“Short Trip” reservations are not refundable or transferable to other dates.
If the Connecticut Audubon Society cancels a trip, registrants will receive a voucher for future travel offerings. For cancellation policies on “Longer Tours,” please check the individual itineraries.

SHORT TOURS l LONGER TOURS
 

SHORT TOURS

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AMAZON CRUISES
Many Departures Available in 2005!
This trip explores some of the most untouched rainforest in all of the Amazon. On this expedition vessel, the Motor Yacht Tucano, participants venture far up the least inhabited river in the Amazon Basin: The Rio Negro. Travelers explore areas very rarely visited, and seek out the mysterious life of the wilderness that stirs in the forest and in the heart of the Amazon Basin. This is the most thorough, detailed, and sophisticated trip offered in the entire Amazon and comes with rave reviews from past CT Audubon Society participants. The guides are accomplished naturalists and you will see creatures almost never seen by other visitors. The trip is like being on a time machine in that one is able to visit places that have not changed for millions of years. Truly the trip of a lifetime! Fee: $2,100 plus air. Call for specific dates! Great trip!

CHURCHILL, MANITOBA
June 4 – 11, 2005 8 Days!
Pre-trip Extension: May 30 – June 4
This province is endowed with very diverse habitats and rich natural ecosystems. Manitoba is a vast wild province and remains a tourism frontier, offering quiet, quality encounters with nature. This tour features a blend of birdwatching and general natural history, as well as the human heritage of each region. The tour includes both southern Manitoba and Churchill which allows you to experience all of Manitoba's ecosystems, each offering very diverse birdlife. In Churchill, travelers explore the diverse habitats located in this exotic northern region. These habitats include wet tundra, dry tundra, boreal forest, willow/alder wetlands, freshwater creeks, rivers, and ponds, the Churchill River estuary, and the marine environment of Hudson Bay. Featured birds regularly seen include Harris’s and Fox Sparrow, Red-necked Phalarope, Stilt Sandpiper, Hudsonian Godwit, Pine Grosbeak, Willow Ptarmigan, Parasitic Jaeger, and the very rare Ross' Gull. The tour includes a whale-watching cruise. Fee: $2,995. Pre-trip Extension: $1,095. Includes airfare from Hartford.

POT HOLE COUNTRY
June 11 – 19, 2005 9 Days!
The wide variety of natural scenery here appeals to travelers and makes for a range of things to see and do. Minnesota and North Dakota are a crossroads for three distinct environments - the western plains and prairies, the northern coniferous forest and the eastern hardwood forest. These three lands meet in the northwest third of Minnesota, where deep pine forests and wilderness lakes gradually give way to a tapestry of rich farmland to the west and rolling woods of aspen, birch and maple in the vacation lakes area to the south. It's a land with tales to tell of Vikings, voyageurs, Paul Bunyan, and Charles Lindbergh, but the real focus is its lakes, known as pot holes and noted for their fine bird life. Birds of special interest include numerous duck species, Yellow Rail, Boreal Chickadee, Connecticut Warbler, Baird’s Sparrow, LeConte’s Sparrow, Lark Bunting, and Yellow-headed Blackbird. Discover this unique region of the country with experienced birding team Jay Hand and Andy Griswold. Fee: $1,895 plus air.

TANZANIA SAFARI
July 8 – 20, 2005 13 Days!
This is Africa as you’ve always imagined it to be: the magic of a Serengeti sunset, the teeming wildlife of Ngorongoro Crater, the elephants, hippos, and some of the most wonderful bird life you will ever see. A safari to Tanzania is a special adventure into the premier game-viewing country of Africa. Tanzania’s great game parks and reserves are unsurpassed anywhere in the world. See all of the major plains animals, zebras, giraffes, impalas, gazelles, and the big cats. Expect baboons and herds of elephant and buffalo. Leader is naturalist Milan Bull. Fee: $3,995 plus air.

