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2 Days Adventure
3 Days Adventure4-DAY SPECTACLED BEAR WATCHING
4-DAY SPECTACLED BEAR WATCHING
Is this tour for me?
Classic
Light moderate
Max. 12 / Av. 8Would you like a quote for this tour?
TRIP ACTIVITIES
Culture
Hiking
WildlifeTRIP OVERVIEW
Are you a wild animal lover? Ecuador has so many wildlife to show but one of the most beautiful mammals is the spectacled bear, this animal characterizes because the fur around his eyes has the form of lenses, therefore their name, it has unique habits because it feeds from fruits and vegetables, and sometimes of small animals, we will be able to find this stunning animal either walking and mostly climbing in the threes where they built their nests to feed peacefully or rest.
We did a study of the habits of this bear so we can increase the chance of travelers to see them, we know where they eat, sleep and do all their activities, that way we can guarantee the best chances of watching and taking beautiful photos of this playful animal.
But this tour is not only looking to give our travelers the experience of seeing a spectacled bear so close, is algo looking to enforce the conservation of their habitat and the mammal because it is endangered, we will teach you what we can do to protect them and give so many more generation the joy of encounter face to face with this bear.
We guarantee that it is a unique experience and it cannot compare with anything else; you will take memories with you that will last a lifetime!
ITINERARY
The Otavalo market is South America’s most famous Indigenous fair. We depart early from Quito, heading north through dramatic mountain scenery. You will have ample time to stroll along the narrow cobblestone streets filled with Otavalo Indigenous people wearing blue ponchos, white trousers, and long braided hair, and to explore their handicraft market, with its wonderful textiles, native paintings, ceramics, jewelry, tapestries, and more at bargain prices. Next, we will go to Cotacachi, famous for its leather goods.
Then we will visit Cotacachi Cayapas Ecological Reserve to see the breathtaking scenery of the crystalline-clear waters of this active volcano and the amazing surrounding landscapes. We will enjoy a boat ride to the center of the crater to observe the volcano’s activity, watching bubbles rise from the center of the caldera.
Hands-on cultural experience – AJ Sustainable Sacha WarmiKuna women project
For lunch, we will head to Pijal, a small village located in the heart of the Andes to visit one of the AJ sustainable projects called Sacha WarmiKuna (women from the mountain). This fantastic effort, developed by AJ and local women, aims to support their families and strengthen women’s position in local society by providing an alternative income source alongside housekeeping. Once at the project, you will experience an unforgettable cultural encounter, immersing yourself in the true spirit of the South American woman and their skills in textiles and deep culinary knowledge coming from past generations. You will help prepare “Aji”, a local spicy salsa that is part of their identity; you will also share precious time with them and enjoy a tasty traditional lunch made with fresh products harvested that same day from the surrounding organic fields. Later we will learn more about the weaving process of their textiles.
Don’t miss the amazing opportunity to give back by buying handmade scarves here.
Meals included: Lunch.
Today we will visit a true paradise on earth for wildlife lovers. Ecuador has so many unique species, but one of the most amazing is the spectacled bear, with its calm nature and unique way of life. The canyon where we will be looking for this animal is the only place where humans have been able to understand the spectacled bear’s behavior; 45 bears migrate from this canyon to the Cayambe-Coca reservation.
We will head to this bear sanctuary very early in the morning to make the most of the day, once we arrive we will start our search for this magnificent animal; the first stop are the viewpoints located around the sanctuary, this is the place to start since the bear is not very active in the morning because of the heat and as they have a thick fur, they are looking for shadow in the threes, this first sighting will be around 400 meters.
After lunch we will go down the valley, where the canyon is already providing with shadow to the bears and they start to move around, we will have to be quite and have patience, but it will be so worth it once we came across of what we are looking for, the once in a life opportunity of take pictures of the spectacle bear up to 60 meters.
After this, we will head to our accommodation to wrap up the day.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
All of our days while in this adventure, will start early in the morning so we do not waste any sighting activity, all of these days are very similar as the behavior of the spectacle bear is consistent every day, we will start in the morning on the viewpoints looking for activity in the threes while the bear is hidden from the heat.
In case we experience some rain during the day, the best way to spot the bear is from the viewpoints because if we go down to the valley, they will be hiding from the rain; these viewpoints are located at 400, 200, and 60 meters.
In the afternoon, we will head back to the lodge.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
In our last day of this wildlife adventure, we will wake up early in the morning, enjoy our breakfast and head down to a path to get close to the bear, close up to 100 meters (328 ft), we will have the chance to watch them eat, climb threes and be part of their daily activities for a few hours before heading back with the great memories of being one of the luckiest ones that had the chance to spend time with this magnificent and charismatic mammal.
Today our trip will end and you will have your International departures. Take with you your memories and photos and leave a piece of your heart, as you will want to return to Ecuador soon to experience more of this enchanted land. We wish you a “buen viaje”!
Meals included: Breakfast.
Inclusions
What’s Included?
- Activities: Visit the Otavalo Market, spend time with local women, walk around the spectacled bear habitat.
- Accommodation based in double occupancy: 3* hacienda and a homestay.
- Transportation: Private and comfortable land transportation.
- Meals: 3 breakfast, 3 lunch, 2 dinners.
- Trip Leader: Certified AJ expert English-speaking adventure trip leader and local guides
What is not included?
- International flights
- Single Supplement
- Airport transfers.
- Travel insurance (mandatory).
- Meals not described in the itinerary
- Tips for guides and drivers
Are you a wild animal lover? Ecuador has so many wildlife to show but one of the most beautiful mammals is the spectacled bear, this animal characterizes because the fur around his eyes has the form of lenses, therefore their name, it has unique habits because it feeds from fruits and vegetables, and sometimes of small animals, we will be able to find this stunning animal either walking and mostly climbing in the threes where they built their nests to feed peacefully or rest.
