GALAPAGOS ADVENTURE CRUISE VOYAGE ON M/V ECLIPSE NORTH-CENTRAL ISLANDS

Transcription

1 GALAPAGOS ADVENTURE CRUISE VOYAGE ON M/V ECLIPSE NORTH-CENTRAL ISLANDS

2 North-Central Islands Overview The Eclipse accommodates up to 48 passengers, yet still preserves an elegant, smaller boat atmosphere. She also provides the comforts of larger boats including a sparkling Jacuzzi, outdoor dining area and air conditioning. Complimentary wetsuits, snorkeling gear and kayaks ensure full enjoyment of the Galapagos many wonders above and below the surface! Explore the fascinating blend of Indian and Spanish culture in Quito, South America's oldest capital city and designated UN World Heritage Site, and voyage among the unique Galapagos Islands. Discover plants and animals unique to particular islands as you travel throughout the archipelago. Our expert naturalist guides explain how these species have evolved and adapted over time. During an 8 day cruise you will visit the major wildlife sites, including some of the more remote outer islands. Meet exotic and bizarre wildlife as you venture among cinder cones, lava flows, white and black sand beaches, and rocky cliffs and cool off snorkeling in clear equatorial waters. DAY DATE OVERNIGHT HOTELS MEALS HIGHLIGHTS 1 Thu QUITO Casa Aliso Arrival in Quito 2 Fri QUITO Casa Aliso B Quito City Tour 3 Sat GALAPAGOS ISLANDS Eclipse BLD Fly from Quito to the Galapagos, Black Turtle Cove 4 Sun Eclipse BLD Pinnacle Rock, Puerto Egas 5 Mon BARTOLOME / SANTIAGO ISABELA / FERNANDINA Eclipse BLD Tagus Cove, Punta Espinoza 6 Tue ISABELA ISLAND Eclipse BLD Punta Vicente Roca, Punta Albemarle 7 Wed SANTA CRUZ Eclipse BLD Puerto Ayora, Charles Darwin Station, highlands 8 Thu GENOVESE Eclipse BLD El Barranco, Darwin Bay 9 Fri SANTA CRUZ Eclipse BLD Bachas Beach, Cerro Dragon 10 Sat QUITO Casa Aliso B Fly back to Quito 11 Sun DEPARTURE B Departure Wildland Adventures Galapagos Adventure Cruise Eclipse -2-

