Bird & Beans: Unexplored. Date: February 18 26, 2012 Land Cost: $2135

Transcription

1 Adventure Associates of WA, Inc. PO Box Seattle WA Bird & Beans: Unexplored Nicaragua Sustainable Environmentally Friendly Coffee Production and Bird Watching Date: February 18 26, 2012 Land Cost: $2135 Explore, Experience, and relax in Nicaragua on family-owned, Bird Friendly certified farms, cloud forest reserves, and unexplored islands. Spot birds in winter migration on Nicaraguan coffee farms and forests that are found in North American habitats in the spring and summer. Experience three different agriculture and forest ecosystems (tropical dry, cloud forests and an island on a fresh water lake) for bird watching, hiking, and learning about Bird Friendly coffee from seed to cup. Relax on Zapatera Island on Lake Nicaragua, the ancient ceremonial site of indigenous peoples, covered in forest with no motor vehicles and abundant birdlife. Continued

2 Nicaragua Itinerary: Time Activity Location Observations Saturday,February18 Eveningarrival, 90minute transferfrom Airportto Diriamba ArrivaltoManagua Airport,transfertoMi BohioHotelforovernight MiBohioHotel: Diriamba TROPICALDRYECOSYSTEMSEGMENTNovember5 8) GaiaEstateisa90acrefarmonthePacifichighlandsof Nicaraguawithhostingover150speciesofbirds.42 acresofthefarmisundershadegrowncoffee productionandiscertifiedorganicandsmbcbird Friendly.Anadditional30acresisprotectedinforest, and16acresisusedforannualcrops,treecrops (avocado,cocoa,andbanana),livestock,andbuffer zones.coffeehasbeengrownonthefarmforalmost 100yearsunderaforestcanopy.Youwillwalkthe plantationandsurroundingforestandpeerfromthe topsoftreeplatformswitharesidentornithologistand identifysomeofthe150migrantandresidentbirds whofeedonthefarmatdifferenttimesoftheyear. Sunday,February19(B,L,D) 8 9am Breakfastandoverviewof week MiBohioHotel 9am 12pm CoffeeTour GaiaEstate CoffeeTourincludesHistoryofthefarm,historyof coffeeinthezoneandinthecountry.characteristics ofcoffeeinnicaragua,zones,andtypeofcoffee varietiesgrowninnicaragua.samplingofcoffeeor specialtycoffeedrink.guestswilldiscoverthe characteristicsofcoffee aroma,acidity,body, balance andhowtheproductionenvironment influencesintheseflavorcharacteristics(soil,shade, rain,harvest,wetmill,drymill,etc). GuestswilllearnaboutshadesystemsthatareBird Friendlyandarequirementforcertification,how organiccoffeeisproduced:organicfertilizer,organic pestmanagement,soilconservation.theguidewill showhoworganicandbirdfriendlyproductionis goodforthesoil,water,animalandplantlifeonthe farmandthelargercommunity.guestswillseethe biodigester,asimpletechnologythatconverts methanefromanimalmanurestobiogasforcooking fuel. Guestswilllearnabouthowcoffeeisprocessed:the

3 Time Activity Location Observations 12 1:30pm LUNCH GaiaEstate Buffetlunch artandprocessofdepulping,fermenting,washing anddryingwiththewetmillanddryingpatioand howthisprocessaffectscoffeequality. Themorningconcludeswithasegmentonhow coffeeisroasted.guestswillseeabatchroastedon thefarmroasterduringtheirvisit. 1:30 3:30pm CoffeeTour GaiaEstate Thetourcontinueswithacoffee cupping session wherebyguestscantasteavarietyofcoffeeswith differenttasteprofilesfromaroundnicaragua, includingtheregionswewillvisitlateroninthe week.cuppingsessionwillpairflavorswithavariety oftropicalfruits.thetourconcludeswitha barismo sessionwhereguestslearnand experimentwithhowcoffeedrinksarepreparedat thecoffeebar.guestsmayperusethegiftshop followingthetour. 3:30 6:00pm Freetime,optionalbird watchingwithguided ornithologist GaiaEstate Firstlightandduskarethebesthourstoseebirdlife ontheestate. 6:00 7:30pm Dinner Diriamba TypicalRestaurant Monday,February20(B,L,D) 6:30am OptionalGuidedbird watchingwith ornithologist GaiaEstate 8 9am Breakfast MiBohioHotel, Diriamba 9:30 12:00 pm Visittovillagewitharts andcraftcottage industriesinsanjuande Oriente(30minutedrive) SanJuande Oriente,Carazo Potteryandpaintingsaresoldbylocalartisansina pleasantlocalvillage. TraveltoApoyoLagoon 15minutedrivefromSanJuandeOriente 12:30 2:30 pm LunchandswimatApoyo Lagoon ApoyoLagoon ApoyoLagoonisthecleanestandmostpristinefresh waterbodyofwaterinnicaragua. 2:30 3:15 TraveltoElChocoyero ParrotReserve Ticuantepe 45minutedrivefromApoyoLagoon

