The Natural History of May 24 – June 7, 2018 with Chris Leahy and David Larson

Mongolia has always epitomized the remote, the exotic, and the mysterious. A vast wilderness that relatively few Westerners have explored even today, Mongolia contains limitless vistas of mountains, steppes, and deserts: all of which provide habitat for cranes and eagles, jerboas and ibex, and countless other strange and wonderful and plants that inhabit this arid heart of . Mongolia: May 24-June 7, 2018

Lammergeier, by Tumendelger Khumbaa

Overview This itinerary brings together the best the country has to offer in terms of birding and general natural history, unforgettable landscapes, and an introduction to one of the world’s most beguiling cultures. We’ll gaze upon stunning landscapes seen by few Westerners, and witness birds most birdwatchers can only dream about: rare, beautiful, or fascinating species such as White-naped and Demoiselle Cranes, Amur and Saker Falcons, Pallas’s Sandgrouse, Mongolian Ground Jay, Wallcreeper, Père David’s Snowfinch, and many migrant and resident raptors, songbirds, and waterbirds.

We also hope to find Argali, Siberian Ibex, Mongolian and Goitered , and the Takhi (or Przewalski’s Horse), the last truly wild horse on our planet.

As befits a culture famous for its nomadic way of life, we will travel miles across rugged landscapes. Most nights will be spent in the simple but comfortable tents called “gers” in Mongolia, known as yurts in the West. Our trip will include a visit to one of the world’s best-kept natural secrets: pristine Lake Hovsgol, Baikal’s clean and clear little sister, surrounded by primeval larch forest beneath snowy alpine slopes.

NB: Driving times are approximate and do not include birding stops. B, L, D indicates which meals are included that day: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Day 1: Thursday, May 24 ~ Arrival in Ulaanbaatar Upon arrival, we will transfer to our first-class, centrally located hotel within walking distance of various museums and shops. In the evening, we’ll have a welcome dinner at one of the capital’s best restaurants. Overnight: Blue Sky Hotel || http://www.blueskytower.mn/english/index.php/the-hotel || (D)

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Takhi, by Baterdene Namjil

Day 2: Friday, May 25 ~ Ulaanbaatar to Hustai National Park After breakfast, we’ll visit Gandan Monastery, the seat of Buddhism in Mongolia. Woven through Mongolia’s nomadic culture is a rich Tibetan-Buddhist tradition with ancient shamanist practices still evident as well. Hundreds of Buddhist monasteries were destroyed during the Stalinist purges of the 1930s. Gandan, however, survived and continued to operate as a “showpiece” for government officials.

Next, we’ll drive a few hours to Hustai National Park, scanning the steppe en route for our first Demoiselle Cranes, Cinereous Vultures, and Steppe Eagles. Hustai is home to the last remaining species of wild horse, the Takhi - also known as Przewalski’s Horse. In 1994, 25 years after they became extinct in the wild, the Takhi was reintroduced into the wild from zoo populations by the Foundation for the Preservation and Protection of the Przewalski’s Horse, a Dutch organization, which flew 16 horses from the Netherlands to Mongolia. Now, nearly 400 horses roam reintroduction sites in Mongolia, Russia, and China. After getting settled and having lunch, we’ll make our first attempt to find some of these beautiful animals. Overnight: comfortable gers (yurts) || (B,L,D)

Day 3: Saturday, May 26 ~ Hustai National Park to Harhorin In addition to hosting the world’s largest wild herd of Takhi, Hustai contains a great expanse of steppe that exists in a relatively undisturbed state and a nice matrix of other habitats that makes for good birding. The abundance of marmots and smaller rodents attracts raptors such as Upland Buzzards, Saker and Amur Falcons, and two or more species of eagles.

We’ll spend this morning exploring the park for these and other specialties such as Black Stork and a variety of steppe songbirds as well as Red and Mongolian . We’ll also learn more about the status of the Takhi herds and the current conservation program.

In the afternoon, we’ll drive 4 to 5 hours to Harhorin, perhaps Mongolia’s most important historical site. The construction of Harhorin city was completed during the reign of Ogedei Khan, Genghis Khan’s third son, who, in 1228, inherited the empire his father created. It is located within the beautiful valley of the Orkhon River, which bears hundreds of historically and archeologically significant sites going back 2000 years. These burial sites, deer stones, and ruins of cities all predate the time of Genghis Khan.