3 North-Central Islands Itinerary in Detail DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN QUITO Arrive in Quito and transfer to Casa Aliso, a charming boutique style hotel in the stylish La Floresta neighborhood of Quito. Overnight Casa Aliso. Please note: Upgrades to Quito s elegant Casa Gangotena in the colonial center are available for $165 per person/per night (Luxury) or $240 per person/per night (Plaza). Please inquire for availability DAY 2: QUITO We begin our Ecuador vacation with a half-day city tour of colonial Quito, including the bustling Independence Plaza, the dazzling gold-leafed altars of La Compania Church, and the impressive San Francisco Church. Visit the Mitad del Mundo Equatorial marker and ethnographic village and museum. Afternoon and evening are free to explore this beautifully restored city with its busy pedestrian plazas, shops, coffee bars, pubs, and many excellent restaurants. Overnight Casa Aliso. [B] DAY 3: GALAPAGOS ISLANDS Private transfer in the morning to the domestic airport for the 2 hour flight to the Galapagos [2K34 UIO/GPS 09H45-12H20]. Upon arrival, meet your naturalist guide and transfer to the Eclipse. The ship's crew will greet you on board, take care of your luggage, and run through safety drills. Enjoy fresh fruit drinks as the yacht makes her way to the first site visit, a panga ride to Black Turtle Cove on the island of Santa Cruz. The cove, a maze of tranquil salt water inlets, is a nursery site for sea turtles, rays and sharks as well as an important nesting site for sea birds. As the sun sets, enjoy a typical Ecuadorian meal, the nightly briefing, and a formal presentation of the captain and crew. During the rest of this week, you will leisurely voyage through the stunning Galapagos Islands, among a varied landscape of diverse flora and fauna. Overnight onboard the Eclipse. [BLD] DAY 4: BARTOLOME / SANTIAGO ISLANDS After a wet landing this morning visit Pinnacle Rock on Bartolome Island, where penguins are often spotted. Hike up to the summit of the island for spectacular views of the Rock, the white-sand beaches and the lush mangrove swamps below. Identify various volcanic formations like spatter and tuff cones with your guide, keeping an eye out for pelicans and Galapagos hawks. Following lunch, we splash ashore at the beautiful black sand beach of Puerto Egas, on Santiago Island. Embark on a hike through the dry interior of the island, keeping your eyes out for hawks, doves, and finches before reaching the opposite coastline. Deep aquamarine colored grottos shelter sea lions and night herons, as well as invertebrates such as sea urchins, octopus, and starfish. This is one of the few places in the Galapagos to spot fur seals basking on the black lava rocks. Overnight on the Eclipse. [BLD] DAY 5: ISABELA / FERNANDINA ISLAND Tagus Cove was historically used as an anchorage for pirates, buccaneers and whalers. Here you will see names of hundreds of ships painted on the high ridges a practice now banned. Our hike traverses through an area of sparse vegetation and stark volcanic landscape of Volcan Darwin. Our reward at the top of the ridge is a breathtaking view of the coves below as well as Darwin Lake. Follow this up with kayaking or a panga ride, watching for blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas, penguins, brown pelicans, brown noddy terns and swallow-tailed gulls. While exploring the channel between Fernandina and Isabela, we sometimes encounter dolphins and whales. Our afternoon visit to Fernandina explores one of the most pristine ecosystems in the entire world, as well as one of the most dynamic. La Cumbre Volcano last erupted in April 2009, dominating the landscape with lava fields stretching toward the shore. Punta Espinoza is a narrow piece of land and habitat of some of the most unique species in the Galapagos, including flightless cormorants, Galapagos snakes, marine iguanas, penguins and the Galapagos hawk. Overnight on the Eclipse. [BLD] Wildland Adventures Galapagos Adventure Cruise Eclipse -3-

4 DAY 6: ISABELA ISLAND The largest island in the archipelago, Isabela is made up of five shield volcanoes joined together by eons of lava flows. Each of the ancient volcanoes is home to unique and distinct subspecies of giant tortoises which have evolved here. The rugged coastline features marine iguanas, penguins, flightless cormorants, and great blue herons. Punta Vicente Roca is a wonderful snorkeling site, with opportunities to view sea turtles as well as myriad fish species. For those choosing to remain dry, a panga ride traces the spectacular geological rock formations. Nazca boobies, pelicans, swallow-tailed gulls, marine iguanas, flightless cormorants, and penguins are frequent inhabitants of this area. On the remote northern tip of Isabela lies Punta Albemarle. This site has been long closed and even now is open to only a handful of yachts. Punta Albemarle was used as a rada base for the US during World War II. We have excellent opportunities for seeing whales in these waters, as well as the largest nesting area for marine iguanas in the entire archipelago. Overnight on the Eclipse. [BLD] DAY 7: SANTA CRUZ / CHARLES DARWIN STATION AND HIGHLANDS Visit the famous Charles Darwin Station on Santa Cruz Island and learn about current research and conservation initiatives including several breeding programs that hope to reintroduce specific tortoise species back onto the island of their origin. Meet Lonesome George, possibly the most famous and the oldest resident of Galapagos, as well as the last surviving individual giant tortoise of his Pinta Island subspecies. Board 4X4 vehicles for the journey to the lush green highlands of Santa Cruz. Here we find the habitat for wild giant tortoises. Your naturalist guides also direct us to explore lava tubes and pit craters, all further evidence of the Galapagos eruptive past, now softened by deep vegetation and flowers. Overnight on the Eclipse. [BLD] DAY 8: GENOVESE ISLAND Genovese is the northernmost island allowed visits by naturalist cruises. The islands is extremely remote and home to literally millions of birds belonging to a wide variety of species, including red footed boobies, frigates, swallow tailed gulls and endemic owls. El Barranco is a steep path with stairs carved into rock, leading to a plateau swarmed with avian life among a Palo Santo forest. Here we see Nazca boobies, Galapagos doves, mockingbirds, and petrels. Keep your eyes peeled for short-eared lava owls! The afternoon excursion to Darwin Bay allows us to luxuriate in soft white sand and a trail to lush mangroves, where we will see nesting red footed boobies. Other inhabitants include sea lions (which can sometimes be seen stretched out in the mangrove trees themselves). Snorkeling here is fantastic, with sharks, colorful reef fish, rays and turtles in abundance. Overnight on the Eclipse. [BLD] DAY 9: SANTA CRUZ Board the Zodiacs this morning for Las Bachas, which is the Spanish translation for barges. The long stretch of a soft white coralline sand beach is a favored spot for nesting sea turtles. A path leads us to interior lagoons where we find the Greater Flamingo, black-necked stilts and whimbrels, as well as other coastal bird species. There is also a wonderful chance to snorkel here from the beach. Following lunch and repositioning, we explore Cerro Dragon on the north end of Santa Cruz Island. Follow your guide on a footpath to endemic land iguanas. Once part of the Darwin Station s breeding program, these repatriated iguanas display orange-yellowish skin with large spines along their backs. Walk quietly to keep from startling the pink flamingos that feed in the salt water lagoon. Along the trail, keep your eyes open for Darwin s Finches and Yellow Warblers. Return to the yacht at sunset for your briefing followed by dinner. Overnight on the Eclipse. [BLD] DAY 10: RETURN TO QUITO Disembark in the morning. Your guide will accompany you to the Galapagos airport for your afternoon flight to the mainland [2K35 GPS/UIO 13H00-17H15], where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Overnight at Casa Aliso. [B] Wildland Adventures Galapagos Adventure Cruise Eclipse -4-

