The Jewel of South America—From the Andes to the Amazon • Phone 508-877-7630 P AID Ashland, MA Permit No

NEW ENGLAND WILD FLOWER SOCIETY PRSRT-STD 180 Hemenway Road • Framingham, MA 01701-2699 U.S. Postage The Jewel of South America—from the Andes to the Amazon www.newenglandwild.org • phone 508-877-7630 P AID Ashland, MA Permit No. 7 TIME VALUE ECUADOR February 22–March 1, 2012 including Optional Extension to the Galapagos Islands, March 1-6

Dear Members & Friends: Explore Ecuador! Discover the great beauty of highland February 22–March 1, 2012 Ecuador—the jewel of South America— and the fascination of the Galapagos with Optional Extension to the Islands on this 14-day expedition. Galapagos Islands, March 1-6, 2012 Join naturalist Bob Nansen and the Society’s John Burns as we explore oustanding reserves to see diverse plants and animals of Ecuador. Explore the eastern and western slopes of the Andes, an orchid reserve, historical and UNESCO World Heritage sites, and the world- renowned Galapagos Islands on the optional extension. Discover the tropical forests at Maquipucuna Reserve, at 4,000 feet in elevation, one of the biodiversity hot spots in and photograph many species of orchids and South America. Visit the paramo at 12,000 foot ferns in this moist cool canyon. The visitor Papallacta Pass. Stay in a thatched lodge in the center displays many orchids from western rainforest of the Ecuadorian Amazon, with superb Ecuador. Explore the Amazon and Pacific sides of the Andes, visit an birdlife, bromeliads, and tropical forest. • COSTS & CONDITIONS orchid reserve, and explore the World Heritage site of Quito Maquipucuna Biological Reserve—on at 9,300 feet in elevation. There is an optional extension on Visits include: the Pacific slope of the Andes between 1,200 Ecuador Expedition Fee: $2,995 + air of approximately an excellent cruise ship in the Galapagos Islands with local • Papallacta Pass, Andean Cordillera— and 2,800 meters above sea level. This reserve $995 from Boston or $695 from Miami to Quito, round trip naturalist guides. You will cross over a 12,000 foot pass. The Edged by the unique habitat of the paramo, a was purchased by The Nature Conservancy including tax. trip will be an outstanding experience for travelers with a love in 1987 and is now managed by a foundation. of the natural world who delight in discovery! (No smoking in mixture of hardy grass, bromeliads, and stunted Ecuador Expedition Fee Includes: Land transport; vehicles, during lectures, or meals please.) plants at about 12,000 feet. The pass is often It is 80% primary forest, with secondary forest group airport transfers; accommodations twin share; meals going through stages of ecological succession. Air Fare & Airline Ticketing: Air fare quoted is based on windswept with low clouds. Birds range from as indicated; tips to drivers and guides; entrance fees; baggage It has been acclaimed as one of the richest handling where available; leadership; administration. air fares as of January 1, 2011. Please contact Renee or Taunya, giant hummingbirds to the Andean condor (800) 252-4910 for an air fare quotation. AIR FARES AND TAXES biodiversity locations on earth by Conservation Ecuador Expedition Fee Does Not Include: International with many species found only in this montane ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE UNTIL TICKETED. air fare (quoted separately); independent transfers; some meals; treeless habitat. International. gratuity to leader; personal items such as laundry, phone calls, Single Supplement: Ecuador only is $495 per person. For • Guacamayos River Valley, Upper • Quito—the capital of Ecuador and a UNESCO Galapagos the single supplement is 50% of the rate quoted. alcoholic beverages, snacks, sodas; personal insurance; Quito Amazon—On the eastern slope of the Andes, World Heritage Site, with cobblestone streets, airport departure tax. Reservations, Deposits & Payments: To reserve a place historic cathedrals, white-washed, tile-roofed on this expedition, please mail a deposit of $1,000 per person with rainforest at mid-elevation level. There are Galapagos Extension Fee: From $1,990 to $2,490 or $2,790 buildings, and fascinating people and handicrafts. with the completed reservation form to: several forest types including riverine habitat, depending on cabin category plus $420 air fare from Quito + bamboo forest, with colorful orchids and • Galapagos Islands, Darwin’s enchanted $110 park tax. Ecuador & Galapagos Islands 2012 