ECO-ADVENTURE & CULTURAL TOUR – 9 Nights/10 Days

Day One – Airport transfer from Quito Airport to San Jorge Eco-Lodge, overnight lodging San Jorge/Quito

Day Two – Old Colonial Quito City Tour 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 of 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 La Mital del Mundo (equator line) Middle of the World  – to Visit the outdoor museum of indigenous artifacts.  Find out if water really does spin the other way South of the Equator; and enjoy several other demonstrations of gravity’s power.  Lunch at typical restaurant.  Overnight San Jorge/Quito (B,L,D)

Day Three - Sacred Waterfalls & Medicinal Plant Hiking  at San Jorge Botanical Reserve.  We will trek to the Highland Tropical Rainforest, visiting up to 5 sacred waterfalls. Here, we will learn about some of the 250 varieties of native medicinal plants in the region. At the same time, you will take in the fabulous panoramic views of Quito, its lush valleys and majestic mountains and 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 at the waterfalls. Overnight San Jorge/Quito (B,bL,D)
Day Four - Mountain Biking Day Trip - Includes mountain bike, helmet, gloves, transportation, guide, transportation
Nono-Tandayapa Route – Downhill Trip, 55 km.  Rated: Easy

This is a famous Birdwatchers secondary route.  While descending from the beautiful virgin cloud forest, visit the Sierra, an enormous canyon, Tandayapa and Pichincha’s untouched foothills.  This is a fairly easy ride that       offers incredible sightseeing from an altitude of 3,200 mts. down to 1,500 mts. To the Cloud Forest.   We will witness some amazing vegetation changes as we explore virgin rainforests on this magical tour for riders of any level!  Overnight San Jorge/Tandayapa (B, bL, D)

Day Five – San Jorge de Tandayapa Hummingbird Sanctuary (Cloud Forest) Hiking and nature expedition.   Beautiful birds, panoramic views, hiking, wild surroundings, tropical plants/flowers, and exotic wildlife within our tropical world famous Cloud Forest.  Lunch at our open aired Hummingbird Restaurant overlooking feeders and spectacular views. Wild Voices – Night Walk in the Cloud Forest.  Overnight San Jorge/Tandayapa (B, L, D)

Day Six - San Jorge de Milpe Orchid & Bird Reserve (Tropical Rain Forest)  Hiking and nature expedition with swimming.  Visit a wild virgin cloud forest around Pichincha Mountain and trek on great jungle trails inside a natural paradise, observing a variety of birds along the way, along with orchid observation, hummingbirds at their feeders, and bird observation on our pre-inca hillside. This is considered a bird watching paradise, of about 450 species; majestic waterfalls, wild surroundings, tropical plants/flowers/300 varieties of orchids, and exotic birds within our tropical reserve.  Wild Voices – Night Walk in the Tropical Rainforest:  hearing crickets, satunines, owls, parakeets, frogs, etc., Overnight San Jorge/Milpe (B,L,D)

Day Seven – AM transfer to San Jorge/Quito.  Horseback Riding Eco-Adventure to the high barren plains at San Jorge Botanical Reserve.  Experience a slice of 17th Century life!    Ride Mustang Horses with traditional saddles up to Guagua Pichincha.  Visit the Andes potato and cattle farms and we will go around a pre-Inca road (1500 BC) and ride up to (4700 ms osl). Great sightseeing!  San Jorge invites its guests to discover this unique part of Ecuadorian life.  Overnight San Jorge/Quito (B, bL, D)

Day Eight – Otavalo Indian Market & Surroundings  Visit the world famous Otavalo Indian Market.   You will have the opportunity to shop for world famous handmade wool and alpaca products.  Also, visit San Pablo Lake, Cotacashi (leather village), and Cuicocha (sacred Indian lagoon), OR San Antonia de Ibarra wood carving village. Includes lunch at typical Ecuadorian restaurant.  Overnight San Jorge/Quito (B,L,D)

Day Nine - Papallacta Natural Hot Springs  Journey through the High Andes Barren Plains (4000 mts. o.s.l).  Drive the same route as Francisco De Orellana walked when he discovered the Amazon River.  Visit Tumbaco, Cumbaya and Pifo Valley.  We will climb up the Central Andes chain until we reach Papallacta Lake where we will stop at the thermal springs.  This is a wonderfully relaxing day.  During the trip, your guide will give you a botanical and ecological explanation of the Coca Cayambe Reserve, which is considered a Condors area.  Overnight San Jorge/Quito (B, bL, D)

Day Ten – AM transfer to Airport or downtown Quito (B) 

HIKING TOUR AT THE MAGIC HIKING CIRCUIT -  3 Nights/4 Days

Day One – Airport transfer from Quito Airport to San Jorge Eco-Lodge, overnight lodging San Jorge/Quito

