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Bear Watching and Andean Condor Safari Extension
Visit: Otavalo-Hacienda
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!
The Otavalo market is South-America’s most famous Indian fair. We get an early departure from Quito through dramatic mountain scenery northwards. 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. Continuing the trip, we will go to Cotacachi, which is famous for its leather articles.
Then we will first visit Cotacachi Cayapas ecological reserve to see the breath taking 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 activity of this volcano, watching bubbles coming up 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 is one fantastic effort developed by AJ and the local women with the main purpose to support their families and encourage the position of the women in the local society, providing them an alternative side work beside housekeeping, as a new option for an in-come. 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 for textiles and a deep culinary knowledge coming from the past generations. You will be part of the preparation of “Aji”, a local spicy salsa which is part of their identity, you will also share precious time with them and a tasty traditional lunch in which local women have used the fresh products harvested the 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 have the chance to give back, by buying handmade scarfs here.
Hotel/Other Details
Homestay
Today we will visit a true paradise on earth for those who love the wildlife, Ecuador has so many unique species but one of the most amazing ones is the spectacled bear with his calm nature and amazing way of living. The canyon where we will be looking for this animal, is the only place where the human was able to finally understand the behavior of the spectacled bear, there are 45 bears that 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 a homestay where we will enjoy our dinner and rest.
Hotel/Other Details
Homestay
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 in 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.
One of the most important things of this trip is that we focus in the conservation of the bear habitat, that our activities do not disturb at all their way of living, for that reason the maximum group will be of 4.
In the afternoon, we will get back to the homestay to rest and eat.
Hotel/Other Details
Homestay
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.
Then we will head to one of the most beautiful haciendas of Ecuador, where the second part of our wildlife experience will continue, the next days we will learn about the Andean Condor.
Hotel/Other Details
Homestay
Today we will have the opportunity to watch one of the emblematic births of Ecuador, the Andean Condor, you will find this magnificent bird close the Hacienda where they have a project to protect the specie, this is a black big bird and it is the official Ecuador and if we are lucky we can see them flying around the forest and even standing on a three. This is a predaceous bird and it characterize because it has a partner for all its life, it is very active during the day which increases the possibility of watching them and it is an easy task because of their size they can be spot form a long distance. In the afternoon, we will head back to the hacienda to rest and recharge for our next stop.
Hotel/Other Details
Hacienda Zuleta
Early in the morning we will leave the hacienda to head to the Antisana, to try and see the Condor in the wild, but not only Condors can be found in here, there is also the chance to see, mountain tapir, Andean fox, peregrine falcon and Curiquingue, the temperature of this please is around 3-17ºC and the altitude can variate from 3300 to 4600 meters over sea level.
This is the best way to finish of wildlife sighting tour, where we will learn and watch the most important species of the Ecuadorian Andes.
Inclusion
Activities: Visit the Otavalo Market, spend time with local women, walk around the spectacled bear habitat, condor project, antisana
Accommodation based in double occupancy: 5* hacienda and a homestay.
Transportation: Private and comfortable land transportation.
Meals: 3 breakfast, 5 lunch, 5 dinners.
Trip Leader: Certified expert English-speaking adventure trip leader and local guides.
Exclusion
International flights
Single Supplement
Airport transfers.
Travel insurance (mandatory).
Meals not described in the itinerary
Note
Please note that the prices are starting from and that upon sending a new request with specific date we will send the applicable rate and availability.
Private Touring
- Flexible Dates
- Flexible Itinerary
- Upgrade Accommodation
- Local Guide Service
- Modern Airconditioned Vehicle
Tour Category
Tour Vehicle
Car or Small Van AC
Tour Guide
Local English only guide
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