Betchart Expeditions Inc. bromeliads. The bird diversity is outstanding isles—For five days, we may explore the Galapagos Galapagos Fee Includes: Accommodations twin share on 7050 Montebello Road and small colorful frogs can be found both day on board the excellent 100-passenger M/V Legend board 100-passenger M/V Legend in Moon Cabin, Junior Suite, Cupertino, CA 95014-5435 or Legend Suite; one night hotel in Quito twin share; all meals and night. on our trip extension. Our itinerary will include on board ship, zodiac excursions, and naturalist program. Balance of land fee is due 60 days before departure. • Loma Pahuambo Orchid Reserve—an San Cristobal, Espanola, Floreana, Santa Galapagos Fee Does Not Include: Air fare $420 pp RT Cancellations & Refunds: The initial deposit for Ecuador is excellent reserve along a steep-sided stream with Cruz, Daphne, and Baltra Islands. We will Quito to Galapagos; Galapagos national park taxes $110; one refundable up to 60 days before departure less a handling fee a moist habitat for orchids and bromeliads. See discover the amazing wildlife of the Galapagos dinner; personal expenses such as alcoholic beverages, tip to of $100 per person. There is no refund after the 60-day period Islands, from giant tortoises to sea lions, and crew or naturalist guides; or unless your place is resold, then only the $100 per person nesting birds, as well as many endemic plants Ecuador airport departure tax. handling fee is withheld. There are no refunds for unused of interest. What to Expect: This meals or other expedition features. expedition is for travelers Questions: Please contact Marisa Eide, We invite you to join us! who would enjoy exploring Betchart Expeditions Inc. Sincerely, the superb tropical habitats Telephone: (800) 252-4910or (408) 252-4910 of Andean Ecuador with Fax: (408) 252-1444 Bonnie Drexler, excellent naturalist leaders, Email: [email protected] Education Director with a special emphasis on New England Wild Flower Society the flora, birds, and wildlife. On the Web: www.betchartexpeditions.com TINERARY Day 7 — Maquipucuna Day 4 — Highlands of Santa Cruz I We will take a dawn walk to Disembark at Puerto Ayora this morning, and drive into Day 1 — Home to Quito, Ecuador hear the sounds of birds and the highlands of Santa Cruz Island. Here we will walk to see insects at the start of the day. the giant tortoises in their natural habitat. The Scalesia forest Depart home for Miami International Airport for our flight

After breakfast explore the is the most fertile zone in Galapagos, with abundant ferns, NEW ENGLAND WILD FLOWER SOCIETY to Quito, Ecuador. Arrive Quito, situated at 9,300 feet in trails or you may choose to vines, and flowering plants. The Scalesia genus is comprised elevation at the foot of volcanic Mt. Pichincha, and transfer sit quietly by the grove of of 13-15 different species which are distributed throughout to our hotel. Heliconia plants and see the the archipelago. In the afternoon, we will visit the giant Day 2 — Papallacta Pass hermit hummingbirds that tortoise breeding center in Puerto Ayora. See the world’s & Upper Amazon Basin feed on nectar and then most famous tortoise, Lonesome George, the last surviving Our expedition will begin as we depart Quito for the pollinate these yellow flowers specimen of his species. unique habitat of the paramo at Papallacata Pass on the nearly hidden by bright red Day 5 — Daphne Island & Baltra to Quito bracts. After lunch, we will northern slope of Volcano Antisana. The Antisana Reserve, This morning we will see Daphne Island, a volcanic tuff look for purple Meriania and together with Mt. Cotopaxi National Park and the Cayambe cone, which was formed by successive explosions produced the red-tipped Columnea. Coca Ecological Reserve are the critical central parts of the by a mixture of lava and Our local guides will assist 560,000 hectare Condor Biosphere Reserve. At the pass, we water. The blue-footed with the many species of will walk among terrestrial bromeliads (Puya) with flower booby nests inside the canopy-growing Guzmania. stalks six feet tall along with flowering asters, heaths, and craters and Nazca B,L,D colorful lichen-covered boulders. We will look for the two booby nests on the species of Cinclodes, giant conebills, Andean snipes, and Day 8 — Maquipucuna flanks of the cone and condors that are confined to this high elevation habitat. to Quito crater edges. We will Afternoon drive down the eastern slope of the Andes to