Day Two - Hiking and Nature Expedition at San Jorge de Tandayapa Hummingbird Sanctuary (Cloud Forest)   Beautiful birds, panoramic views, hiking, wild surroundings, tropical plants/flowers, and exotic wildlife within our tropical world famous Cloud Forest.  Lunch at our open aired Hummingbird Restaurant overlooking hummingbird and tanager feeders with spectacular views and photo options.  Wild Voices – Night Walk in the Cloud Forest. Overnight San Jorge/Tandayapa (B, L, D)

Day Three - Hiking and Nature Expedition at San Jorge de Milpe Orchid & Bird Reserve (Tropical Rainforest)  Visit a wild virgin cloud forest around Pichincha Mountain and trek on great jungle trails inside a natural paradise.  Swimming at the waterfalls, observing a variety of birds along the way, along with orchid observation, hummingbirds at their feeders, and bird observation on our pre-inca hillside. This is considered a bird watching paradise, of about 450 species; majestic waterfalls, wild surroundings, tropical plants/flowers/300 varieties of orchids, and exotic birds within our tropical reserve.  Wild Voices – Night Walk in the Tropical Rainforest:  hearing crickets, satunines, owls, parakeets, frogs, etc., Overnight San Jorge/Milpe (B,L,D)

Day Four – Free day for Hiking and exploring on own at San Jorge de Milpe Orchid & Bird Reserve; afternoon transfer to downtown Quito (B, L) 

ECO-ADVENTURES AT THE MAGIC BIRDING & Photography CIRCUIT -  6 Nights/7 Days

Day One – Airport transfer from Quito Airport to San Jorge Eco-Lodge, overnight lodging San Jorge/Quito

Day Two – Mountain Biking Day Trip (Cloud Forest) - Includes mountain bike, helmet, gloves, transportation, guide, transportation
Nono-Tandayapa Route – Downhill Trip, 55 km.  Rated: Easy
This is a famous Birdwatchers secondary route.  While descending from the beautiful virgin cloud forest, visit the Sierra, an enormous canyon, Tandayapa and Pichincha’s untouched foothills.  This is a fairly easy ride that offers incredible sightseeing from an altitude of 3,200 mts. down to 1,500 mts. To the Cloud Forest.   We will witness some amazing vegetation changes as we explore virgin rainforests on this magical tour for riders of any level!  Overnight San Jorge Tandayapa (B, L, D)

Day Three - Hiking and Nature Expedition at San Jorge de Tandayapa Hummingbird Sanctuary (Cloud Forest)  Beautiful birds, panoramic views, hiking, wild surroundings, tropical plants/flowers, and exotic wildlife within our tropical world famous Cloud Forest.  Lunch at our open aired Hummingbird Restaurant overlooking hummingbird and tanager feeders with spectacular views and photo options.  Wild Voices – Night Walk in the Cloud Forest. Overnight San Jorge/Tandayapa (B, L, D)

Day Four –  Hiking and Nature Expedition at San Jorge de Milpe Orchid & Bird Reserve (Tropical Rainforest).  Visit a wild virgin cloud forest around Pichincha Mountain and trek on great jungle trails inside a natural paradise.  Swimming at the waterfalls, observing a variety of birds along the way, along with orchid observation, hummingbirds at their feeders, and bird observation on our pre-inca hillside. This is considered a bird watching paradise, of about 450 species; majestic waterfalls, wild surroundings, tropical plants/flowers/300 varieties of orchids, and exotic birds within our tropical reserve.  Wild Voices – Night Walk in the Tropical Rainforest:  hearing crickets, satunines, owls, parakeets, frogs, etc.,  Overnight San Jorge/Milpe (B,L,D)

Day Five – Free day for hiking and exploring on own at San Jorge de Milpe Orchid & Bird Reserve; afternoon transfer to San Jorge/Quito (B, L, D)

Day Six - Horseback Riding Eco-Adventure to the high barren plains at San Jorge Botanical Reserve.  Experience a slice of 17th Century life!    Ride Mustang Horses with traditional saddles up to Guagua Pichincha.  Visit the Andes potato and cattle farms.  Great sightseeing!  We will go around a pre-Inca road (1500 BC) and ride up to (4700 ms osl) to the Highland Rainforest.   San Jorge invites its guests to discover this unique part of Ecuadorian life.  (Optional:  Overnight camping excursions on horseback).  Overnight San Jorge/Quito (B, bL, D)

Day Seven – AM transfer to Airport or downtown Quito (B) 

BOTANIZING, BIRDING & CULTURAL GROUP TOUR – 7 Nights/8 Days

Day One – Airport transfer from Quito Airport to San Jorge Eco-Lodge; overnight San Jorge/Quito

