Eco-Adventure Travel at San Jorge Eco-Lodge & Botanical Reserve

  Ecuador

• Quito: 
Quito
• Galapagos Islands: 
Galapagos Islands
• All Other Regions of Ecuador: 
Pichincha,  Otavalo,  Cotacachi,  Mindo,  Pedro Vicente Maldonado,  Cayambe

Dates: dates open

Description: 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. Our 18 th century Ecuadorian eco-lodge with its own 200 acre botanical reserve will be your primary base for your visit.

Our student programs offer practical education on ecology, botany, ornithology, conservation, shamanism and culture as well as adventure and service days. We offer cultural programs, working will local students, painting a schoolhouse for example. 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 learn how 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.

Highlights: 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. Picnic lunch by the waterfalls.

Shamanism Practices: Students will experience Shaman practices and a touch of authentic Indian culture. 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 the treatment. Participate in a question and answer session. Two students will be selected from the group for a cleansing.

Botany at San Jorge de Milpe Reserve: ( Subtropical Rain Forest) Trek on Photo Waterfalls #3 primary jungle trails inside a natural paradise, observing a variety of birds and wildlife along the way. With over 450 species, this area of Ecuador is considered a bird watching mecca. Guided nature expedition, 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.

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 were 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

Culture:

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 along The Last Incan Emperor's Trails. Travel back through the ages as you enjoy the ecological miracle of the Ecuadorian countryside. Experience the ancient wonder of the Andes Mountains following in the footsteps of the ancient Incas along a pre-Inca road (1500BC).

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: We will have the opportunity to shop for world famous handmade wool and alpaca products at the world famous Otavalo Indian Market. 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 worlds 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 hike around the area, taking in breathtaking sights of the refuge at 4500 meters above sea level.

Horseback Riding at San Jorge Botanical Reserve : Travel back through the ages as you enjoy the ecological miracle and exceptional sights of the Ecuadorian countryside. Ride Mustang horses with traditional saddles up to Guagua Pichincha. Visit the Andes potato and cattle farms and ride up to the Paramo (4700 ms o.s.l). San Jorge invites its guests to discover this unique part of Ecuador on a Horseback Riding Eco-Adventure to the high barren plains at San Jorge Botanical Reserve. Experience the ancient wonder of the Andes Mountains riding The Last Incan Emperor's Trails, following in the footsteps of the ancient Incas along a pre-Inca road (1500BC). Includes a picnic lunch overlooking the Andes Mountains.

Galapagos Islands:
Galapagos Islands Cruise - 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.

Note: Travel insurance is mandatory for student groups.
Be sure to ask us about course accreditation.

Tour leader 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 also receive a complimentary Galapagos Cruise & Airfare.

This Program is open to American, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Ecuador Independently Or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• In-Person Interview when Feasible
• Letters of Reference
• Phone Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Resume
• Transcript
• Written Application

San Jorge Eco-Lodges & Botanical Reserves's Mission Statement: We believe that having Ecuadorian and international interns is a mutually beneficial experience and an integral part of the success of San Jorge. We want you to enjoy Ecuador and we enjoy learning from the skills and experiences that our students have to offer.

Year Founded: 1988