Student  Cultural & Nature  Group Adventures
& The Magic Birding & Hiking Circuit.

San Jorge  Eco- adventures

Our 18th century Ecuadorian eco-lodge with its own 200 acre botanical reserve will be your primary base for your visit. Our tours offer practical education on ecology, botany, ornithology, conservation, shamanism and culture as well as adventure and service days. We also offer student cultural programs, working will local students, painting a schoolhouse for example.

Our Student Groups Options SAN JORGE ECO-LODGE & BOTANICAL RESERVE in Quito is located 17 minutes from Quito Airport in the Pichincha Foothills. We are the only private reserve and eco-resort located near the capital city and offer airport transfers 24/7. Ecology Botany Shamanism ConservationCultureAdventure Galapagos IslandsTOUR LEADERS INCENTIVES!Conservation at San Jorge Contatct Us

San Jorge hosts a barbeque fiesta with students from a local school and you can even work at a local Ecuadorian mud brick factory to see how the houses are built in the highland mountains. Accommodations include student dormitories with shared baths. Enjoy our swimming pool, sauna, Turkish Bath, and Jacuzzi, along with other amenities such as game room, lounge, and museum. Explore our vast gardens and exotic birds, within a comfortable Eco-lodge environment. Here’s what we offer:

Ecological expeditions. San Jorge  Quito.

See more photos of Birding Student  Cultural & Nature  Group Adventures...

Ecology ● Botany ● Shamanism

Medicinal Plant & Sacred Waterfalls Expedition: San Jorge Botanical Reserve (High Barren Plains, Highland Rainforest & Paramo). Trek to the tropical rain forest, visiting up to 5 sacred waterfalls. Learn about the medicinal attributes and usage of up to 250 varieties of native plants in their raw state. We will also identify birds along the way, where 130 species make their home. At the same time you will take in the fabulous panoramic views of Quito, its valleys and mountains along with views of the volcano peaks of Cayambe, Antizana, Pasochoa, Pululahua, Pichincha and Illalo. We can observe 11 mountains from various points of San Jorge Botanical Reserve. Lunch by the waterfalls.

Shamanism Practices: Spend the evening at San Jorge with a touch of authentic Indian culture and Shaman practices. Relieve illness and stress with ancient Andean treatments prepared by a real Indian doctor. Herbs, tobacco, cologne and eggs are the main ingredients used for your treatment. Enjoy a question and answer session for an incredible, unique experience. Two students will be selected from the group for a “cleansing”.

Botany at San Jorge de Milpe Reserve: (Primary Subtropical Rain Forest) Trek on great jungle trails inside a natural paradise, observing a variety of birds along the way. This is considered a bird watching paradise, of about 450 species. Guided hiking/exploring/scientific studies; majestic waterfalls, swimming in the Subtropical Rainforest; wild surroundings, tropical plants/flowers/orchids/wildlife. Bring along swim suit and water shoes.

Real Tradicional  Experiences

Conservation

Conservation at San Jorge de Tandayapa Reserve: (Cloud Forest) A wonderful eco-day with hands-on projects of planting native trees/plants and helping to maintain trails, including a guided hike through the network of trails in the Cloud Forest. Nature expedition with botanical identification. Picnic lunch at our bungalow; relax in hammocks, enjoy the panoramic views, birds and other wildlife.

Service Days

Option #1: Paint a Schoolhouse. Lend a hand working with local students to give their school a fresh coat of paint. When we’re finished, we will enjoy a picnic lunch with the Ecuadorian students in the afternoon.
Option #2: Experience a common work day in Ecuador today. Students will work at a traditional mud brick factory, owned by an Ecuadorian family who will teach them how to make mud bricks. Bilingual explanations will be given throughout the process. Afterwards, enjoy a typical Ecuadorian lunch of beans, cheeses, sauces, potatoes and chichi prepared by the Family.
Option #3: San Jorge will host a BBQ, inviting local students, giving us a chance to interact and enjoy live Andean music and traditional fare

Clothes Drive Assistance.

Volunteers wanted: We are currently accepting applications for volunteers and student internships. To apply, submit a resume and cover letter via email. (link)

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.

Culture

San Jorge Native Cultural Tours.

The Last Incan Emperor's Trail at San Jorge Botanical Reserve: Experience the ancient wonder of the Andes Mountains, trekking, hiking, biking, or horseback riding The Last Incan Emperor's Trails. Travel back through the ages as you enjoy the ecological miracle of the Ecuadorian countryside. Follow in the footsteps of the ancient Incas, hiking roads and footpaths carved out of the mountainside as long as 5000 years ago.

