WELCOME TO SAN JORGE ECO - TOURS  & BOTANICAL LODGES.

THE  MAGIC  BIRDING AND HIKING CIRCUIT OF  ECUADOR

Recommended by Frommers Lonely Planet, Moon Travel, Rough Guides,Fodor's S.A., Hunter - Ecuador & The Galapagos Islands & Footprints travel guides

My name is George, your new  friend  and Owner-Manager of  San Jorge Eco-tours and Botanical Lodges, home of the Magic Birding and Hiking  Circuit in Ecuador.

San Jorge Eco-tours and Botanical Lodges ( the Magic Birding and Hiking Circuit in Ecuador) are primarily interested in Conservation of plants, birds and mammals native to the different climate steps in we work across. San Jorge continues to create new micro natural habitats by reintroducing native plants to their endemic fields. We protect the wild life and pristine forests found on all the properties. We continue to work towards stopping the growth of eucalyptus in Quito, specifically, providing environmental education to national and international guests, providing economic support to the surrounding community, and developing organic gardens to feed our visitors.

Our buildings are made with material found in each area in which we are located, with the new buildings being totally respectful to the environment .

Using Ecuadorian local guides and staff, the money we make stays in Ecuador, while 40% of the benefits returns to the Reserves to continue maintaining the natural state of things.

While hiking in the Andes Mountains Cloud forest and Tropical rainforests, you can enjoy wonderful pristine forests, native plant gardens, and wonderful panoramic views of all that is natural.

While birdwatching on our properties, you can observe an average of 1000 (one thousand) bird species without driving far outside of Quito.

We appreciate your interest in  San Jorge.

The Magic Birding and Hiking Circuit in Ecuador is the first of its kind in Latin America. As pioneers to a new development, San Jorge Eco-Tours & Botanical Lodges owns 4 private Birding and Botanical Reserves and 3 natural sanctuaries and birding lodges, spanning six different eco-systems throughout Ecuador. 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 with hundreds of butterflies, reptiles, insects and mammals, 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 offers the perfect chance to combine nature, culture and birding at its best. San Jorge Eco-tours is the ideal retreat for some of the best birdwatching in the world, with over 1,000 possible species and 65 varieties of hummingbirds. Let San Jorge Eco-tours organize your dream expedition or your next world class birding trip. Providing all hotel and tourist services for your comfort and relaxed state of mind.

The lodges and reserves are owned and operated by veterinarian Dr.George Cruz. With his love for painting, nature, birds and history, Dr. Cruz and his family 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.

San Jorge is a Tour Operator providing 25 optional eco-tours for cultural and nature lovers as well as for spouses or companions who wish to enjoy many types of activities, including Galapagos Islands Cruises and Peru Archaeological tours as extensions.

Ecuador is famously rich in bird life with more than 1,600 species of birds, making up 20% of the world's total. Ecuador holds 3000 species of orchids, thousands of species of butterflies and moths and an diverse array  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 Magic Birding and Hiking Circuit offered by San Jorge Eco-Tours.

Birders, cultural and nature enthusiasts, will find unique opportunities to explore six different eco-systems: 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.

SAN JORGE ECO-TOURS & BOTANICAL LODGES - 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. Forty-five percent of all tour proceeds go directly toward continuous conservation efforts at the reserves.

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.

Top quality hotel services  at  San Jorge  Ecolodge  - Quito.

At the end of the day, relax at either one of the three 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.

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.

SAN JORGE ECO-TOURS & TANDAYAPA HUMMINGBIRD LODGE

Just 50 minutes from San Jorge Eco-Lodge/Quito, lying peacefully within the Cloud Forest in the lower Tandayapa Valley is San Jorge de Tandayapa Hummingbird Reserve (1500 meters o.s.l.). It is part of the Chocó Bird Area of northwest Ecuador where as many as 500 native 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 many other species of tanagers. Enjoy this wonderful private pristine Cloud Forest and the unique native flora it has to offer.

Top quality hotel services  at San Jorge de Tandayapa  Lodge & Hummingbird Sanctuary. (This lodge is presently under construction and will be open the end of November, 2008)

Birding and Hiking Tours are offered for all age groups on lovely trails inside our private Cloud Forest Reserve and surrounding areas. Professional Adventure, Birdwatching, and Naturalist guides may be pre-booked; lodging in rustic upscale rooms with hot shower; marvelous observatory deck; delicious organic set menus, BBQ´s and beverages from our restaurant; bird observation bungalow; Hummingbird and Tanager feeders for outstanding photography; relax in hammocks; a totally peaceful setting.

SAN JORGE ECO-TOURS & MILPE ORCHID-BIRD LODGE (Lodge was built January, 2007)

In the Upper Tropical Rainforest; you will find San Jorge's new eco-lodge, San Jorge de Milpe Orchid & Bird Reserve (950 meters o.s.l.).

Birders and Naturalists alike will find excellent opportunities with over 450 species, 300 varieties of orchids, mammals, reptiles, butterflies, pristine trails and the unique Birding Observatory Hill Top, all in an extremely peaceful and tranquil setting. This property has a total of 11 gorgeous waterfalls. The last bird sightings in Milpe include the Choco Toucan, Pale-mandibled Aracari, Silver-throated Tanager, Golden winged Manakin, and the Crimson-bellied Woodpecker.

 

Top quality hotel services  at San Jorge de Milpe  Orchid &  Bird  Lodge.

Accommodations at San Jorge de Milpe Eco-Lodge - Orchid & Bird Reserve include double or triple family rooms with private bath and hot shower and an observatory deck with panoramic views of the lower rainforest valley. 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 for all visitors.

Delicious organic vegetables from our gardens served in an outdoor tropical restaurant. Professional bilingual birding and naturalist guides may be pre-booked. Wonderful waterfall tours with tropically tempered natural waterholes, virgin forest, and optional tours to surrounding areas are available. Bird and mammal feeders found at the reserve.

The Birding Observatory Hill Top  is a  pre-Incan hill located in one  extreme of  our Rain forest which offers  the chance  to spot an average of 55 bird species  from 6 :15 am to 9 am.  In one birding day you can observe over 100 bird species  without leaving the property. 

Orquidacea , Botanical Expeditions.	San Jorge  Enthomological Expeditions.

SAN JORGE ECO-TOURS & COSANGA - YANAYACU WILDLIFE RESERVE

In the high Amazon rain forest, on the eastern slopes of the Andes, San Jorge de Cosanga-Yanayuca Wildlife & Bird Reserve (2000 meters o.s.l.) is another birdwatcher's paradise. This property adjoins the immense Antisana National Park, and near by Cayambe Coca National Park, Napo Galeras National Park and Great Sumaco National. Cosanga-Yanayacu  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.

Top Services  in Cosanga - Yanayacu Reserve.

Bilingual professional birding and naturalist guides, along with Pristine trails are available. Complete logistic services for several days of birding and hiking tours. One can visit the surrounding natural areas, such as, Baeza, Las Caucheras, Ollín, Guacamayos, Tena , Papallacata Pass and  Cuyuja Bird Sancturies.

Magic Birding and Hiking Circuit Tours range from 1 – 20 days. Tours to all the reserves can be designed according to your travel dates. You can also select from our pre-scheduled list of tour dates throughout the year.

We welcome you to San Jorge!!

clothes drive to help the needy people in the mountains, you may bring used clothes with you to share with them. They will be very thankful for your kindness. All type of clothes , for all ages will be useful for poor people .San Jorge organize the correct distribution in different areas of the Circuit.