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SAN JORGE BOTANICAL
RESERVE
Altitude: 3,000 - 3,500 mts., o.s.l. (over sea level);
9,850 - 11,450 ft., o.s.l.
Temperature: 7 - 25 degrees C; 44 - 77 degrees F
Extension: 150 hectares; 375 acres
Climate: templado/medium range
4 types biodiversity: High barren plain; highland tropical
rain forest; cloud forest; subtropical rain forest
OBJECTIVES MAIN CHARACTERISTICS
TOURISM FACILITIES The San Jorge Botanical
property is the ONLY reserve near Quito. It is located ten minutes
from the capital city, km 4, on the old road to Nono. It is comprised
on 150 hectares (375 acres), which are considered virgin, botanical jewelry,
wherein native vegetation belonging to the high land tropical rain forest
is found at 3000 - 3500 mts. o.s.l. It contains approximately 250 native
plants, 80 species of birds, and a number of marsupials, rodents and mammals.
15 natural running waterfalls are located on the reserve. There are 3
internal roads and numerous trails that have been constructed for eco-education
and eco-adventure tours. The trails range from Grade A (extreme difficulty)
to Grade D (soft and safe). The trails on the reserve merge to Mindo,
Tandayapa, Nono and Cala Cali by pre-Inca routes. San Jorge Botanical
Reserve has been created for people to enjoy complete nature combined
with Ecuadorian tradition.
CULTURAL SHAPES
RESEARCH
The following species have been identified at San Jorge
Botanical Reserve: REPTILES
Lagartija Stenocercus guentheri
Black tailed trainbearer, Rufous Antpitta, Hooded siskins, Black Flowerpiercers, Blue and Yellow Tanager, Cinereus Conebill and Yellow Grosbeak. Red crested Cotinga Mountain Avocetbill, Shining Sunbeam Blue tailed Emerald, Purple backed thornbill, Sapphire vented Puffleg, Gorgeted sunangel, tricolored Brush finch, Stripe headed Brush finch Rufous Antpitta, Ash colored tapaculo, Azara´s Spinetail, Scarlet bellied Montain tanager.
PRINCIPAL GOALS
RULES & REGULATIONS
MAP TO SAN JORGE ECO-LODGE & BOTANICAL RESERVE
SIGHTSEEING & SCENIC VIEWS
ARCHEOLOGY & HISTORY
The Cotocollao Tribes (1500 BC) traded their products
with the sub-tropical tribes of Cocaniguas, Bolaniguas and the Yumbox.
From (550 BC - 500 AC) another native culture of Chaupicruz habituated
in the eastern Pichincha foothills. In the Inca empire age of 1500 AC,
the Cotocollao area was an Inca building area. Emperor Huayna Capac, the
Father of the last Inca Atahualpa, ordered that the neighborhoods be brought
in the The Great Collao, from the Southern areas by Cuzco.
In 1530 BC, Franciso Pizarro gave Captain John Lobato
de Sosa a gift of land of Cotocollao and Yumbos for his help in conquering
the Incan Empire. This is now the land of San Jorge Botanical Reserve,
including land of the coastal interiors. In 1560 BC, Cotocallao County
was founded.
Around the 18th Century, Pedro Vicente Maldonado,
an Ecuadorian scientist, improved the pre-Inca road. LaCondamine, Godin,
Bouguer (French scientist) went through this road to measure the Middle
of the World.
General Flavio Alfaro and President Eloy Alfaro of Ecuador’s
lieutenant, were one of the San Jorge/Singuna Farm owners. San Jorge Botanical
Reserve is presently owned by Dr. George Cruz, a veterinarian with a strong
love for nature. Dr. Cruz and his family have worked hard to preserve
the property and transform Singuna Farm into a magnificent Eco-Lodge.
GEOLOGY
The area is located in Northern Ecuador, in the Western
Andes Mountain chain. The main mountains being Rucu and Guagua Pichincha
and belong to the Cauternary period. Guagua Pichincha is an active volcano
with no piroplastic materials, but with heavy lava.
HYDROLOGY
In San Jorge Botanical Reserve, there are two large canyons
named Singuna and Pozorumi. Inside these canyons are found two small rivers
that rise with water in the Winter (November thru May). Their waters reduce
in quanity in the Summer (June thru October). The water is supported exclusively
by rain. |
The
ONLY private native reserve near Quito, Ecuador, (15 minutes outside
of the city), located in the Northeast Pichincha foothills.
San
Jorge Eco-Lodge welcomes guests to experience Ecuadorian holidays and
festivities in the traditional style of our ancestors. One may participate
in a ribbon tournament and other horseback competitions or sit back and
enjoy watching your friends take part. Delicious native dishes are served
to visitors while local musicians play folkloric music of the Andes. The
music also accompanies the bullfights held in our bullring, in which the
bulls are tested, but not harmed.
Through
the research of Banco Central, National Files and prominent archeologists,
a pre-Inca road has been located on the reserve. According to "in
situ" opinions, essays written by well-versed people and testimonies
of its inhabitants, it is clear that this road has existed since 1500
AD.