Day Two –  Old Colonial Quito City Tour & Middle of the World -  La Mital del Mundo, (equator line)  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 of the baroque colonial art.  Visit the most important areas:  Plaza de la Independencia, Plaza San Francisco, Plaza Santo Domingo, La Merced, La Compania, Penecillo. Includes lunch at typical restaurant.  Overnight San Jorge/Quito (B,L,D)

Day Three –  Medicinal Plant & Sacred Waterfalls.  In the San Jorge Botanical Reserve (High Barren Plains/Highland Rainforest), we will trek to the highland tropical rain forest, visiting up to 5 sacred waterfalls.  Here, we will learn about the medicinal attributes of the native plants and their useages, containing up to 250 varieties in the region, including an introduction to the flora and fauna of this area.   At the same time you will take in the fabulous 360 degree panoramic views of Quito, its valleys and mountains along with views of the volcano peaks of Cayambe, Antizana, Pasochoa, Pululahua, Pichincha and Illalo, observing 11 mountains from various points of San Jorge Botanical Reserve.  Overnight San Jorge/Quito (B,bL,D)

Day Four – Botanizing and Birding at San Jorge de Tandayapa Hummingbird Sanctuary (CLOUD FOREST).  Guided nature expedition/exploring/scientific studies of the flora and fauna inside the Cloud Forest including bird identification along the way. Introduction to:  Heliconia, Guarumo, Palmito, Anturio to name a few, plus over 40 varieties of orchids that grow in the tropical Cloud Forest. Wild Voices – Night walk in the Cloud Forest. Overnight San Jorge/Tandayapa  (B,L,D)

Days Five –  Birding San Jorge de Milpe Orchid & Bird Reserve (TROPICAL RAINFOREST), optional swimming at San Claudio Waterfalls; Wild Voices – Night walk in the Tropical Rainforest.  Overnight San Jorge/Milpe  (B,L,D)

Day Six –  Botanizing at San Jorge de Milpe Orchid & Bird Reserve (TROPICAL RAINFOREST).  Guided nature expedition/exploring/scientific studies of the flora and fauna inside the Tropical Rainforest.  Introduction to: Guanto, Bromelias, Supirosa Verbenacea and over 300 varieties of orchids.  Late afternoon transfer to San Jorge/Quito.  Overnight San Jorge/Quito (B,L,D)

Day Seven – Choose one option for today (requires a minimum of 4 people for each tour to operate)

#1 - Otavalo Indian Market & Surroundings  Visit the world famous Otavalo Indian Market.   You will have the opportunity to shop for world famous handmade wool and alpaca products.  Also, visit San Pablo Lake, Cotacashi (leather village), and Cuicocha (sacred Indian lagoon), OR San Antonia de Ibarra wood carving village. Lunch at typical Ecuadorian restaurant in Otavalo.

#2 – Papallacta Cultural & Botanizing Tour (High Barren Plains) Journey through the High Andes Barren Plains (4000 mts. o.s.l).  Drive the same route as Francisco De Orellana walked when he discovered the Amazon River.  Visit Tumbaco, Cumbaya and Pifo Valley.  We will climb up the Central Andes chain until we reach Papallacta Lake where we will stop at the thermal hot springs.   During the trip, your guide will give you a botanical and ecological explanation of the Coca Cayambe Reserve, which is considered a Condors area.  Learn about the flora and fauna in the higher area, such as: Paja de paramo, paramo daisy, chuquirigua, guishuar, pillow grass; including numerous orchids.  In the lower area of Papallacta, we will find similar similar plants at San Jorge Botanical Reserve such as: pumamamqui, sacha capuli, chilc, verbena, arrocillo, shanshi, taxo, espino chinan, Andean rubber and more.

#3 - Cotopaxi Volcano Sightseeing & Historial Tour (High Barren Plains) Cotopaxi National Park is Ecuador’s oldest protected area, harboring the world’s highest active volcano Cotopaxi, which stands 5,887 mts high. Drive through the Volcanoes Avenue crossing all the southern area of Pichincha Province (on a clear day, great views).  This tour will be a mix of volcanology, geography, anthropology, information on local animals/ farming/cattle and history of traditional living in Ecuador.  Learn about the local plants, such as:  Pinus, radiate, pinus radiate, pinus patula, cipres, polilepis or pantza.  Take in distant views of Cotopaxi Volcano and learn about its surroundings; stop at Indian food market.
Overnight San Jorge/Quito (B,bL,D)

Day Eight – AM transfer to Quito Airport (B)

PLEASE CONTACT US FOR PRICING, with how many participants and approximate travel dates

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!