Ecuador has an amazing variety of bird-life. With over 1600 species of birds and more than 20% the world’s population, Ecuador offers more bird diversity in less space than any other country in the world. A diverse array of flora, fauna, climate regions and hundreds of beautiful species await you!

Experience bird watching in four different eco-systems in Ecuador: high barren plains of the paramo, highland rainforest, cloud forest and subtropical rainforest. You’ll begin your birding adventure as soon as you arrive in Ecuador with a stay at San Jorge Eco-Lodge & Botanical Reserve. This is traditional 18th century Spanish hosteria and situated among 200 acres of native flora and fauna, just 17 minutes from Quito airport.  San Jorge Botanical Reserve provides the perfect opportunity to combine nature, culture and birding at its best.

This tour will take you through San Jorge Botanical Reserve (high barren plains and highland rain forest), San Jorge de Tandayapa Hummingbird Reserve (cloud forest) San Jorge de Cosanga-Yanayacu Bird & Wildlife Reserve (cloud forest) and San Jorge de Milpe Bird Reserve (subtropical rain forest)  known for its majestic waterfalls and swimming holes. Kept in their rich, natural state, all of these exclusive reserves offer the chance to fully immerse your self in all that is Ecuador.

Here you will find a comfortable and relaxing eco-resort atmosphere with exotic gardens and courtyards in a peaceful, rustic mountain setting. Each guest room features traditional décor, central heat, fresh flower arrangements and a private bath with hot shower. The facility has an outdoor tempered swimming pool, sauna, Turkish bath and Jacuzzi, game rooms, conference rooms, and offers airport transfers 24/7. Room categories are deluxe or standard with accommodations for up to 70 guests. Some deluxe rooms offer a balcony with a view. The colorful El Cucayco Restaurant, overlooking the valley of Quito, features fine features fine Ecuadorian and international cuisine.

Magic Birding Itinerary:

Day 1 - Airport transfer from Quito Airport to San Jorge Eco-Lodge; overnight San Jorge/Quito

Day 2 – Birding San Jorge Botanical Reserve (Cloud Forest); Overnight San Jorge/Quito.
In the San Jorge Botanical Reserve we will have the opportunity to see the Rufous Antpitta, Hooded Siskin, Black Flowerpiercer, Variable Hawk, Crimson-mantled Woodpecker (endangered) and hummingbirds such as the Purple-backed Thornbill, Golden-breasted Puffleg, and Rainbow-bearded Thornbill. These are just a few of over 130 bird species found in this paradise. While walking through the gardens of San Jorge you will also find a wide variety of hummingbirds at their feeders including the Western Emerald, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Tyrian Metaltail, White-bellied Woodstar, Sparkling Violetear, Shining Sunbeam, Sapphire-vented Puffleg, Black-tailed Trainbearer, Mountain Velvetbreast, Green-tailed Trainbearer, and the Great Sapphirewing. (B,L,D)

Day 3 - Birding San Jorge de Tandayapa Hummingbird Reserve, Lower Valley (Cloud Forest), overnight San Jorge/Milpe (B,L,D)
Take inpanoramic views, wild surroundings, tropical plants/flowers (40 species of orchids!) and exotic wildlife while visiting Tandayapa. The bungalow deck with hammocks is set up for relaxing at lunchtime (pictured at left). You may spot up to 15 varieties of Hummingbirds, Tanager flocks including the Grass-green Tanager and Blue-winged Mountain-tanager, Toucan Barbet, Crimson-rumped Toucanet, as well as the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock.

Days 4 & 5 – Birding San Jorge de Milpe Orchid & Bird Reserve (Subtropical Rainforest), overnight San Jorge/Milpe (B,L,D)
Enjoy the pristine beauty at the new birding lodge at San Jorge de Milpe Reserve. You’ll have a panoramic view, bird watching from your room, beautiful birding trails, cascading waterfalls, running rivers, observatory sites and observation deck, and hammocks for relaxing. Birding through relatively untouched temperate and subtropical forest, we will look for the 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 Tanager, Black-capped Tanager, Blue-gray Tanager, White-lined Tanager, Palm Tanager, Swallow Tanager, Flame-faced Tanager, Rufous-throated Tanager, Silver-throated Tanager, Blue-necked Tanager, Lemon-rumped Tanager, Golden Tanager, Thick billed Euphonia, Buff-throated Saltator, Black-winged Saltator, Blue-black Grassquit, Yellow-bellied Seedeater, Pale-mandibled Aracari, Squirrel Cuckoo, Roadside Hawk, Toucan Barbet , Laughing Falcon, Gray-headed Kite, Black-cheeked Woodpecker, White-winged Tanager, Moss-backed Tanager, Ochre-breasted Tanager, Tropical Gnatcatcher, Band-backed Wren, Black-striped Sparrow, Broad-billed Motmot, Rufous Motmot, Barred Hawk, Broad-winged Hawk, Long-tailed Antbird, Buff-rumped Warbler, Boat-billed Flycatcher, Rufous-winged Tyrannulet, Golden-olive Woodpecker. Hummingbird species include the White-whiskered Hermit, Stripe-throated Hermit, Tooth-bellied Hummingbird, White-necked Jacobin, Green Thorntail, Violet-bellied Hummingbird, Purple-chested Hummingbird, Purple-bibbed Whitetip, Empress Brilliant, Velvet-purple Coronet, Purple-crowned Fairy, and Purple-throated Woodstar.

Day 6 – Birding Upper Tandayapa Valley & world famous Nono-Mindo Road. Overnight at San Jorge/Quito (B,L,D)
As the elevation decreases the bird diversity increases and the chances of seeing the Plate-billed Mountain-toucan and Toucan Barbet as well as a number of gaudy Tanagers (including the Grass-green, Blue-and-black, and Blue-winged Mountain varieties) are high.  A network of trails lead us into the Cloud Forest where a wonderful variety of Choco-endemic species can be spotted, including the Sunbittern, Barred Puffbird, Barred Hawk, Red-headed Barbet, Pale-mandibled Aracari, Choco Toucan, Black-capped Pygmy-tyrant, Tawny-breasted Flycatcher, Olive-crowned Yellowthroat, and Yellow-throated Bush-tanager. You will also find cloud forest birds similar to those from San Jorge de Tandayapa Hummingbird Reserve.

Day 7 – AM Transfer to Quito Airport or downtown location (B)