Maine Fall Foliage Capture the breathtaking brilliance of Maine s backcountry during peak foliage season This tour is offered during the incomparable peak of Northern New England s fall foliage, traveling in remote, but easily navigated terrain along land and water routes in the shadows of the majestic high peaks of Western Maine. You will visit undeveloped regions of Flagstaff Lake and paddle by canoe down a six-mile, flat-water stretch of the Dead River at the height of peak color in the Maine Woods. Explore birch-lined shorelines, rocky edges and the tranquility of Flagstaff Lake, the meandering Dead River while observing eagle, loon and waterfowl in flight and discovering coves of weathered drift wood, surrounded by the brilliance of fall foliage as only can been seen in the back country of the great northern Maine woods. ITINERARY OUTLINE Trip Essence / Page 2 Daily Itinerary / Page 3-4 Arrival & Departure / Page 5 Trip Extension / Page 6 Terms & Conditions / Page 7 Reserve Your Space! / Page 7 TRIP CONTACT Lauren Hefferon 617-640-4837 Lauren@ciclismoclassico.com Travel Vision 1-800-866-7314 info@ciclismoclassico.com www.ciclismoclassico.com 1
TRIP ESSENCE Daily photography during peak New England fall foliage Hiking through dense, secluded natural forests, lake and river edges An inspiring hike along Flagstaff Lake s famous shore front Birch Trail A guided canoe trip on Flagstaff Lake Vistas of the Bigelow Mountains, a 26-mile long mountain range with two of Maine s High Peaks (above 4,000 feet) Introductory presentation of photography in the Maine Wilderness by local professional nature photographers Daily presentations and discussions of photographic techniques, composition, local knowledge and critiques of participant s work An add-on adventure to Richardson Lake, including a day exploring an historic hunting camp Healthy meals featuring local food, the fall harvest and Maine s famous craft beers Three overnight stays in the recently renovated, historic Inn on Winter s Hill in the village of Kingfield. Add-on trip includes two overnights at Maine s legendary Lakewood Camps at Middle Dam. WHAT S INCLUDED Professional tour guides (photographic and paddling) throughout the program Transportation into Lakewood Camps (Rangeley Lakes Camp trip Extension) All activities according to the itinerary All trail, paddling and lodging fees TRIP DETAILS 2016 Trip Dates September 30 - October 3 Extension: Oct. 3-5 Ability Level Athletic Beginner Trip Price $1,195 Single Supplement $300 Extension $695 Extension SS $200 EQUIPMENT For Hikes Shorts and warm weather clothing Sweater and long pants for chilly nights and shaded walks. Average high is 60 F, average low is 31 F Good and solid trekking shoe For Photography Body SLR or compact digital camera Wide-angle lens Waterproof bag for camera Tripod (optional) For Overnight in Huts Duffel bag for all your equipment Day pack (such as a backpack) Pillowcase (pillow provided) 40 compressible sleeping bag Towel Toiletries Change of clothes Headlamp and/or flashlight Light, slip-on shoes for wearing around the Hut All accommodations All breakfasts, lunches, and dinners Travel Vision 1-800-866-7314 info@ciclismoclassico.com www.ciclismoclassico.com 2
DAY 1 KINGFIELD AND THE CARRABASSETT RIVER Daily Mileage - 1.8 mile hike Terrain - Flat, lake shoreline hiking Arrive at your home for three nights: the gracious and recently completely renovated historic Inn at Winter s Hill and get settled. Walk down the hill to the 1874 Kingfield Primary Schoolhouse Gallery by noon for lunch and introductions. Tour the gallery and listen to a short orientation. A late afternoon photo session at nearby locations, such as Ira Mountain (to see an amazing panorama of the entire Carrabassett Valley) and Rapid Stream, followed by a group dinner and photo discussion. Hotel - Flagstaff Lake Lodge Location: Kingfield Duration: 2 Nights www.mainehuts.org Meals - L, D DAY 2 BIGELOW MOUNTAINS AND FLAGSTAFF