San Jorge de Milpe Orchid & Bird Reserve has 2 Eco-Lodges on 260 acres of prime birding property (Upper Tropical Rainforest). Spectacular scenery, pristine trails, rivers, 11 waterfalls, 450+ species of tropical birds, mammals, hundreds of butterflies, wild orchids, a wide array of tropical flora and fauna & swimming at the cascading waterfalls. NEW Forest Eco-Lodge has 8 spacious rustic bungalow Rooms, Views, Private Balcony, queen beds & private bath. See birds from your spacious room, dine in our open air restaurant surrounded by feeders, bar, 45' high covered observation Towers, hummingbird, tanager & toucan feeders. Cliff Eco-Lodge is on the opposite end of the reserve with 8 double rooms, twin beds, private bath & observatory deck outside your door. Dine at our open air restaurants in a beautiful rain forest ambiance offering superb photography options. Both lodges offer the ideal retreat for birdwatchers, photographers and nature lovers alike. San Jorge owns 7 private reserves & 6 Eco-Lodges throughout Ecuador. We are also known as The Magic Birding & Photography Circuit of Ecuador.
I stayed at the Milpe Eco-Lodge and was amazed at the service. Not being one for anything fancy, the service here just blew me away! Luggage was dropped off in your room so you could go right to the main attractions; the hummingbirds and the views in the 3 floor main birding/eating area.
The the food was freshly prepared and they really kept a great focus on pre-noted dietary restrictions. The freshest bread, beef that melted in my mouth and the chocolate mouse was the best I've ever had. I LOVE the cook. She was the absolute best!!
The rooms were HUGE! They have huge patios with hammocks and would be a great place to just chill and listen to the birds fly by. The ensuite bathrooms are also huge with plenty of space to move around. Fresh towels, laundry service (if required) and water to refill water bottles throughout the day.
With the quantity of birds, flora, fauna, butterflies , frogs and insects there was just no way to have a bad time. Toucans popping by to eat berries from the trees, huge blue butterflies flittering by, hummingbirds at the feeders and critters at night.
The trails were well marked and lighted so once the sun went down I headed out to the sounds of the night in hunt for frogs, insects and moths. Totally felt safe walking around alone with just a headlamp, with the staff onsite I felt they would be near if I needed anything.
Plenty of well marked trails to venture out on during the day with a small bamboo forest welcoming you when arriving to the lodge. All walking trails were well marked and as they have another nearby lodge ( I was able to stay there as well) it was really cool being able to hike between the two, hunting to see the birds of the forest, the insects and flowers, ferns and other fauna that was thriving.
Birding, hiking, critters or even being a foodie there is something for everyone when booking with San Jorge and stay at Milpe Eco-Lodge.
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Date of stay: April 2021
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Room Tip:All rooms are quite with the sounds of the night to put you to sleep
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While we didn’t want to leave the San Jorge de Tandayapa Lodge, little did we know that we were in for an even more spectacular visit to the San Jorge Milpe Cloud and Forest Lodges. Accompanied by the amazing and tireless Dr. George Cruz, owner and founder of all the San Jorge Lodges, this was truly the experience of a lifetime. Our accommodations at both of these lodges featured spectacular views of the rain forest. While the Cliff Lodge is more rustic, due to its incredibly remote cliffside location, we felt as if we were on the edge of the earth in all its glory. We napped in the hammocks overlooking the valley, feasted on more of the beautiful Ecuadorian cuisine we had already been treated to at the other lodges, and spent hours just watching the Hummingbirds in amazement. We then walked through the rainforest to the Milpe Forest Lodge, perhaps the most luxurious of all Dr. Cruz’ lodges. Our room was spacious, spotlessly clean (no small feat given that we were in the heart of the rainforest with plenty of mud), private and with gorgeous views. We saw the most amazing birds at the feeders, the viewing/dining area has 3 levels and cleverly situated feeders where we saw a wealth of Hummingbirds, Tanagers, Purple and Green Honeycreepers, Toucans, Aracari and Toucanets I watched a mother Green Honeycreeper feeding her baby at the feeder! Dr. Cruz, as always, led us on spectacular walks through the forest, and enthusiastically pointed out and identified birds that we would never have seen — he patiently made sure that we saw every bird. We were also accompanied by Jordan, who is training to be a guide, and Jordan was also amazingly helpful and enthusiastic. In all, Dr. Cruz helped us to see 225 new species of birds during our week with him in Ecuador! Every step of the way, from planning the trip with the excellent help of Cheryl (longtime partner of Dr. Cruz based in Connecticut), to our arrival in Quito where we immediately felt safe and cared for, to our wonderful birding adventures with the knowledgeable Dr. Cruz, a birding wizard and font of knowledge of all flora and fauna, to the delicious, fresh local Ecuadorian meals prepared by Marcelita and George’s wife Irina (I savored every bite of every meal!), this was truly the trip of a lifetime! We can’t wait to return, to visit the new San Jorges lodge in the Amazon that is near completion.
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Date of stay: March 2022
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Room Tip:We chose the upgraded room with two queen beds, huge with beautiful views, deck and hammocks.
