Exploring Chile & the Skies of the Southern Hemisphere

Exploring CHILE and the Skies of the SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE

March 9–20, 2022 WITH Christopher Johns-Krull Professor of Physics and Astronomy

ALMA CHAJNANTOR PLATEAU [ESO/C. MALIN (CHRISTOPHMALIN.COM)] Dear Rice Alumni and Friends, We invite you to behold the Southern Hemisphere’s dazzling evening skies on a Traveling Owls exclusive expedition to some of the world-class observatories that crown the mountaintops of northern Chile. In the company of Christopher Johns-Krull Professor of Physics and Astronomy you will go behind the scenes to enjoy special access to world-class observatories, including ALMA, the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array, the world’s most powerful radio telescope, and Paranal, home to the VLT, the Very Large Telescope.

Together we’ll explore the fascinating Atacama Desert, which features some of the most extraordinary landscapes on the planet—with astonishing evaporated salt lakes, lagoons, hot springs, and amazing animal life including Andean flamingos. Top this off with stargazing through telescopes in the Atacama Desert.

Travel south to the Lake District to behold some of Chile’s most breathtaking scenery. Ancient groves of Araucaria trees and volcanic lakes and lagoons surround the area’s snow-capped volcanoes. The more adventurous of us can try rafting on the Rio Trancura or mountain biking through unique landscapes. Alternatively you may choose to explore lava tubes that run beneath the Villarrica Volcano. Visit the charming Swiss-like town of Pucón with its shops and restaurants. Conclude your adventure with lunch and a tasting of select vintages in Chile’s Casablanca Valley.

For those wishing to extend their stay in Chile an optional pre-trip to Easter Island as well as an optional post-trip to Torres del Paine, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve will be offered.

Space for this program is filling quickly, so please call today to secure your place to join us on this incredible journey to explore the remarkable observatories and natural For further information, wonders of Chile. please contact Sincerely, Royal Adventures at 925.820.6260 x 113, or e-mail The Rice Alumni Traveling Owls [email protected] Office of Alumni Relations ALMA CHAJNANTOR PLATEAU Rice University ESO/C. MALIN (CHRISTOPHMALIN.COM) PARANAL AT NIGHT ESO/Y. BELETSKY

SANTIAGO Study Leader

Professor CHRISTOPHER JOHNS-KRULL has been a member of the Rice University Physics and Astronomy Department since 2001. Prior to coming to Rice, Prof. Johns-Krull was a research astronomer at the University of California, Berkeley, where he also received his Ph.D. in astronomy in 1994. A native of Texas, Dr. Johns-Krull grew up Dallas and attended The University of Texas at Austin where he received bachelor’s degrees in physics and mathematics. Prof. Johns-Krull primarily uses optical and infrared telescopes to further our understanding of star and planet formation and early stellar evolution. A long standing interest of his research is to understand stellar magnetic fields which play a key role in the star formation process as well as in the interaction of stars and the planets that orbit them, including various ways in which the Sun affects the Earth. Over the past decade, he and his students have had a special focus on looking for planets around very young stars to understand when, where, and how giant planets like Jupiter form. In 2016, Prof. Johns-Krull and his collaborators discovered the first giant planet candidate orbiting a star young enough to still have a circumstellar disk around it.