LAKE Activities - Hiking or canoe/ kayaking Riding Terrain - Flat, lake shoreline hiking. Lake paddling Hotel - See Day 1 Meals - B, L, D We begin the second day of our travel photography tour with an early morning visit to catch the rising sun on one of Maine s tallest peaks, Mt. Abrahams. After a hearty breakfast at the Inn we travel north, stopping along the way to photograph the many moods of the Carrabassett River. Most of the day will be spent hiking along Flagstaff Lake and the Dead River, always in view of the magnificent Bigelow Mountain Range one of New England s most distinct ridgelines. We will explore photographing mountain landscapes, reflections, spectacular fall foliage and, hopefully, some wildlife! The day ends with a gourmet dinner at one of the region s fine restaurants. Travel Vision 1-800-866-7314 info@ciclismoclassico.com www.ciclismoclassico.com 3
DAY 3 FLAGSTAFF LAKE HUT Daily Mileage - 6 mile water canoe paddle, 2.5 miles of hiking Terrain - Canoeing: flat, down river. Hiking: mostly flat, but some short climbs and rock steps After an early breakfast, we travel to the eastern end of Flagstaff Lake for a hike along the famous Shore Trail, surrounded by a dense white birch forest in full fall color. A hearty lunch awaits us at the eco-lodge Flagstaff Hut. The afternoon will be spent canoeing or kayaking on Flagstaff Lake to discover shoreline opportunities from a water perspective or hiking in search of driftwood, foliage, or dense pine forests. Back in Kingfield, we end our day of photography with a celebration dinner and photo critique in one of the Inn s historic parlor rooms. Hotel - Grand Falls Lodge Location: Kingfield Duration: 1 Night www.mainehuts.org Meals - B, L, D DAY 4 KINGFIELD Daily Mileage - 6 mile flatwater canoe paddle, 2.5 miles hiking Terrain - Canoeing: flat, upriver. Hiking: mostly flat but some short climbs and rock steps We begin with an early morning trip to the Carrabassett River to photograph fast water, lined with colorful foliage, making us hungry for our last robust Inn breakfast. After packing we head back down to the Schoolhouse Gallery for a debriefing and time for saying goodbye to all our new friends. Meals - B, L Travel Vision 1-800-866-7314 info@ciclismoclassico.com www.ciclismoclassico.com 4
ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE GETTING TO KINGFIELD, MAINE On Day 1 we meet at 12 pm at The Schoolhouse Gallery, 266 Main St, Kingfield, ME 04947. It is about a 2 hour drive from Portland, ME and a 4 hour drive from Boston, MA. Alternatively, Bangor Airport (BGR) is a 2 hour drive to Kingfield.If you wish to arrive a day early, we recommend staying at the Mountain Village Farm B&B, 164 Main St, Kingfield, ME 04947. DEPARTING FROM KINGFIELD, MAINE We end at the Schoolhouse Gallery where our cars were parked. OTHER INFORMATION For Flight Reservations Valerie Wilson Travel Call: 1-855-780-2022 or E-mail: ciclismoair@vwti.com Travel Insurance MH Ross Call: 1-800-423-3632 http://bit.ly/mhross_insurance Transportation Rome2rio http://www.rome2rio.com Travel Vision 1-800-866-7314 info@ciclismoclassico.com www.ciclismoclassico.com 5
MAINE FALL FOLIAGE EXTENSION: RANGLEY LAKES CAMP TOUR DAY 4 KINGFIELD TO MIDDLE DAM Hotel - Lakewood Camps Location: Middledam Duration: 2 Nights www.lakewoodcamps.com/ At 12:30PM we meet for lunch at the Schoolhouse Gallery in Kingfield, Maine, then drive west to South Arm, stopping for photographic opportunities along the way, including overlooks of Mt. Abrahams, Rangeley and Mooselookmeguntic Lakes. We will be met by boat at South Arm and taken up lake to Lakewood Camps at Middledam one of Maine s oldest traditional Fishing and Hunting camps. Following a sunset photo session at lake edge, we finish the day with dinner and photo critique in Lakewood s Dining Room. DAY 5 RICHARDSON LAKE Hotel - See Day 4 This will be a day of amazing exploration, our Guide taking us to places only he knows about, after spending