Old Colonial Quito City Tour & Middle of the World: 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 on 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 to visit Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World). While this imaginary line passes through many nations on Earth, the “Republic of Ecuador” is the only one that bears its name.

Otavalo Indian Market & Surrounding Villages: Visit the world famous Otavalo Indian Market. We 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.

Adventure

Cotopaxi Volcano: Cotopaxi National Park is Ecuador’s oldest protected area, harboring the world’s highest active volcano Cotopaxi, which stands 5,887 meters high. All around the beautiful snow-capped peak one can explore the high-altitude moorlands and learn about their great biodiversity. When in Cotopaxi National Park, we will visit Limpiopungo Lake and for light hiking around the area, taking in breathtaking sights of the refuge at 4500 meters above sea level.

San Jorge Mountain Biking  full adventure tours.

Horseback Riding 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 travel The Last Incan Emperor’s Trails and ride up to the High Barren Plains (4700m osl). Includes a picnic lunch overlooking the Andes Mountains. Exceptional photography opportunities abound. Meals

Galapagos Islands

Best Prices for Galapagos Tours.

Galapagos Islands Cruise (link) for 3, 4 or 7 night sailings, including airfare from Quito. Select from Superior Tourist and First Class yachts.

For prices - Send us your travel dates – month/year and how many students and tour leaders are traveling in your group. (email link)

Note: Travel insurance is mandatory for student groups. Link to Travel insurance.

Be sure to ask us about course accreditation.

 

TOUR LEADERS- FREE INCENTIVE PROGRAM!

For each group of 10 attendees or more, 1 tour leader will receive complimentary accommodations at San Jorge Eco-Lodge & Botanical Reserve. For each group of 16, one tour leader will receive a complimentary Galapagos Cruise & Airfare.
Quick Facts About Ecuador

Conservation & Preservation at San Jorge Botanical Reserve

San Jorge is dedicated to restoring and preserving the wild & natural habitat of Ecuador, by increasing awareness of environmental conservation issues through ongoing education and hands-on projects. Working in cooperation with school groups and volunteers, San Jorge provides opportunities for Scientific & Cultural studies, educating students and tourists alike.

San Jorge's Botanical Reserves consists of over 485 hectares of untouched, protected land, preserving the habitat of the many indigenous plants, animals and over 800 species of birds, native to four eco-systems throughout Ecuador. This includes very rare species such as the Greater Scythebill and Andean Condor; endangered and scarce species such as the Rufous Antpitta, Orange Breasted Falcon, and Glistening Green Tanager.

San Jorge Conservation  Volunteer Projects

We are also continuously working to preserve and cultivate many plants and botanicals including over 250 medicinal varieties, many of which contain ingredients vital to the world's pharmaceutical industry. Over 3000 new trees have been planted in the two past years, in an ongoing effort to replenish Ecuador's San Jorge's natural reserves. By employing and training local farm workers, we are assisting and supporting the local residents, while also teaching them the many benefits of practicing healthy eco-tourism and conservation. We have even established a clothing drive for the children and families in the vicinity of San Jorge. Eco-Tourism has become the most effective way to promote rainforest conservation and awareness of environmental issues, and the conservation skills learned at San Jorge can and will be passed on from generation to generation. It is very important to us at San Jorge to give back to the community, making our future leaders more responsible and sensible regarding our environment, health, and lives.

Each year we continuously strive to give back to our native country, with our major efforts concentrated in preserving the land by protecting it, replanting areas that have been destroyed, and reinvesting into the future of Ecuador. By providing bird watching tours; and hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding expeditions at our reserves and surrounding areas, we hope to raise global consciousness of the need for stronger conservation efforts in the Andes and Amazon regions
History of San Jorge

Around the 18th Century, Pedro Vincente Maldonado, an Ecuadorian Scientist, improved the pre-Incan road that crosses the San Jorge Reserve. Once repaired, the road was traveled by French scientists LaCondaime, Godin and Bougeur to measure the Middle of the World, now marked by a large monument in Cala Cali. San Jorge, once known as Singuna Farm, was then owned by General Flavio Alfaro and illustrious 19th Century President Eloy Alfaro, leader of the Liberal Revolution in 1912 and originator of the 'Panama Hat'.