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Unfortunately, Harhorin did not survive the medieval struggles between different Mongolian clans and invasions from abroad. It was completely destroyed by the Ming Dynasty’s army in the 14th century after the collapse of Mongolia’s Yuan Dynasty in China. Its remains were used in the construction of Mongolia’s first and largest Buddhist Monastery, Erdenezuu, which still stands today. Overnight: comfortable gers (yurts) || (B,L,D)

Day 4: Sunday, May 27 ~ Harhorin to Ongiin Hiid After a morning visit to the impressively restored Erdene Zuu monastery, we’ll head south to Ongiin Hiid, located at the northern edge of the Gobi desert. Our 5-to- 6-hour drive will be broken up with birding stops including a shallow lake that often holds a variety of waterfowl such as Whooper Swans and Ruddy Shelducks.

Ongiin Hiid Monastery, once called the “Pearl of the Gobi,” was on the crossroads of Central Asian Silk Road caravans. We will have a chance to explore the monastery ruins and surrounding hills on foot and stay at our well- appointed new ger camp, beautifully situated on the banks of the Ongiin River. Overnight: comfortable gers (yurts) Erdene Zuu, by Badral Yondon || (B,L,D)

Day 5: Monday, May 28 ~ Ongiin Hiid to Hongoryn Els We’ll get an early start this morning exploring a variety of landscapes from stony mountain gorges to rolling shrub steppe and dry river beds with native elms, which may attract migrant songbirds at this date. The area is so far unexplored by ornithologists, so any birds we record will be new data.

Starting from the mid 1990s, Bat-erdene has been working single-handedly to bring this once-flourishing Buddhist center back to life. For over 20 years, he has taught basics of Buddhist teachings to more than 30 local children, many of whom now study in India and elsewhere before returning to help their teacher with his work. The founding lama of this monastery, Barigri Damtsagdorj (1781-1848), has recently been reincarnated in the Gobi, and there is hope that this place will come fully back to life in the near future.

After an early lunch, we will drive much of the afternoon deeper into the Gobi to arrive at the Hongoryn Els, Mongolia’s most impressive expanse of sand dunes. Birding stops along our 6-hour drive will depend on local conditions: for example, we may stop at a lake bed that can be teeming with waterbirds or completely dry. Depending on time and energy, we may make a late afternoon stop near the dunes for “sundowners” before heading to our nearby camp. Tonight’s lodging, with a view of the dunes, consists of wooden cabins with private bathrooms. Overnight: cabins || (B,L,D)

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Hongoryn Els, by Chris Leahy

Day 6: Tuesday, May 29 ~ Hongoryn Els and the Gobi Sun Lodge Hongoryn Els extends for 60 miles alongside the Gobi Altai Mountain range and reaches 2,500 feet in height. The morning light on the sands is enchanting, and a river—often crowded with Pallas’s Sandgrouse and other birds—flows in a green swath before them.

We’ll start the day exploring the dunes and other desert habitats looking for birds and end the morning with a visit to a local camel breeder family with a chance to ride Bactrian . After lunch at the lodge, we’ll head to our next night’s lodging. On the way, we’ll watch for herds of gazelles, stop at a reliable site for the very local Mongolian Ground Jay, and examine some ancient petroglyphs at a small rocky outcrop before arriving at our comfortable accommodations for the next two nights. Overnight: Gobi Sun Lodge || (B,L,D)

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Flaming Cliffs, by Chris Leahy

Day 7: Wednesday, May 30 ~ Yol Valley and Flaming Cliffs We will depart very early this morning and head for Yol Valley National Park, cradled within the Gurvan Saikan (Three Beauties) range of the . One reason to arrive early is to have the best chance to see the local herd of Argali and Siberian Ibex while they are still foraging in view. Another is to take advantage of some of Mongolia’s best birding for species such as Père David’s Snowfinch, the exceedingly local Kozlov’s Accentor, Wallcreeper, Beautiful Rosefinch, and many others.

By midmorning, the valley’s namesake, the Yol (or Lammergeier), usually appears along with its close relatives, Cinereous and Griffon Vultures. We will explore a deep-stream gorge where some of last winter’s ice remains, surrounded by the striking juniper-clad peaks.

