The Galapagos and Ecuador's Highlands
Jan Taylor/Jeanne Kangas
January 2, 2009- January 19, 2009
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form
The following pages contain the application to lead an AMC Major Excursion. Please complete the form with as
much detail as possible, and attach additional sheets if necessary. Also include a detailed budget/costing sheet
that clearly shows all costs associated with your planned excursion. The trip proposal form and budget are due
two weeks prior to the MEC meeting in which it will be reviewed. Deadlines will be posted on the MEC leader
website (http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/) and sent to you on the MEC leader listserv well in advance of the
meeting. The MEC will not accept late proposals unless the chair is notified in advance with a compelling reason.
Incomplete applications will be returned to you and not reviewed until complete, so please make sure to fill in all
applicable sections.
The application was created in a Microsoft Word protected document. To fill in each section click on the check
box and/or on the grey text box and start typing. The boxes will automatically get larger as you fill in text. If you
find that you need a lot of space to explain a section, please say “see additional attachment” and attach a separate
page.
In addition, the following are helpful during the review process, but need only be submitted after your proposal is
accepted:


50 and 150 word notices for the AMC Outdoors and www.outdoors.org. Please see the current rules http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/listings/ and schedule for submitting notices for the AMC Outdoors.
Trip prospectus – without the application forms attached – in Microsoft Word or PDF format
Finally, we need to have on file at Joy Street, the following documents:



A completed confidential medical form for the leader and co-leader (after approval is given)
Copies of first aid and CPR certifications for leader and co-leader (before or after approval is given)
A completed application to be a co-leader if the co-leader is new (before proposal is submitted)
We will accept snail mail applications, but electronic forms are preferred. Please save and forward your
electronic document with the following naming convention:


Leader’s last name, trip destination, year of trip and what type of document it is (application, budget,
Outdoors listing or prospectus)
For example, Smith-New Zealand-2007-Application.doc or Smith-New Zealand-2007-Budget.xls
Revised 7/15/2016
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 1 of 7
The Galapagos and Ecuador's Highlands
Jan Taylor/Jeanne Kangas
January 2, 2009- January 19, 2009
Applications should be sent electronically to the MEC Chair, Stacia Zukroff, at mecchair@amcboston.org and to
dturner@outdoors.org. They can be mailed to: Travel Programs Coordinator, 5 Joy Street, Boston, MA 02108. If
you have any questions, please contact Stacia at: 781-648-5503 or mecchair@amcboston.org.
Revised 7/15/2016
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 2 of 7
The Galapagos and Ecuador's Highlands
Jan Taylor/Jeanne Kangas
January 2, 2009- January 19, 2009
SUMMARY OF TRIP INFORMATION
The Galapagos and Ecuador's Highlands
Leader Jan Taylor
Co-leader Jeanne Kangas
Ecuador
January 2, 2009- January 19, 2009
Total # of days 18
Hiking
Downhill skiing
Kayaking
Title of trip
Leadership
Location(s)
Dates
Type of trip
check all that apply
Backpacking
Cultural
Road biking
Nordic ski
Mountain biking
Snorkeling
Other – please describe
Max 14
Min 12
$ 5395
Does it include airfare? Yes
No
$ approx $800-$1000
Is this proposal for a small group trip – i.e., less than 14 participants and 2
leaders or 7 participants and 1 leader? Yes
No
If yes, why is a small group proposed?
If a participant fee increase of more than 15% is proposed, please explain
why? Note: Coleader will pay for Galapagos portion of trip and leader will use
frequent flier miles for flight in attempt to lower trip costs
Number of participants
Advertised cost
Airfare range if not included
Smaller trips and leader
subsidization
LEADER AND CO-LEADER INFORMATION
Leader name
Leader address
Leader email
Leader phone
Wilderness first aid training
Jan Taylor
4 Trotting Horse Drive, Lexington, MA 02421
jliztaylor@rcn.com
Home 781-862-1897
Work cell 339-223-0070
WFA
AWFA
WFR
Expiration: 08/09
CPR training
Prior leading experience
CPR
BLS
Expiration: 06/09
Please list the last three longer (5+ day) trips you have led for the AMC including
destination, type of trip, dates and number of participants. Feel free to list additional
trips you have led, particularly if they demonstrate experience related to the trip you
are proposing.
Greece hiking, May 2007, 16 participants
Sedona hiking, Oct, 2006, 14 participants
Austria hiking, July, 2006, 16 partipants
Trip one
Trip two
Trip three
Other related trip experience
Co-leader name
Co-leader address
Co-leader email
Jeane Kangas
959 Hill Rd., Boxboro, MA 01719
jkangas@arnoldkangas.com

