KINGDOM OF the monarchs January 22-27, 2017
Perhaps the most awe-inspiring of all of North America s natural events occurs with one of its most unlikely creatures the delicate and beautiful monarch butterfly. Every year, nearly 300 million of these wondrous creatures spread their brilliant orange-and-black wings and set flight on a remarkable journey 2,500 miles from Canada and the Northeastern United States to their ancestral wintering grounds in the spectacular Transvolcanic Range in Michoacan, Mexico. The location of their sanctuaries remained a mystery for thousands of years until they were discovered in 1975. Tragically, this important habitat is being threatened by logging and pesticides. However, the benefits of ecotourism are creating a new awareness among the local people of the importance of preserving this ecosystem so the magnificent butterfly phenomenon can continue. Far away from Mexico s famous and crowded tourist towns, the pristine central highlands offer adventurous travelers a rare alternative to the typical Mexican beach vacation. While the monarchs are the main focus of this adventure, our travels to Mexico s charming colonial villages will immerse you in traditional Mexican life. Be one of the few visitors to witness this remarkable natural event and help to preserve the wonders of the monarchs. This trip is limited to 14 travelers, so please send in your reservation form or call us today at 617-495-2463 or e-mail us at hmsctravel@hmsc.harvard.edu to reserve your space. HMSC Study Leader Dr. Alfonso Alonso is an expert on the monarch butterfly. He is a conservation biologist who designs and manages the research and conservation programs, both domestically and internationally, at the Smithsonian Institution/Monitoring and Assessment of Biodiversity Program. Alfonso has traveled extensively throughout North, Central and South America, Africa and Asia, speaks fluent Spanish, and is a popular HMSC leader.
KINGDOM OF THE MONARCHS January 22-27, 2017 Day 1 / January 22 Arrive Mexico City, Mexico Upon arrival in Mexico City, you will be met and transferred to our hotel. This evening we will have an orientation/welcome dinner at 7:00pm. (D) Day 2 / January 23 Rosario / Angangueo From Mexico City, we travel through the central highlands. The surrounding countryside is breathtaking - the enormous snow-capped volcano Xinantecatl towers over deep green pine forests. We will continue on to the picturesque mountain village of Angangueo to check into our hotel and have lunch. Angangueo is magical indeed; narrow historic streets grace this traditional mining village, with forested hills surrounding its simple beauty. In the afternoon, we will venture out to the nearby Rosario Butterfly Sanctuary for our first encounter with the king of the butterflies. Our journey begins in the back of an open truck as we drive through the pastoral countryside to the starting point of our first excursion. When we exit our vehicle, we will typically see our first butterflies fluttering about. We ascend the majority of the steep trail on horseback, then continue by foot until we reach the epicenter of the resting monarchs. Millions of monarchs cover the tall oyamel trees, and, as the sun warms their blackand-orange wings, the butterflies fill the air, illuminating the entire area - including us! Mexico s sanctuaries are the only places in the world where you can actually hear butterflies wings beating. The beauty of the butterflies is so ethereal that many Mexicans still hold the Aztec belief that the souls of the dead are reborn as monarchs. (B, L, D) Day 3 / January 24 Chincua / Angangueo In the morning, we drive to the Chincua Butterfly Sanctuary for our second memorable experience with the monarchs. As Carlos Gottfried, president of México s Monarca A.C., says, When you stand in a monarch sanctuary, your soul is shaken and your life is changed. In Chincua, we ride our horses most of the way, and then walk down into the area of high butterfly density. This afternoon we enjoy a tour of the charming town of Angangueo. (B, L, D) Plaza Independencia, attracts a multitude of birds. We will have the opportunity to relax in luxury after two days of butterfly tracking. We can also take a short walk to a local waterfall, where birdlife often appears. We will spend the night at the luxurious Hotel Avandaro Spa & Resort. (B, L, D) Day 5 / January 26 Valle de Bravo / Toluca / Mexico City This morning we enjoy a short hike to a beautiful waterfall then we continue on our return trip to Mexico City with a stop in Toluca, originally an Indian settlement dating back to the 13th century. Here we visit Cosmo Vitral Jardin Botanico, a spectacular botanical garden lit by stained-glass panels created by Tolucan artist Leopoldo Flores. Tonight, we will enjoy a wonderful dinner en route to our accommodations in Mexico City. (B, L, D) Day 6 / January 27 Mexico City / Home This morning you will be transferred to the airport for your flight home. Humpback Whale Extension January 19-22, 2017 Off the Pacific coastal village of Puerto Vallarta lies the mating and breeding ground of hundreds of humpback whales. From our first-class tropical accommodations, we will head out by small vessel to view these leviathans. We may also have the opportunity to snorkel and bird watch on this wonderful tropical wildlife extension. Fee: $1495 per person, double occupancy Deposit: $250 per person Single Supplement: $695 Included: Three nights in a luxury hotel, transfers, three whale-watching excursions, one dinner, three breakfasts and two lunches, some gratuities, use of special equipment (hydrophone, life jackets, etc.). Not Included: Airfare between Mexico City, Puerto Vallarta and your home city; personal expenses; gratuities; some meals. Day 4 / January 25 Rosario / Valle de Bravo This morning we return to El Rosario to observe the butterflies one last time. Next, we travel to the lovely village of Valle de Bravo, a typical Mexican town with narrow cobblestone streets lined with red-tile roofed houses along the shores of an enormous man-made lake, Lago de Avandaro (Avandaro means dream place in the Tarascan Indian language). Tropical vegetation, from bougainvillea tumbling over terraces to brilliant flowers in the
