WALKING IN nature
DREAMED NATURE SOFT ADVENTURES (WALKING)
Welcome to the most biodiverse country in the world!
WALKING + historical city tour+ indian markets+ food ancient markets+ chocolate and native cooking lessons+ traditional villages+water falls and water ponds,+turquoise color rivers, lakes, streams+ hummingbird and bird watching+ wildlife photography + orchids and butterfly observation +shamanic cleasings+live native music+ fishing+ river gold washing, delicious national gourmet food and tipical cocktails!
SOFT ADVENTURES FOR NATURE LOVERS, BICYCLERS, and WALKERS for all ages.
Imagine that you will enjoy almost every climate region in a short distance and period! Ecuador is considered an Ecological Miracle.
Being no bigger than Colorado State, it is the most mega-diversity country in the world per area. This gorgeous country is home to all different habitats, actually all the habitats around the earth’s globe. This compressed extreme biodiversity happens because of its perfect geographic location: it is located at the Equator line, at the heart of the Tropical zone, and is crossed from North to South by the very vertical Andes chain structure. This verticality permits the presence of every possible climate step found in this world, with enormous biodiversity and microhabitats according to the altitude.
Our private forest preserves are located in excellent natural hot spots. The Northwestern Part of the country, part of the Choco Corridor, has never had forests destroyed by the ice ages. This explains the enormous and beautiful natural variation of vascular plants, butterflies, orchids, birds, hummingbirds, moths, insects, and mammals according to a different altitude location in very short distances!
Each private forest has its own creature inventories and natural resources depending on its altitude. It is never boring; there is always something new to discover. The idea of visiting eight different countries is real during your visit to San Jorge Ecolodges of Ecuador.
The Magic Nature, Birding, and Photo Circuit of Ecuador offers San Jorge Eco Lodges and Botanical Reserves. These private, pristine forests are located in the best natural preserved areas, with dozens of excellent maintained trails that connect different untouched vegetation, rivers, lakes, waterfalls, and natural curiosities. They are all private and exclusive for our guests. Our lodges are rustic de luxe, created in our botanical preserves. They are beautiful architectural creations or century-old historical restorations. They are sustainable and respectful of the environment, culture, and nature!
ENJOY AN UNFORGETTABLE NATURAL CULTURAL EXPERIENCE WITH THE FIRST HOTEL-TOURISM NETWORK IN THE WORLD SPECIALIZED IN NATURE-CULTURAL ADVENTURES, BIRDWATCHING AND WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY.
Diagram for Scheduled Tours(Walking)
Total 22 Days
Choose any of this dates for your dreamed tour or ask information for private or tailor made tours
Chapter 1 : Andes Range(8 Days)
Bicycling- Walking tours plus nature and culture for all ages!
Ecuador Nature Adventures
Day 1
Transfer from the airport to San Jorge Eco-Lodge & Botanical Reserve/Quito. Welcome and Lodging
Day 2: SUNDAY
Walking old Colonial Quito City Tour.
First Unesco city called Human Patrimony in Latin America. Lunch at the old town. Visit the afternoon of the equator line original monument or museum.
Overnight San Jorge Quito Eco-Lodge, includes 3 meals
Day 3
Camping in the Andes ! Pichincha foothills Volcanoe. The most beautiful private land in Quito surroundings. Gorgeous vistas from Pichincha volcanoe, the Volcanoes avenue,the Equator line archeological site, Quito City , Ilalo mountain home of the first quitenians dated 10,000 years BC !
Birdwatching, Hummingbird, and Andean orchid observation at San Jorge Gardens
Walking adventure at San Jorge Eco-Lodge Quito to the Sacred Waterfall, inter-Andean forest, Volcanic walls, Volcanoes Avenue observatory, walking by the Yumbo pre-Inca trail, and Andean crops.
Ancestral medicine plant explanation during the walk. Hummingbird and birding tour around the property. Built Camp with tents at the Volcanoes Avenue sightseers. Includes 3 meals
DAY 4
From the Camping Area, after a delicious breakfast, we will explore walking the Nono Alto pass, an ancient archeological platform at Pichincha Volcano visiting the breathtaking Andes mountains, and valleys sightseeing, Beautiful hilly Andes cattle haciendas, and potato crops. Box lunch, and return to the Lodge in the afternoon.
DAY 5
Drive to Otavalo Indian Market, visiting San Pablo Lake and Imbabura Volcanoe, walking around the spectacular Cuicocha Volcano Lake.
