied Woodstar, Giant Hummingbird, Sword billed Hummingbird, Mountain Velvetbreast, Tawny Antpitta, Ash colored Tapaculo, Unicolored Tapaculo, Azara's Spinetail, White tipped Dove, Smoky Bush Tyrant, Blue and yellow Tanager, Buff breasted Mountain Tanager, Black chested Buzzard Eagle, Rufous breasted and Brown backed Chat Tyrants, Curve billed Tinamou, White collared Swift and Plain breasted Hawk.

SAN JORGE DE TANDAYAPA HUMMINGBIRD SANCTUARY & LODGE

Just 50 minutes from San Jorge Eco-Lodge/Quito, lying peacefully within the Cloud Forest in the lower Tandayapa Valley Cloud Forest, San Jorge de Tandayapa Hummingbird Reserve (1500 meters o.s.l.) is part of the Choco Bird Area of northwest Ecuador where many as 500 species endemic birds live. Here nature lovers and birders have the opportunity to take in spectacular panoramic views and spot a wide variety of Cloud Forest birds. Twenty four varieties of hummingbirds are found here throughout the year, including the Metallic-green Tanager, Golden-headed Quetzal, Golden-napped Tanager, along with numerous species of tanagers. Enjoy the wonderful private pristine Cloud Forest with its unique native flora.

Lovely trails for hiking and birding for all age groups; professional naturalist or Birdwatching guides may be pre-booked; lodging in rustic upscale rooms with hot shower; marvelous observatory deck; delicious set menus and beverages from our restaurant; bird observation bungalow; Hummingbird and Tanager feeders for outstanding photography; relax in hammocks; a total peaceful setting.

Common Birds to Look For: Grass green Tanager, Blue winged Mountain Tanager, Andean Cock of the Rock, Beryl Spangled Tanager, Black capped Tanager, Golden naped Tanager, Blue gray Tanager, Swallow Tanager, Tropical Parula, Blue capped Tanager, Lemon rumped Tanager, Metallic green Tanager, Bananaquit, Golden Tanager, Silver throated Tanager, Plate billed Mountain Toucan, Black Phoebe, Smoke colored Pewee, Tropical Kingbird, Social Flycatcher, White capped Dipper, Roadside Hawk, House Wren, Southern rough winged Swallow, Blue and White swallow, Blue black Grassquit, Yellow bellied Seedeater, Blackburnian Warbler, Cinamon Becard, Ecuadorian Thrush and Great Thrush.
Fairly Common Birds to Look For: Fawn breasted Tanager, Guira Tanager, Plumbeous Pigeon, Bat falcon, Plain breasted Hawk, White capped Dipper, Dusky Phia, Black and Green Fruiteater, Scaled Fruiteater, Chestnut capped Brush Finch, Golden headed Quetzal and Andean Guan.

SAN JORGE DE MILPE ORCHID AND BIRD LODGE

In the Upper Tropical Rainforest; you will find San Jorge's new eco-lodge at San Jorge de Milpe Orchid & Bird Reserve (950 meters o.s.l.) Birders and naturalist alike will find excellent birding opportunities with over 450 species, 300 varieties of orchids, mammals, reptiles, butterflies and an inmense diversity of moths, pristine trails and observatory sites, great foothill loop, all in an extremely peaceful and tranquil setting. This property has a total of 11 gorgeous waterfalls.

Accommodations at San Jorge de Milpe Eco-Lodge – Orchid & Bird Reserve include double or triple family rooms with private bath and hot shower; and observatory deck with panoramic views. You can even see birds from your room! This brand new eco-lodge has the comfort and rustic elegance of a rainforest lodge, with spectacular scenery, making it the ideal retreat. A series of pristine trails for all ages; perfect for nature and Birdwatching. Delicious organic vegetables from our gardens, set menus, professional bilingual birding and naturalist guides may be pre-booked; gorgeous waterfalls, virgin forest, bird and mammal feeders at the reserve; optional tours to surrounding areas are available.

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 Tanger, Black capped Tanager, Blue gray Tanager, White lined Tanager, palm Tanager, Swallow Tanager, Flame faced, Rufous throated, Silver throated Tanager, Blue necked Tanager, Lemon rumped Tanager, Goldn Tanager, Thick billed Euphonia, Buff throated Saltator, Black winged Saltator, Blue black Grassquit, Yellow bellied Seedeater, Pale mandible Aracari, Squirel Cuckoo and Roadside Hawk
Fairly Common Birds to Look For: 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.

SAN JORGE DE COSANGA- YANAYACU WILDLIFE & BIRD RESERVE

On the subtropical eastern slopes of the Andes, San Jorge de Cosanga-Yanayuca Wildlife & Bird Reserve (2000 meters o.s.l.) is another birdwatcher's paradise. Adjoining the immense Antisana National Park, and near by Cayambe Coca National Park, Napo Galeras National Park and Great Sumaco National this site preserves 300 acres of virgin forest, where hundreds of bird species are protected here as well as mammals and reptiles, including the Black -billed Mountain Toucan, Crested Quetzal, Safron-crowned Tanager, and Chesnut-breasted Clorophonia.

Common Birds to Look For: Andean Cock of the Rock, Golden-eared Tanager, Esmerald Toucanet, Blackburnian Warbler, Beryl Spangled Tanager, Black capped Tanager, Blue gray Tanager, Masked Flowerpiercer, Fawn breasted Tanager, Lacrimose Mountain Tanager, Palm Tanager, Blue winged Mountain Tanager, Flame faced Mountain Tanager, Saffron crowned Tanager, Golden crowned Tanager, Hooded Mountain Tanager, Blue and Black Tanager, Superciliared Hemispingus, Slaty Finch, Crested Quetzal, Grass Green Tanager, Rufous collared Sparrow, Northern Mountain Cacique, Subtropical Cacique, Russet backed Oropendola, Stripe headed Brush Finch, Roadside Hawk, Broad winged Hawk, Sickle winged Guan, Scaly naped Amazon, White capped Parrot, Cinnamon Flycatcher and Rufous Antpitta.
Fairly Common Birds to Look For: Golden rumped Euphonia, Purple Honeycreeper, Russet crowned Warbler, Rufous Wren, Orange bellied Euphonia, Orange crested tanager, Summer Tanager, Yellow whiskered Bush Tanager, White
sided Flowerpiercer, Slate colored Seedeater, Chestnut crowned Brush Finch, Yellow billed Cacique, Spotted Sandpiper, Osprey, Black billed Mountain Toucan and Andean Gull

We have arrived tired but happy back home in North Carolina. We want to take this opportunity to tell you how very, very much we enjoyed our return visit to your country and especially our wonderful stays at San Jorge/Quito, San Jorge de Tandayapa and San Jorge/Milpe this summer. Your magnificent reserves, and the fantastic new lodge at Milpe, are truly special, magical places that delighted and thrilled our group of biologists, including birders and non-birders alike. What a treat at Milpe to see so many species of birds and flowers and enjoy so many waterfalls by day, then find insects, frogs, and glowing creatures by night! You and your helpful friendly staff at both lodges made everyone feel so comfortable and at home, and the meals with their delicious touches of Andean cuisine were superb. Jorge, everyone was impressed by your energy, enthusiasm, knowledge, and love of nature, as I knew they would be.

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