4 Time Activity Location Observations 3:30 5:00 Walkandbirdwatchingin ElChocoyero Ticuantepe national park At4pm,hundredsofparrotsreturntotheirnestsin holesintherockwallofawaterfallattheprincipal birdwatchingsiteofthisreserve. 5:00 5:45pm ReturntraveltoDiriamba MiBohioHotel, Diriamba 45minutedrivefromElChocoyeroParrotReserve 7:00pm Dinner Diriamba Restaurant Tuesday,February21(B,L,D) 6:30am OptionalGuidedbird watchingwith ornithologist GaiaEstate 8 9am Breakfast MiBohioHotel, Diriamba 9am 2pm TraveltoSelvaNegra, NorthernNicaragua (includinglunchstop), Transit TROPICALHUMIDECOSYSTEMSEGMENT SelvaNegraisalargescaleorganicandSMBCBird Friendlycertifiedcoffeeestatenestledinthe mountainsofmatagalpa,northernnicaragua.itis alsoaneco lodgeandcloudforestnaturereserve whichaimsforsustainableintegrationinallits operations.examplesofthisincludetheecolodge whereguestsstayinbungalowswithinaprotected naturereserve,showerwithsolarheatedwater,eat inarestaurantthatoffersorganicproductsfromthe farmwhiletheyadmiretheviewsofthelakeholding thewaterthatgenerateselectricity. Afternoonand Evening RestandRelax SelvaNegra Overnight Wednesday,February22(B,L,D) AllDay Guidedcoffeetour,bird watching,hiking,orchid andtreeobservationin cloudforest SelvaNegra Duringatourofthecoffeeestateandsustainablefarm theguestswillgetthefullexperienceofintegration, hearingforexample;howtheleftoverfoodofthe restaurantfeedsthepigs,thepigs'wastegenerates methanegasusedtofuelthekitchenthatwillcookthe sausagesmadefromthesepigs.thesustainable integrationprojectinvolvesalltheactivitiesatthe estateincludingcoffeeproduction,cattleranching, dairyproducts,fruitsandvegetables,flower

5 Time Activity Location Observations Thursday,February23(B,L,D) production,andtourism. 6:00am Optionalhikeandbird watchingincloudforest SelvaNegra 8:00am Breakfast SelvaNegra FullMenu(vegetarianoptionsavailableforallmeals) 9:30am Checkoutandtravelto ZapateraIsland Transit AQUATICECOSYSTEMSEGMENT (TravelfromSelvaNegratoZapateraIslandis3hours tothegranadapier. 12:00pm Lunch Granada RestaurantinColonialGranadaCity 30travelbyboatfromGranadatoZapateraIsland 2pminto evening Checkintorooms,rest andrelax,overnight. SantaMaria EcolodgeSpa, ZapateraIsland ZapateraIslandisanundiscoveredoasisonLake Nicaraguarifewithnaturalrichnessandarchaeological treasures.theislandwasanancientceremonialsiteof indigenouspeoplesdatingbacktotheperiodof AC.Petroglyphshavebeenpreservedandcanbe foundhere.therearenomotorvehiclesontheisland, andapproximately70%oftheislandiscoveredin forest.theislandconservesanambiancethat combinestranquility,naturalsplendor,anda mysticismsurroundingthetrailsleftbehindbythe indigenouscultures,yettobefullyinvestigated.the combinationofforestandthefreshwateraquatic ecosystemonlakenicaraguamakesforsomeofthe bestbirdhabitatinthecountry. Friday,February24(B,L,D) 8:00am Breakfast SantaMaria EcolodgeandSpa, ZapateraIsland Eggs,riceandbeans,tropicalfruit,pancakes,orange juice,gaiaestatecoffee. Morning Relax,hike,horseback ride,sail,bird watch, kayak,spaservices, petroglyphobservation SantaMaria EcolodgeSpa SantaMariaEcolodgeisrightonthewaterandoneof onlytwoplacestostayontheisland,equippedwithsix rooms,abarandrestaurant.santamariaalsooffers spaservicessuchasmassageandyoga.countona comfortable,trulyauthenticexperienceoffthebeaten trackoftraditionaltourismroutesinnicaragua. 12:30pm Lunch SantaMaria BBQchicken,pork,orpolishsausage,beans,plantain chips,sourcream,andsalsa(vegetarianoptions