Return to San Jorge de Quito Eco Lodge. The most attractive antropological meeting with local culture. The perfect combination for shopping local handcrafts and enjoy the wonders of nature.
DAY 6
Morning walking to visit the Botanical garden at Quito to observe orquids and native flowers and an authenthic indian food market
Afternoon cooking lessons. Let’s make some empanadas de viento y de pollo to ejoy a cinnamon or diverse aromatic plants warm cup with our delicious native cinnamon leaves!
Locro de queso and other great native dishes!
Or according to climate conditions
Walking at Cotopaxi National Park or Antisana National Park . Observe one of the highest active volcano in the world. Time to see the magnificent condors, aquatic wild birds and mustangs. Includes 3 meals.
Overnight San Jorge Quito Eco-Lodge.
DAY 7
Walking Papallacta Pass High Barren Plain from Filocorrales summit to the Papallacta Hot Springs at Cayambe Coca National Park. in the East Andes Range. Swimming in this great hot natural springs.
stop at The Chaquinan trail located in the heart of the Dry Agricultural Area, a special phenomena habitat between the Andes chain. Return to San Jorge Quito, includes 3 meals. The environmental changes are considered a real miracle. Complete diferent habitats will be feel in extreme short periods of time.
Delicious night parrillada at our BBQ center! Overnight San Jorge de Quito
DAY 8
Continue the tour to the West interior – Choco Corridor – a mega-diverse zone never destroyed by the ice ages. Or, transfer to Quito Airport.
CHAPTER TWO : NORTHWESTERN ECUADOR
The Amazing Ecuadorian Chocó Corridor! A Full-Adventure, Indiana Jones-Style Experience for All Ages!
Welcome to the Chocó Corridor, an ecological paradise untouched by the ice ages, teeming with thousands of plant species, orchids, birds, butterflies, and diverse mammals. Recognized as one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth, this spectacular area offers an immersive experience in nature with an astonishing variety of climates and ecosystems—from the highland páramo and Andean valleys to cloud forests and tropical forests. This is a journey like no other, where you’ll witness the unique beauty of each ecosystem.
Conveniently located on the edge of Quito, San Jorge de Quito Lodge and Reserve is the gateway to this extraordinary region, offering you access to thrilling yet accessible adventures in all its lush environments. Here, you’ll find outstanding opportunities for hiking, and wildlife observation amid vibrant hummingbirds, orchids, butterflies, and exotic mammals. With our lodge as your base, you can explore the wonders of Northwestern Ecuador with ease.
Explore this unspoiled wilderness from our three eco-lodges nestled in native botanical reserves, each crafted with rustic luxury and offering exclusive, private access to pristine forests, rivers, waterfalls, and natural pools. Journey with us through these breathtaking landscapes, where Andean peaks, cloud forests, and tropical jungles meet. Our experienced and knowledgeable guides will ensure your safety and provide insightful information about the local flora and fauna.
Best Nature Tours in Ecuador
Day 8: Walking through Cloud Forests
After a delightful breakfast, we’ll embark on an unforgettable walking adventure along the Rundupamba-Alambi-Tandayapa forest road. This route is suitable with opportunities to stop and rest as needed. Passing through local villages and lush cloud forest “hotspots,” you’ll encounter vibrant birdlife, wild orchids, and butterflies as we descend toward San Jorge de Tandayapa Cloud Forest Eco-Lodge. Along the way, the transportation van will make several stops so you can enjoy walking different type of habitats while descending the Andes. Capture panoramic views and take in the sights and sounds of this lush environment.
Lodging: San Jorge Tandayapa Botanical Preserve.
Our lodge offers comfortable, eco-friendly accommodations with stunning views of the surrounding cloud forest. You’ll be able to relax and unwind in a peaceful, natural setting.
Day 9: Hummingbirds, Wild Orchids, and Nighttime Wonders
Start your morning with an unforgettable birdwatching session, where dozens of hummingbird species gather around our canopy feeders. After lunch , we’ll take a guided hike through the private cloud forest, learning about medicinal plants, spotting wild orchids, and observing quetzals, trogons, toucanets, toucans, and tanagers (depending on the season). This is not just a tour but a journey of learning and discovery. Walking around low trails and pond.
Lodging: San Jorge de Tandayapa
Day 10: Walking upper San Jorge de Tandayapa. (Choco Corridor Cloud Forest)
We’ll begin the day with another fantastic birdwatching and orchid-viewing session before taking on a scenic trail through the highlands around San Jorge, rise the Cliff at 6000 feet , in the heart of the cloud forest, and get inside a wonderufl forest trail that will take us the lost stream inside the pristine cloud forest. Join our cooking class in the afternoon to prepare Pan de Bono and Empanada de Verde, paired with local coffee.Late afternoon transport to San Jorge de Milpe Forest Lodge.