We’ll return to our lodge for lunch (or bring a packed lunch).In the late afternoon, we’ll drive across the desert to the legendary “Flaming Cliffs,” named for red-orange sandstone, which glows brilliantly at sunrise and sunset. It was here, in 1922, that Dr. Roy Chapman Andrews and his exploration team discovered the first dinosaur eggs the world had ever seen, and the fossil beds of the Gobi continue to produce an extraordinary variety of Cretaceous life including many species new to science. One must not expect to see T. rex skeletons protruding from the cliff face, but we usually manage to find a few ancient bone fragments. The Mongolian name for this area is Bayan Zag, which refers to an expanse of saxaul forest growing near the cliffs. This characteristically small desert tree is the foundation of a unique (increasingly threatened) habitat with a number of endemic species, and we will take time to explore it a bit. Overnight: Gobi Sun Lodge || (B,L,D)

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Day 8: Thursday, May 31 ~ Return Ulaanbaatar We will drive to Dalanzadgad this morning to catch our flight back to the capital. Depending on flight times, we will have the opportunity to see more of Ulaanbaatar, experience more of its rich cultural heritage, and perhaps do some shopping for cashmere or other fine Mongolian products. We’ll have dinner at another of the city’s fine dining restaurants. Overnight: Blue Sky Hotel || (B,L,D)

Day 9: Friday, June 1 ~ Ulaanbaatar to Gun-Galuut Nature Reserve After an early breakfast, we’ll head east from Ulaanbaatar. Though only 2.5 hours from the capital, the recently established Gun-Galuut Nature Reserve contains an extraordinarily beautiful river valley and mountain range surrounded by rolling steppe. Among the special natural attractions, we will hope to find here a small population of the endangered Argali and the extraordinarily graceful White-naped Crane, which is even rarer. There is also a chain of small lakes likely to hold an interesting variety of shorebirds and other waterbirds at this season. Our comfortable ger camp here overlooks the valley, and the staff offers the usual Mongolian hospitality and hearty food. Overnight: comfortable gers (yurts) || (B,L,D)

Gun-Galuut, by sergelen1 via Flickr (CC by 2.0)

Day 10: Saturday, June 2 ~ Gun-Galuut to Ulaanbaatar We will spend a full morning exploring the Gun-Galuut Nature Reserve and after lunch drive back to Ulaanbaatar. In the evening, we’ll enjoy a performance featuring traditional Mongolian musicians, dancers, and hoomi (throat) singers followed by a dinner at yet another excellent local restaurant. Overnight: Blue Sky Hotel || (B,L,D)

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Lake Hovsgol, by Badral Yondon

Day 11: Sunday, June 3 ~ Murun and Lake Hovsgol If our flight schedule permits, we will start the day with a visit to the Fine Arts Zanabazar Museum. Named in honor of Zanabazar, the first Buddhist leader of Mongolia and renowned sculptor, artist, and politician from the 17th century, the museum contains one of the best collections of Buddhist art and artifacts in the world, including many of Zanabazar’s original works. In the afternoon, we'll head to the far north of the country: first flying to Murun (1.5 hours), the capital of Hovsgol Province, and then continuing overland to Lake Hovsgol (approximately 2.5 hours), with birding stops en route as time allows. Overnight in a lakeside ger camp with private bathrooms and excellent birding opportunities on site. Overnight: comfortable gers (yurts) || (B,L,D)

Days 12 & 13: Monday & Tuesday, June 4 & 5 ~ Lake Hovsgol Mongolia’s largest lake by water volume, Hovsgol extends 85 miles in length, and 18 miles in width. It is over 800 feet deep and contains 1 percent of the world’s fresh water. Though fed by over 90 rivers and streams, water exits the lake only through the Egiin River, which eventually flows into Lake Baikal in neighboring . Known as Mongolia’s “dark blue pearl,” Hovsgol remains untouched by industry and is surrounded by some of the most pristine forests, mountains, and meadows in the world. Birdlife and wildflowers abound, and we will have ample time to discover the lake's secrets during our time there. Our camp is surrounded by forest and sited between the main lake and a smaller pond with nesting Horned Grebes and other specialties of this boreal “taiga” ecoregion. On one of our days, we'll explore the lake shore, and on the other take an old road as high as we can go in the mountains and hike part-way down amid meadows filled with wildflowers. You will also have the opportunity to visit with local nomads and have the option to try horseback riding, Mongolian-style. Overnight: comfortable gers (yurts) || (B,L,D)