PUCÓN, MOUNTAIN BIKING

WINE TASTING AND VINYARDS AT KINGSTON WINERY VALLEY OF THE MOON, WHITE WATER ATACAMA DESERT RAFTING

PUCÓN

types of stratifications, and vary colors to the Chajnantor Plateau located at Itinerary due to its mineral diversity. In the approximately 16,500 feet. Participants afternoon, we visit the Moon Valley with who wish to make this visit will need to DAY 1 Wednesday, March 9 its extraordinary landscape caused by be in excellent health and need to pass an U.S. • Santiago the erosion of the Salt Mountains. This onsite fitness test. In addition, a medical Depart from your home city for an evening we’ll travel a short distance release form (signed by your physician) overnight flight for Santiago, the from town to the San Pedro de Atacama will be mandatory. Additional information capital of Chile. OVERNIGHT FLIGHT Celestial Explorations (SPACE), a regarding the status of the antenna privately-owned complex of telescopes installation visit and the medical release DAY 2 Thursday, March 10 designed to thrill you with views of the form will be included in your pre-tour Santiago southern sky under the expert guidance documents. In the afternoon, we will Arrive this morning in Santiago and of astronomer-owner Alain Maury or explore the immense Salar de Atacama transfer to your hotel. An afternoon another staff astronomer. HOTEL NOI SAN and Chaxa Lagoon, the entry point to the city tour including a visit to the PEDRO DE ATACAMA (B, L, D) National Flamingo Reserve. The reserve Pre-Columbian Museum will introduce is home to a variety of birds, including us to this city at the foot of the Andes. DAY 4 Saturday, March 12 the Andean flamingo, Chilean flamingo, This evening gather for an orientation San Pedro de Atacama horned coot, silvery grebe, Andean gull, and welcome dinner. HOTEL PLAZA EL and greenish-yellow finch.HOTEL NOI SAN BOSQUE PARK & SUITES EBRO (D) • ALMA PEDRO DE ATACAMA (B, L, D) This morning visit the largest astronomical project in existence, the DAY 3 Friday, March 11 DAY 5 Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Sunday, March 13 Santiago • Calama Array, or ALMA as it is commonly San Pedro de Atacama • San Pedro de Atacama referred to. (pending final confirmation) Early this morning we depart on an This morning fly north to Calama and While at ALMA (the operations facilities excursion to El Tatio, the world’s highest transfer to San Pedro de Atacama for are located at 9,514 feet) we will major geyser field, to see the great outflow a three-night stay. On the way, we will visit the control room, laboratories, of geysers at sunrise. Afterward, relax in stop at Cordillera de la Sal, the Salt an antenna transporter and possibly the warm mineral waters of the Termas de Mountains. Shaped over time by the antenna under maintenance. There will Puritama hot springs. Enjoy lunch before rain, wind, and sun of the Atacama be an opportunity to visit the antenna returning to the hotel for an evening Desert, its final form as we know it today installation. This visit will be optional lecture. We will have the remainder of the is full of natural sculptures, different and require participants to travel evening at leisure until dinner. HOTEL NOI from the base station laboratories SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA (B, L, D) Day 6 Monday, March 14 DAY 9 Thursday, March 17 DAY 11 Saturday, March 19 San Pedro de Atacama Villarrica Volcano & Lagoon Pucón • Temuco • Santiago • Antofagasta Today, we’ll enjoy a full-day excursion to • Casablanca Valley • U.S. Transfer by motorcoach to Antofagasta. Villarrica Volcano and Lagoon. A walk at After breakfast transfer to the Temuco The afternoon is at leisure. the base of Volcano Villarrica will give you Airport for a flight back to Santiago. On HOTEL TERRADO ANTOFAGASTA (B, L, D) a beautiful view over the lakes Villarrica, arrival, we’ll drive to the Casablanca Colico, Caburgua, and Calafquén. PUCÓN Valley where renowned Chilean wines DAY 7 Tuesday, March 15 GREEN PARK HOTEL (B, PICNIC L, D) are produced. We’ll have our farewell Antofagasta • Paranal lunch at the Kingston Family Vineyards. DAY 10 Friday, March 18 • Santiago Learn how this vineyard founded by an Depart by motorcoach to the Choice of Adventure Day American family, including Harvard, Paranal Observatory (pending final • Pucón Princeton and Stanford graduates, has confirmation), home of the ‘Very Large Pucón is known for outdoor adventures. evolved into one of Chile’s hottest, Telescope’ often described as the world’s You have a choice of whitewater rafting award-winning boutique wineries. largest. Located atop Cerro Paranal in on the Trancura River, or mountain Afterward, we’ll transfer to Santiago’s the Atacama Desert, it has 4 telescopes biking through native forests, waterfalls, international airport for overnight of 8.2 meters in diameter. The Paranal and unique landscapes. The white water flights home.(B, L) Mountain was chosen because of its rafting journey is about 8 miles with excellent atmospheric conditions and class 3 rapids, suitable for youth, adults, DAY 12 Sunday, March 20 remote location. After touring the and seniors, in boats for a maximum of Arrive U.S. facilities, we’ll transfer to the airport for 8 people. Alternatively, you may select a Arrive in the U.S. and connect with a late afternoon flight to Santiago.HOTEL visit to the Villarrica Volcanic caves and flights home. PLAZA EL BOSQUE PARK & SUITES EBRO (B, BOX L) lava tubes that snake hundreds of yards into the side of the Villarrica Volcano. PROGRAM NOTE: We will be visiting working DAY 8 Wednesday, March 16 After seeing the caves, spend some time observatories located in remote regions of outdoors walking in the mountainside Chile, so our schedule will rely on precise Santiago • Temuco • Pucón timings. Keep in mind that unexpected This morning we’ll fly south to Temuco forests. The afternoon is free to explore the town of Pucón or relax at the hotel. schedule changes could affect the program. and transfer to Pucón, a small town Your Travel Director will keep you fully PUCÓN GREEN PARK HOTEL (B, L) embedded in the Andes foothills and informed of any changes to planned activities. the site of the 2020 Eclipse. A city tour A sense of humor, flexibility, and patience will will introduce us to Pucón and Villarrica be greatly appreciated during this program! located on the shores of Lake Villarrica and the snowcapped Villarrica Volcano. PUCÓN GREEN PARK HOTEL (B, L, D)