Lodging: San Jorge de Milpe Forest Lodge.
Day 11: Butterfly Photography and Cooking Class.
This morning, after breakfast, explore our butterfly gardens and learn about the fascinating diversity of local butterflies, birds, and hummingbird species. There are plenty of opportunities for close-up photography. In the afternoon, join a cooking class to prepare Ecuadorian dishes such as Bolones de Verde and Ceviche de Palmito, ending with a delicious passion fruit dessert. Gather by the moth screen at night to observe rare insects up close.
Lodging: San Jorge de Milpe Forest Lodge
Day 12: Waterfalls Adventure
Begin your day with a mesmerizing bird and orchid observation session before enjoying breakfast with panoramic views over the Chaguaryacu Valley. We’ll then embark on our thrilling private Waterfalls Adventure Tour, exploring several private trails leading to beautiful 12 waterfalls and natural pools in the heart of a untouched upper tropical forest. Enjoy a refreshing swim in turquoise waters and a riverside picnic before returning to the lodge.
Lodging: Cliff Lodge
Day 13: Walking and Fishing in Pachical River
Transport to the Pachijal secondary road. Gorgeous Walk to the biggest river around to go fishing, swim, and learn the ancestral technique of taking gold from the river.
Weather permitting, ending the day at our stunning San Jorge de Milpe Cliff Lodge. Exotic Wild orchids observation at huge tropical trees during afternoon. A night walk reveals owls, frogs, and nocturnal creatures in the forest that dates back to the Jurassic era.
Lodging: Cliff Lodge
Day 14: Tatala River adventure
Early Bird andToucans observation at the observatory and today’s adventure involves walking along our private trails at Tatala River turquoise pools for a refreshing swim. We’ll then enjoy a BBQ lunch on the river’s edge before we head back to Quito, stopping at the Equator Monument in Calacalí for photos and a historical explanation.
Lodging San Jorge de Quito.
In this multi-day journey, we have explored Ecuador’s extraordinary biodiversity—desert areas, farmland, highlands, cloud forests, and pristine tropical rainforests in Northwest Ecuador. Experience the adventure of a lifetime as you immerse yourself in ancient landscapes and natural beauty that have endured since the Jurassic Age!
Day 15: Return or Continue the Adventure
After breakfast, we’ll provide transportation to Quito’s airport, the city center, or onward to the San Jorge Guacamayos Eco-Lodge for those continuing their journey into the Amazon.
Let us guide you through these awe-inspiring landscapes with exciting, educational, and accessible adventures designed for explorers of all ages!
Amazonian Itinerary Highlights
Discover Ecuador’s Ecological Miracle: An Unforgettable Adventure Across Diverse Landscapes
Set against the stunning backdrop of the Amazon, Ecuador’s eastern region is a paradise for nature lovers and birdwatchers. With unparalleled geography, this country lets you explore an array of unique ecosystems on a single journey, offering some of the most exciting birdwatching opportunities in the world. Begin your adventure in the high Andean páramo, taking in breathtaking views of the snow-capped volcanoes, including Cotopaxi and Antisana—some of the highest active volcanoes in the world. These highlands are covered with resilient tundra-like vegetation, scenic lakes, and peaks, all waiting to be explored.
As we descend towards the Amazon Basin, we journey through three spectacular national parks: Cayambe Coca, Antisana, and Sumaco-Napo Galeras, the country’s largest protected area. Here, you’ll encounter diverse habitats, from cloud forests to lush tropical rainforests, all interconnected by the majestic Napo River, one of the Amazon’s greatest tributaries.
Known worldwide as a biodiversity hotspot, Ecuador boasts incredible natural diversity: over 5,000 butterfly species, 1,700 bird species, 132 types of hummingbirds, and 5,500 orchid species. With a compact territory and steep Andean slopes, each altitude offers a different ecosystem, allowing you to experience everything from high-altitude tundra to dense rainforests in a short time.
In this remarkable region, we’ve established eco-lodges that uniquely blend tradition, sustainability, and rustic luxury. Each lodge is strategically located for the best wildlife experiences and is surrounded by protected wilderness corridors where jaguars, tapirs, spectacled bears, and countless other species roam freely. Join us on a journey to uncover Ecuador’s vibrant natural beauty while enjoying the comfort and unique experiences our eco-lodges offer.
