Welcome to San Jorge Eco-lodges & Botanical ReserveS

The magic birding & Photography circuit

Ecuador Birdwatching Tours ~ Bird Photography tours
& nature tours

OFFERING THE FINEST eco-LODGES, PRIVATE Nature RESERVES
& GUIDED TOURS in ecuador

Home of the Banded-ground Cuckoo, one of 50 most rare birds in the world

Visit our own Cock of the Rock Lek

The Magic Birding & Photography Circuit is the first of its kind in South America. We own and operate 7 private Birding Reserves and 6 Eco-Lodges in Ecuador.  Ecuador Birdwatching Tours & Ecuador Bird & Wildlife Photography Tours and Ecuador Nature Tours, visiting up to 9 diverse eco-systems throughout the Andes Highlands, Cloud Forest, Upper Tropical Rainforest, East & West Andes Slope, Paramo, Amazon Tropical Rainforest & Pacific Lowlands.  We have recently have added two new private nature reserves to The Magic Circuit collection, introducing San Jorge de Sumaco Bajo Bird Sanctuary in the Amazon Tropical Rainforest, and the new San Jorge de Guacamayos Bird Paradise in the Eastern Andes Cloud Forest.

Our private nature reserves offer up to 1,600 possible bird species, 100 Hummingbird species, 25 running waterfalls, ponds, lagoons, rivers, wild orchids in natural habitat, medicinal plants, seasonal butterflies, mammals & a wide variety of diverse flora & fauna. Our all-inclusive Ecuador Tours include airport transfers or pick up from downtown Quito, delicious meals, lodging, specialized English speaking native guides and private transportation throughout the reserves. We bird our way from reserve to reserve eliminating unnecessary driving. Our 6 Eco-Lodges in Ecuador are rustic and environmentally friendly and offer quality service with comfortable well-appointed rooms furnished in typical décor.  Optional upgrades include rooms with balconies/patios and best views.  The opportunities are endless, viewing wildlife at our 65-foot high observation tower and decks overlooking the Amazonian canopy, seeing rare and exotic birds, or photography from our hides, swimming at the cascading waterfalls / Amazonian rivers with a picnic lunch, or selecting one of our Ecuadorian cultural tours.  We offer something for everyone!

~ 2 BRAND NEW LODGES NOW OPEN AT SAN JORGE ~

Grand Opening! San Jorge de Guacamayos NEW Eco-Lodge has opened in late 2022. San Jorge de Guacamayos Bird Paradise Reserve, located in the Sub-tropical Cloud Forest on the East Andes Slope offers 6 spacious rooms, a large open-air restaurant with vast mountain views, a spacious observation deck overlooking the canopy with a network of trails.  Its Solar panel system provides the electricity for the complex.  The nature reserve is surrounded by Antisana National Park, Sumaco NP, Napo Galeras NP and Cayambe Coca NP making it the largest and most protected natural area in Ecuador. San Jorge de Guacayamos Bird Paradise Reserves offers hundreds and hundreds of bird species, many rare and uncommon, plus, its own Cock of the Rock Lek, colorful butterflies, possible Spectacled bears, Tapirs, Pumas, Tyra’s, deer and Jaguar, including numerous wild orchids, plants and flowers. Our new San Jorge de Guacamayos Eco-Lodge is now open and included with all of our East Andes tour schedules.

San Jorge de Guacamayos Eco-Lodge

San Jorge de Guacmayos new restaurant with observation decks (photo by Jorge Luis Cruz Alcivar)

Grand Opening! San Jorge de Sumaco Bajo NEW Eco-Lodge has opened in March, 2023!  San Jorge de Sumaco Bajo Bird Sanctuary is located on 400 acres in the Tropical Amazonian Rainforest and is new to our collection of private reserves in Ecuador. It’s aquatic lodge overlooks our Lagoon, with gorgeous spacious rooms with balconies, high vaulted ceilings and large windows for viewing wildlife from your room, all with stunning views overlooking the water. The upcoming new open-air restaurant will be situated on an Island in the middle of the lagoon with 360-degree views, the second floor offers an open-air bar with observations deck, and the third floor is a spacious covered tower situated 65-foot high over the water, overlooking the Amazonian canopy, and offers a large amount of new birds and wildlife.

This private reserve is a paradise for birdwatchers, photographers and nature lovers.  You will enjoy a variety of walking trails, hundreds of tropical birds, streams, river swimming, 8 Manikin Leks, 12 species of Parrots, 4 Macaw species, along with a 60-foot-high spacious observation tower which overlooks the Amazonian canopy and is perfect for birdwatching and photography.
Our new San Jorge de Sumaco Bajo Eco-Lodge is now open and included in all East Andes tours.