the After an early morning also look for the tropic- Upper Amazon Basin. San Isidro Cabanas (3 nights). B,L,D walk we will drive to Quito bird which nests in Day 3 — Upper Amazon Basin and explore the charming cavities in the cliffs. Awaken today to the sounds of the rainforest with many historic colonial area of Quito Disembark at Baltra species of birds only heard at dawn. Our first walk will take us (a UNESCO World Heritage Island for our return into a tall rainforest with understory tree ferns, Monochaetum, Site). See the central plaza, flight to Guayaquil and Quito. and large leafed Piper. We will look for the many vines of the government buildings, Day 6 — Quito to Miami & Home massive churches, and local forest like Marcgravia, Centropogon, and then stop to listen Depart Quito this morning on flights to Miami and home. to the sounds of a tropical rainforest. This afternoon we will markets. Dinner overlooking explore the bamboo forest. We will look and listen for insects the brightly lit churches of and birds that are specialists in bamboo. In the early evening colonial Quito. B,D RESERVATIONS #1228 bats can sometimes be seen eating the fruits of the Piper plants at the upper reaches. Many species of orchids are growing Day 9 — Quito to USA or near the lodge. B,L,D naturally and the Visitor Center displays many others found begin Galapagos Extension Yes! I/we want to join the Ecuador & Galapagos Day 4 — Guacomayos River & Valley on the western slope of the Andes. Arrive at Maquipucuna After breakfast, we will transfer to the Quito airport for flights Islands Expedition, February 22–March 6, 2012, The Amazon rainforest has had millions of years of and the Maquipucuna Ecolodge (3 nights). B,L,D back to the USA, or begin the optional Galapagos Extension. offered by New England Wild Flower Society. Please reserve ______space(s). As a deposit, I/we enclose a check relatively stable temperature and precipitation. This has Day 6 — Maquipucuna Biological Reserve allowed time for forests to become exceedingly complex Galapagos Extension for $______($1,000 per person) payable to Betchart The reserve has three different life zones: humid pre- Expeditions Inc. Trust Account for _____ Ecuador only or with many different micro-habitats and niches. Where we montane forest, humid lower montane, and humid upper March 1-6, 2012 find tree branches that have fallen to the forest floor, we will _____ Ecuador and Galapagos extension. montane ranging from 1,200 meters to 2,800 meters. Nearly Day 1 — Galapagos & San Cristobal Island Cerro look for ferns, mosses, liverworts, bromeliads, orchids, and 2,000 species of plants are found here, including over 200 a surprising number of Peperomia plants. We will explore Tijeretas & Galapaguera Cerro Colorado Name(s) ______Age______species of ferns and about 250 species of bromeliads and After breakfast, we will transfer to the Quito airport for a micro-habitats within walking distance to see ferns, flowering orchids. The prevalence of Aroids at Maquipucuna is espe- plants, butterflies, amphibians, and birds. Guacomayos is the flight to Guayaquil and on to the Galapagos Islands, the 20th ______Age______cially notable, with 70 species. Look for Erythrina, Hibiscus, province of Ecuador. We will land on the island of San local name of the macaw, the largest member of the parrot Cecropia, strangler figs, and many species of Heliconia. family. B,L,D Cristobal (the capital of the Galapagos). We will board our Address ______There is also a high diversity of birds, with more than ship, the 100-passenger M/V Legend, settle into our cabins, Day 5 — Papallacata Pass to Lomo Pahuambo 325 species identified thus far, including saltators, 15 species have lunch and begin our voyage with a cruise to Cerro City ______State ____ Zip ______Orchid Reserve & Maquipucuna of tanagers, flower-piercers, many species of flycatchers, and Tijeretas. This is the name com monly used for frigate birds After an early morning walk, we will drive up Papallacta Andean cock-of-the-rock. The mountain and valleys are bathed in Ecuador. This is one of the only places where you can see Phone: Home (______) ______Pass to the paramo, and continue over the Andes to Lomo in mists with species diversity that rivals the best tropical two species of frigate birds nesting in the same colony. Pahuambo Orchid Reserve. The Reserve is located in a lowland forests. Leaf-cutter ants can be seen busily carrying narrow canyon with canopy trees overhead