5 DAY 11: DEPART Transfer to the airport for your return flight home or extend your trip to visit more of Ecuador's natural wonders. [B] END OF SERVICES Actual routes and activities may vary. Local trip coordinators reserve the right to change accommodations to similar quality alternatives North-Central Islands Departure Dates (Thursday to Sunday) (F=Family Departures) Mar 1-11 Mar Mar 29-Apr 8 [F] Apr [F] Apr 26-May 6 May May 24-Jun 3 Jun 7-17 Jun 21-July 1 [F] Jul 5-15 [F] Jul [F] Aug 2-12 [F] Aug [F] Oct Oct 25-Nov 4 Nov 8-18 Nov 22-Dec 2 Dec 6-16 [F] Dec 20-30[F] Wildland Adventures Galapagos Adventure Cruise Eclipse -5-

6 GALAPAGOS ADVENTURE CRUISE VOYAGE ON M/V ECLIPSE SOUTH-CENTRAL ISLANDS Wildland Adventures Galapagos Adventure Cruise Eclipse -6-

7 South-Central Islands Overview The Eclipse accommodates up to 48 passengers, yet still preserves an elegant, smaller boat atmosphere. She also provides the comforts of larger boats including a sparkling Jacuzzi, outdoor dining area and air conditioning. Complimentary wetsuits, snorkeling gear and kayaks ensure full enjoyment of the Galapagos many wonders above and below the surface! Explore the fascinating blend of Indian and Spanish culture in Quito, South America's oldest capital city and designated UN World Heritage Site, and voyage among the unique Galapagos Islands. Discover plants and animals unique to particular islands as you travel throughout the archipelago. Our expert naturalist guides explain how these species have evolved and adapted over time. During an 8 day cruise you will visit the major wildlife sites, including some of the more remote outer islands. Meet exotic and bizarre wildlife as you venture among cinder cones, lava flows, white and black sand beaches, and rocky cliffs and cool off snorkeling in clear equatorial waters. DAY DATE OVERNIGHT HOTELS MEALS HIGHLIGHTS 1 Thu QUITO Casa Aliso Arrival in Quito 2 Fri QUITO Casa Aliso B Quito City Tour 3 Sat GALAPAGOS ISLANDS Eclipse BLD Fly from Quito to the Galapagos, North Seymour 4 Sun Eclipse BLD Opuntia forest SOUTH PLAZA / SANTA FE 5 Mon SAN CRISTOBAL Eclipse BLD Punta Pitt, Cerro Brujo 6 Tue FLOREANA Eclipse BLD Post Office Bay, Punta Cormorant 7 Wed ISABELA Eclipse BLD Elizabeth Bay, Punta Moreno 8 Thu SANTA CRUZ Eclipse BLD Charles Darwin Station, highlands 9 Fri ESPANOLA Eclipse BLD Gardner Bay, Punta Suarez 10 Sat QUITO Casa Aliso B Fly back to Quito 11 Sun DEPARTURE B Departure Wildland Adventures Galapagos Adventure Cruise Eclipse South-Central -7-