SCOTLAND’S LANDSCAPES
July 8 – 20, 2005 13 Days!
Tour the Scottish Highlands, hike the Quiraing range, dine on fresh local seafood, and take the ferry to Orkney. Explore the diverse landscape of the Isle of Skye, the largest of the Hebrides. Travelers will be based at the wonderful Quiraing Lodge, situated on dramatic Staffin Bay. The beautiful stone house is surrounded by gardens which slope gently down to the shore. Behind the house are the magnificent hills of the Quiraing. Visit Dunnvegan Castle, the stronghold of the Chiefs of MacLeod for nearly 800 years. Spend three nights in the Orkney Isles, a fertile soft landscape, rich in farming, abundant and diverse birdlife, and exceedingly rich in archaeological history. Enjoy castles, birds, seals, and incredible geology, history, and scenery. Fee: $2,995 plus air. Back to top

FLYFISHING AT KATAHDIN
July 10 – 16, 2005 7 Days!
If fast action trout fishing is your sport, this is the place to come! Katahdin Lake offers over 700 acres of ice cold, spring fed lake teeming with native brook trout. Whether you would enjoy flycasting from shore against the backdrop of Mt. Katahdin, catching some breakfast out of the fast-moving stream, or sneaking up on them in a "turn of the century" canoe; you can do it all in the same day at Katahdin Lake. If this lake isn't "back country" enough for you, a Maine Master Guide will take you on an overnight to any number of ponds that are really remote! Whatever your pleasure, we are set up to offer anglers of any skill a truly unique and enjoyable experience. Fee: $1,295 includes transportation, meals, guides, and more.

NOVA SCOTIA ESCAPE
August 8 – 16, 2005 9 Days!
From the spectacular tides of the Bay of Fundy to the heathlands of Cape Breton, there is no better highlights tour. Ride through rich, rolling farmland and explore the Bay of Fundy, with a chance at seeing the rare Right Whale. The tremendous number of shorebirds in the bay at this time of year is legendary and known for its incredible aerial ballet. Two nights are spent at The Pines, one of the Canadian’s four star lodges as the group makes the transition onto Cape Breton Island and to Keltic Lodge, another of Canada’s luxury lodges and home for three nights. Cape Breton will delight travelers with its high rock cliffs overlooking the northern Atlantic and its quaint fishing villages. The whole experience is a photographer’s and artist’s dream. The final night is spent at Liscomb Lodge, the third of Canada's glorious lodges located along Nova Scotia’s picturesque Marine Drive. $2,995 includes roundtrip airfare, lodging, most meals, and expert leadership.

BLOCK ISLAND WEEKEND
Sept. 30 – Oct. 2, 2005 3 Days!
Explore the wilds of Block Island after the summer tourists have left the beaches and town. Often a magnet for wayward birds, “Block” will delight travelers with its island architecture, wild flowers, and natural beauty. Fall migration is at its peak, so expect to see lots of birds. Experienced leaders will share their knowledge and enthusiasm for this special place as participants visit the bluffs, lighthouses, back roads, beautiful beaches, and serene harbors. Fee: $485.

HAWK MT. MIGRATION
October 14—16, 2005
This 2,200-acre sanctuary in eastern Pennsylvania is well known for its stupendous hawk migration in October. Located on the Kittatinny Ridge of the Appalachian Mountains, Hawk Mountain’s North Lookout has averaged 24,000 birds of prey during a fall migration. If the winds are from the west or northwest, this spot can give you an experience to remember with many birds right at eye level. Travelers will stop at Jamaica Bay Sanctuary in New York on the way to check on the shorebird and waterbird migrations. Leaders from the CT Audubon staff are experienced teacher naturalists, and happy to help birders of all experience levels with their identification skills. Fee: $485.

BRAZIL’S PANTANAL
Oct. 23 – Nov. 2, 2005 12 Days!
Journey to the Brazilian Pantanal, the world’s largest freshwater wetland and some of the richest wildlife viewing in the Americas! Covering an area of 360,000 square miles, the Pantanal is a huge wilderness region of wetlands. The Pantanal offers a complex of aquatic and terrestrial environments with a varied topography resulting in an extremely rich fauna. The variety of birds is astounding, touting 26 species of parrots including the endangered and beautiful Hyacinth Macaw, the world’s largest parrot. The Pantanal is also a refuge for many threatened mammals like the Jaguar, Ocelot, Maned Wolf, Giant Anteater, and Giant River Otter! This is a unique opportunity to travel at the peak time for wildlife viewing. Fee: $3,895 includes air. Leaders: Andrew Griswold, and local guides Christoph Hrdina and Braulio Carlos.