OPTIONAL PRE-TRIP EXTENSION OPTIONAL POST-TRIP EXTENSION EASTER ISLAND March 4–10, 2022 March 19–24, 2022 Easter Island Torres del Paine Located 2,600 miles west of Santiago in National Park Patagonia the South Pacific Ocean, this mysterious Any trip to Patagonia would not be island has a visual impact few places in complete without a visit to the rugged and the world can equal. Hundreds of moais, colorful Torres del Paine National Park. tight-lipped basalt statues unique in Here’s your chance to see mountains, the whole of Oceania, are scattered glaciers, lakes, and rivers in one amazing throughout the island. Accommodations place! The Torres del Paine (“Blue Towers”) on Easter Island are at Explora Rapa are a trio of imposing granite peaks that Nui which offers the only truly high-end extend up to 2,500 meters (8,200 feet) accommodation. The extension includes above sea level. You’ll have plenty of time one night at Plaza El Bosque Ebro on to relax, explore, or both during our stay arrival, one night on your return from inside the park’s boundaries at the all- Easter Island and three nights at the inclusive Hotel Las Torres. The extension Explora Rapa Nui on Easter Island, all includes one night at the Holiday Inn excursions, breakfast in Santiago on Santiago Airport, three nights at the Hotel return and all meals and an open bar Las Torres including all excursions, all at the Explora, transfers, guides and meals and open bar at Hotel Las Torres. gratuities to Explora staff at Easter Island Airfare to Patagonia is not included. Tips are included. Airfare to Easter Island to staff and guides at Hotel Las Torres are is not included. Rates are based on a at the passenger’s discretion. Rates are TORRES DEL PAINE minimum of ten guests. based on a minimum of ten guests. BOLIVIA CALAMA SAN PEDRO Paraguay DE ATACAMA ANTOFAGASTA PARANAL