and a waterfall We will continue to the Galapaguera, a breeding loca tion Work (______) ______their leaf parasols across our trails and colorful butterflies that was built to improve the status of the population of the will be seen in the sunny gaps in the forest. We will have a island tortoises, Geochelone chatamensis. Conditions are Email Address ______night walk to discover insects feeding while predatory birds similar to their natural state. It is one of the few places where Ecuador only: $2,995 per person twin share + air. LEADERSHIP are sleeping. B,L,D we may see Calandrinia galapagosa, a plant endemic to San Cristobal that is in danger of extinction. Galapagos extension: Galapagos only aboard the M/V Leading the expedition will be Bob Nansen, Field Legend per person based on share of cabin + air from Quito Day 2 — Espanola Island, Gardner Bay/Osborn of $420 per person (indicate 1st, 2nd, 3rd choice): Operations Coordinator for Betchart Expeditions, and & Gardner Islets the Society’s John Burns. In the morning, we will venture ashore at a spectacular ___ Moon cabin with private bath ...... $1,990 Bob Nansen lived and worked in Ecuador and the long white beach. You may swim and snorkel here, or ___ Junior Suite with private bath ...... $2,490 Galapagos Islands for two years where he was involved venture inland to see the endemic Palo Santo trees and giant ___ Legend Suite with private bath ...... $2,790 in establishing the trail and interpretive systems in the Candelabra cactus. Look for Galapagos hawks, American Galapagos Islands. He has led numerous trips to Ecuador oyster catchers, Galapagos doves, Hood mockingbirds, three Roommate Preference: and Galapagos, including trips for plant enthusiasts species of Darwin’s finches, yellow Warblers, lava lizards, ___ Twin ___ Single Twin Share ___ with a friend or from UC-Berkeley’s Jersom Herbarium and Pacific and marine iguanas. In the afternoon see the sea lion ___ Nonsmoker ___ Smoker ___ assign a roommate Horticulture Magazine. colonies at Suarez Point, and look for nesting blue-footed and Nazca boobies. John Burns has an M.S. from Antioch College and Signature: ______Date: ______has been studying the flora in New England and Brazil Day 3 — Post Office Bay — Floreana for many years. He is the Administrative Coordinator This morning, we will stop at the historic Post Office Bay. Signature: ______Date: ______of the Society’s Plant Conservation Volunteer Program Here you may place un-stamped postcards inside the barrel which may reach their destinations for free. Also look for the and oversees the conservation activities of 200 volun- Mail To: Ecuador & Galapagos Islands 2012 teers throughout New England each year. He looks Hood mockingbird, Darwin’s finches, yellow Warblers, and lava lizards. In the afternoon, visit Point Cormorant which Betchart Expeditions Inc., forward to sharing his enthusiasm and knowledge features endemic plants such as Scalesia villosa, Galapagos 17050 Montebello Road, of tropical plants and wildlife with you. daisies, white and black mangrove, and holy stick. Cupertino, CA 95014-5345 TINERARY Day 7 — Maquipucuna Day 4 — Highlands of Santa Cruz I We will take a dawn walk to Disembark at Puerto Ayora this morning, and drive into Day 1 — Home to Quito, Ecuador hear the sounds of birds and the highlands of Santa Cruz Island. Here we will walk to see insects at the start of the day. the giant tortoises in their natural habitat. The Scalesia forest Depart home for Miami International Airport for our flight

After breakfast explore the is the most fertile zone in Galapagos, with abundant ferns, NEW ENGLAND WILD FLOWER SOCIETY to Quito, Ecuador. Arrive Quito, situated at 9,300 feet in trails or you may choose to vines, and flowering plants. The Scalesia genus is comprised elevation at the foot of volcanic Mt. Pichincha, and transfer sit quietly by the grove of of 13-15 different species which are distributed throughout to our hotel. Heliconia plants and see the the archipelago. In the afternoon, we will visit the giant Day 2 — Papallacta Pass hermit hummingbirds that tortoise breeding center in Puerto Ayora. See the world’s & Upper Amazon Basin feed on nectar and then most famous tortoise, Lonesome George, the last surviving Our expedition will begin as we depart Quito for the pollinate these yellow flowers specimen of his species. unique habitat of the paramo at Papallacata Pass on the nearly hidden by bright red Day 5 — Daphne Island & Baltra to Quito