Journey to the End of the Earth. March 28 to April 9, a program of the stanford alumni association

Transcription

1 S T A N F O R D T R A V E L / S T U D Y Journey to the End of the Earth March 28 to April 9, 2012 a program of the stanford alumni association

2 Returning from a Patagonia Expedition a few years ago, one of our tour managers proclaimed South America s southernmost region the most beautiful place on earth. Since then, Patagonia has become one of the most sought-after assignments in our office. The verdict from our other staffers who have snagged this assignment? Patagonia truly is a land of stunning landscapes towering mountain ranges, massive glacier fields, sapphire and aquamarine lakes, and rugged coastlines populated by elephant seals and Magellanic penguins. Make 2012 the year you travel with us to Patagonia where the southern end of the Western Hemisphere and the Pacific and Atlantic oceans converge in one of the world s most glorious displays of nature and topography! Brett S. Thompson, 83, Director, Stanford Travel/Study Highlights EXPERIENCE the vibrant music and dance of the traditional tango in Buenos Aires and taste outstanding Chilean wines in Santiago. TRAVEL in the footsteps of Charles Darwin as we navigate Tierra del Fuego in search of penguins, dolphins, sea lions and Andean condors. BE INSPIRED by the colors, shapes and sounds of the remote tip of South America. Marvel at jagged peaks, changing skies, vast pampas and soaring coastal cliffs. CREATE a personalized itinerary in gorgeous Torres del Paine National Park, perhaps horseback riding on the pampas, hiking in a beech forest or joining a wildlife photo safari. VIEW FROM EXPLORA LODGE

3 c e a n Santiago Buenos Aires A RGENTINA URUGUAY A t l a n t i c O c e a n c O c i f i P a C HILE a P a t a g o n i Strait of Magellan TORRES DEL PAINE Puerto Natales Punta Arenas TIERRA DEL FUEGO Ushuaia Beagle Channel Cape Horn Itinerary Wednesday & Thursday, March 28 & 29 DEPART U.S. / BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA Depart on an overnight flight to Buenos Aires. Transfer to our hotel, located in the heart of the fashionable Recoleta neighborhood. On a guided walking tour, explore nearby galleries, museums and cafes, and the famous Recoleta Cemetery, final resting place of Eva Peron. This evening, enjoy a festive welcome reception. LOI SUITES RECOLETA Friday, March 30 BUENOS AIRES Explore the vibrant city of Buenos Aires, Paris of South America. Visit the historical Plaza de Mayo (May Square) surrounded by the Government House, Metropolitan Cathedral and City Hall, seat of the former Spanish viceroys. Gaze upon the recently restored Teatro Colón, one of the world s greatest opera houses. This evening, enjoy dinner and a spectacular tango performance at a traditional club. LOI SUITES RECOLETA (B,D) Saturday, March 31 BUENOS AIRES / USHUAIA EMBARK VIA AUSTRALIS Fly to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. Set along the Beagle Channel and backed by snowcapped mountains, the city is reminiscent of a rugged frontier town. Spend the day hiking through the forests of Tierra del Fuego National Park, famous for its austere beauty. This afternoon embark the Via Australis and cruise along the Beagle Channel, the passage associated with Charles Darwin and named for the ship that carried him on his voyage of discovery from 1831 to Watch for fabled albatross and giant petrels as they soar above the ship s wake. VIA AUSTRALIS (B,L,D) Sunday, April 1 CAPE HORN, CHILE / WULAIA BAY Weather permitting, take Zodiacs to the mythical Cabo de Hornos (Cape Horn) for a panoramic view from the southernmost tip of South America. Later explore Wulaia Bay, once home to the region s largest native settlement and where Charles Darwin landed during his voyage. Choose one of two walks and explore the spectacular beauty of the Magellanic forest. VIA AUSTRALIS (B,L,D) Monday, April 2 CHICO INLET / PILOTO AND NENA GLACIERS As we navigate the Magdalena Channel, watch for penguins, dolphins, sea lions and Andean condors, and view the amazing Gunther Plüschow Glacier. Explore Chico Inlet by Zodiac and get a close-up look at the Piloto and Nena glaciers. VIA AUSTRALIS (B,L,D) Tuesday, April 3 MAGDALENA ISLAND / PUNTA ARENAS / TORRES DEL PAINE This morning take a walk on Magdalena Island, uninhabited by people but home to a colony of Magellanic penguins. Disembark in Punta Arenas and continue across the southern pampas. Check in to the stunning Explora Lodge in Torres del Paine National Park, our home for the next four nights. EXPLORA LODGE (B,L,D)