Aquatic Lodging at San Jorge de Sumaco Bajo Lodge (photographed by George Cruz)

 

Hummingbirds at San Jorge Reserves

Photo credit by Jan Petra

San Jorge Eco-Lodges is a licensed Quito Tour Operator and offers the following pre-scheduled tours:
	Birdwatching Tours, Senior Birdwatching Tours, Hummingbird Tours Bird & Wildlife Photography Tours, Hummingbird Photography Nature Tours & Cultural Tours
Contact Us VIDEO_San Jorge Eco-Lodges & Botanical Reserves Ecuador

San Jorge de Tandayapa Hummingbird Sanctuary & Lodge	San Jorge de Milpe Orchid & Bird Reserve & Lodges
San Jorge Eco-Lodge & Botanical Reserve/Quito

Magic Birding Circuit Tours: Ecuador Birdwatching Tours - All-inclusive pre-scheduled birdwatching tours are offered throughout the year, ranging from 8 thru 20 days. Travel through The Magic Circuit and visit all the climate steps of the world on the most diverse tours in Ecuador.  

Magic Bird & Wildlife Photo Tours:  Ecuador Photography Tours – All-inclusive pre-scheduled bird & nature photo tours in Ecuador, ranging from 8 thru 20 days. 1600 bird species & 100 Hummingbird species. Hummingbird/Tanager/Toucan feeders, butterflies, wild orchids, gorgeous scenery.  3 large Observation Photo Towers; Canopy Islands Observation Decks, Hides, pristine trails.  Superb photo options. Travel through The Magic Circuit and visit all the climate steps of the world on the most diverse tours in Ecuador.

Nature Tours: Ecuador Eco-Tours - Ecuador Eco-Adventures - All-inclusive pre-scheduled tours for nature lovers ranging from 8 to 12 days throughout the East & West Andes Slope, Cloud Forests & Tropical Amazonian Rainforest. Travel through The Magic Circuit and visit all the climate steps of the world on the most diverse tours in Ecuador.

San Jorge Eco-Lodge & Botanical Reserve/Quito, an 18th Century Spanish Hacienda located in the Pichincha Foothills in the Andes Highlands on 230 acres of untouched, protected land. It preserves the wild and natural habitat of the many endemic plants, mammals, and over 90 different highland species of birds which are native only to the Andes region. We are the only private reserve near Quito, yet a world away from the busy city to provide guests with peace and tranquility. Start birding and enjoy nature as soon as you arrive to Quito! Enjoy Birdwatching, Photography, Hiking the Last Incan Emperor’s Trails, Medicinal plants & sacred waterfalls, Ecuadorian Cooking Classes. Join us for delicious food, Andes music, comfortable rooms, private baths, and lovely gardens. Photo Center with Hummingbird feeders designed just for bird photography. Moderate Wi-Fi is offered in the upper level rooms and lower courtyard. A wonderful natural environment awaits you. Explore our beautiful gardens within a comfortable Eco-Resort environment. Relax at our festive El Cucayco Restaurant that serves delicious Ecuadorian and international cuisine, and overlooks the valley of Quito.

San Jorge de Tandayapa Hummingbird Sanctuary & Lodge San Jorge de Tandayapa Hummingbird Sanctuary & Lodge is located in the Cloud Forest on 150 acres of prime birding.  A gorgeous mountain top lodge in Tandayapa Valley with pristine birding and hiking trails, beautiful open-air Hummingbird Restaurant with observations decks overlooking spectacular Cloud Forest views, natural active Hummingbird & Tanager feeders, wild orchids in their natural habitat, pristine trails, running rivers and ponds,  Accommodations include rooms with private baths, and optional upgraded spacious vaulted ceiling rooms with balconies/patio/best views. Located just one hour from San Jorge Eco-Lodge/Quito, it is part of the Choco Bird Area of N.W. Ecuador where as many as 500 species live, offering superb photography options as well.

San Jorge de Milpe Orchid & Bird Reserve has 2 Lodges on this reserve, located in the Upper Tropical Rainforest on 260 acres of prime property. Enjoy spectacular rainforest scenery, superb birdwatching and a network of hiking trails with running rivers, 11 waterfalls, over 500 species of tropical birds, butterflies, wild orchids in their natural habitat, and a wide array of tropical flora and fauna. San Jorge’s Observatory Hill is unique with four species of parrots including the Rose Faced Parrot, four species of Toucans, including a huge number of Tanagers and many more! Great birding & photography from the 45-foot high spacious Observation Tower overlooking the canopy.  San Jorge de Milpe Orchid & Bird Reserve has the comfort and rustic elegance of a rainforest lodge, making it the ideal retreat for birdwatchers, photographers, and nature lovers alike. 

Banded-ground Cuckoo at San Jorge Milpe Reserve

Rustic Bungalows Rooms at San Jorge de Milpe Forest Lodge

San Jorge Forest Lodge offers spacious rustic Bungalow Rooms inside the Rainforest with – 2 queen beds, private bath, large windows, hammocks.  Optional upgraded rooms are available with Balcony. Our spacious open-air restaurant and observation decks offers natural Hummingbird & Tanager & Toucan feeders, a forest surrounded by birds and a 45-foot high covered tower & observation deck - all canopy.

