Spectacled Bears Tour
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About the Tour
The spectacled bear, or Andean bear, is the only bear native to South America and inhabits the páramos and mountainous forests of Chingaza National Natural Park in Colombia. This natural sanctuary offers a unique opportunity to photograph this elusive species in its habitat, surrounded by breathtaking landscapes of frailejones and rich biodiversity.
Date
All year
Activity level
Medium
Available spaces
1-4
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Bogotá and transfer to the hotel
A representative from our team will meet you at El Dorado International Airport (BOG). From there, you will be transferred to the hotel to rest and prepare for the adventure ahead.
Night at the AC Marriott Bogotá Zona T hotel.
Day 2: Heading to Chingaza
Chingaza National Natural Park is located 35 km east of Bogotá, spanning the departments of Cundinamarca and Meta. With an area of 53,385 hectares and altitudes ranging from 2,800 to 3,800 meters above sea level, it extends across the municipalities of La Calera, Junín, Fómeque, Guasca, and San Juanito. The park conserves páramo ecosystems, lagoons, mountainous forests, and wetlands. It is home to a rich biodiversity in a region with numerous settlements and urban centers. Notable species include white-tailed deer, eagles, and spectacled bears. In terms of flora, endemic frailejones and a wide variety of bromeliads and mosses can be found. Departure from the hotel in Bogotá at 7:30 AM. First, we will reach the municipality of La Calera and then take an unpaved road to the park entrance called “Piedras Gordas” (3,400 m). There, we will register for entry into the national park and receive a brief orientation talk. From this point, we will continue along the unpaved road to the “Monterredondo” visitor center (3,000 m). Along the way, we will search for white-tailed deer, which are often seen along the route. With luck and patience, we will also try to spot the Andean bear. We will check-in at the “Monterredondo” accommodation. If time allows, we will explore the nearby Suasie trail (2 km).
Hotel: Monterredondo
Day 3 - 6: The search for the spectacled bear
We will have three full days to explore the park and search for the spectacled bear or Andean bear (Tremarctos ornatus). The search will primarily take place around the Chingaza Lagoon or along the road that crosses the park. Each night, we will return to the accommodation for overnight stays.
Hotel: Monterredondo
Day 7: Final attempt to spot the bear, return to Bogotá
We hope that in the previous days you were lucky enough to find the bear. If not, we will make one last attempt in the Chingaza Lagoon area to look for it.
Note: If you have already captured good photos of the bear in the previous days, today there is the possibility of exploring another trail in the park (subject to availability), if you wish. This is to vary the route a bit and capture more photos, not only of wildlife but also of the landscape.
In the afternoon, transfer to the hotel in Bogotá.
Night at the AC Marriott Bogotá Zona T hotel.
Day 8: Return home
After enjoying a delicious breakfast, you will be ready to return home. Important note: Please check the departure times of your flights to plan the transfer to the airport with enough time.
Departure airport: El Dorado International Airport (BOG).
Featured sightings
Since USD: 2600
Included
- Airport-Hotel-Airport transfers in Bogot· (driver only, no guide) on Day 1 and Day 8
- Private transportation from Bogot· for all scheduled activities from Day 2 to Day 7
- Professional biologist/photographer guide from Day 2 to Day 7
- Authorized professional guide in Chingaza during your stay in Chingaza National Natural Park
- Entrance fees to Ecopalacio and Chingaza National Natural Park for foreign visitors
- 2 nights at AC Hotel by Marriott Zona T (or similar) in Bogot· in double occupancy
- 6 nights at the Monteredondo Visitor Center (Chingaza) ñ shared rooms accommodation (rooms with two beds)
- Meals as indicated in the daily itinerary (B ñ Breakfast, L ñ Lunch, D ñ Dinner)
- Mandatory local travel insurance
Not included
- Activities not specified in the program
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- Additional charges for choosing a different type of accommodation than the base rate (surcharges are detailed in the table below)
- Additional expenses at the lodge cafeteria in Chingaza
- Personal expenses
- Fees for credit card payments or international bank transfers
General tips
To enhance your experience, it’s important to consider a few key factors that will make your stay in Colombia more enjoyable:
- If you like bringing souvenirs home, we recommend carrying extra cash to buy local crafts in the towns we visit (the local currency is the Colombian peso). We suggest exchanging around USD 200, or the equivalent in your local currency, at the airport. For additional expenses, we recommend using credit cards.
- Mosquito repellent.
- Sunscreen.
- Hat or cap.
- Cloth bag for storing wet clothes.
- Water bottle.
- Trekking shoes.
- Warm clothing for the Andes region.
Photographic equipment
As photographers, we understand how challenging it can be to decide how much equipment to bring on trips, as we always want to pack everything to make the most of the experience. Here are our recommendations for gear to bring:
- Wide-angle lens.
- Zoom lens, range 300-600mm.
- Rain protection for your equipment.
- Tripod.
- Batteries.
- Battery charger.
- Cleaning kit.
- Plug adapter in case of using international chargers.
Clothing
To visit the Chingaza National Natural Park, it’s important to wear appropriate clothing for the variable mountain weather. Thermal or layered clothing is recommended to adapt to the cold mornings and evenings as well as the potential heat during midday. A waterproof or windbreaker jacket is essential, as the area is prone to sudden rain showers. Comfortable and durable pants for hiking are also advised, along with waterproof boots with good grip for the trails. Accessories like gloves, a hat, and a scarf are useful to protect against the cold wind. Don’t forget a hat or cap, sunscreen, and sunglasses for moments of direct sunlight.
tour leader
He graduated in advertising career at the San Francisco de Quito University.
He worked on his career until 2017, since then he made the decision to live from his passion, nature photography. In the same year he started his own business, Photo Wildlife Tours, in which it is dedicated to wildlife photography tours, and conservation. In addition to other audiovisual projects.
In the year 2022 he became the first Ecuadorian to win a category of Wildlife Photographer of the Year, “Animals in their environment”.