CHILE

Brazil ARGENTINA

Uruguay CASABLANCA VALLEY SANTIAGO

TEMUCO VILLARRICA PUCÓN

BUS FLIGHT EL TATIO GEYSERS

What to Expect Program Cost Includes This exclusive expedition is designed for Rice University Study leader’s lectures and discussions on main tour program • Alumni and friends who are interested in learning about Accommodations and meals as specified in the itinerary • Wine the astronomy as well as the wildlife, geology, and with included dinners and farewell lunch • All land transportation superb natural landscapes of the Atacama Desert and • Four in-tour flights: Santiago to Calama, Antofagasta to Lake District of Chile. March is fall in Chile and average Santiago, Santiago to Temuco, Temuco to Santiago, provided temperatures in Santiago are between 82°F and 49°F. increases in the in-tour airfare after the initial pricing of this In the Atacama Desert temperatures generally range program are not included • Professional guides and tour director from 74°F to 45°F and average daily temperatures in throughout • Gratuities to local guides and drivers • Airport the Lake District generally range from 73°F to 46°F. transfers for group flights • Domestic airport departure taxes • Walks will be from one to two miles and at times over Entrance fees • Baggage handling • Pre-departure information rocky, dusty, and uneven terrain and at high elevations. The pace of the walks will be leisurely. Some of the Land Program Cost excursions in the Atacama Desert can reach (for a short (Per person, double occupancy) time) altitudes of approximately 14,000 feet. The visit Standard Room (in Pucón, 322 square feet) �� $8,495 to the Paranal Observatory (pending final confirmation) Suite Room (in Pucón, 409 square feet) �� $8,670 is at approximately 8,645 feet. An optional visit to Single Supplement Standard Room (Limited availability) �� $1,595 the antenna installation at Atacama Large Millimeter/ Single Supplement Suite Room (in Pucón, Limited Availability) �� $1,945 submillimeter Array will be at 16,000 feet (pending SAMPLE COACH AIRFARE final confirmation). All the hotels are located in what are considered comfortable elevations. Roadways can Houston/Santiago/Houston �� $1,476 (As of March 2021, and subject to change) be narrow with steep ascents/descents and at times rocky, unpaved, and dusty. Drives can be up to four hours EASTER ISLAND PRE-TRIP EXTENSION �� $3,490 depending on the excursion. Clothing that can be layered, (Per person, double occupancy) as well as sunblock, sun hat, sunglasses, and comfortable Easter Island Extension Single Supplement ��$999 walking shoes with a sturdy tread, will be essential on (in Pucón, Limited Availability) this trip. To enjoy this experience, participants must be Roundtrip airfare to Easter Island ��$695 in good physical and mental health and be able to keep (As of March 2021, and subject to change) up with the pace of the group. Since some travel will be in remote areas, everyone must be flexible concerning TORRES DEL PAINE PATAGONIA POST-TRIP EXTENSION �� $4,450 time schedules, food, insects, weather and dust. Program (Per person, double occupancy) participants requiring extraordinary assistance must be Torres del Paine Patagonia Extension Single Supplement ��$835 accompanied by someone who can and will provide all Roundtrip airfare to Punta Arenas ��$375 required assistance. We describe this trip as relatively (As of March 2021, and subject to change) active. Travel is by jet aircraft and motorcoach. General Information Reservation Form PROGRAM COST DOES NOT INCLUDE: or performing any of the services involved. US domestic and international airfare • Additionally, responsibility is not accepted Airfare to Easter Island and airfare to Punta for losses, injury, damages, or expenses of Arenas are not included in trip extensions • any kind due to sickness, epidemics, pan- Passport Fees • Meals not specified in the demics, pathogens, weather, strikes, local Exploring CHILE itinerary • Personal items such as laundry, laws, hostilities, wars, terrorist acts, acts of fax, e-mail, wi-fi or telephone calls • Liquor nature, quarantine, force majeure, animal and the Skies of the SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE other than wine or beer included with some or insect bites, or other such causes. All meals • an open bar is included while stay- services and accommodations are subject Enclosed is a deposit