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Follow the route established by Alexander von Humboldt, the foremost natural scientist of the early
19th century. In fact, Charles Darwin described him as “the greatest scientific traveler who ever lived.”
Embrace his discoveries, and those who followed, collecting and recording geological, zoological and
botanical specimens, including 60,000 rare tropical plants. Explore the region’s biodiversity – the
dense rainforests along the Amazon River basin — alive with macaws, monkeys, sloths, and the de‐
lights of the Andean highlands. Become enveloped by the spectacular countryside of extinct volca‐
noes, indigenous villages, and patchwork fields. Live in luxury at the Hacienda Cusin, owned and oper‐
ated by a fellow Smith Alumnae, who will be there on your stay to guide you through the local desti‐
nations. Finally, enjoy the last days of your trips with a cruise to the Galapagos Islands on the luxurious
M/V Santa Cruz, the only ship built exclusively to tour the Galapagos Islands. Follow in the footsteps of
Charles Darwin as you explore the islands and take in the sights of the amazing wildlife.
CORDIALLY INVITES YOU ON AN ADVENTURE THROUGH THE
ECUADORIAN AMAZON & HIGHLANDS
WITH OPTIONAL EXTENSION TO THE
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
SEPTEMBER 24 TO OCTOBER 3, 2011
DAYS 1/2 ~ BOSTON/QUITO Arrive this evening in Quito, where you are escorted to
your historic boutique hotel in the heart of ‘Quito
Antiguo.’ Next day, tour this vibrant colonial city of
Ecuador with its churches and Spanish gold‐glittering
altars. Return to your hotel where the rest of the day is at
leisure. This evening you will be treated a lovely welcome
dinner at the hotel. HOTEL PATIO ANDALUZ. (B,D)
DAYS 3/4/5 ~ QUITO/PUERTO FRANCISCO DE
ORELLANA /AMAZON BASIN Fly to Coca, where a motorized canoe takes you into the
heart of the Amazon to Sacha Lodge, a 5,000‐acre private
reserve known for its abundant flora and fauna. Your
expedition includes climbing a 135‐foot observation tower
for a bird’s‐eye view of the area; hiking through pristine
terra firme forest with towering 150‐foot kapok trees;
seasonally flooded forests crossed on raised boardwalks;
and a steel zip‐line through rich swampland. Visit the
Butterfly House “flying room,” where hundreds of
colorful butterflies flutter about; canoe to Pilchicocha
Lake’s natural black water runoff into the Napo River; or
paddle an ancient oxbow lake hidden in the forest. For
the adventurous, take a Canopy Walk across the tree‐
tops, fish for the infamous razor‐toothed piranha, or,
better yet, go swimming! After dark, search for night
creatures in the rainforest or caiman on the lake. Then
relax in a hammock on a private, shaded terrace . Your
eco‐friendly lodge provides 24‐hour electricity,
private bathrooms with hot water showers,
ceiling fans and porches with hammocks
overlooking the rainforest. SACHA LODGE. (B,L,D
Daily)
DAYS 6/7/8 ~ AMAZON BASIN/QUITO/
OTAVALO Return to Coca and depart on your flight to Quito. Continue to South America’s most famous Indian fair, the Otavalo Market, centered around 'Poncho Plaza'. Over the next three days you will enjoy a relaxed experience at Imbabura, the Province of the Lakes, and its many attractions. All day long, the sounds of Andean pipe music, and Quechua, the native tongue derived from the Incan language, drift across the square. Hacienda Cusin, a restored 17th century Andean estate at 8,500 feet is 90 minutes north of Quito and 20 minutes south from Otavalo, owned and operated by a Smith Alumnae. The surrounding mountains offer great horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking and bird watching. Within a few miles from Hacienda Cusin there is a condor preserve, 1,200‐year‐old pyramids, artisan villages and a historic, rooftop railroad ride into the Chota desert. The leather‐craft village of Cotacachi and wood‐carving village of San Antonio de Ibarra are close by. There are 25 cozy rooms, suites and cottages, all with fabulous garden and snow‐capped mountain views. The individually styled rooms have log‐burning
fireplaces, high‐beamed ceilings and fine Andean Craft furnishings. There is also a bar, dining room and two acres of beautiful gardens. HACIENDA CUSIN. (B,L,D Daily)
DAY 9 ~ OTAVALO/QUITO On your way back to Quito, you will visit Cuicocha Lake and the town of Cotacachi, the center of Ecuador’s leather industry, and the best place to purchase inexpensive leather goods. The remainder of the day and evening is at your leisure in Quito. Since this is a city that is best discovered on foot, you may want to amble around the streets built on a series of hills. Various museums, parks, plazas as well as some glorious churches, cathedrals, historical buildings of architectural delight are intermingled with narrow one way cobbled streets that are always congested with sights and sounds. PATIO ANDALUZ HOTEL. (B)
DAY 10 ~ QUITO/BOSTON Return to Quito airport this morning for your flights back home, bringing with you the memories of all the wonderful sights of Ecuador. (B)