bracts. After lunch, we will northern slope of Volcano Antisana. The Antisana Reserve, This morning we will see Daphne Island, a volcanic tuff look for purple Meriania and together with Mt. Cotopaxi National Park and the Cayambe cone, which was formed by successive explosions produced the red-tipped Columnea. Coca Ecological Reserve are the critical central parts of the by a mixture of lava and Our local guides will assist 560,000 hectare Condor Biosphere Reserve. At the pass, we water. The blue-footed with the many species of will walk among terrestrial bromeliads (Puya) with flower booby nests inside the canopy-growing Guzmania. stalks six feet tall along with flowering asters, heaths, and craters and Nazca B,L,D colorful lichen-covered boulders. We will look for the two booby nests on the species of Cinclodes, giant conebills, Andean snipes, and Day 8 — Maquipucuna flanks of the cone and condors that are confined to this high elevation habitat. to Quito crater edges. We will Afternoon drive down the eastern slope of the Andes to the After an early morning also look for the tropic- Upper Amazon Basin. San Isidro Cabanas (3 nights). B,L,D walk we will drive to Quito bird which nests in Day 3 — Upper Amazon Basin and explore the charming cavities in the cliffs. Awaken today to the sounds of the rainforest with many historic colonial area of Quito Disembark at Baltra species of birds only heard at dawn. Our first walk will take us (a UNESCO World Heritage Island for our return into a tall rainforest with understory tree ferns, Monochaetum, Site). See the central plaza, flight to Guayaquil and Quito. and large leafed Piper. We will look for the many vines of the government buildings, Day 6 — Quito to Miami & Home massive churches, and local forest like Marcgravia, Centropogon, and then stop to listen Depart Quito this morning on flights to Miami and home. to the sounds of a tropical rainforest. This afternoon we will markets. Dinner overlooking explore the bamboo forest. We will look and listen for insects the brightly lit churches of and birds that are specialists in bamboo. In the early evening colonial Quito. B,D RESERVATIONS #1228 bats can sometimes be seen eating the fruits of the Piper plants at the upper reaches. Many species of orchids are growing Day 9 — Quito to USA or near the lodge. B,L,D naturally and the Visitor Center displays many others found begin Galapagos Extension Yes! I/we want to join the Ecuador & Galapagos Day 4 — Guacomayos River & Valley on the western slope of the Andes. Arrive at Maquipucuna After breakfast, we will transfer to the Quito airport for flights Islands Expedition, February 22–March 6, 2012, The Amazon rainforest has had millions of years of and the Maquipucuna Ecolodge (3 nights). B,L,D back to the USA, or begin the optional Galapagos Extension. offered by New England Wild Flower Society. Please reserve ______space(s). As a deposit, I/we enclose a check relatively stable temperature and precipitation. This has Day 6 — Maquipucuna Biological Reserve allowed time for forests to become exceedingly complex Galapagos Extension for $______($1,000 per person) payable to Betchart The reserve has three different life zones: humid pre- Expeditions Inc. Trust Account for _____ Ecuador only or with many different micro-habitats and niches. Where we montane forest, humid lower montane, and humid upper March 1-6, 2012 find tree branches that have fallen to the forest floor, we will _____ Ecuador and Galapagos extension. montane ranging from 1,200 meters to 2,800 meters. Nearly Day 1 — Galapagos & San Cristobal Island Cerro look for ferns, mosses, liverworts, bromeliads, orchids, and 2,000 species of plants are found here, including over 200 a surprising number of Peperomia plants. We will explore Tijeretas & Galapaguera Cerro Colorado Name(s) ______Age______species of ferns and about 250 species of bromeliads and After breakfast, we will transfer to the Quito airport for a micro-habitats within walking distance to see ferns, flowering orchids. The prevalence of Aroids at Maquipucuna is espe- plants, butterflies, amphibians, and birds. Guacomayos is the flight to Guayaquil and on to the Galapagos Islands, the 20th ______Age______cially notable, with 70 species. Look for Erythrina, Hibiscus, province of Ecuador. We will land on the island of San local name of the macaw, the largest member of the parrot Cecropia, strangler figs, and many species of Heliconia. family. B,L,D Cristobal (the capital of