A Nature Exploration with VPR s Vermont Edition host Jane Lindholm June 5-13, 2013 About Your Tour Host Jane Lindholm is an award-winning journalist who joined VPR in 2007 to expand Vermont Edition from a weekly pilot into the flagship daily newsmagazine it is today. Before returning to her native Vermont, Jane served as director/producer for the national program Marketplace, based in Los Angeles. Jane began her journalism career in 2001, when she joined NPR as an editorial/production assistant for Radio Expeditions, a co-production of NPR and the National Geographic Society. Jane graduated from Harvard University with a B.A. in Anthropology, and has worked as writer and editor for Let's Go Travel Guides. In her free time, Jane enjoys nature writing and photography. About this trip Jane says, One of the best ways I know of understanding my place in the world is by exploring it. I am thrilled to be a part of this trip to the Galapagos, a once-in-a-lifetime kind of adventure. I can't imagine better companions than the VPR listeners who join me on my daily adventures in our own backyard through Vermont Edition. Day 1: Wednesday, June 5: Quito Transfer between airport and the hotel in Quito. Welcome to Quito and Ecuador! At the airport we are greeted by a member of our staff who escorts us to our boutique hotel. Overnight in Quito.
Day 2: Thursday, June 6: Quito On our first day in Ecuador, we visit the historic center of Quito, where we see firsthand what made Quito the first city in the world to be declared by UNESCO as the Cultural Heritage of Humanity. We walk the colonial streets in the heart of Quito s old town, visit the church with the most gold in all of Latin America, and visit a family home to share the art and antiquities collected over generations. Finally, we stop at a workshop where street kids are being trained in the marvels of colonial art. After exploring Quito, we head 30 minutes north for a welcome lunch overlooking a volcanic crater, patchwork highland fields, and rolling clouds wafting up from the cloud forest below. Following lunch, we head south again and within minutes find ourselves at the Mitad del Mundo or the Middle of the World monument, which up until a few years ago was considered to be the exact point of latitude 0 0 0. As we walk down the four stories visiting the ethnographic museum, we get to know a bit more about the 70 distinct ethnic cultures that exist in this tiny country. With the advent of GPS, it was discovered that the true equator was located just a few dozen yards to the north- a fact that indigenous tribes had discovered thousands of years ago without the aid of modern technology. We visit the actual Equatorial line, and participate in a few experiments as we stand on the true Middle of the World. Following our stopover, we move south again for our welcome dinner and overnight in Quito at our hotel. Day 3: Friday, June 7: Quito/Otavalo/Quito OTAVALO, Flavors and Colors of the Andes Today we travel north through the mountains to Otavalo, home to the largest indigenous market in Ecuador, we make a few special stops along the way before we spend time wandering the bustling craft and food markets. Down the road we stop in a small village to visit a family of weavers. They show us how they weave on the traditional looms which wrap around their waist and how they make the striking colors from local plants. Afterwards, we are invited to lunch with a family of musicians, where we get a feel for Andean music and watch as they carefully craft an instrument. We share a local meal and enjoy an impromptu woodwinds concert featuring several generations of Andean musicians. From here we return to Quito and enjoy dinner on our own. Overnight in Quito at our boutique hotel. Breakfast, lunch Day 4: Saturday, June 8: Quito/Galápagos After breakfast, we fly from Quito to the Galápagos Islands. We are welcomed at the airport and ushered through the very strict control process for this natural wonder of the world - the Galápagos Islands. Once through, we make our way by road and sea to the capital of the islands - Puerto Ayora. We have free time to walk through town, relax, have lunch, or visit the Charles Darwin Research Center with the guide. The Center tells about the geology, climate, natural history and conservation of the archipelago. We can also see the Fausto Llerena tortoise breeding center, where giant tortoises are hatched and raised until they can be safely returned to their island homes.
In the afternoon, we hike in Tortuga (Turtle) Bay with its fine white-sand beach, considered to be one of the most beautiful in Galápagos and enjoy this island s flora and fauna. We have a special dinner tonight before we overnight at our island hotel. Breakfast, dinner Day 5: Sunday, June 9: Baltra Island Santa Cruz Highlands, Galápagos We start our day with a short ride to the harbor of the island where we board our 36-passenger ship, the M/V Coral II. After lunch, we visit the highlands of Santa Cruz Island. The lush landscape is a welcome contrast to the arid scenery of the smaller, lower islands. On our way, we experience drastic changes in vegetation, from the dry lower region full of cactuses to the woods of the highlands. Overnight on the M/V Coral II. Day 6: Monday, June 10: Santa Fe/ South Plaza Island, Galápagos Santa Fe /South Plaza Island is the southernmost of the two Plaza islets and the only one that is open to visitors. The pair lie a few hundred meters off the northeast coast of Santa Cruz, separated by a channel. Despite being under a mile long and little wider than 300 feet, this islet contains an amazing variety of wildlife which we get to observe. Overnight on the M/V Coral II. Day 7: Tuesday, June 11: North Seymour and Las Bachas, Galápagos Situated next to Baltra, North Seymour is rich in wildlife: sea lions, swallow-tailed gulls, lava gulls, tropicbirds, brown noddy terns and pelicans. Marine iguanas nest along the sandy shore and young sea lions body surf. Saltbush clumps provide nest sites for magnificent frigate birds. The island is also the nesting site for blue-footed boobies. Las Bachas has a soft-sand swimming beach with a lagoon behind and a longer beach for a stroll and wildlife-watching. The saltwater lagoon behind often has great blue herons and small waders. Both beaches are nesting areas for green sea turtles, especially from November to February, while marine iguanas lurk on the rocks between the beaches. Snorkeling is also allowed. Overnight on the M/V Coral II.