6 Time Activity Location Observations Afternoon Relax,hike,horseback ride,sail,guidedbirdwatching,kayak,spa services,petroglyph observation SantaMaria availableforallmeals) 6:30pm Dinner SantaMaria ChickenQuesadillaswithmozzarellacheese,riceand beans,salsa. Saturday,February25(B,L,D) 7:30am Breakfast SantaMaria Ecolodge 8:30am Depart Transit PM 3:00pm 6:00 pm TriptoHuembesMarket artsandcrafts,typical outdoormarket, Managua ReturnTriptoManagua, closingdinnerand Overnight Managua HotelSelvaVerde Overnight Sunday,February26 EarlyAM (B) TraveltoAirportand Departure Land Costs Deposit Single Supp Trip Dates Group Size Difficulty Activities $2135 $500 $160 Feb 18 26, No Experience Needed Coffee, Birding, Cultural Exchange, Hotels

7 A FEW IMPORTANT DETAILS ABOUT YOUR TRIP...Read carefully Included in your Trip Fee: Eight (8) nights accommodation based on double; all meals as indicated on itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner); ground transportation (coaster bus) cooperative visits and activities as indicated; guide fees; all entrance fees and local taxes; cuppings and special events as indicated by the itinerary. Not Included in your Trip Fee: International Airfare; Extra nights lodging; Tourist card; passport; airport departure tax; single supplement hotel fee ($160) based on availability, if unable to share a room trip fee based on double occupancy; medical evacuation and trip cancellation insurance; meals not specified itinerary), all alcoholic beverages; cost of delays due to weather, transportation problems, illness, political disputes or other contingencies for which reasonable provision cannot be made; tips to your guides as seems appropriate; optional activities. Do I need a Visa to travel to Nicaragua: No. A visa is not required for U.S. citizens; however, a tourist card must be purchased for $10 upon arrival. Tourist cards are typically issued for 30 to 90 days. Transportation/Flight Arrangements: Upon your registration, Adventure Associates will work closely with you on your individual flight plans. You must arrive in Nicaragua Feb 18, Do verify your flight itinerary with Adventure Associates before purchase. Travel & Trip Insurance: We strongly recommend that travel insurance be purchased immediately following your registration. The insurance protects you and your money from late cancellations, accidents or illness in remote areas, emergency evacuation, loss of baggage, airline flight changes and other unexpected delays. The particular program we recommend (Access America or TravelEx) will cover preexisting conditions if you purchase full coverage within fourteen or twenty-one (14/21) days following your registration or flight purchase. Information is available upon request. How to Register: If you do not have an application form, please contact our office for a complete registration packet. Complete the application form and return it to our office along with the appropriate deposit. Upon receipt of your application, we will send you a confirmation and final details about your pre-trip preparation. For immediate confirmation, you may charge your deposit to Visa, Master Card or American Express by phone or fax.

8 Payment Schedule: We accept checks, Visa, MasterCard and American Express. Note: Due to the fluctuating nature of the American dollar, the trip price is based upon the dollar value at the time of printing (March 2011) and is subject to change. $500 deposit due at time of registration Final payment due two months prior to departure. Cancellation & Refund Policy: If you must cancel prior to departure, the following fee will be assessed based upon our receipt of your written cancellation request: Days Prior to Departure (trip destination) 90 or more... $ to $ to % fee 1 to % fee Itineraries are subject to change. No partial refunds are possible for any unused portion of your trip. Penalties on airline tickets are subject to the individual air carrier's rules and regulations. Departure is defined as the date of the first flight, or the trip departure date as indicated on our Trip Schedule, whichever comes first. Once a trip has been confirmed medical circumstances will not be considered as exceptions to our cancellation policy. However, if you have purchased a comprehensive Travel Insurance plan that covers cancellation, you may be able to retrieve some of the funds. Adventure Associates of Wa, Inc. Ph: Copyright 2011, Adventure Associates. All Rights Reserved.