SOUTH AFRICA SAFARI
November 3 – 18, 2005 16 Days!
Imagine seeing a breeding colony of Jackass Penguins one day and crocs, hippos, rhinos, elephants, and giraffes the next, and you're still in the same country! That's what's so special about South Africa; rich biodiversity including over 700 species of birds (more endemics than any other country on the continent), impressive numbers of mammals including the big cats, the famed "Big Five," and over 10% of all the plants on Earth. This trip is uniquely timed to take advantage of resident birds, such as weavers, bishops, and widowbirds, being dressed in full breeding regalia, accompanied by Eurasian wintering migrants. A good portion of the trip will be spent in the land of the Zulu people, highlighted by an interactive evening and night's stay at a tribal village. Accommodations at the game reserves are top notch. Along the coast, we have a good chance of witnessing Leatherback and Loggerhead Turtles launching themselves onto the beach at night to lay their eggs. Come join us for a truly unforgettable experience. Leaders: Joe Bear and local guides. Fee: $5,198 plus air.

NEW ZEALAND EXPLORATION
November 5 – 21, 2005 17 Days!
Nowhere in the world can one find such a land as New Zealand for sheer beauty and scale. Volcanoes, glaciers, high mountains, fiords, tussocklands, and geothermal springs; the country is a treasure trove of natural wonders. The trip covers the two main islands of New Zealand, North and South Island. North Island has a temperate climate, with beautiful coastal areas, intense geothermal activity, and the Maori culture. South Island has some of the most dramatic scenery in the world, featuring towering peaks, glaciers, majestic fiords, and pristine lakes. The tour has been timed to coincide with their glorious springtime, a period of breathtaking beauty and life. Tour includes, hotels, most meals, and local naturalist guides. Leader: CAS Board Member and former New Zealand resident Judy Richardson. Fee: $5,495 plus air. Back to top

INDIA: LAND OF THE TIGER
December 3 – 18, 2005 16 Days!
Unique, still mysterious, and forever fascinating, the natural history of the Indian subcontinent remains largely unexplored, its natural wealth little appreciated. The subcontinent holds the Earth’s richest natural heritage with mountain ranges, rainforests and mangrove swamps, golden beaches and coral reef islands, and – to complete the picture – even deserts! All this supports an amazing variety of wildlife. India has 350 mammals, 400 reptiles, 200 amphibians, over 1,200 birds, and more than 15,000 flowering plants! India has more than 450 sanctuaries and national parks. India also offers the best hope of survival for some of the world's most endangered species, such as the Asiatic Lion, Bengal Tiger, Asian Elephant and the great One-horned Rhinoceros. The possibilities of discovering and experiencing the joys of India’s nature and wildlife are limitless. Fee: $4,898 plus air.

DIVING THE BAHAMAS
January 6 – 14, 2006 9 Days!
Located on the small island of San Salvador in the Bahamas 360 miles southeast of Miami -- sits one of the premier scuba diving resorts and fishing Meccas of the world. Perched on a pinnacle and washed by warm breezes and clear azure waters, this oasis offers you all of the excitement and adventure or rest and relaxation you've been searching for. San Salvador is known world wide for the quality and diversity of the diving. With over 50 dive sites to choose from there is a great variety to keep traveling divers happy. Normal daily visibility is in the 100 foot plus range. All inclusive fee: $2,895 includes 17 dives, meals, hotel, airfare and island explorations. Leader is Erich Horgan of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute. Non-diver rates available. Call for more details.