8 South-Central Islands Itinerary in Detail DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN QUITO Arrive in Quito and transfer to Casa Aliso, a charming boutique style hotel in the stylish La Floresta neighborhood of Quito. Overnight Casa Aliso. Please note: Upgrades to Quito s elegant Casa Gangotena in the colonial center are available for $165 per person/per night (Luxury) or $240 per person/per night (Plaza). Please inquire for availability DAY 2: QUITO We begin our Ecuador vacation with a half-day city tour of colonial Quito, including the bustling Independence Plaza, the dazzling gold-leafed altars of La Compania Church, and the impressive San Francisco Church. Visit the Mitad del Mundo Equatorial marker and ethnographic village and museum. Afternoon and evening are free to explore this beautifully restored city with its busy pedestrian plazas, shops, coffee bars, pubs, and many excellent restaurants. Overnight Casa Aliso. [B] DAY 3: GALAPAGOS ISLANDS Private transfer in the morning to the domestic airport for the 2 hour flight to the Galapagos [2K34 UIO/GPS 09H45-12H20]. Upon arrival, meet your naturalist guide and transfer to the Eclipse. The ship's crew will greet you on board, take care of your luggage, and run through safety drills. Enjoy fresh fruit drinks as the yacht makes her way to the first site visit, a dry landing at North Seymour, considered to be a perfect introduction to the Galapagos Islands. Walk among sea lions, blue footed boobies, marine iguanas, frigates and maybe land iguanas! As the sun sets, enjoy a typical Ecuadorian meal, the nightly briefing, and a formal presentation of the captain and crew. During the rest of this week, you will leisurely voyage through the stunning Galapagos Islands, among a varied landscape of diverse flora and fauna. Overnight onboard the Eclipse. [BLD] DAY 4: SOUTH PLAZA / SANTA FE ISLANDS This morning s visit to the tiny island of South Plaza introduces us to some of the archipelago s iconic flora. This is the largest opuntia cactus forest and endemic sesuvium. The fauna includes one of the largest sea lion colonies as well as Nazca boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, and many varieties of finches. Following lunch onboard, we move onto Santa Fe, an uplift, rather than volcanically-formed island. Santa Fe is known to have one of the most beautiful coves in all the Galapagos. Here we observe Galapagos hawk, Galapagos snake, Galapagos mockingbird, finches, and many more birds. Playful sea lions accompany swimmers and snorkelers during beach time. Overnight on the Eclipse. [BLD] DAY 5: SAN CRISTOBAL The morning finds us at Punta Pitt, located on the eastern tip of San Cristobal Island and composed of volcanic bluff substrate. This is the only spot in the archipelago where you may see all 3 species of boobies and both species of frigates. There will be opportunities here to kayak and take panga rides to get closer views of the nesting sites in the cliff face. After lunch and repositioning to the north coast, we visit Cerro Brujo s beautiful beach, the site of Charles Darwin s first step on Galapagos soil. We visit a a lagoon used by the locals for salt mining. Snorkeling in the crystalline waters is a refreshing way to end the day. Overnight on the Eclipse. [BLD] DAY 6: FLOREANA ISLAND We begin our day on Floreana with a visit to Post Office Bay, perhaps not the most scenic, but probably the most famous site in Galapagos. Here we visit a post barrel, originally put into use in the late 18 th Century by sailors onboard English whaling vessels. You are invited to leave a post card and to pick up any mail from your home area. This island could be the most infamous of all the Galapagos, due to many intriguing stories surrounding the pioneering families, which we shall hear about from our naturalist guides. Snorkeling here is rewarded with ample marine life such as rays and reef sharks, and the turquoise lagoons are home to brilliant pink flamingos. You may also observe stilts and pintail ducks in the brackish waters. Sea turtles lay their eggs in the sand dunes. Overnight on the Eclipse. [BLD] Wildland Adventures Galapagos Adventure Cruise Eclipse South-Central -8-