I N F O R M A T I O N Tour Cost $3095 per person, double occupancy Single Supplement: $795 (not guaranteed see below) Group size is limited to approximately 14 participants. Included in Tour Cost All transportation within Mexico (except for flight to Puerto Vallarta for the optional extension); all accommodations; all meals from dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on Day 6; soda and beer with meals; bottled water; park entrance fees; horseback riding at sancturaries; taxes and service charges, except Mexico s departure and airport taxes; services of Natural Habitat Adventures (NHA) professional Expedition Leader; $50,000 of emergency medical and evacuation insurance. Not Included in Tour Cost Air transportation between your home city and Mexico City (and from Mexico City to Puerto Vallarta for the optional extension); alcoholic drinks (except for beer with meals); airport and departure taxes; gratuities to Expedition Leader; items of a personal nature (laundry, telephone, etc.); travel insurance. Singles Please be advised that single rooms may not always be available throughout the entire trip. For those single travelers who desire a roommate, we will make every effort to arrange a match. However, if we cannot do so, half the single supplement fee will apply. Air Transportation We urge you to check airline cancellation penalties before purchasing airline tickets since international departure times and flights can change. Tours can also be cancelled due to low enrollment. Neither HMSC nor NHA accepts liability for cancellation penalties related to domestic or international airline tickets purchased independently in conjunction with a tour. TRavel Documents Visas are not necessary, but a passport valid for six months after return date is required for entry into Mexico and re-entry into the United States. Travel Insurance We strongly suggest purchasing travel insurance. Travel insurance information will be sent to you upon receipt of your deposit. Climate We enjoy cool, dry mountain air averaging 65 degrees, with temperatures often dropping into the 30s at night. Physical Fitness Visiting the butterfly sanctuaries requires walking for approximately two miles at a time, altitudes up to 10,660 feet, on very steep inclines and sometimes over rough, rocky terrain, in some cases walking up or down over 600 steps to reach the butterflies. The physical exertion involved can be considered strenuous for people who are less active. Horses are available to ride for some portions of certain trails at the sanctuaries, though trails are narrow and rugged and riders must be alert to maintaining balance. Due to the small stature of the horses that are local to the Mexican highlands, the maximum rider weight each horse can carry is 260 pounds. Accommodations The hotels on this tour have been chosen for their authentic Mexican atmosphere and proximity to wildlife. Angangueo is a tiny mountain village with limited amenities, but enormous charm. Because this area is remote, more luxurious accommodations are not available. But we feel that the village s ambience, its involvement in monarch preservation, and its access to Rosario and Chincua butterfly sanctuaries compensate for the basic accommodations. In contrast, in Valle de Bravo we stay in the Hotel Avandaro, a five-star resort complete with 18-hole championship golf course and full-service fitness, health, and beauty spa. All of our accommodations have private bathroom facilities. Images: Cindy Miller Hopkins, Mike Bruscia & Eric Rock
R E S E R V A T I O N F O R M Please reserve place(s) on The Kingdom of the Monarchs, Jan 22-27, 2017. Name: Date of Birth: Dietary Preference: Regular Vegetarian Name: Date of Birth: Dietary Preference: Regular Vegetarian *Street Address: City: State: ZIP: Phone: E-mail: *PLEASE NOTE: Travelers not living at the same address must fill out separate reservation forms. Please call me to arrange air travel from my home city of:. I would like to participate in the Humpback Whale Extension, January 19-22, 2017. Deposit Information Kingdom of the Monarchs Deposit: $500 per person. Humpback Whale Extension Deposit: $250 per person Check enclosed, payable to Natural Habitat Adventures VISA MasterCard Discover Card Account #: CVV # Exp Date: / / Cardholder Name: PLEASE NOTE: Your final payment will be charged to your credit card at 90 days prior to departure. Should you prefer to pay by check, you must indicate your preference below. I will pay my final payment by check. Please do not charge my credit card for final payment. Accommodations Double (please provide name of accompanying person if not shown above): Single preferred (not guaranteed) with single supplement of $795 Single, wishing to share (not guaranteed) with smoker non-smoker HMSC Membership The museum s exhibitions draw on Harvard s historic collections, and its educational programs for children and adults provide public access to the expertise of the university s research scholars. A forum for thoughtful and informed exchange of ideas, the museum depends on membership to support its activities and its