SAN JORGE LODGE MILPE BIRD SANCTUARY

Premier Birding Lodge in the Chocó Endemic Corridor, Ecuador

San Jorge Lodge Milpe – Bird Sanctuary is a secluded birding and nature lodge set in the heart of the Chocó Endemic Corridor, one of the most biologically rich and threatened regions on the planet.

The Chocoan-endemic Long-wattled Umbrellabird is a fairly common highlight at our private reserve. Remarkable photographs of this extraordinary species have been captured from the top of our three-story observation deck. © Jorge Luis Cruz Alcivar

Surrounded by 300 hectares (740 acres) of private protected forest, the lodge lies strategically between the mega-diverse Mashpi River Basin and the Mindo-Nambillo Protected Reserve, designated an Area of International Importance for Birds.

Chocoan endemics thrive at Milpe—from shy, forest-skulking antbirds to the radiant Rose-faced Parrot, a multicolored jewel that frequents our banana feeders and offers truly spectacular photography opportunities. © Jorge Luis Cruz Alcivar

Positioned at a rare transitional elevation between upper tropical and lower subtropical forest, San Jorge Lodge Milpe offers prime habitat for species moving between both ecosystems—creating exceptional opportunities to observe an extraordinary concentration of birdlife in a single location. Since its founding in 2007 by Irina and Dr. George Cruz, it has welcomed birdwatchers, photographers, and nature enthusiasts from around the world.

The Final Stop on La Ruta Del Colibri (Hummingbird Route)

The lodge is also the final stop on Ecuador’s celebrated Ruta del Colibrí (Hummingbird Route), a renowned destination for travelers seeking the most exceptional hummingbird experiences in the Chocó region. Through a combination of our hummingbird feeders in Milpe and the pristine forest trails surrounding the lodge, guests can observe an impressive diversity of species—with 30 species recorded to date—including the Green Thorntail, Purple-crowned Fairy, Green-fronted Lancebill, White-tipped Sicklebill, the Chocó-endemic White-whiskered Hermit, and the seasonal Tooth-billed Hummingbird.

The White-tipped Sicklebill is a regular and charismatic visitor to the lodge, drawn to the specialized Heliconia flowers that flourish throughout our grounds. © Jorge Luis Cruz Alcivar

Many of the hummingbirds seen here differ from those found at our Tandayapa Eco-Lodge, making both locations beautifully complementary for multi-day birdwatching and photography journeys across the Chocó cloud forest.

LOCATION

Our lodge can be reached with minimum logistics as it is located 20 minutes away from the noisy town of Mindo at 3000 feet (900m). We are located 2 1/2 hours away from Quito airport, 2 hours from most hotels in Quito city/San Jorge Eco-lodge Quito, and, 1 hour away from San Jorge Eco-lodge Tandayapa. We offer excellent central location if you are planning to visit Mindo area, Andean Cock-of-the-rock Lek in Mindo, Angel Paz Antpitta Feeding Station, Mindo Nambillo Protected Reserve, Rio Silanche Bird Reserve, Long-wattled Umbrellabird Lek, and, San Miguel de los Bancos town bus station. 

OUR BIRD RESERVE

Our ravishing 300-hectare private reserve ranges in elevation from 3000 feet (900m) around the lodge, all the way down to 2000 feet (600m) in the lowermost part of our "Waterfall Trail". Our private tropical bird reserve  can be explored through various trails that pass over different types of terrain. Our "Manakin Trail" loops around the forest near the lodge visiting an area where up to four different species of manakins and five endemic tanager species such as the Glistening-green Tanager can be recorded in a single walk.

A sleek Tyra moves gracefully through the high branches of our private reserve, its agile presence a testament to the rich biodiversity thriving within this pristine ecosystem.

 The lowermost area of our reserve, can be explored through our "Waterfall Trail" which crosses through several crystal-clear waterfalls and streams which flow into the large Chaguaryacu river. Birds like the Long-wattled Umbrellabird, Scarlet-and-white Tanager, Sunbittern, Green-fronted Lancebill, and White-tipped Sicklebill hummingbird are easier to spot along the edges of Chaguaryacu Rirver.  Our "Cuckoo Trail" loops around the most forested zone of our reserve where you can find impressive tall hardwood crowded with bromeliads, likens, and, other epiphytes. The likelihood of stumbling upon an army ant swarm is higher along this trail hence almost all the sightings and photographs of the critically-endangered Banded Ground-Cuckoo come from this trail. Since January 2019, the Banded Ground-cuckoo has been visitng our bird hide with great consistency. Recent photographic evidence suggests that a young bird, born in our reserve, is currently been fed by its parents.

ACCOMMODATIONS

UPGRADED LODGING COMPLEX

Our upgraded lodging complex consists of eight extravagant two-story bungalows sprinkled around the main dinning area and observation deck. Each bungalow consists of two floors, each independent floor enjoys two queen-sized beds and a private balcony with hammocks and close views of the exuberant tropical forest.

All rooms in this complex have spacious private bathrooms with hot running water, flushing toilet, and, mesh netting to keep out insects. Enjoy 24-hour electricity, comfortable orthopedic mattresses, and a compartment to place and dry-out any photographic equipment. Become deeply involved with the breath-taking wilderness of one of the most biologically-diverse forests of the world without having to give up to modern conveniences.  Our lodge and all our rooms have been built with the most ecologically minded construction techniques and materials.

TOP 8 BIRDS