9 DAY 7: ISABELA ISLAND Elizabeth Bay will be our most remote point of the voyage and one of the most rewarding. By quiet pangas we enter a sheltered cove lined in lush mangroves. Here we observe turtles, rays and counless shore birds. Proceeding to the rocky islets known as Las Marielas, we find a nesting colony of penguins as well as flightless cormorants, herons, blue footed boobies and giant marine iguanas. Just southwest of Elizabeth Bay is Punta Moreno and a large population of sea birds of many species. Our panga navigation brings up close to the striking rocky shores and a hardy hike takes us where the terrain is rough and the lava fields are stark. This almost prehistoric landscape is interspersed with lagoons containing abundant wildlife, including green sea turtles and white-tip reef sharks, pintail ducks and flamingos. There are several lava cactus and other pioneering plants here, including a species of Scalesia. Overnight on the Eclipse. [BLD] DAY 8: SANTA CRUZ ISLAND The main population center of the Galapagos Islands, Puerto Ayora, may come as a shock after the primeval quiet of the more remote islands. But it is here that we visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and learn of the pioneering efforts by scientists, guides, rangers and park managers to preserve this wondrous UNESCO World Heritage site. Meet Lonesome George, perhaps the Islands most famous and oldest resident, and the last remaining member of the La Pinta Island tortoise species. Continuing our visit of Santa Cruz, we travel by bus to the lush green of the highlands. The scenery gradually changes as we wind our way through all seven vegetation zones found in Galapagos. Here we visit the tortoise reserve where we encounter giant tortoises in their natural habitat. We visit Los Gemelos, Spanish for The Twins, a pair of large pit craters, and habitat for the brilliant red male vermilion flycatcher. A special treat is a stop at "the tunnels," the largest lava tubes found in Galapagos, and eye-popping evidence of the Islands volcanic origins. Overnight on the Eclipse. [BLD] DAY 9: ESPANOLA ISLAND This morning, we have a wet landing at Gardner Bay. Walk along seemingly endless stretches of this white sandy beach where you ll find large colonies of sea lions. There is no trail to follow so this is a chance to explore and discover Galapagos Hawks, Darwin s Finches or a Hood Mockingbird. Swim with sea lions from the beach. Your expert naturalist guides can point you to an excellent snorkeling site off Gardner Islet with colorful diversity of sea life near Tortuga Rock or caves covered with invertebrates. Passengers are also permitted to use the kayaks at this particular site. Following lunch and repositioning, we have a dry landing at Punta Suarez, where we witness the highest rate of endemic species in Galapagos. Sea lions noisily greet us as we land on their beach. Curious Hood mockingbirds peck at our shoelaces. From April to November, the waved albatross, found only on Espanola, perform their wild mating ritual. Colonies of bluefooted boobies engage in sky-pointing to show off for potential mates. Nazca boobies busily care for their young. Stunning swallow-tailed gulls are the only nocturnal gulls in the world. Red-billed tropicbirds take shelter under the cliffs. We also find Darwin s Finches, Galapagos Doves and Galapagos Hawks. Here we may observe a unique species of marine iguana identified with traces of red and green colorings. Colorful sally light-foot crabs crawl along the shoreline near the dramatic "blow hole". This is the scene most people envision when they decide to visit Galapagos. During lunch, we motor to the other side of the Island. Return to the yacht at sunset for your briefing followed by our farewell dinner. Overnight on the Eclipse. [BLD] DAY 10: RETURN TO QUITO Disembark in the morning. Your guide will accompany you to the Galapagos airport for your afternoon flight to the mainland [2K35 GPS/UIO 13H00-17H15], where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Overnight at Casa Aliso. [B] Wildland Adventures Galapagos Adventure Cruise Eclipse South-Central -9-