the Galapagos). We will board our Address ______There is also a high diversity of birds, with more than ship, the 100-passenger M/V Legend, settle into our cabins, Day 5 — Papallacata Pass to Lomo Pahuambo 325 species identified thus far, including saltators, 15 species have lunch and begin our voyage with a cruise to Cerro City ______State ____ Zip ______Orchid Reserve & Maquipucuna of tanagers, flower-piercers, many species of flycatchers, and Tijeretas. This is the name com monly used for frigate birds After an early morning walk, we will drive up Papallacta Andean cock-of-the-rock. The mountain and valleys are bathed in Ecuador. This is one of the only places where you can see Phone: Home (______) ______Pass to the paramo, and continue over the Andes to Lomo in mists with species diversity that rivals the best tropical two species of frigate birds nesting in the same colony. Pahuambo Orchid Reserve. The Reserve is located in a lowland forests. Leaf-cutter ants can be seen busily carrying narrow canyon with canopy trees overhead and a waterfall We will continue to the Galapaguera, a breeding loca tion Work (______) ______their leaf parasols across our trails and colorful butterflies that was built to improve the status of the population of the will be seen in the sunny gaps in the forest. We will have a island tortoises, Geochelone chatamensis. Conditions are Email Address ______night walk to discover insects feeding while predatory birds similar to their natural state. It is one of the few places where Ecuador only: $2,995 per person twin share + air. LEADERSHIP are sleeping. B,L,D we may see Calandrinia galapagosa, a plant endemic to San Cristobal that is in danger of extinction. Galapagos extension: Galapagos only aboard the M/V Leading the expedition will be Bob Nansen, Field Legend per person based on share of cabin + air from Quito Day 2 — Espanola Island, Gardner Bay/Osborn of $420 per person (indicate 1st, 2nd, 3rd choice): Operations Coordinator for Betchart Expeditions, and & Gardner Islets the Society’s John Burns. In the morning, we will venture ashore at a spectacular ___ Moon cabin with private bath ...... $1,990 Bob Nansen lived and worked in Ecuador and the long white beach. You may swim and snorkel here, or ___ Junior Suite with private bath ...... $2,490 Galapagos Islands for two years where he was involved venture inland to see the endemic Palo Santo trees and giant ___ Legend Suite with private bath ...... $2,790 in establishing the trail and interpretive systems in the Candelabra cactus. Look for Galapagos hawks, American Galapagos Islands. He has led numerous trips to Ecuador oyster catchers, Galapagos doves, Hood mockingbirds, three Roommate Preference: and Galapagos, including trips for plant enthusiasts species of Darwin’s finches, yellow Warblers, lava lizards, ___ Twin ___ Single Twin Share ___ with a friend or from UC-Berkeley’s Jersom Herbarium and Pacific and marine iguanas. In the afternoon see the sea lion ___ Nonsmoker ___ Smoker ___ assign a roommate Horticulture Magazine. colonies at Suarez Point, and look for nesting blue-footed and Nazca boobies. John Burns has an M.S. from Antioch College and Signature: ______Date: ______has been studying the flora in New England and Brazil Day 3 — Post Office Bay — Floreana for many years. He is the Administrative Coordinator This morning, we will stop at the historic Post Office Bay. Signature: ______Date: ______of the Society’s Plant Conservation Volunteer Program Here you may place un-stamped postcards inside the barrel which may reach their destinations for free. Also look for the and oversees the conservation activities of 200 volun- Mail To: Ecuador & Galapagos Islands 2012 teers throughout New England each year. He looks Hood mockingbird, Darwin’s finches, yellow Warblers, and lava lizards. In the afternoon, visit Point Cormorant which Betchart Expeditions Inc., forward to sharing his enthusiasm and knowledge features endemic plants such as Scalesia villosa, Galapagos 17050 Montebello Road, of tropical plants and wildlife with you. daisies, white and black mangrove, and holy stick. Cupertino, CA 95014-5345 NEW ENGLAND WILD FLOWER SOCIETY PRSRT-STD 180 Hemenway Road • Framingham, MA 01701-2699 U.S. Postage The Jewel of South America—from the Andes to the Amazon www.newenglandwild.org • phone 508-877-7630 P AID Ashland, MA Permit No. 7 TIME VALUE ECUADOR February 22–March 1, 2012 including Optional Extension to the Galapagos Islands, March 1-6