Ecuador Bird Lodge

San Jorge Cliff Lodge (Scientific Research Center) offers double rooms –2 twin beds and private bath, open air restaurant, observation decks,  Hummingbird feeders, pristine trails, butterflies and wild orchids. Wi-fi is not available at this remote location of the reserve

San Jorge de Cosanga-Yanayacu Wildlife & Bird Reserve - Eastern Andes Slope, is in the Highland Cloud Forest adjoining Antisana National Park. This reserve is yet another birdwatcher's paradise within the Subtropical Eastern Slopes of the Andes offering a wealth of new birds.

San Jorge de Estero Hondo Botanical Reserve is a private tropical reserve located in the Pacific lowlands of Ecuador in a transitional zone between the semi-humid and dry tropical forests of the now endangered Tumbesian Endemic Corridor. Estero Hondo is a paradise of 300 possible bird species with mantled howlers, white-fronted capuchin monkeys, peccaries, jaguarondi’s, ocelots and tamandua anteaters.

Chestnut-eared Aracari

San Jorge de Sumaco Bajo Reserve (Rio Tutapishco)   Tropical Amazonian Rainforest, a private tropical reserve situated on 400 acres. A magnificent pristine prehistoric forest surrounded by several protected areas including the enormous Sumaco - Galeras National Park. Up to 550 bird species are presently inventoried with an amazing collection of wild creatures and is situated in one of the most diverse climate steps in Ecuador. This new reserve offers beautiful crystal rivers, several streams and springs, providing a multitude of options for natural history, birdwatching and bird/ wildlife photography.

San Jorge de Guacamayos Bird Paradise  - Eastern Sub-Cloud Forest, located in the Epicenter of the Christmas Bird Count World Record area of 540 species in 1 day! Surrounded by Antisana National Park, Sumaco NP, Napo Galeras NP and Cayambe Coca National Park making it the largest and most protected natural areas in Ecuador. This wonderful property has amazing natural resources and magnificent panorama views. San Jorge de Guacayamos Bird Paradise offers hundreds and hundreds of bird species (many rare & common) an array of butterfly species, many wild orchids and medicinal plants.  It has its own Ecuador Cock of the Rock Lek close by, plus a large variety of mammals such as Spectacled bears, Tapirs, Pumas, Tyra's, deer and Jaguar, including a wide variety of wild orchids and plant species.

San Jorge offers the best options for Birdwatching, Bird & Wildlife Photography,  Ecuador Bird Lodges,
Ecuador Nature Tours, Cultural & Cultural Tours. 

MAGIC BIRDING CIRCUIT TOURS

MAGIC BIRD & WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY TOURS

MAGIC ECO-TOURS FOR NATURE LOVERS  

CLICK TO ENLARGE Magic Birding & Photography Circuit Map

THE MAGIC BIRDING & PHOTOGRAPHY CIRCUIT owns & operates 8 Private Bird Reserves & 6 Eco-Lodges in Ecuador SAN JORGE eco-lodge & botanical reserve/quito  KM 4 VÍA ANTIGUA A NONO (CONT. CALLE MACHALA) andes highlands/high barren plains/highland rainforest Altitude: 3,000 - 3,100 m  (9,580 - 10,500 ft. o.s.l.) SAN JORGE DE TANDAYAPA hummingbird sanctuary & lodge cloud forest KM 3,5 PARTIDERO ANTIGUO A TANDAYAPA altitude:  1,700 m.  (5,600 ft. o.s.l.) SAN JORGE DE MILPE BIRD & orchid reserve San Jorge forest lodge & san jorge Cliff lodge  upper tropical rainforest KM 3,7 CAMINO A MILPE altitude: 900 m.  (3,000 ft. o.s.l.) san jorge de sumaco BAJO bird reserve & Lodge Tropical Amazonian Rainforest altitude:  500 m.  (1,600 ft. o.s.l.) SAN JORGE DE GUACAMAYOS BIRD PARADISe & LODGE East Andes Sub-tropical Cloud Forest Altitude: (4,200 ft.  5,100 ft. O.S.L.) SAN JORGE DE COSANGA - YANAYACU WILDLIFE & BIRD RESERVEs andes highland cloud forest KM3,6 CAMINO A LAS CAUCHERAS altitude: 2,500 m. (8,000 ft. o.s.l.) SAN JORGE DE ESTERO HONDO botanical reserve PACIFIC COASTal LOWLANDS altitude:  200 m.  (600 ft. o.s.l.)

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Cheryl Korowotny
International Director
The Magic Birding & Photography Circuit
SAN JORGE ECO-LODGES & BOTANICAL RESERVES
Located in Quito-Tandayapa-Milpe-Guacamayos-Sumaco Bajo-Cosanga-Yanayacu-Estero Hondo
Ecuador – South America

Email: birdwatching@eco-lodgesanjorge.com
(877) 565-2596 Toll Free USA & Canada.

SanJ Jorge has been awarded the Trip Advisor Certificates of Excellence Awards for the past
12 consecutive years