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If you are a bird watcher, a bird photographer, and wanted to be treated like a VIP, San Jorge & Botanical Reserves is the place to go! This was our second time to come back to this “Magical Birding Circuit.” San Jorge de Milpe Eco-Lodge Orchid & Bird Reserve was one of our stops, in our ten-day birding, to view and take picture of rare birds in the Tropical forest. Dr. George Cruz was our guide. He is knowledgeable about birds, and plants. He is the man who created the habitats for birds, and the lodges for you to stay, dine, view, and admire the beauty of mother nature. The rooms at San Jorge Milpe Eco-Lodge are spacious, simple but very clean. They all have good views of the rain forest. You can hear the chirping, and the waterfalls all around you. The path to each lodge is well lit, and well groomed. Lots of love and labor poured into creating this piece of heaven. The staff were very attentive, and super nice. The restaurant is on the second level of the tower, where you can see hummingbirds flying around the feeding stations. Meals were served in courses, delicious, and pretty presentation. We never had the same dish in our ten days there. This is a good place to be in the nature with comfort.
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Date of stay: March 2020
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My daughter and I visited Milpe as the third stop in our tour of San Jorge’s eco lodges. This was again characterized by great staff, great food, great rooms, and great birds. Owner George Cruz personally led us on day and night tours filled with birds, kinkajou, frogs, insects, and botanical treasures. Two young assistants didn’t know English but offered great local awareness of birds and wildlife and were a huge asset helping to cross abundant streams and waterfalls. Scenery is gorgeous, feeders attract many birds, and we felt exhausted and content at the end of each day.
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Date of stay: June 2021Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip:Prepare for limited contact with outside world. Bring bug spray,long sleeve shirts and long...
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We spent two nights here at the end of a truly fantastic birding holiday. One full day was spent relaxing and Milpe is a great place to do it with very well put together rooms, complete with balconies and hammocks. When you want to head out on the trails these are easily accessible (we did the waterfall trail which was fun - in hindsight we should also have looked at some of the other trails at the top end of the property and would encourage people to do this, they are a bit more open and easier to spot things). We saw a good variety of birds, and know that there are more to come back for that we didn't see. I recommend this lodge as a great place to stay.
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Date of stay: October 2022
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This was the third lodge on or 18 day birding tour. like the other lodges the rooms were large and spacious, with hot water, electricity, balcony decks, and daily room service. The staff were helpful, and the meals were excellent. there was coffee, beer, wine or soft drinks available. Like the other lodges, not much time spent in the room, for the dinning hall had two upper decks which got us birdwatchers looking at the tops of trees for new species. They also have a bird blind that we visited in the early morning. our guide was very knowledgeable about the birds, plants, and also the history of Ecuador. Lots of new species. This Lodge, was built in the middle of a rain forrest. Lots of different trees and plants.
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Date of stay: November 2023
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Trip type: Traveled as a couple
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We had an outstanding tour with San Jorge and Dr. Cruz at Quito, Tandayapa and Milpe. The Milpe lodge was very relaxing with forest sounds to lull you to sleep. Dr. Cruz patiently helped me immensely with bird photography and I couldn’t be more pleased with the photos and overall experience.
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Date of stay: January 2022Trip type: Traveled with family
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Little did we know when Cheryl was booking us into these different San Jorge Eco Lodges that we were going to really experience a true rain forest experience. It was beautiful. And the birds were amazing, the orchids and Bromeliads, too. Food was awesome, and the service was top notch! Did not see the Banded Ground Cuckoo, but there were sure a lot of Toucans, Woodcreepers, Antpittas, Trogons, and Motmots to go around.
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Date of stay: February 2022
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fantastic room, food and birding! The observation tower affords some great sightings -- my first photo capture of the Collared Trogan. He posed at length for our group. We took home great memories from our great hikes with Dr. George Cruz. A big thank you to our trip organizer and International Sales Director for the Magic Birding Circuit, Cheryl Korowotny.
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Date of stay: March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This experience was spectacular. From the minute I arrived, Jordan - a staff member - offered to take me to see some wildlife that he had found. Then I spent almost every minute immersed in wildlife or exploring the trails. I even found the rare lance billed hummingbird building a nest at the main restaurant, thanks to Don Jorge for identifying it for me. Jordan kept finding birds for me and pointing them out which was just fantastic. Also the room I stayed in had panoramic views, another amazing feature.
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Date of stay: January 2023
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Trip type: Traveled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
At San Jorge de Milpe Orchid & Bird Reserve, June thru August are drier and September thru December offer less rain. January thru April are rainier months.
Hi. We didn't get to Mindo town so I can't give you a good answer. I would suggest you contact Cheryl who is the US contact for San Jorge Eco-lodges. You can find her contact info. On their website. She may be able to arrange transportation for you to the lodge and/or let you know the cost for a taxi. You could also ask her about transportation from your lodging in Quito to the Mindo lodge--to make it even easier! Whatever you decide, and assuming you love nature, walking trails, and good, yummy food, you won't be disappointed at this lodge.
Hi,
If you can contact the company thru their website, Im pretty sure they can arrange to pick you up..Also, a cab could take you there also. Good luck
Jenifer, yes we do have availability for you and your Mother for dates requested. Please send me your email address and I will be happy to send you further details.
There are more places to choose from in the Mindo area.
LOCATION
EcuadorPichincha ProvinceMindo
NUMBER OF ROOMS
20
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