10 DAY 11: DEPART Transfer to the airport for your return flight home or extend your trip to visit more of Ecuador's natural wonders. [B] Actual routes and activities may vary. Local trip coordinators reserve the right to change accommodations to similar quality alternatives. Shorter 6 day/5 night voyages are available for this itinerary. Please inquire South-Central Islands Departure Dates (Thursday to Sunday) (F=Family Departures) Mar 8-18 Mar 22-April 1 Apr 5-15 [F] Apr May 3-13 May May 31-Jun 10 Jun [F] Jun 28-Jul 8 [F] Jul [F] Jul 26-Aug 5 [F] Aug 9-19 [F] Oct 4-14 Oct Nov 1-11 Nov Nov 29-Dec 9 [F] Dec [F] Dec 27-Jan 6 [F] Wildland Adventures Galapagos Adventure Cruise Eclipse South-Central

11 2012 PRICING FOR ALL ECLIPSE ITINERARIES CABIN CATEGORY ADULT CHILD Stateroom Main Deck $5985 $4630 Superior Boat Deck $6530 $5040 Deluxe Boat Deck $6980 $5380 *Children 4 to 8 years of age are restricted to designated family departures. Child Discounts not available on holiday departures. Discounts are not available on holiday departures. Please call for triple and single rates. ADDITIONAL FEES Roundtrip airfare Quito Galapagos (Currently $425 per person adult, $280 per child 11 and under, subject to change. This will appear as a separate line item on your invoice) Galapagos National Park fees (Currently $110 per person adult, $60 per child 11 and under. This will appear as a separate line item on your invoice) Air fuel surcharge (Currently $100 per person, subject to change. This will appear as a separate line item on your invoice) Ship fuel surcharge (Currently $260 per person, subject to change. This will appear as a separate line item on your invoice) INCLUDED SERVICES All guided tours and excursions English-speaking certified naturalist guides Guided Tours and excursions Airport-hotel transfers, land and sea transportation 10 nights accommodation as indicated Meals as indicated [B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner] Wildland Adventures travel consultation and pre-departure services NOT INCLUDED SERVICES International airfare Tips and gratuities Airport departure taxes (This should be included in your international air tickets. Please consult with your carrier or agent) Drinks, alcoholic beverages, and meals other than listed above Personal expenses for extra services, optional activities, or changes in your itinerary for reasons beyond our control Travel insurance for trip cancellation, medical services, or evacuation Any other items not mentioned above You will need to carry about $300-$500 extra cash (must be in local currency or US dollars cash, not travelers checks nor credit cards) to cover the fees, taxes, tips and meals not included in your itinerary. For Galapagos travelers, please note that due to weather conditions, vessel operation, and Galapagos Park management, cruise itineraries are subject to change. All yacht operators reserve the right to change vessels prior to departure due to maintenance or replacement. On very rare occasions when this occurs passengers will be transferred to another vessel and cabin of comparable or better class (comfort, services, amenities, equipment, etc.) at no extra charge. Wildland Adventures Galapagos Adventure Cruise Eclipse South-Central