years paddling on Richardson Lake. Following a sunrise photo shoot and breakfast at Lakewood, we will travel by boat along the incredible 12 miles of undeveloped shoreline to wild cranberry bogs, waterfalls, and undisturbed sand shorelines, ending at Deer Park Lodge, a family-owned hunting camp built in 1904, overlooking the Narrows of Richardson Lake. Here we will explore old camp buildings and boathouses filled with traditional boats, fishing and hunting tackle, all illuminated by the brilliant fall foliage that surrounds the camp. We will be treated to amazing sunset photography as we head back to Lakewood Camps for our final celebration dinner and an evening photo critique. DAY 6 RAPID RIVER AND GOODBYE! Our final sunrise photo shoot will be followed by breakfast, then a morning exploring the Rapid River and Pond in the River places made famous by Louise Dickenson Rich in her book We Took to the Woods (pre-trip suggested reading!). A short hike along the Rapid will bring us to her recently restored Writing Cabin. Following lunch, we pack up; say our goodbyes and head back down lake to retrieve our cars at South Arm. Travel Vision 1-800-866-7314 info@ciclismoclassico.com www.ciclismoclassico.com 6
INSURANCE, TERMS & CONDITIONS Insurance Ciclismo Classico will not assume responsibility or liability for any loss or damage of personal effects or for any injury or loss during the duration of the tour. Therefore, we highly recommend that you obtain travel insurance. Information on travel insurance will be sent to you via email once trip deposit is received. We recommend MH Ross, but travelers may choose the insurance carrier of their choice. Cancellations and Refunds All requests for refunds must be submitted in writing as soon as possible to Ciclismo Classico. Exceptions to their cancellation policy cannot be made for any reason, including weather or personal emergencies. There is no refund for unexpectedly leaving a trip early or arriving late. The purchase of short-term travel insurance policy is strongly recommended. Cancellation fees are determined as followed: Days before departure Cancellation fee 121+ days - 50% of the deposit* 91-120 days - 100% of the deposit* 61-90 days - 30% of the trip price 31-60 days - 60% of the trip price 31-44 days - 100% of the trip price *You may transfer your trip deposit to another departure in the same tour season up to 90 days before your original departure with payment of a $100 per person transfer fee. Prices quoted are subject to adjustment without prior notification. OR your deposit (currently $600) may be carried forward to the following year as a credit toward the final balance of a tour. At the time of booking, we will ask for another $600 deposit to secure your spot. Carried-forward credits expire at the end of the year to which they are applied. Alterations to the tour itinerary Sometimes modifications may be made to the itinerary. We will notify you of any changes that may affect your arrival, departure or lodging. Any changes to the program are made in the best interest and safety of the group. To review our policies, please visit http://www.ciclismoclassico.com/plan-your-trip/policies/ RESERVE YOUR SPACE! To reserve a space, call Ciclismo Classico at 800-866-7314 or Lauren Hefferon at 617-640-4837. Or, mail your deposit and contact information to: Ciclismo Classico attn: Rosa 30 Marathon St Arlington, MA 02474 At the time of registration, a deposit of $600 per person is due, payable by Visa, MasterCard, American Express or check, made payable to Ciclismo Classico, along with your full name, mailing address, phone number(s) and email address. We cannot confirm reservations without a deposit. Final payment is due 90 days before departure payable by check, credit card, wire transfer or money order. All travelers must review and sign a terms and conditions statement and a waiver form. Travel Vision 1-800-866-7314 info@ciclismoclassico.com www.ciclismoclassico.com 7