of $ ($1,000 deposit per person, ing at the Explora and Las Torres on the trip to the laws of the country in which they are extensions • Room service • Excess bag- provided. If this tour is canceled due to a plus $200 per person for the Easter Island pre-trip extension gage charges • Private transfers • Medical force majeure event or other forces beyond and $200 per person for the Torres del Paine Patagonia expenses • Covid-19 testing • Travel insur- our control only the recoverable portion of post-trip extension, if applicable) to hold place(s) on the ance • Deviations from the scheduled tour • unused services or accommodations if any Any increases in the in-tour airfare (included will be refunded or credited on a future Exploring Chile & the Skies of the Southern Hemisphere tour. as part of the main program cost), security, Royal Adventures tour. A force majeure Final payment is due December 3, 2021 by check. or fuel surcharges imposed after the initial event, in relation to this tour, shall mean pricing of this program are not included • any circumstances beyond our control, in- Please authorize credit card payment or make a check Tip to the tour director is at the passenger’s cluding, but without limitation, to acts of payable to Royal Adventures and send along with discretion. God, explosion, flood, forceful wind, fire or accident, war or threat of war declared or completed reservation form to: Royal Adventures, RESERVATIONS, DEPOSITS & FINAL undeclared, acts of terrorism, sabotage, in- PAYMENT: To reserve your space on this 9 Crow Canyon Court, Suite 205, San Ramon, CA 94583. surrection, riots, strikes, civil disturbance, program, a $1,000 deposit is required per sickness, epidemics, pandemics, quaran- person. Please fill out and mail, e-mail, or Or contact Royal Adventures at 925.820.6260 x 113; tines, government intervention or other fax the registration form. Deposits may be fax 925.855.1909; or e-mail [email protected]. unforeseeable events. Limitations on travel charged to a credit card. Reservations are arising from the COVID-19 pandemic or acknowledged in order of receipt. Final other pathogens shall be considered a force payment is due December 3, 2021, and majeure event. The Association of Rice NAME AS ON PASSPORT DATE OF BIRTH must be paid by check. Royal Adventures Alumni, Rice University and Royal Adven- handles all invoicing. CST #2009579-40 tures reserve the right to make changes in CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS: Can- the published itinerary or to the study lead- NAME AS ON PASSPORT DATE OF BIRTH cellations must be received in writing by ers whenever, in their sole judgment, condi- Royal Adventures from the participant. For tions warrant, or if they deem it necessary CONTACT INFORMATION new enrollments paying a deposit in 2021, for the comfort, convenience, or safety of cancellations received before December 3, the tour participants. They reserve the right 2021, will receive a full refund. The afore- to withdraw this tour without penalty. The ADDRESS mentioned refund policy only applies to right is also reserved to decline to accept or new reservations and does not apply to retain any person as a member of the tour credits from any postponed travel program. or to substitute another qualified leader or CITY STATE ZIP CODE Cancellations received on or after Decem- special guest. Baggage and personal effects ber 3, 2021, are subject to a 100% penalty are the sole responsibility of the owners at of all deposits and payments, regardless of all times. The price of the program is given HOME PHONE CELL PHONE booking date. There are no refunds for un- in good faith based on current tariffs and used meals, accommodations, or other trip rates and is subject to change. Any tariff, features. exchange rate, airfare, or fuel increases will be passed onto participants. Neither the E-MAIL(S) CHANGES IN ITINERARY: The itinerary is Association of Rice Alumni, Rice University subject to change at the discretion of Trav- nor Royal Adventures accepts the liability eling Owls and the tour operator. for any airline cancellation penalty incurred BADGE NAME(S) RATES: Tour costs are based upon current by the purchase of a nonrefundable airline airfares, tariffs, and currency values. While ticket. The air ticket when issued shall PAYMENT OPTIONS we do everything possible to maintain the constitute the sole contract between