Day 14: Wednesday, June 6 ~ Return to Ulaanbaatar Today, we will return to Murun for our flight back to Ulaanbaatar. On our way, we'll stop at a soda lake that typically teems with waterfowl including the increasingly rare and local Swan Goose. Also, we may investigate a nearby site of unique and still mysterious Bronze Age “deer stones.” Upon arrival in Ulaanbaatar, we will transfer to our comfortable hotel. Overnight: Blue Sky Hotel || (B,L,D)

Day 15: Thursday, June 7 ~ Home! We will make the short drive from downtown UB to Chinggis Khan International Airport to catch our flights home.

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About Your Mass Audubon Guides

Chris Leahy currently holds the Gerard A. Bertrand Chair of Natural History and Field Ornithology (Emeritus) at Mass Audubon. He has been a professional conservationist for more than forty years and served as Director of Mass Audubon’s Center for Biological Conservation.

His interests in natural history are comprehensive, and he is a recognized authority on birds and insects. His published works include:  Birdwatcher's Companion to North American Birdlife  The First Guide to Insects  The Nature of Massachusetts.

He is the co-author of the first Field Guide to the Birds of Mongolia to be published by Bloomsbury Press in 2018.

Chris has designed and led natural history explorations to over 80 countries on all of the continents. He is especially fascinated with the world's great remaining wilderness areas and biodiversity hot spots such as Bhutan, Gabon, and Madagascar. He first visited Mongolia in 1982 and has been involved in conservation initiatives there since the early 1990s. Chris grew up in Marblehead, MA and has lived in Gloucester with his family since the 1970s.

David Larson is Director of Mass Audubon's Birder's Certificate Program, a college-level ornithology course, and teaches a bird ecology course for naturalist guides in Belize.

He is the Science and Education Coordinator for Mass Audubon's Joppa Flats Education Center in Newburyport, where he designs and leads educational programs and field trips for participants of all ages. He holds a PhD in zoology from the University of Minnesota and has served on the faculty of Boston University. He is the vice-president of the Nuttall Ornithological Club and writes a regular column for the journal Bird Observer.

He has birded and led tours throughout North America, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Trinidad, Belize, Costa Rica, Panama, Ecuador, Brazil, Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania, England, Hawaii, and Japan.

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What to Expect PLEASE NOTE: Experiencing Mongolia’s mystique is not for the faint of heart. As noted there will be long, bumpy jeep rides and no swimming pools. Weather conditions may require changes in flight schedules and the timing of options during our time in Ulaanbaatar may change accordingly. Though the kinds of food available in Mongolia have expanded greatly in the last decade, we will subsist mainly on hearty simple fare—including a number of savory Mongolian specialties prepared by resourceful cooks in the countryside. In the city, the cuisine is more sophisticated. Vegans/vegetarians/people with special diets: please call us to discuss.

This trip is designed for those who share enthusiasm for discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations. In order to reap the rewards of visiting a seldom-explored country, we expect that you will travel with flexibility, a willingness to accept local standards of amenities and services, and a sense of humor. With this in mind, you are sure to experience the generous, welcoming spirit that is characteristic of the Mongolian people.

Though there will be no long or especially strenuous hikes, we will spend long days in the field and will sometimes make changes in the program based on conditions we encounter as we travel.

PACE: Moderate and steady. Most days will start between 6 and 8 am, and we’ll be out exploring and/or traveling most days until late afternoon or early evening. This itinerary has been designed to experience the landscapes of Mongolia as the native nomadic herders do: covering a lot of ground and taking pleasure in the vast open steppe. This means that there will be long drives often on dirt tracks, stopping where we encounter interesting wildlife or irresistible photo ops.

PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY: Moderate. There will be a mixture of trail birding and road birding, much of it at elevations of 4000-6000 feet (there will be 1-2 outings at 8000 feet). Most of the trails and roads are flat or only slightly inclined. We will bird some steeper and moderately difficult trails on at least three days of the tour (walking sticks may be useful if you are accustomed to using them). Much of the tour involves stops along the way as we drive from one location to another, but you can also expect to walk 2-3 miles per day. Long drives on dirt roads may be challenging for those with back problems or sensitivity to dust.