outreach to communities in Cambridge and beyond. If you are not already a member, we invite you to join! I am currently a member of the HMSC I would like to become a member at the following level: $50 Individual $85 Household $200 Sustaining $500 Patron Waiver of Liability I understand that by signing below I am acting for myself and for everyone in my party in acknowledging that the Refund & Cancellation Policy, Wildlife Viewing, Terms & Conditions and Please Note sections in this brochure have been read and accepted. I also understand that I and everyone in my party will be required to sign a release of liability form prior to and/or during my trip. I give my permission for NHA to charge my final balance on my credit card at 90 days prior to departure, unless otherwise noted on this form. I also give my permission for NHA to use any image taken of me or anyone in my party by NHA or its affiliates for promotional purposes. Signature Signature Note: Each participant must sign this waiver. Date Date For more information or to make your reservation on HMNH Kingdom of the Monarchs, please call Harvard Alumni Association at 617-496-0806 or email haatravels@harvard.edu. Please complete this form and mail it to: Harvard Alumni Travels 124 Mt. Auburn St., 6th floor Cambridge, MA 02138 Or fax it to: 617-495-0434
MORE INFORMATION Payment Policy A deposit of $500 is required to confirm your reservation. Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure, October 27, 2014. Your final payment will be charged to your credit card 90 days prior to departure, unless you indicate otherwise on your reservation form. Please submit a check prior to the final payment due date should you prefer to pay by check. Refund & Cancellation Policy All cancellations must be made in writing. Cancellations processed more than 90 days prior to departure will require a $100 handling fee. Cancellations made 90 to 45 days prior to departure require a loss of 50% of the entire program fee, including all extensions. Cancellations made within 44 days of departure require a loss of the entire program fee, including all extensions. We reserve the right to cancel this tour, and in such case the entire payment will be refunded without penalty or handling fee or any further obligation on our part. Wildlife Viewing Since our programs specialize in viewing wildlife, every effort is made to plan programs where wildlife is known to exist. However, the animals we visit live wild and free and we cannot fully predict or control their migratory patterns (nor would we want to). In an attempt to locate wildlife which may have deviated from its normal pattern, or in the interest of traveler comfort or safety, we may be required to make reasonable changes in itineraries. If it is necessary to change hotels or other facilities, comparable accommodations will be substituted wherever possible. If changes or fluctuations in exchange rates occur, additional costs may require the program fee to change with little or no notice. Should NHA be required to cancel a trip due to unforeseen circumstances, travelers will be refunded for their trip cost, but neither NHA, nor HMSC will be liable for accompanying expenses (such as gear purchases, airline tickets, etc.). Health All participants should be in good health and capable of walking over rough terrain at altitude. By forwarding the deposit for passage, the passenger certifies that he/she does not have any physical or other condition or disability that would create a hazard for him/herself or other passengers. Terms & Conditions It is HMSC s, NHA s and our cooperating agents and representatives goal to select reliable suppliers and contractors to provide air and other transportation, hotels, guides and other travel-related services; we do not assume responsibility, directly or indirectly, for any loss, damage or injury to property or person in connection with such services. Each traveler agrees not to hold HMSC, NHA, its owners, employees, agents and representatives liable, in the absence of their own gross negligence, for any loss or injury, expense or damage that results directly or indirectly from any act or omission of any person or firm that is to or does provide goods or services in connection with the trip or with any available option. You agree that HMSC, NHA and its cooperating agents and representatives shall not be liable for circumstances arising as a result of acts of God, weather, detention, annoyance, delays and expenses arising from quarantine, strikes, theft, pilferage, force majeure, military, political or terrorist action, civil disturbances, government restrictions, failure of any means of conveyance to arrive or depart as scheduled, and discrepancies or changes in transit over which they have no control. NHA reserves the right to change the program fee, dates or itinerary with little or no notice. If such changes do occur, no refunds will be made beyond those described in our cancellation policy, and NHA will not be liable for expenses incurred as a result of the change (such as air ticket change fees, etc.). Please Note The information contained in this brochure was prepared well in advance of the departure date. Because of the program provided, dates, pricing, hotels, modes of transportation and in some cases, itineraries, change. If this situation does occur, we will attempt to provide similar alternatives but are not always able to do so. We hope you understand. Please be certain to read Terms & Conditions and Refund & Cancellation Policy prior to signing on to this adventure.
Harvard Alumni Travels 124 Mt. Auburn St., 6th floor Cambridge, MA 02138 KINGDOM OF the monarchs January 22-27, 2017