12 Accommodations CASA ALISO, QUITO Casa Aliso is a charming boutique hotel in the style and comfort of a small, luxurious home. This luxury Ecuador vacation accommodation is located in the fashionable residential neighborhood of "La Floresta", a quiet, forested area in the northern sector of the city a close to restaurants, shops and plazas of downtown Quito. Each room is individually designed featuring classic décor with modern style. They are well appointed with a sitting chair, desk, and comfortable beds, with telephones and cable TV. The bathrooms have a bathtub and shower, bathrobes, hairdryers and are equipped with 220v and 110v sockets. Your Ecuador adventure will be enhanced by the fine cuisine and the exceptionally professional and personal service of the staff at Casa Aliso. ECLIPSE At 210 feet long with a beam of 41 feet, the luxurious Galapagos expedition ship Eclipse accommodates half the number of passengers of other Galapagos yachts her size; she preserves the intimacy of a smaller Galapagos yacht with the spacious amplitude of a luxury expedition Galapagos cruise featuring large staterooms and ample social areas. Galapagos cruising aboard Eclipse is enhanced with a 20' dipping pool, a hot tub, two bars, a library/video room, and a comfortable upper deck that is partially covered in the day and serves as an the night time observation deck for stargazing. Meals included in this Galapagos package are served indoors at a single open seating or a shaded al fresco dining area. The lounge provides plenty of comfortable seating for all and is where briefings are held with naturalist-guides. A small gift shop, open on demand, stocks toiletries, books, souvenirs, T-shirts and other items. The Eclipse also features an airrenewal system and an infirmary with a medical doctor is on board at all times. Wildland Adventures Galapagos Adventure Cruise Eclipse South-Central

13 Booking your Wildland Adventure HOW TO RESERVE A TRIP You can book online using our Reserve a Trip form or by calling one of our destination-expert Program Directors at Your space on a trip is confirmed once we receive your reservation form and the initial trip deposit. Deposit requirements are as follows*: $500 per person for all trips in Central America. $700 per person for all trips in South America, the Middle East, Asia, the Mediterranean and North America. 20% of land cost for all trips in Africa. This deposit is generally non-refundable. *Additional deposits may be required for some trips. It may be necessary to adjust prices up or down 30 days before departure to allow for changes in group size, rooming status or currency fluctuations. Full payment of the remaining trip balance is due 90 days prior to departure. Prior to departure, all travelers are required to sign a Release of Liability CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS If you must cancel before departure, money will be returned less the cancellation fees charged by WA Inc. plus any additional nonrefundable cancellation fees and payments already advanced to airlines, hotels and local operators: Days Prior to Departure: Fee* per person 91 or more: $100 (plus initial deposit for Africa trips) days: Initial deposit amount days: 50% of land cost 30 or less: 100% of land cost *Note: Cancellation may result in additional penalties charged by local hotels, operators and airlines, occasionally as much as 100% of the cost. PRE-DEPARTURE SERVICES Upon receipt of your deposit and completed reservation form, we will send you a comprehensive Predeparture Dossier. This contains our exclusive Wildland Adventures Destination Handbooks, country map, immunization information, visa and other permit forms, a trip insurance policy, checklist, reading list, travel gear catalog, cross-cultural information and optional trip extensions. You will receive a final trip packet including Final Reminders and local contact information in your destination 2-3 weeks prior to departure. REFERENCES AND QUESTIONS We think our trips are the best in the business. But don t take just our word for it. We re happy to provide you with references from other Wild travelers. Have more questions or concerns? Call us a We re here to help. CUSTOM TRAVEL This trip isn t exactly what you re looking for? We are happy to customize an itinerary to accommodate your travel dates, interests and style of accommodations. Call us at or use the Contact a Program Director button on the trip itinerary page on our website. TERMS AND CONDITIONS: Wildland Adventures, Inc. has arranged your trip utilizing the travel services of local in-country ground operators who are independent contractors. These local outfitters, lodges, hotels and other suppliers of your travel services will make every effort to conduct this trip as described in the itinerary. It is however possible that due to transportation schedule changes, weather, delays and unforeseeable acts of God, humans or nature, this itinerary may vary from what is described. Participants must assume all risks whether identified in advance or unforeseen. All optional activities are at your own risk. Extra costs due to unexpected changes in your itinerary for reasons beyond our control are not included. We highly recommend purchasing traveler s insurance for trip delay, trip cancellation, baggage, accident or sickness. Representatives are available for assistance at any time during your trip. If preferred hotels are not available, every attempt will be made to reserve alternative accommodations of similar quality. (If upgrade is necessary, higher rates may apply.) All information and services provided are subject to our Terms and Conditions Wildland Adventures How to Reserve a Trip