ANTARCTIC ADVENTURE
January 14 – February 2, 2006
Quark Expeditions, our Connecticut based tour operator, has been one of the leading innovators and operators of expedition cruises, especially in polar regions, since 1991. The company has pioneered and developed a concept of fantastically adventurous journeys in first class comfort on powerful, polar icebreakers. This concept is unique and many "First Ever" passenger voyages have been successfully operated by Quark Expeditions: the first North Pole voyage, the first Circumnavigation of Antarctica, and more are all part of this tradition. Quark Expeditions is the only company in the world operating powerful, polar icebreakers for expedition cruises. Accompanying these voyages is a dedicated and experienced staff of expedition leaders, naturalists and lecturers who share with you their enthusiasm and knowledge of the region. The voyage is planned and conducted to minimize any impact or disturbance to wildlife and fragile habitats. Names such as Amundsen, Scott, Shackleton, Franklin, Peary and Nansen are synonymous with the Golden Age of Exploration and, thanks to the polar climates, elements of the past have been well preserved. This itinerary is planning to visit the Faukland Islands, South Georgia, South Shetland Islands, the Antarctic Peninsula, and journey across the famous Drake Passage. Call for details. Price varies with cabin selection.

GRAND COSTA RICA
March 7 - 18, 2006 12 Days!
This will be birding in paradise! The itinerary includes many diverse habitats and twelve days of fascinating animals and plants in a beautiful, peaceful place. Specialties include Resplendent Quetzal, Scarlet Macaw, King Vulture, White Hawk, and 30 plus species of hummingbird. Andrew Griswold, Director of EcoTravel, is joined by Carlos “Charlie” Gomez, Costa Rica’s premier naturalist guide. Call for details.

CUBA SURVEY PROGRAM
April 2006
The Connecticut Audubon Society is offering an exclusive, U.S. led and managed, licensed birding program to Cuba in early April, 2006. This program is endorsed by the American Birding Association, and has a 10 year history as a bird conservation project focused on understanding Cuba’s importance as a wintering habitat for North American migratory birds. The foundation of this conservation project is a bird survey, managed by the staff of The University of Michigan’s Rouge River Bird Observatory. We will travel with a small group of licensed participants, a U.S. ornithologist or program manager, bi-lingual Cuban ornithologist, bi-lingual Cuban tour leader, and local naturalists through rarely explored parts of Cuba, the Caribbean’s largest and most ecologically diverse island nation. Call for details. Back to top

COLORADO GROUSE TOUR
April 2006
A birding tour through Colorado can accomplish far more than a list of life birds. Together, Colorado and the grouse clan form an exquisite instructional partnership to demonstrate how one bird group can diversify to occupy diverse landscapes. With prairie-chickens on the grasslands, ptarmigans on the tundra, and sage-grouses on the western sagelands, Colorado provides an opportunity for birders to learn how to read the landscape to predict successfully where certain birds will be found. Interpreting bird-landscape connections offers a powerful skill for finding everything from hawks to sparrows, and finding them on purpose wherever you live or wherever you travel. Come for the Mountain Plovers, prairie-chickens, and rosy-finches. Return with a new-found sense of richness in your birding experiences. Leaders are Jay Hand and Colorado birder Kevin Cook. Call for details.

DISCOVERING DELMARVA
April 27 - 30, 2006
“Delmarva” peninsula is that piece of mainland sandwiched between Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean that comprises all of Delaware, the eastern portion of Maryland, and a disconnected sliver of Virginia. After visiting a key area in each state, you will come away with a good feel for the land, its economy, and its wild inhabitants. The broad, lazy, bald cypress-lined Pocomoke River winds through mature southern forest, where loblolly pine, sweetgum, and a variety of oaks tower over an understory of dogwood and American holly. Typical forest birds include Brown-headed Nuthatch, Pine Warbler, Summer Tanager, and the cavity nesting Prothonotary Warbler. Chincoteague is one of the gems of the refuge system, and is home to the famed wild ponies. Leader: Ken Elkins. Fee: $595.