YOUR ITINERARY
POST EXTENSION TO THE GALAPAGOS
Extend your Ecuadorian adventure with a cruise to the Galapagos Islands. On land and in the sea, the Archipelago’s tumultuous volcanic history of scorched earth and fiery flows are evident the moment you arrive. But look closer... this seemingly Spartan landscape is in fact teeming with life – the first of the Galapagos' many contradictions. Suddenly you realize that what you thought was a rock is in fact a sun‐seeking iguana! Due to their long history of isolation from humans, both land and sea animals remain virtually fearless and unaffected by visitors. This is the land that Charles Darwin visited as a naturalist onboard the HMS Beagle, which was bound on a long scientific survey expedition to South America and the South Seas (1831‐36). For the next five days (four nights), you will bear witness to our planet's most captivating wildlife, while being mesmerized by the awe‐inspiring landscapes and misty volcanic peaks. The underwater world is equally enchanting. Your home will be the captivating and comfortable M/V Santa Cruz – a 47‐cabin ship with the distinction of being the only ship built exclusively for cruising the Galapagos Islands. Your naturalist‐guides offer in‐depth knowledge and insight on your daily hikes onto island sites.
HOW TO BOOK: : Fill out the attached reservation form and send it to Smith Travel, 33 Elm Street, Northamp‐ton, MA 01063, together with a deposit of $750 per person, plus $750 for the post‐extension. On receipt of your signed reservation form and deposit, we will, subject to availability, reserve your place on your tour. When we send off your confirmation invoice, your booking is confirmed and accepted by us. Final pay‐ment is due not later than 95 days prior to departure (June 21, 2011). Final documents will be sent to you approximately two weeks prior to departure. RATES: All rates quoted are based on tariffs and value of foreign currencies in relation to the U.S. dollar in effect as of June 15, 2010, and are subject to change. Rates are based on a minimum of 10 passengers traveling together (with a maximum of 20 passengers). The right is reserved to levy a
surcharge if minimum is not met, but that is rarely done. We will do our utmost to keep to the prices as published. Should increases be forced on us by airlines, exchange rates, etc., we reserve the right to surcharge. CANCELLATIONS: Cancellations are only effective on re‐ceipt of written notification. The following per person fees are applicable on this tour:
Up to 95 days prior to departure, deposit is forfeited.
94‐60 days prior to departure, less 75% of tour cost.
Less than 60 days prior to departure, refund is dependent on amount recoverable from overseas suppliers.
These cancellation fees are also in addition to any imposed by airlines. WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU OBTAIN THE OPTIONAL INSURANCE POLICY. INFORMATION WILL BE SENT TO YOU UPON RECEIPT OF RESERVATION FORM. INSURANCE: It is a condition of booking, that the sole responsibility lies with the guest to ensure that they carry the correct comprehensive travel and medical insurance to cover themselves, as well as any dependants/traveling companions for the duration of their trip to South America. This insurance should include cover in respect of, but not limited to, the following eventualities: cancellation or curtailment of the tour, emergency evacuation expenses, medical expenses, repatriation expenses, damage/theft/loss of personal baggage, money and goods. Classic Es‐capes, including their representatives, employees and agents will take no responsibility for any costs, losses incurred or suffered by the guest, or guest’s dependants or traveling companions, with regards to, but not limited to, any of the above mentioned eventualities. Guests will be charged directly by the relevant service providers for any emergency services they may require, and may find themselves in a position unable to access such services should they not be carrying the relevant insurance cover. Smith College Alumnae Association offers a comprehen‐sive package and will forward an application upon receipt of your reservation form. The payment of the deposit OR any other partial payment for a reservation on a safari constitutes consent by all guests covered by that payment to all provisions of the conditions and general information contained in this brochure whether the guest has signed the booking form or not. The terms, under which you agree to take this tour, cannot be changed or amended except in writing signed by an authorized director of the Company.
YOUR JOURNEY INCLUDES:
Superior and best available accommodations at hotels and cruise ship in Ecuador.
Flights between Quito and Coca on the main trip.
Flights between Quito and Galapagos, return‐ing to Guayaquil on the Galapagos extension.
All meals during Amazon and Otavalo portion on the main program. Welcome dinner in Quito. All other meals as specified in itinerary.
American breakfast in Guayaquil. All meals while on the Galapagos extension.
