mysteries of the andean bear
In the heart of the Andes... where misty cloud forests and ruggedhighlands set the stage for a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with the elusive Andean or spectacled bear. This exclusive tour offers amazing opportunities to capture stunning wildlife and breathtaking landscapes while receiving expert guidance from Nature Photographer of the Year, Jacquie Matechuk. This is the same location where the award-winning image was captured. Immerse yourself in nature, refine your skills, and create images that tell a powerful story of conservation and beauty.
andean bears of ecuador
Dates: february 27-march 4, 2026; march 4-9, 2026
Location: quito/remote highlands, ecuador
Price: $5229USD
Fitness Level: LEVEL FIVE: WILD & RUGGED; this tour involves hiking into and out of a steep canyon most days
Group Size: 3 participants + group leader; Minimum 3 to go
Tour Highlights:
Explore the pristine Ecuadorian highlands, far from typical tourist routes, offering unparalleled opportunities to photograph Andean bears in their natural habitat.
Benefit from the expertise of Jacquie Matechuk, renowned Canon ambassador and wildlife photographer, who will provide personalized coaching to elevate your photographic skills.
Experience rare and close-up sightings of the elusive Andean bear, also known as the spectacled bear, known for its distinctive facial markings and shy demeanor.
Enjoy an intimate, focused environment with limited participants, ensuring in-depth mentorship and minimal impact on wildlife.
Receive expert advice on image editing and workflow to help you produce award-quality photographs after the tour.
All accommodations, transportation, and meals are carefully arranged to provide comfort and focus on photographic opportunities.
Emphasis on conservation-minded photography, ensuring responsible interaction with wildlife and natural environments.
Nestled within the majestic Ecuadorian highlands, our Andean Bear Tour offers a spectacular opportunity to encounter the elusive spectacled bear, South America’s only bear species, in its native habitat. This meticulously crafted photography expedition takes you deep into cloud forests and rugged paramo landscapes, where biodiversity thrives amidst dramatic mountain vistas.
The Andean bear, known for its distinctive facial markings that resemble spectacles, inhabits a range of altitudes typically between 2,000 and 4,750 meters. Our tour focuses on a remote area renowned for frequent bear sightings, providing exceptional chances to capture intimate portraits of these shy mammals in their natural environment.
Beyond bear encounters, this highland region presents a spectacular array of flora and fauna, including vibrant orchids, bromeliads, and an impressive assemblage of bird species such as the Andean condor and toucans. The shifting mists and dynamic weather conditions create dramatic lighting perfect for landscape and wildlife photography.
Our local guides lead small groups to minimize disturbance, ensuring ethical wildlife viewing practices while maximizing photographic opportunities. Accommodations are carefully selected to blend comfort with immersion into the serene beauty of the Andes.
Ideal for serious photographers and nature enthusiasts alike, the Andean Bear Tour combines rigorous hiking with the comfort and expertise necessary to document one of the Andes’ most enigmatic creatures against a backdrop of breathtaking highland ecosystems. Join us for an exceptional experience capturing rare wildlife and the grandeur of Ecuador’s mountainous heartland.
What’s Included:
Transportation to airport hotel via hotel shuttle
Transportation to location and throughout the duration of the tour
Transportation back to airport or airport hotel
Hotel accommodations in Quito for first night & all-inclusive accommodations on location
All meals
Expert guiding and photography instruction in the field
Tips/gratuities for local guides
What’s Not Included:
Airfare to Quito
Photography/personal Gear
This tour begins and ends at Quito International Airport. Please make travel arrangements based on the itinerary below, or Contact Us for travel assistance.
All Images Courtesy of Jacquie Matechuk
Daily itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Quito where you will be shuttled to your hotel. If you arrive a day or few early, there is plenty to do touring town, or we can arrange for a 2-3 day bird tour of the area. All guests will meet for dinner this first night to discuss departure plans for the morning and finally meet in person!
Day 2
Early start typically meeting in lobby of hotel at 7am for breakfast, before we head out for a 4-hour drive to our basecamp. We will stop along the way at grocery store for any specific wants or needs and a bathroom break. Upon arrival, we will load our bags into the rooms, get out our gear and head down to the viewing platform to see if we have any bears in the valley. Then we wrap up the evening with a hearty home cooked meal.
Day 3-5
For the following days, we will start each morning with a hearty breakfast before packing up and heading down to the lookout (depending on movement in the canyon). We watch the valley for bear movement, always ready to head down in a moment’s notice. If we descend into the canyon, we will come back up for lunch and resume the search in the afternoon. Following an authentic Ecuadorian supper, guests are welcome to walk the avocado orchards and watch the fireflies or download images and share in the magic of the day.
Day 6
For our final day, we will have all our bags packed the night before, so following breakfast we have one last opportunity to search for bears before lunch. After we eat, the shuttle will arrive to transport us back to Quito. Please ensure your departing flight is scheduled after 8pm. If late flights are unavailable, you can stay an additional evening back at the hotel to unwind, fresh-up, get a great sleep and reflect on the incredible experience that is Ecuador.
location & accommodations
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Quito & ecuadorian highlands
(The exact location will not be disclosed before booking)
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ecuadorian farmhouse
The quaint little residence is staffed by a housecleaner, and the local cuisine will be made right at your steps. This includes 3 authentic Ecuadorian meals per day and a celebratory BBQ on our last night. Accommodations include one bedroom with 1 queen bed and one bedroom with 2 single beds. Bathroom is shared.
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Tour Leader: Jacquie Matechuk
Based out of her hometown, Cochrane, Alberta Jacquie Matechuk is a Canon Ambassador, has been recognized as Nature Photographer of the Year, 2024 gold medallist at the World Photographic Cup, is an internationally published artist, presenter, certified bear guide and photographic coach. Her journey is as unique, and passion-filled as her perspective on life and her ability to capture those jaw-dropping, heart-warming moments, that truly give her subject a voice.
Today, Jacquie has further embraced the challenge to see & share the beauty in this world by teaming up with organizations such as Canadian Conservation Photographers Collective, the Jane Goodall Institute, Polar Bears International, Canadian Geographic, as well Bear Conservation NGO’s based out of Ecuador and Peru. And now she looks to share her love & respect for wildlife and their environments with creators from all over the globe. Creating opportunities to help her fellow creatives improve and embrace their passion for life behind the lens, setting their minds free and leaving their hearts full.