LOCATION
Conveniently located just one hour from Quito city and 1 hour 30 minutes away from Quito airport. We offer excellent central base for those planning to visit the most active Andean Cock-of-the-rock Leks, and to explore the Mindo-Nambillo Protected Reserve.
THE LODGE
San Jorge Eco-lodge Tandayapa - Hummingbird Sanctuary is a secluded birding eco-lodge located in the heart of the Tandayapa Cloud Forest Reserve, now recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Surrounded by 150 hectares of pristine private cloud forest, our lodge is directly connected to the mega-diverse Mindo-Nambillo Protected Reserve, an area recognized in 1997 as and Area of International Importance for Birds.
Our cloud-kissed lodge is wrapped in a vibrant forest, where the air shimmers with hummingbirds so vividly colorful they seem to have drifted straight out of a fairytale.
Strategically situated at a transitional elevation of 5,500 feef (1700 meters), San Jorge Eco-lodge Tandayapa is designed to attract the highest diversity of hummingbird and bird species to our feeders. Impressively, our lodge sits in the center of the Tandayapa Valley, renowned for holding the world record of 43 hummingbird species registered in a single year. Among the visitors to our feeders are some of Ecuador’s most iconic hummingbird species, including the sought-after Booted Racket-tail, Velvet-purple Coronet, and Violet-tailed Sylph.
San Jorge Eco-lodge Tandayapa boasts a prime location at the heart of the renowned eco-touristic "Hummingbird Route," offering unparalleled access to this extraordinary region.
Lunch in the clouds surrounded by hummingbirds and sublime landscape at our open-air restaurant.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Experience unmatched comfort and natural beauty in the heart of the Tandayapa Cloud Forest Reserve. Our eco-lodge offers 16 spacious rooms, each thoughtfully designed to harmonize home-like comfort with authentic rustic charm. Towering glass windows frame breathtaking views of lush, vibrant surroundings, creating a unique, immersive experience in the cloud forest.
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Each room invites you to fully engage with nature: capture wildlife photography right from your window, or relax as clouds drift gracefully through the forest, wrapping the landscape in a tranquil, misty embrace. Our rooms come with hot running water and WiFi, providing a cozy, connected stay in one of Ecuador’s most iconic landscapes.
OUR BIRD RESERVE
Our 300-hectare (700 acres) private reserve features a dramatic range of elevations, from 5,500 feet (1,700 meters) around the lodge to 8,000 feet (2,500 meters) at the highest points along our "Tierra de Osos" trail. This diverse landscape offers a unique opportunity to explore a variety of terrains within our exclusive cloud forest reserve, accessible via an array of scenic trails.
Our "Tierra de Osos" trail takes you through an enchanting ancient forest, where every surface is cloaked in lush mosses and epiphytes, and the whole landscape is enveloped in an ethereal mist.
Toucanet Loop Trail: A short and easy loop through the forest near the lodge, guiding you to four strategically designed bird observation decks. These decks provide the perfect vantage points to appreciate and photograph canopy birds and wildlife in their natural habitat.
Andigena Trail: One of our most popular trails, named after Ecuador's stunning Andigena laminirostris (Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan), this loop trail winds through the densest part of our reserve, where majestic hardwoods are festooned with bromeliads, lichens, and other epiphytes. The trail crosses a small stream, a favored drinking spot for birds on sunny days. This area offers chances to see elusive species like the Ochre-breasted Antpitta, Scaled Antpitta, and antbirds attracted by army ant swarms.
Quetzal Glade Trail: This trail takes you to the lower reaches of our reserve, where an abundance of wild avocado trees—the favorite food of quetzals—makes it the prime spot to observe Golden-headed Quetzal and Crested Quetzal. Along the path, you'll encounter two natural ponds that, on sunny days, attract some of the most stunning cloud forest butterflies and dragonflies. By night, these ponds become a magical amphitheater, echoing with the enchanting chorus of treefrogs, offering an unforgettable natural concert.
During Heliconia's fruiting season, the Andean Cock-of-the-rock is a frequent sight around our lodge. © Jorge Luis Cruz Alcivar
Tierra de Osos Trail: Translating to "Land of Bears" in English, this trail reaches the highest point of our private reserve, where an ancient primeval forest, blanketed in thick mosses and shrouded in mist, awaits. With some luck and a stealthy approach, you may encounter the elusive Spectacled Bear, which visits this area during the wild avocado and palm heart seasons. The trail is also a prime spot for observing elusive species, including the Cloud-Forest Pygmy-Owl, Rufous-breasted Antthrush, and the rare White-faced Nunbird.
The elusive Olinguito, first described in 2013, makes seasonal appearances at our banana feeders under the cover of night, offering a rare glimpse into the mysteries of the Andean cloud forest.
Explore the Andigena Trail for a chance to spot the iconic Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan, which also frequents our bird feeders seasonally.
The ponds along the Quetzal Glade trail host a range of vibrant butterflies, including the striking Epimenes Banner.
Our "Quetzal Glade" trail offers the premier opportunity to observe quetzals feeding on berries from wild avocado trees.
Our cloud forest reserve is home to a remarkable array of orchid species, including the stunning Caucaea olivacea, whose rare beauty captures the essence of the forest’s unique biodiversity.
The amazing Pinocchio Rainfrog, found along our "Tierra de Osos" trail, is distinguished by its unusual nose-like fleshy tubercle and mesmerizing set of eyes.