We did a study of the habits of this bear so we can increase the chance of travelers to see them, we know where they eat, sleep and do all their activities, that way we can guarantee the best chances of watching and taking beautiful photos of this playful animal.
But this tour is not only looking to give our travelers the experience of seeing a spectacled bear so close, is algo looking to enforce the conservation of their habitat and the mammal because it is endangered, we will teach you what we can do to protect them and give so many more generation the joy of encounter face to face with this bear.
We guarantee that it is a unique experience and it cannot compare with anything else; you will take memories with you that will last a lifetime!
Culture Hiking WildlifeThe Otavalo market is South America’s most famous Indigenous fair. We depart early from Quito, heading north through dramatic mountain scenery. You will have ample time to stroll along the narrow cobblestone streets filled with Otavalo Indigenous people wearing blue ponchos, white trousers, and long braided hair, and to explore their handicraft market, with its wonderful textiles, native paintings, ceramics, jewelry, tapestries, and more at bargain prices. Next, we will go to Cotacachi, famous for its leather goods.
Then we will visit Cotacachi Cayapas Ecological Reserve to see the breathtaking scenery of the crystalline-clear waters of this active volcano and the amazing surrounding landscapes. We will enjoy a boat ride to the center of the crater to observe the volcano’s activity, watching bubbles rise from the center of the caldera.
Hands-on cultural experience – AJ Sustainable Sacha WarmiKuna women project
For lunch, we will head to Pijal, a small village located in the heart of the Andes to visit one of the AJ sustainable projects called Sacha WarmiKuna (women from the mountain). This fantastic effort, developed by AJ and local women, aims to support their families and strengthen women’s position in local society by providing an alternative income source alongside housekeeping. Once at the project, you will experience an unforgettable cultural encounter, immersing yourself in the true spirit of the South American woman and their skills in textiles and deep culinary knowledge coming from past generations. You will help prepare “Aji”, a local spicy salsa that is part of their identity; you will also share precious time with them and enjoy a tasty traditional lunch made with fresh products harvested that same day from the surrounding organic fields. Later we will learn more about the weaving process of their textiles.
Don’t miss the amazing opportunity to give back by buying handmade scarves here.
Meals included: Lunch.
Today we will visit a true paradise on earth for wildlife lovers. Ecuador has so many unique species, but one of the most amazing is the spectacled bear, with its calm nature and unique way of life. The canyon where we will be looking for this animal is the only place where humans have been able to understand the spectacled bear’s behavior; 45 bears migrate from this canyon to the Cayambe-Coca reservation.
We will head to this bear sanctuary very early in the morning to make the most of the day, once we arrive we will start our search for this magnificent animal; the first stop are the viewpoints located around the sanctuary, this is the place to start since the bear is not very active in the morning because of the heat and as they have a thick fur, they are looking for shadow in the threes, this first sighting will be around 400 meters.
After lunch we will go down the valley, where the canyon is already providing with shadow to the bears and they start to move around, we will have to be quite and have patience, but it will be so worth it once we came across of what we are looking for, the once in a life opportunity of take pictures of the spectacle bear up to 60 meters.
After this, we will head to our accommodation to wrap up the day.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
All of our days while in this adventure, will start early in the morning so we do not waste any sighting activity, all of these days are very similar as the behavior of the spectacle bear is consistent every day, we will start in the morning on the viewpoints looking for activity in the threes while the bear is hidden from the heat.
In case we experience some rain during the day, the best way to spot the bear is from the viewpoints because if we go down to the valley, they will be hiding from the rain; these viewpoints are located at 400, 200, and 60 meters.
In the afternoon, we will head back to the lodge.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
In our last day of this wildlife adventure, we will wake up early in the morning, enjoy our breakfast and head down to a path to get close to the bear, close up to 100 meters (328 ft), we will have the chance to watch them eat, climb threes and be part of their daily activities for a few hours before heading back with the great memories of being one of the luckiest ones that had the chance to spend time with this magnificent and charismatic mammal.
Today our trip will end and you will have your International departures. Take with you your memories and photos and leave a piece of your heart, as you will want to return to Ecuador soon to experience more of this enchanted land. We wish you a “buen viaje”!
Meals included: Breakfast.
What’s Included?
- Activities: Visit the Otavalo Market, spend time with local women, walk around the spectacled bear habitat.
- Accommodation based in double occupancy: 3* hacienda and a homestay.
- Transportation: Private and comfortable land transportation.
- Meals: 3 breakfast, 3 lunch, 2 dinners.
- Trip Leader: Certified AJ expert English-speaking adventure trip leader and local guides
What is not included?
- International flights
- Single Supplement
- Airport transfers.
- Travel insurance (mandatory).
- Meals not described in the itinerary
- Tips for guides and drivers
Active
Adventure
Moderate
StandardMin, 2 pax / Any Day
ClassicLight moderateStandardMax. 12 / Av. 8
Active
AdventureModerate
CasualMin, 2 pax / Any Day
Active
AdventureModerateCasualMin, 2 pax / Any Day
Active
AdventureModerateCasualMin, 2 pax / Any Day
ClassicLight moderateStandardMax. 12 / Av. 8
Active AdventureModerateStandardMax. 12 / Av. 8
ClassicLight moderateStandardMax. 12 / Av. 8
ClassicLight moderateStandardMax. 12 / Av. 8
FamilyModerateStandardMax. 12 / Av. 8Is this tour for me?
ClassicLight moderateMax. 12 / Av. 8Would you like a quote for this tour?
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