ULTIMATE ALASKA TOUR
July 2—14, 2006 13 Days!
From the noisy seabird nesting cliffs of the Bering Sea’s Pribilof Islands to the tundra birds of Denali National Park, explore Alaska’s various birding habitats on this well-rounded tour. Spend three days on St. Paul Island in the Pribilofs birding the cliffs, beaches and wetlands, as well as observe the concentration of Northern fur seals and their interesting social behavior. After returning to Anchorage, the remainder of the trip is along the road and marine highway systems. Travel through the coastal rainforest to Seward for a day-long boat trip into the spectacular Kenai Fjords National Park. Participants board a ferry for a trip across Prince William Sound to Valdez, then head north to the east end of the Denali Highway in the eastern Alaska Range to hike and get their first taste of interior birding. Then head to Denali National Park and spend a day inside the park observing grizzly bears, caribou, wolf, golden eagles, long-tailed jaegers, and many other possible species. This trip is suitable for anyone in average physical condition with a sense of adventure and willingness to see Alaska on its terms. Accommodations will be rustic in some locations (e.g., cabins with separate bathrooms), B&Bs in most other locations. Call for more details. Fee: $5,695 plus air.

ENGLAND’S COTSWOLDS
July 2006
Everyone has heard of Britain’s Cotswolds, but not everyone has seen the other side of the proverbial coin. Obviously, within the Cotswold region, (Gloucestershire and parts of Wiltshire, Oxfordshire and Warwickshire) there are well known gems that should not be missed; but there are also places that have remained hidden to all but the locals and those visitors who seek out the rather less touristy places. Over the years, our local guide Martin Hunt has visited this beautiful region many times and has discovered that although it is a very popular tourist destination, it is still possible to take beautiful scenic and historic walks where you don’t often run into many other tourists. There seems to be a part of The Cotswolds that all tourists really do visit - the classic pretty villages and towns, etc. , and in so doing, they miss the other more secretive side, where we will also take you. So although we include visits to some of the “honey pots” that you will have heard about, this will be a walking tour that also visits the less well known areas of this wonderfully diverse region. The Cotswolds is an up-raised plateaux of golden coloured Jurassic limestone, deeply dissected on its’ western edge by valleys about 600-900 feet deep. When these sediments (that were to become limestone rocks) were being laid down as zillions of carapaces of dead oolites, they formed thick sedimentary beds hundreds of meters thick. Much later, great earth movements were to compress and raise these sediments up, forming what we now call “Oolitic Limestone.” Dinosaurs still ruled the earth at that time and mammals were yet to evolve. Join us on this special departure to discover the hidden gems of England. Fee: $2,795 plus air. Escort is Andrew Griswold, Connecticut Audubon Society Director of EcoTravel.

SMITHSONIAN JOURNEYS
Many Departure Dates in 2005! Call!
Smithsonian Journeys Travel Adventures offer unparalleled learning vacations for travelers who seek educational excellence at a great value. Combining the Smithsonian Institution's superb educational resources with Collette Vacations' expert tour planning, Smithsonian Journeys Travel Adventures will quench your thirst for learning and meet your demand for great value, while providing you with unmatched flexibility in designing your dream vacation. Immerse yourself in the beauty of Renaissance paintings at the Uffizi Gallery with an art historian, explore the geology and natural world of Iceland with a geologist, or join a scholar of English history as you travel through enchanting England. In the company of top-notch study leaders and professional tour managers, your journey is enhanced with fresh insights as well as the warm companionship of fellow travelers who share your passion for learning. Call for a brochure listing departures.

MORE TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES
If dates for our tours do not work for you, or there is a tour that you are looking for but do not see listed, we are able to provide you with many natural history destinations through Ecotour Expeditions, Victor Emanuel Nature Tours, Collette Vacations, and others. They will make a donation to Connecticut Audubon Society’s education programs when you sign up for one of their tours through us.

CUSTOM AND PRIVATE TOURS
Connecticut Audubon Society EcoTravel offers custom tour design assistance, including private tours for you, your family, or a private group. Give us a call if you would like more information on these special services.


Call 800-996-8747 for Reservations and Itineraries including:

Polar Bears November 3 – 10, 2006
Peru March 2007
Everglades and Tortugas April 2007
Southeast Arizona May 2007
Panama March 2008


For cancellation policies on Overnight Tours, please check the individual itineraries.

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