Day 8: Wednesday, June 12: Daphne Island, Galápagos/Quito Daphne Major is a steep, eroded tuff cone with two craters. We will circle the island and hope to see red-billed tropicbirds in flight. Their nests are hidden in crevices along with the odd short-eared owl. The craters contain hundreds of nesting blue-footed boobies. Then it s back to Baltra Island for our return flight to the mainland. Farewell dinner and overnight at our hotel in Quito. Breakfast, dinner Day 9: Thursday, June 13: Quito/Airport Transfer to Airport Today we fly home or off to one of the post trips to Peru (Cusco, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu), Easter Island or Chile. Breakfast TOUR COST in double occupancy: $6,525 Single room supplement fee: $1,260 TOUR INCLUSIONS: Accommodation in Quito, Baltra Island and aboard the M/V Coral II on a bed and breakfast basis 8 Breakfasts, 5 lunches and 6 dinners (which includes Welcome and a Farewell dinner) Sightseeing as detailed in the itinerary with Jane Lindholm, an English speaking local guide, and tour director throughout A visit to a family home to share the art and antiquities collected over generations A visit to a workshop where street kids are being trained in the marvels of colonial art A visit with a family of weavers A local meal with a family of musicians, with a woodwinds concert featuring several generations of Andean musicians Domestic airfares and airport taxes (price is subject to change) plus taxes and transfers in the islands Galápagos National Park tax and Transit Control Card, both fees subject to change Island sightseeing, naturalist guides and lecture services in English. Tips for driver, tour leader and guides Tips for ship s crew and naturalist guide in the Galápagos All activities listed in the itinerary except SCUBA diving fees Arrival and departure transfers Hotel porterage for up to two bags per person Not included in the tour price International airfare Wet suits available for rent Meals or any other item not described in the itinerary Personal expenses such a phone, Internet services, faxes, alcohol, laundry, etc. Drinks during meals IMPORTANT NOTE: Itineraries and program are subject to change without previous notice due mainly to readjustment of the National Park policies and regulations, weather conditions, seasonal changes or safety reasons. Galápagos Park fee is subject to change without notice by the Ecuadorian Government and any charge above the price presently included is the responsibility of the traveller. In the Galápagos there are two types of landings onto the Islands: Dry landing: travellers step from the dinghy onto rocks or a dock. Wet landing: as the dinghy edges onto a sandy beach, travellers step into knee-deep water and wade ashore.
Administration This tour of Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands is designed by Vermont Public Radio and Cultural Crossroads, LLC to give a visit to the mainland and the Galapagos Islands and its beautiful nature. VPR s Vermont Edition host Jane Lindholm will host the tour. A tour director will accompany the group throughout the program. A portion of the tour benefits Vermont Public Radio, but is not considered a tax-deductible contribution according to IRS regulations. A post-tour is available to Peru (Lima, Sacred Valley Machu Picchu and Cuzco), Easter Island and Chile is available or to other parts of South America. For more information please call Cultural Crossroads at 877-479-7040. Air Travel Arrangements A group flight is possible depending on the number of people interested. Flights would be subject to airlines terms and conditions regarding cancellations. Please call toll free 877-479-7040 for more information. Arrival of all flights should be within 60 minutes for group transfer. Reservation Procedure You may register by phone (toll free 877-479-7040) e-mail: Carrie McDougall: carrie@culturalcrossroads.com. Registrations will be accepted in the order in which they are received. Please remember, space is limited. Changes in the Itinerary VPR and Cultural Crossroads, LLC, reserve the right to alter the order of events or to make changes deemed necessary for the comfort, convenience, and safety of the participants. Every effort will be made to adhere to the printed itinerary, but weather conditions, transportation difficulties or other circumstances beyond the control of VPR and Cultural Crossroads, LLC, and the local suppliers could force the cancellation or substitution of events or specific services. Payment Policy & Schedule Tour payments may be made by check, payable to Cultural Crossroads. After your initial deposit of $1,500, due upon sign up, the balance payment is due by January 15th, 2013. Deposits and payments are refundable if written notice of cancellation is received 95 days or more in advance of departure, less a $100 per person non-refundable administration fees. We regret that refunds cannot be made for cancellations less than ninety-five (95) days prior to the departure date. Travel insurance is highly recommended. Cancellation charges also apply to additional accommodations reserved prior to and after the tour. Vermont Public Radio and Cultural Crossroads, LLC, cannot assume responsibility for any fees relating to the issuance and/or cancellation of air/ tickets.
REGISTRATION Please reserve place(s) for the following individuals on VPR s Tour of Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands, June 5-13, 2012. A tour deposit of $1,500 payable to Cultural Crossroads is enclosed. NAME(S) (full legal names): Address City Zip Country Phone (days) Email Travel preferences (please check all that apply) Double occupancy with traveling companion I would like a single room (single supplement of $1260 applies) I would like to share a room (every effort will be made to help connect you to a traveler with whom to share) I (we) have read the itinerary and terms and conditions as found above and agree to abide by all the stipulations contained therein. SIGNED DATE SIGNED DATE Please make tour checks payable to Cultural Crossroads and mail registration to: 20 Meadowcrest Lane, Barre, VT 05641 For more information call: 1-800-639-2192 or email Ty Robertson: trobertson@vpr.net