the o Pay by check made out to “Royal Adventures” listed prices, they are subject to change. passenger and the airline concerned. There are no refunds for unused meals, accom- o Please charge the deposit of $ ($1,000 per person) INSURANCE: We highly recommend the modations, or other trip features. I will not purchase of trip cancellation insurance. An to: o AMEX o Visa o MasterCard o Discover Card hold the Association of Rice Alumni, Rice application for insurance will be provided University or Royal Adventures and/or its by the Traveling Owls upon confirmation. employees or agents responsible for any Neither the Association of Rice Alumni nor CARD # expense or loss caused by my/our failure to Royal Adventures accepts liability for any purchase trip cancellation and evacuation airline cancellation penalty incurred by the insurance coverage. As part of the consid- purchase of a non-refundable airline ticket EXP. DATE SEC. CODE eration and right to participate in this tour, or other expenses incurred by tour partic- each participant will be asked to sign a lia- ipants in preparing for the tour. “Cancel ACCOMMODATIONS bility release, assumption of risk, and hold for Any Reason” insurance coverage must harmless agreement. o Standard Room in Pucón o Suite Room in Pucón be purchased within 14 days following the date of trip confirmation. DISCLAIMER: Every reasonable effort has o I will share a room with been made to ensure the accuracy of the RESPONSIBILITY: Royal Adventures, its o I request a single room (limited availability) information presented in this publication. owners, and employees act only as agents Neither the the Association of Rice Alumni, for the various independent suppliers o PRE-TRIP EXTENSION EASTER ISLAND Rice University nor Royal Adventures is re- and contractors providing transportation, sponsible for errors in or damages resulting I/We will join the optional pre-trip extension to Easter Island. hotel accommodations, restaurant, and from the use of the information contained other services connected with this tour. herein. Information contained in this bro- o POST-TRIP EXTENSION TORRES DE PAINE PATAGONIA Such travel and services are subject to the chure is subject to change. terms and conditions under which such I/We will join the optional post-trip extension to accommodations, services, and transpor- QUESTIONS: Please contact Royal Adven- Torres del Paine Patagonia. tation are offered or provided, and the tures 925.820.6260 x 113 or email info@ Association of Rice Alumni, Rice University royaladventures.com for details. and Royal Adventures and their respec- I/We have carefully read the Program Cost, General Information PHOTOS: ALMA photos courtesy of ESO © tive, employees, agents, representatives, C. Malin and interior • Paranal at Night © and Responsibility sections of this brochure and agree to their and assigns, accept no liability, therefore. Y Beletsky • Cathedral reflection © Dennis terms on behalf of myself and of my party named above. The Association of Rice Alumni, Rice Uni- Jarvis • Bike tour © Chile Tourism Board • versity and Royal Adventures assume no Kingston winery photos © Kingston Winery liability for any injury, damage, loss, acci- • Rafting © Andesmar• Shutterstock Valley dent, delay, or other irregularity that may SIGNATURE DATE of Moon © Skreidzeleu • Pucón © iFerol • be caused by the defect of any aircraft or Easter Island © Grafissimo • Torres del Paine vehicle or the negligence or default of any © Kavram • El Tatio © Olga Danylenko• company or person engaged in carrying out Lake Chungara © Chile Tourism Board. SIGNATURE DATE Exploring CHILE and the Skies of the SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE March 9–20, 2022

LAKE CHUNGARA, ATACAMA Highlights GO BEHIND-THE-SCENES at some of the most advanced and largest observatories in the world with special entry to the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) and Paranal Observatory (pending final confirmation).

MARVEL AT DAZZLING NIGHT SKIES with large amateur telescopes in the Atacama Desert.

EXPLORE CHILE’S LAKE DISTRICT known for its sapphire lakes, lush forest, and snow-capped volcanoes.

ENJOY THE DRAMATIC SCENERY of the Andean north with its unusual wildlife, including the Andean flamingo, vicuña, and viscacha.

SPEND A DAY IN CHILE’S WINE COUNTRY, and TOUR SANTIAGO with a visit to the premiere Pre-Columbian Museum of Art.