Features Included
- All detailed schedule. ( activities can change according to climate or fortuite conditions.)
- 3 daily meals
- Transportation
- Lodging
- Entrance to private reserves
- Professional Bilingual Guide
Do not includes:
- Insurance, extra food and beverages, tips.
Day 15: Andean Peaks and Cloud Forest Descent
Start with an exhilarating descent by foot along the Filocorrales Mountain at Papallacta Pass, 16.000 feet, capturing sweeping views of Ecuador’s legendary volcanoes. We’ll walk along the old Pifo-Papallacta road, soaking in the authentic páramo landscape. Continuing on, we enter Cayambe Coca Reserve, where we’ll hike through trails frequented by spectacled bears, Andean wolves, and condors. After a stop at the relaxing Papallacta Hot Springs, we’ll drive through highland cloud forests in route to our eco-lodge, spotting torrent ducks and vibrant high-altitude hummingbirds along the way. Overnight at San Jorge de Guacamayos Eco-lodge.
Day 16: Morning Birdwatching and Cloud Forest Exploration
We start early with a visit to the Cock of the Rock lek, where you’ll witness one of Ecuador’s most iconic birds. Breakfast at the lodge is followed by bird and butterfly watching on the balcony, offering some of the country’s most beautiful views. Enjoy walks through trails in our pristine cloud forest, with chances to spot hummingbirds, rare birds, and waterfalls hidden in untouched wilderness. After a box lunch, we’ll spend the afternoon observing the Andes’ majestic peaks from the lodge. The evening features a night walk to observe tarantulas, frogs, and other night creatures. Overnight at San Jorge de Guacamayos Eco-lodge.
Day 17: Amazonian Cloud Forest Exploration and Historical River Adventure
Start the day with birdwatching in our forest observatories, patios, and nearby trails filled with orchids and butterflies. We’ll walk along Los Arrieros at Low San Jorge , descending towards the Sarayacu River. Enjoy the wilderness of the pristine river crystalline waters before returning to the lodge for Amazonian cooking lessons. After dinner, join a night walk in the forest for owl sightings and lots of creatures more. Overnight at San Jorge de Guacamayos Eco-lodge, where you’ll have the opportunity to learn about and respect the local culture. Lodging San Jorge de Guacamayos.
Day 18: Journey to San Jorge de Sumaco Bajo
Travel to the San Jorge de Sumaco Bajo Wildlife Refuge, stopping at El Hollin waterfalls for birdwatching and hummingbird feeders. Once in the Lodge trails, you’ll enjoy an authentic Amazonian hut experience with insights into local medicinal plants. After lunch, walk along scenic interior roads and swim in the clear Tutapishco River.
Time to visit a local native farm to receive information of cocoa and chocolate process. Lets learn how to make the best chocolate!
Overnight at San Jorge de Sumaco Bajo.
Day 19: Island Observatory and Pristine Jungle Trails
Before breakfast, visit the Island Observatory Complex to see Amazonian birds up close. Enjoy scenic walks around the lodge’s swamp trails and explore Sacha Runa Lake on a floating platform. Swim and snorkel in the refreshing waters of Tutapishco’s Pool B. Overnight at San Jorge de Sumaco Bajo.
Day 20: Amazonian tropical Forest walk towards Canopy Observatory
After breakfast , we’ll walk crossing all the property through the pristine jungle trails to Rio Lagarto Canopy Observatory, where 12 small hills are covered with untouched Amazonian Tropical forest. Bird Lek observation of manakins, woodpeckers, woodcreepers, tanagers, monkeys and many others. when returning to the Lodge, Swimming at San Jorge Stream . At dinner Native life music with traditional native dishes..
Day 21: Limoncocha National Park and Shaman Cleansing
Today’s destination is Limoncocha National Park, a legendary Amazon Basin lake surrounded by abundant wildlife. Enjoy a boat tour, observing birds, monkeys, butterflies, and other wildlife around the lake’s edges, then explore the magical low Amazon jungle trails. Later, experience a traditional Shaman cleansing ritual, with native music to close the day. BBQ delights in the Island Restaurant. Overnight at San Jorge de Sumaco Bajo.
Day 22: Farewell to Ecuador’s Wilderness
After a traditional breakfast, we’ll return to Quito, making a memorable stop in Baeza for lunch. As we bring this extraordinary journey to a close, you’ll depart with vivid memories of Ecuador’s stunning landscapes and remarkable biodiversity and the anticipation of sharing your experiences with others.
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