WEATHER: Highly variable. Days can be warm, 70-80°F; nights, 40°F. Be prepared to experience hot and cold, dust and snow, sun and rain, wind and calm—sometimes in consecutive twenty-minute intervals!

ACCOMMODATIONS: Except for our stays in the capital and one lodge with wooden cabins, we will be staying in the Mongolian tents called gers (“gare” not “gurr”), known elsewhere as yurts. These are private with comfortable beds and some will have en-suite bathrooms, while other ger camps have clean, communal facilities. Electricity is not available in some of the ger camps, and reliable internet access is only available in Ulaanbaatar. There is laundry service at all accommodations, though we won’t always be staying long enough at some stops to take advantage of the service.

PHOTOGRAPHY: This is a birding and natural history tour, and casual photographers will have opportunities to photograph landscapes, birds, , and many aspects of Mongolian culture. As always, please be sensitive and ask permission before photographing people; if in doubt, ask your guide. Because this is not a photography-focused trip, photographers will have to adjust their expectations and timing. Digiscoping using the tour telescopes is not permitted.

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Price, Terms and Conditions

Tour Price: $5800 per person, double occupancy, with a minimum of 12 travelers. (If there are only 9 – 11 travelers, the price will be $6400). Single supplement +$1500 (only 3 single rooms available). Maximum group size is 14.

Price Includes:  All meals and accommodations as shown in the itinerary  Services of Mass Audubon naturalist leaders, Chris Leahy and Dave Larson  Services of local guides, trackers, camp staff  All excursions and entrance fees  Extensive trip preparation notes and bird checklist  Transportation within Mongolia, including flight  All tips and gratuities (with minimum of 12 travelers)

Price Excludes:  International airfare  Passport and visa fees; travel insurance  Airport taxes; excess baggage charges  Items of a personal nature, including alcoholic beverages, laundry, and telephone calls; other items not specifically mentioned as included.

APPLICATIONS, RESERVATIONS, DEPOSITS: Early applications are strongly encouraged. Trip rosters usually must be finalized 4 months before departure. All applications must be accompanied by a completed reservation form and $1000 deposit. Deposits can be by check or credit card (Visa or MasterCard). We reserve the right to decline your application. In the case of questionable health, we reserve the right to require a physician’s certification to affirm you are capable of the activities. Final payment is due 90 days before the departure date. Final payment must be by check or money order.

RATES: All tour prices are based on double occupancy. If you would like us to find you a roommate, we will do our best, but cannot guarantee a share. If we cannot find a share, you will need to pay the single supplement. All forms and fares are accurate at the time of publication (June 2017) but are subject to change at any time prior to departure. It is our policy to only pass on the actual amount of any increases in airfares or land costs such as those increases due to the devaluation of the dollar. Rarely, a price increase may be called for if the group falls below the minimum, as listed in the itinerary.

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: A U.S. passport valid for at least six months beyond the trip’s departure date is required.

FLIGHTS: You, the traveler, are responsible for booking and paying for your own international flights. Once you reserve your space, we will provide you with suggested flights and tell you which flights our staff will take. You may book flights directly with the airline, online, or with a travel agent. Please be aware that most tickets are non- refundable, therefore you should not book your flight arrangements until you have checked with us to be sure the tour has the minimum number of participants for the trip to go. We ask that you provide us with your flight details.

TRIP INSURANCE: A brochure and application for optional trip cancellation, illness and baggage insurance will be sent to you upon registration. We strongly recommend that you purchase trip cancellation insurance to protect yourself. See www.insuremytrip.com

PHOTOS: Mass Audubon reserves the right to make use of any photographs taken on the tour. We guarantee that no photos of a compromising nature will be used. If you have questions or concerns, please contact us.

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CANCELLATION POLICY: If you need to change your booking, you must inform us immediately in writing. All cancellations must be done in writing and are effective upon receipt in the Massachusetts Audubon Travel Office.

 Cancellations received up to 121 days prior to departure will be refunded deposits less a $300 per person fee.  Cancellations between 120 and 90 days prior to departure, all deposits are forfeit, but any balance paid beyond that is refundable.  There are no refunds of any kind for cancellations 90 days or less from departure.