4 SOUTH AMERICAN GRAY FOX Caminito Street buenos aires toronto Wednesday, Thursday & Friday, April 4, 5 & 6 TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK Enjoy three full days exploring the most impressive region in southern Chile, Torres del Paine National Park. Visit Grey Lake with its incredibly blue ice sculptures and venture to Salto Grande, a glacial waterfall set amid stunning views of the majestic 11,000-foot-high Grand Paine Mountains. Each day, choose from a variety of activities. Hike through beech forests along the shore of Laguna Azul; enjoy a horseback ride through the windswept pampas; look for herds of guanacos and rheas, flamingos, condors, foxes and black-necked swans on a photo safari; and take advantage of Explora Lodge s relaxing amenities and spectacular view of the Paine Massif. Throughout, enjoy our lecture program. We cap off our stay with a festive Patagonian barbecue at a traditional estancia. EXPLORA LODGE (B,L,D all 3 days) Saturday, April 7 TORRES DEL PAINE / PUNTA ARENAS / SANTIAGO Drive to Punta Arenas for our flight to Santiago, stopping for lunch along the way. Arrive in Santiago this evening and check in to our hotel. PLAZA EL BOSQUE PARK AND SUITES (B,L) Sunday & Monday, April 8 & 9 SANTIAGO / U.S. Our exploration of Santiago includes a walk through the historic center, a visit to the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art and lunch at Santiago s spectacular fish market. Enjoy the late afternoon at leisure. Toast the conclusion of our journey at this evening s farewell wine tasting, then transfer to the airport for overnight flights to Miami, arriving the next day and connecting to flights home. (4/8: B,L) The Explora Lodge The Explora Lodge in Torres del Paine National Park is the best hotel in Patagonia and sets an international standard for luxury. The architecture of the Explora is designed to bring its guests into intimate contact with the magnificent natural world of the remote Patagonian peninsula. Today, the hotel serves as a place of contemplative refuge and restful return after each journey into the awe-inspiring natural beauty of this extraordinary environment. Careful consideration has been given to every amenity to ensure comfort, including bed linens imported from Barcelona, tapestries from New York and wicker furniture from Chimbarongo. The hotel s facilities include spectacular views, fine dining, all-inclusive cocktails, expert guides, indoor heated pool, sauna, spa and all of the service, comforts and amenities of a five-star hotel.

5 Via Australis One of the top expedition ships in Tierra del Fuego, the comfortable, modern Via Australis was designed specifically for cruising Patagonian waterways. Built in 2006, the ship has 64 outside-facing, 161-square-foot cabins, each with double or twin beds, large window, en suite bathroom, individual temperature controls and closet. Other amenities include ample deck space, two lounges with bars, library, game room and single-seating dining room featuring regional and international cuisine served with fine wines. DARWIN CABO DE HORNOS DECK SKY LOUNGE TIERRA DEL FUEGO PANORAMIC DECK BRIDGE Program Cost * Rates are per person, based on double occupancy unless otherwise specified. Double Single ** MAGALLANES YAMANA LOUNGE Category A $10,495 $12, Category AA $11,395 $13,495 PATAGONIA Category AAA $12,395 PATAGONIA DINING ROOM KITCHEN * Association nonmembers add $200 per person. ** Single acommodations are limited. Flag: Chile Length: 236 feet Beam: 44 feet Draft: 11 feet