5‐Days/4‐Nights Cruise to the Galapagos Is‐lands on the M/V Santa Cruz with all meals included. Naturalist guide provided aboard the ship. Accommodations are in double, air‐conditioned cabins, with private facilities, based on selected cabin category. If cabin category selected is not available, then next available category will be offered. Single cabins on board the Santa Cruz are limited (All quoted separately).
Smith College enrichment lecturer with a minimum of 10 travelers.
Tips to drivers, guides and conveyance atten‐dants.
Gratuities for baggage handling, hotel tips and taxes.
Luggage tags and passport wallet.
$100.00 Ecuadorian Park Tax in the Galapagos (on the extension).
$10 Galapagos Islands Entrance Card Fee (on the extension).
Your Journey At a Glance:
Main Trip $3,795 land only, per person $995 additional supplement per person $1,300 estimated airfare (including taxes)
Post Extension: $3,895 per person (including airfare) $1,495 additional supplement per person
FOR RESERVATIONS & INFORMATION,
PLEASE CONTACT:
Liz Bigwood at Smith Travel
(800) 225‐2029
OR
Mary Jean Eraci at Classic Escapes
(800) 627‐1244
PHOTO CREDITS:
Ron Magill, Gerry
Hacienda Cusin, Quasar
Classic Escapes protects
our planet.
RESERVATION FORM (PLEASE PRINT) TOUR CODE: 11SAL0924/SMITH Enclosed is my deposit for $ ______________ ($750 per person for the main trip, and $750 for the extension) to hold __________ place(s) on the Adventure to Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands with Smith College departing September 24, 2011. Cost is $3,795 per person, double occupancy, land only. Estimated international air from Boston and air within Ecuador is $1,300 including taxes (currently, subject to change). Final payment due date is: June 21, 2011
Please make check payable to CLASSIC ESCAPES and mail to Smith Travel, 33 Elm Street, Northampton, MA 01063 Charge deposit to: MasterCard Visa American Express Discover (Credit Card Authorization form needs to be completed and returned to Classic Escapes via mail or fax to 718‐204‐4726)
All final payments are required to be made by check or money order only.
1) NAME (As appears on passport): Mr. Mrs. Ms. ______________________________________________________________________ 2) NAME (As appears on passport): Mr. Mrs. Ms. ______________________________________________________________________ NAME FOR NAME BADGE IF DIFFERENT FROM ABOVE: 1) ____________________________________ 2)______________________________
STREET ADDRESS:_____________________________________________________________________________________________________ CITY: _____________________________________________________________________ STATE: _________________ ZIP:_______________ PHONES: HOME: ( ) __________________________ OFFICE: ( ) ___________________________ MOBILE: ( )_______________ E‐MAIL ADDRESS: ___________________________________________________________________________FAX: ( )________________
I certify that I have not recently been treated for, nor am I aware of any physical or other condition or liability that would create a hazard to myself or the other members of this tour. The two of us above are sharing a room and, where possible, would like a room with: ONE TWO Beds (Make one selection only) I am sharing with _________________________________________________________________________________(form sent separately) I need assistance in securing a roommate. I understand if Smith College or the tour operator cannot locate one for me by final payment date, I agree to pay the additional single supplement amount of $995. I prefer to share with: Smoker Non‐smoker I desire single accommodations, if available, and will pay the single supplement additional cost of: $995 for the main trip $1,495 for the Galapagos extension
I/We wish to participate in the optional extension(s) at an additional per person cost of: $3,895 for the Galapagos Islands post‐extension Please reserve the following cabin category for me: Main Deck Standard – as per itinerary Upper Deck Standard ‐ $127 additional Boat Deck Standard ‐ $360 additional Boat Deck Standard Plus ‐ $483 additional Boat Deck Superior ‐ $604 additional Boat Deck Junior Suite ‐ $745 additional Boat Deck Master Suite ‐ $1,217 additional
If Cabin category of choice is not available, next available category of cabin will be offered.
All rates quoted are based on tariffs and value of foreign currencies in relation to the U.S. dollar in effect as of June 15, 2010, and are subject to change. Refund is made less any cancellation charges levied in accordance with the policy outlined in the accompanying Conditions of Travel. WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU OBTAIN TRAVEL INSURANCE. RESERVATIONS ARE ACCEPTED SUBJECT TO TOUR CONDITIONS AND WILL BE CONFIRMED ONLY IF ACCOMPANIED BY COMPLETED FORM SIGNED BY THE TOUR PARTICIPANT(S).
SIGNATURE: ___________________________________________________________________________ DATE:____________________________ SIGNATURE: ___________________________________________________________________________ DATE: ____________________________
