Home > Nature Activities > Adults > Nature Escapes Travel

 

Destinations in 2009-2010 | Leader Bios | Frequently Asked Questions

Ecuador | South FloridaCosta Rica | Alaska | Quebec | Costa Rica Family Trip

The Audubon Naturalist Society’s Nature Escapes Program offers exciting opportunities to search for wildlife and explore the wonders of nature in places outside the mid-Atlantic region. Group size is typically limited to 15 persons and many trips fill early. For more information call 301-652-9188 x11 or email Beth Cranmer

“Traveling with a nature expert is a wonderful experience. ANS trip leaders are incredibly patient and easy-going. Their first concern is always for your safety and welfare.”
~ B. Gordon, Frederick, Maryland

2009-2010 Destinations

Costa Rica : Tropical Ecology & Birding

20th Anniversary!
February 6 - 18, 2010
Optional Extension to February 21
Leaders:
Stephanie Mason & Carlos “Charlie” Gómez

Costa Rica Nature Travel This year our annual journey to the tropical wonderland of Costa Rica returns to old favorite locations, each in a unique habitat zone with distinctive plants and animals. Explore the rain forest at La Quinta de Sarapiqui and at the foot of active Arenal Volcano. Enjoy the peaceful, verdant mountain forests at Bosque de Paz. Gaze at the placid waters of the Gulf of Nicoya from your room at La Ensenada, where we explore the mangrove habitat by boat. The optional extension visits the high mountains of the Savegre Valley, home of the Resplendent Quetzal. Members' cost of the basic tour is $3050, double occupancy from San Jose, and includes all but two meals.
Detailed Itinerary | Leaders | Cost Sheet | Registration Form 


Everglades & Related Ecosystems of South Florida

J
anuary 16 - 21, 2010
Optional Extension to January 24
Leaders:
Tom & Judy Gire & John Bjerke

Nature Escapes in South FloridaEscape winter and enjoy the biological richness of southern Florida. Our trip visits a variety of natural areas in Everglades National Park, habitats including tropical hardwood hammocks, saltwater mangrove swamps, freshwater sawgrass prairies, and more. We’ll also visit the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center and the Wakodahatchee Wetlands near West Palm Beach. An optional extension extends the trip to January 24 with visits to Corkscrew Swamp, Rookery Bay, Tigertail Beach, and Everglades City. Members' cost for the basic trip is $1390, double occupancy, from West Palm Beach.
Detailed Itinerary | Leaders Cost Sheet | Registration Form



Alaska: Natural Wonders on Land & Sea

June 3-14, 2010
Leaders: Mark Garland & Rob Gibbs

We'll experience Alaska's rich natural history with visits to Denali and Kenai National Parks.  Denali is prime big mammal habitat; gray wolf, grizzly bear, Dall sheep, and caribou are among the possibilities.  At Kenai Fjords, we'll enjoy a full-day boat cruise, seeking whales, puffins, murrelets, and many other seabirds.  We'll see wildflowers at the base of glacier-clad mountains, search for many norhtern land birds, while staying at small lodges that offer great hospitality.  Planning has begun for an optional extension into more remote areas.  Call for full itinerary and costs (available soon!).


**New for Families!!!**
    Green Iguana in Costa Rica
Costa Rica : A Family Adventure in the Tropics!

July 10-19, 2010
Leaders: Sofia Cordero & Gregg Trilling

We now offer a new tour designed for families who wish to explore the natural wonders of tropical America together!  This tour is designed to combine nature study and outdoor adventure, and is designed to appeal to young nature-lovers age 10 and above.  We'll visit areas along both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts as well as cross some of the country's highest mountains, all the while learning about the importance of tropical habitats and the need for their conservation.  We'll go on a rafting trip along an easy whitewater river, ride boats through wildlife-rich coastal rivers and canals, snorkel amidst tropical fishes, ride a horse through the rainforest to a gorgeous waterfall, and travel through a rainforest canopy on a zipline!  Members' cost is $2950 (adults) and $2750 (youth ages 10 to 17), from San Jose, and all meals.  Call for full itinerary.


Whales, Wings, and Water in Quebec

July 18-27, 2010
Leaders: David Farner & Local Guides

Enjoy the natural wonders of Quebec's Gaspe Peninsula and Gulf of St. Lawrence with this new Nature Escape.  ANS partners with the local organization ENF Canada to offer a spectacular nature experience.  Sevearl boat trips give us chances to see many whales; if we're lucky, blue whale and beluga in additino to the more common humpback, minke, and fin whales.  Birding highlights range from the great northern gannet nesting colony at Bonaventure Island to newly fledged songbirds and migrating shorebirds and seabirds. Members' cost is $3500, double occupancy from Quebec, which includes almost all meals, expert leadership, boat trips almost every day and superb accommodations.  Call for full interary and costs.

 

Where the Wild Things Roam:
Yellowstone National Park

September 9-17, 2010
Leaders: Rob Gibbs & Stephanie Mason

Plans are underway for another terrific trip to America's first National Park.  TRIP DETAILS COMING SOON!!


Ecuador 1  FULL

Inca Jay, Ecuador Nature TravelNovember 8 - 24, 2009
Leaders:
Mark Garland and Carlos "Charlie" Gómez

Our trip to Ecuador has filled, but we’ve added a second departure (see below). Those signed up for the first trip have the option to switch to trip #2, so it’s possible that spots will open on this departure. Call to add your name to the waiting list for trip #1 and/or for the itinerary and registration materials for both trips.

Ecuador 2  FULL

December 1 – 12, 2009
Leaders:
Mark Garland & Carlos “Charlie” Gómez

Our second 2009 Ecuador trip visits the same habitats as the first trip – cloud forest, high mountain meadows, and the Amazon rain forest – but with a more compressed itinerary. If you’d like to experience Ecuador but spend a little less time and/or money, consider this departure. Destinations include Sachatamia lodge on the western slope of the Andes, the Antisana Reserve high amidst snow-capped peaks, and Sacha Lodge in the rain forest of eastern Ecuador. Members’ cost is $2950, double occupancy from Quito, which includes almost all meals and internal air flights.
Detailed Itinerary | Leaders | Cost Sheet | Registration Form

Complete itineraries and registration information are available from the ANS travel desk at Woodend. Email beth@audubonnaturalist.org or call Beth at 301-652-9188 x11 for the detailed packet of any trip listed above or to receive notification of upcoming trips.

Travelex Insurance

Future Destinations? Help Us Decide!

Nature Escapes ANS Nature Travel ProgramWe currently offer about seven Nature Escapes each year, but there are dozens of great nature destinations we consider. Help us choose!
Call 301-652-9188 x11 or
email Beth Cranmer with your selection, and if we choose that destination you’ll receive advanced notice and have an opportunity to register early. Current candidate destinations include:
• West Texas
• Panama
• Alaska
• Galapagos Islands
• Kenya
• Quebec
• Southwestern deserts of Arizona and California

back to top

 

 


About ANS - Campaigns - Nature Activities - Site Rentals
Special Events - Join/Donate - Legacy
Shop - Travel - Volunteer

©2007 All Rights Reserved. Audubon Naturalist Society.


Voice of the Naturalist Volunteer Travel Shop Leave a Legacy Join Donate WEBB Rust Woodend