6 Information Dates March 28 to April 9, 2012 (13 days) Terms & Conditions Size Limited to 36 participants INCLUDED 7 nights of deluxe hotel accommodations 3-night cruise aboard the Via Australis 10 breakfasts, 9 lunches and 8 dinners On-tour flights Welcome and farewell receptions Bottled water on excursions Gratuities to porters, guides, drivers and ship crew for all group activities All tours and shore excursions as described in the itinerary Transfers and baggage handling on program arrival and departure days Port fees and embarkation taxes Minimal medical, accident and evacuation insurance Educational program with lecture series and pre-departure materials, including recommended reading list, a selected book, map and travel information Services of our professional tour manager to assist you throughout the program NOT INCLUDED International and U.S. domestic airfare Passport, visa, and tourism fees Immunization costs Meals and beverages other than those specified as included Independent and private transfers Tripcancellation/interruption and baggage insurance Excess-baggage charges Personal items such as , telephone and fax calls, laundry and gratuities for nongroup services Air Arrangements International and U.S. domestic airfare is not included in the program cost. Round-trip, economy-class airfare from San Francisco to Buenos Aires, Argentina, and return from Santiago, Chile, is approximately $1,300 as of June 2011 and is subject to change without notice. Fuel Costs In the uncertain, often volatile oil market of late, it is difficult to predict fuel costs over the long term and, more specifically, at the time of operation of this voyage. Our prices are based upon the prevailing fuel rates at the time of brochure printing. While we will do everything possible to maintain our prices, if the fuel rates increase significantly, it may be necessary to institute a fuel surcharge. WHAT TO EXPECT We consider this program to be a moderately active program that is at times physically demanding and busy. Daily programs involve one to three miles of walking, often on uneven terrain in national parks and nature preserves where paths can be rocky or slippery and may involve ascents or descents on steep hills. The late Patagonian summer offers relatively long, warm, sunny days and cool nights and mornings. Temperatures can range from the 70s ( F) during the day to the 50s at night. All four seasons can occur in one day with strong gusts of wind. Weather in Patagonia, as a general rule, is unpredictable. We welcome travelers 15 years of age and older on this program. Deposit & Final Payment A $1,000 deposit is required to hold space for the Patagonia Expedition. Complete and return the attached reservation form or sign up online. Final payment is due 120 days prior to departure. As a condition of participation, all confirmed participants are required to sign a Release of Liability. Cancellations & Refunds Deposits and any payments are fully refundable, less a $500-per-person cancellation fee, until 120 days prior to departure. After that date, refunds can be made only if the program is sold out and your place(s) can be resold, in which case a $1,000-perperson cancellation fee will apply. We recommend trip-cancellation insurance; applications will be sent to you. Insurance Stanford Travel/Study provides all travelers who are U.S. or Canadian citizens with minimal medical, accident and evacuation coverage under our group-travel insurance policy. Our group policy is intended to provide minimal levels of protection while you are traveling on this program. We strongly recommend that you subscribe to optional baggage and trip-cancellation insurance. A brochure offering such insurance will be mailed with your confirmation about one week after we receive your deposit. The product offered in this brochure includes a special Waiver of Pre-Existing Conditions and coverage for Financial Insolvency and Terrorist Acts if you postmark your insurance payment within 15 days of the date listed on the confirmation letter. Eligibility We encourage membership in the Alumni Association as the program cost for nonmembers is $200 more than the members price. Parents and their children under 21 may travel on one membership. For more information or to purchase a membership, visit alumni.stanford.edu/goto/membership or call (650) Responsibility The Stanford Alumni Association, Stanford University and our operators act only as agents for the passenger with respect to transportation and ship arrangements and exercise every care possible in doing so. However, we can assume no liability for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity in connection with the service of any automobile, motorcoach, launch or any other conveyance used in carrying out this program or for the acts or defaults of any company or person engaged in conveying the passenger or in carrying out the arrangements of the program. We cannot accept any responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in air or other services, sickness, weather, strike, war, quarantine, force majeure or other causes beyond our control. All such losses or expenses will have to be borne by the passenger as tour rates provide arrangements only for the time stated. We reserve the right to make such alterations to this published itinerary as may be deemed necessary. The right is reserved to cancel any program prior to departure in which case the entire payment will be refunded without further obligation on our part. The right is also reserved to decline to accept or retain any person as a member of the program. No refund will be made for an unused portion of any tour unless arrangements are made in sufficient time to avoid penalties. It is understood that the ship s ticket, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between the passenger and the cruise company. Baggage is carried at the owner s risk entirely. The airlines concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission or event during the time that passengers are not onboard their plane or conveyance. Neither the Alumni Association, Stanford University nor our operators accept liability for any carrier s cancellation penalty incurred by the purchase of a nonrefundable ticket in connection with the tour. Program price is based on rates in effect in June 2011 and is subject to change without notice to reflect fluctuations in exchange rates, tariffs or fuel charges. California Seller of Travel Program Registration # COPYRIGHT 2011 STANFORD ALUMNI ASSOCIATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Printed on recycled, FSC-certified paper in the U.S.