We strongly urge all travelers to purchase trip cancellation insurance. You will be sent information from the Massachusetts Audubon Society upon receipt of your deposit.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITY: Although every precaution is taken to safeguard you and your belongings, group travel trips by their nature involve a certain amount of risk. Trip participants should understand that the domestic and international trips sponsored/operated by Massachusetts Audubon Society (Mass Audubon Tours) - hereafter collectively “M.A.S.” - involve known and unknown risks. M.A.S. assumes no responsibility for injuries, death, financial losses or damage to clients’ property caused by or occurring during participation in any of the travel trips sponsored/operated by M.A.S. Trip participants must assume responsibility for having sufficient skill and fitness to participate in the trips and activities offered or sponsored by M.A.S. Trip participants must also certify that they have no medical, mental or physical conditions which could interfere with their abilities to participate in the activities and/or trips they are participating in and they must assume and bear the cost of all risks that may be created, directly or indirectly, by any such condition. It is the responsibility of trip participants to have in place adequate insurance to cover any injury, damage or emergency transportation costs related to their travel and/or participation in trip activities and/or to bear the costs of such injury, damage or emergency transportation costs. Because of the risks associated with the travel trips sponsored by M.A.S. we urge all trip participants to supplement their own insurance with travel or vacation or emergency response types of insurance. M.A.S. requires that all trip participants acknowledge and assume these risks by reading and signing an M.A.S. Release and Waiver and Assumption of Risk contract prior to departure.

CONDITIONS OF TRAVEL: Travelers will be provided with an itinerary and trip preparation information. It is expected that travelers will read this information prior to trip departure. Travelers will be responsible for completing an application reservation form, including the personal information and a release of liability (see attached). Travelers will be expected to abide by the terms set for in the invoice. During the tour, travelers are asked to respect and follow the directions of their guide and leader.

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Mass Audubon Natural History Travel Trip Application Form

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RELEASE AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK

Name: ______

I would like to participate in the birding and nature tour named above (the “Tour”) organized by Massachusetts Audubon Society, Inc. (“Mass Audubon”). I am aware that participation in a Mass Audubon tour involves risk, including, but not limited to, the hazards of living in and traveling over unpredictable terrain often in remote areas without adequate medical facilities, exposure to disease and infection, being subject to the forces of nature, and travel by airplane and motor vehicle. In addition, I understand and acknowledge that, if I participate in the Tour, one or more of the risks described above or set forth below could result in or cause bodily injury or death to me or damage to personal property of mine: physical exertion; travel by foot, plane, train, auto, vans, bus, boat or other conveyance; consumption of food and beverages; civil unrest, terrorism, banditry, or criminal activity; high altitude; inadequate medical facilities or service.

I acknowledge that I have received and read carefully information describing the Tour, including, but not limited to, the Terms and Conditions and the paragraph in the Terms and Conditions entitled “Your Responsibility.”

I acknowledge that the enjoyment and excitement of touring is derived, at least in part, from the inherent risks incurred by travel and activity beyond the accepted safety and routine of life at home or work, and that part of the reason I have decided to participate in the Tour is to experience this enjoyment and excitement. I further acknowledge that I have had the opportunity to discuss with my medical provider the medical risks involved in the Tour. I have also had the opportunity to research the Tour and to understand fully the risks involved.

Therefore, notwithstanding the risks of participating in the Tour set forth and as described above, and in consideration of Mass Audubon permitting me to participate in the Tour:

(1) I AGREE TO ASSUME AND ACCEPT ALL RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE TOUR; AND

(2) I HEREBY RELEASE AND FOREVER DISCHARGE AND COVENANT AND AGREE NOT TO SUE, AND AGREE TO INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS, MASS AUDUBON AND ITS DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS (COLLECTIVELY, THE “RELEASEES”), AND EACH OF THE RELEASEES, FROM AND AGAINST AND IN REGARD TO ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, DEMANDS, ACTIONS, SUITS, LOSSES, COSTS, DAMAGES, AND EXPENSES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ATTORNEYS’ FEES), AND ANY AND ALL LIABILITIES AND OBLIGATIONS OF EVERY KIND AND DESCRIPTION, WHICH I SHALL OR MAY HAVE AGAINST THE RELEASEES OR ANY ONE OR MORE OF THEM ARISING OUT OF, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, MY PARTICIPATION IN THE TOUR.

I agree that this Release and Assumption of Risk shall be (a) binding upon me and my heirs, executors, legal representatives, successors, and assigns, and (b) deemed a contract made under seal under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the internal laws of said Commonwealth without regard to its principles of conflict of laws.

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