Ecuador

 

San Jorge Vistor Comments

We also especially want to convey our deep appreciation to you both for your most gracious hospitality during our entire stay and especially for the honor and pleasure of inviting us to your home to share dinner with your family. You made our last night in Quito a special occasion that we will always remember. We thoroughly enjoyed talking with your mother and father. What interesting, enjoyable people, with so many wonderful stories to share! And Jorge father's music was a delight. It was also a treat to see Jorge, Jr. again and to hear Gabriella tell us about what she has been doing. They are such fine young people, and you can be very proud of them. Truly, we cannot think you enough for all you have done to make our time in Ecuador so pleasant and enjoyable. We feel so comfortable and at home there now, and look forward to returning soon to share with friends and family what we have come to appreciate so much. Until then, please accept our deepest gratitude and best wishes. And, if you or anyone in your family should come to North Carolina, we would delighted to have you visit and stay with us.
Alexander F. Motten, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of the Practice of Biology, Department of Biology, Duke University,

San Jorge de Tandayapa is fabulous, San Jorge de Milpe is Magical, San Jorge de Quito is lovely.
Birdwatching in the Magic Birding Circuit was EXCELLENT, very thought, many good news of many good birds.
Wonderful guidance by George, the owner. Food was good, accomodations were delightful, very comfortable, in beautiful settings, with birds outside the windows Can´t ask for more.
We could have used more free time in Quito and in Milpe, but I wouldn´t have missed a thing.
Maybe Connecticut Audubon could schedule more time or maybe we could come back for a longer stay.
Nancy Finlay, Connecticut Audubon Society,USA

The Magic Birding Circuit, including San Jorge de Tandayapa, San Jorge de Milpe and San Jorge Ecolodge in Quito was MAGICAL!!! Yes, totally BEAUTIFUL, friendly and full of excellent nature and birding.
In the birdwatching and hiking tours, George Cruz, the guide was EXCELLENT, sensitive, warm and very knowledgeable. Transportation was good and comfortable. Food was delicious and native which I enjoyed.
Lodging, hotel and services were all very good. Everyone was very helpful and professional and always gracious!!
Thank you very much!!!
Mary Jean Sodlad, Bennington, VT USA

You are doing great !! , we really enjoyed our stay. In Quito Ecolodge Reserve we do a self guided hikes to waterfalls and high altitude ( above tree line) The property is beautiful , specially with its proximity to Quito. Its like a little OASIS. Jorge is an excellent birding guide . Enthusiastic and professional . he really enjoys birding- and it shows. His wife was friendly and helpful. The MAGIC BIRDING CIRCUIT , the San Jorge Tandayapa Road and San Jorge de Tandayapa Reserve provides some of the best birding in the world.!! This is a good tour for bird enthusiasts. San Jorge Ecolodge Botanical Reserve tour in Quito, I see this like a gold of mine for soft core nature lovers. A little more self guided with shorter tour opportunities.
Biggest market will be baley boomers with high disposable income. This area could really capture that range.
Andrew Promaine
Georgia Bay Islands National Park, Canada, Head Biologist

Even though I have had the privilege of birding in Ecuador three times prior to this trip, I was really excited about the prospects of seeing some new species. Our base, the main lodge, San Jorge Eco-Lodge de quito, a High Barrren Plains/Highland Rainforest, only a 15 minute drive from historical downtown Quito, situated in a prime montane setting, offering comfortable accommodations, excellent cuisine, great birding with numerous hummingbird species at the feeders, and it is strategically located, allowing easy access to many other famous birding hot spots. Taking advantage of each day, rain or shine, we were in for a jam-packed week with Jorge , the owner of San Jorge Ecolodges , our expert guide, and viewing new species daily.

On the first day, 3:30AM, my first life bird was a Rufous-banded Owl calling, then appearing as if by magic on a nearby branch in an open area near the lobby. Late afternoon birding was at the San Jorge de Milpe Orchid & Bird Reserve, a Subtropical Rainforest. Birding the trails at Milpe for two days was very productive. Maroon-tailed Parakeets, Rose-faced and Bronze-winged Parrots, 15 species of hummingbirds, Choco Toucan, Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, several Euphonias, 25 species of Tanagers, including Mountain-Tanagers to name a few.

We left the San Jorge de Quito after an early breakfast to reach the Papallacta Pass and Cuyuja, High Barren Plains and Highland Amazon Tropical Rainforest early for the prime birding time. After exploring the San Jorge de Cosanga-Yanayuca Bird & Wildlife Reserve in the Andean Cloud Forest, we overnighted in Baeza at a simple, but comfortable and quiet hotel, after delicious meals at local restaurants. At precisely 5:30 AM, we saw the incredible Swallow-tailed Nightjar. White-throated Quail-Dove, Golden-headed Quetzal, Choco Trogon, several Aracaris and Toucans, Crimson-bellied Woodpecker (Rare), Cinclodes, Spinetails, Canasteros, Folliage-gleaners, Woodcreepers, Antwrens, Antbirds, Marbled-faced Bristle-Tyrant, Tyrannulets and Flycatchers, Golden-winged Manakin, Thrush-like Schiffornis, Turquoise and Inca Jays, Wrens, Warblers, Yellow-tufted Dacnis, Flowerpiercers, and many colorful Tanagers were some of the sightings.

Birding the Tandayapa Valley , along the Nono/Mindo Road ,the San Jorge Hummingbird Sanctuary and Lodge almost finished, we ticked off Red-billed and White-capped Parrots, another 18 species of hummers, a female Cock-of-the Rock flew into view, several wrens, Conebills, and new Flowerpiercers, more Tanagers especially Mountain-Tanagers, and Brush-finches.

We tallied over 300 species, plus 28 heard, and of course, 24 life birds for myself. All in all, a very satisfying trip, with no problems, and one that I would highly recommend. I am in the process of planning another such birding adventure, with some tweaking. I can hardly wait to return to Ecuador, and the lovely San Jorge Eco-Lodges. Truly an unforgettable experience to treasure.

Olga Clarke, Travel Director
LOS ANGELES AUDUBON SOCIETY