7 Stanford Faculty Leaders Professors Pamela Matson and Peter Vitousek, the popular husband/wife faculty team, have worked in the area of environment and sustainability for over 20 years. Pamela and her students and collaborators have worked on the sustainability of agricultural systems, the vulnerability of particular people and places to climate change, and the consequences of tropical deforestation on atmosphere, climate and water systems. With multi-disciplinary teams of researchers, managers and other decision-makers, she has worked to develop agricultural approaches that reduce environmental impacts while maintaining livelihoods and human wellbeing. Peter and his laboratory have worked on the global cycles of nitrogen and phosphorus and how they are altered by human activity, on biological invasions by exotic species, and agricultural practices and their consequences within indigenous societies of the Pacific. On our program Peter and Pamela will discuss the environmental changes in the southern land and ocean as well as the natural and human history of the southern Andes. Peter and Pamela have educated and fascinated travelers on nearly 20 Travel/Study programs and both have won numerous awards for their teaching and research. Peter and Pam were great lecturers and great conversationalists! Hilary Valentine, Galapagos and Ecuador Family Adventure, 2007 PROFESSOR PAMELA MATSON Dean of the School of Earth Sciences, Stanford University Richard and Rhoda Goldman Chair of Environmental Studies Senior fellow in the Woods Institute for Environment Member of the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences PROFESSOR PETER VITOUSEK Clifford G. Morrison Professor of Population and Resource Studies, Stanford University Director of the Emmett Interdisciplinary Program in Environment and Resources Member of the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences S T A N F O R D T R A V E L / S T U D Y Reservation Form Patagonia Expedition March 28 to April 9, 2012 MR. / MRS. / MS. MISS / DR. / PROF. NAME AGE STANFORD CLASS MR. / MRS. / MS. MISS / DR. / PROF. NAME AGE STANFORD CLASS ADDRESS SIGN UP ONLINE! I/We have read the Terms and Conditions for the program and agree to them. Signature If this is a reservation for one person, please indicate: I wish to have single accommodations. OR I plan to share accommodations with OR I d like to know about possible roommates. Category Preference: 1st choice: Twin Beds Double Bed 2nd choice: Twin Beds Double Bed Here is my deposit of $ ($1,000 per person) for space(s). Enclosed is my check (make payable to Stanford Alumni Association) OR Charge my deposit to my: Visa MasterCard American Express CITY / STATE / ZIP CARD # EXPIRES HOME PHONE WORK PHONE AUTHORIZED CARDHOLDER SIGNATURE DATE CELL PHONE ADDRESS Mail completed form to address on mail panel or fax to (650) or place your deposit online at alumni.stanford.edu/trip?patagonia2012. Please submit your reservation only once to avoid multiple charges to your account. 7487

8 Journey to the End of the Earth March 28 to April 9, 2012 Stanford Travel/Study Frances C. Arrillaga Alumni Center 326 Galvez Street Stanford, CA (650) Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage P A I D Stanford Alumni Association alumni.stanford.edu/goto/travelstudy The vastness and grandeur of Patagonia was unexpected, and the opportunity to be so close and savor its beauty has left me with lovely and lasting memories. Kathryn Miller, 57 Patagonia Expedition 2010 S T A N F O R D T R A V E L / S T U D Y