To lead a major excursion you must have current CPR and WFA at the time of your trip (or AWFA for all backcountry
trips). If you do not have the required level of certification at the time you submit your proposal or it will expire before
the date of your trip, you will need to make arrangements to recertify in a timely manner.
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Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 3 of 7
The Galapagos and Ecuador's Highlands
Jan Taylor/Jeanne Kangas
Co-leader phone
Wilderness first aid training*
CPR training*
Prior leading experience
January 2, 2009- January 19, 2009
Home 978-263-8594
Work
WFA
AWFA
WFR
Expiration: 05/09
CPR
BLS
Expiration: 06/09
If you are a new co-leader you must submit an application to be a major excursions
leader or co-leader prior to submitting this application.
Scouting
Have either of you led this trip
before or traveled to this
area?
Languages
Does either the co-leader or
leader speak the local
language?
Couples
Do the leader and co-leader
have a significant personal
relationship?
Private trips
Do either of you lead trips that
are private - not sponsored by
the AMC?
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below:
Co-leader has traveled to Ecuador but not the Galapagos
Executive summary
Please provide a brief
description of the trip and the
activities planned.
Accommodations
Please describe your plan for
accommodation(s)
Meals
Please describe your plan for
providing meals
Permits or permissions
Does the trip require special
permits or permissions?
(required on many U.S.
federal lands and national
parks)
Flight to Quito; after 2 nights an eco-lodge north of Quito, week in Galapagos ; week in
Quito, Quilotoa loop and Cotopaxi - hiking and markets and cultural activities (see
attachment)
Co-leader: Yes
No
Leader: Yes
No
Not applicable:
Yes
No
If yes, please list who has agreed to be your back-up in case one or
both of you need to drop out. This is required for approval!
Yes
No
If yes, please note that you cannot advertise AMC and private trips
together unless there is a clear distinction between the two in any marketing
materials you send out.
LOGISTICAL DETAILS OF TRIP
Special equipment
Does the trip require special
equipment?
Special experience
Does the trip require special
skills on the part of the
participant?
Pre-trip activities
Do you plan to get your group
together before the trip for an
activity or social event?
Conservation, education and
recreation
Revised 7/15/2016
2 nights north of Quito, week on yacht Yolita II- Galapagos ; back to Quito. In Quilotoa,
Black Sheep Inn - 4 nights and 1 night at Cotopaxi lodge. Hotel in Quito
Participants will pay for meals in Quito. Otherwise meals provided by hotels/boats as
outlined; remainder in restaurants
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below what you will need to do to obtain them:
If needed, they will be supplied by Galapagos tour operator
If no, please describe the process you went through to find out that they were not
required:
Outfitter will provide in Galapagos as needed
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below what type of equipment and how you
will ensure that people know how to use it:
Participants can bring or rent snorkel gear for Galapagos
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below what type of experience? Also describe
how you will ensure that the participant has this experience?
Many options will exist if participants choose not to participate on any given day.
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below what you will do:
This is a total conservation and education program. Lots of hiking and
swimming/snorkeling. Holbrook Travel features educational programs for universities
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 4 of 7
The Galapagos and Ecuador's Highlands
Jan Taylor/Jeanne Kangas
How will this major excursion
meet the mission of the AMC?
www.outdoors.org/about/
mission.cfm
January 2, 2009- January 19, 2009
and non-profits and will absolutely present the conservation program for the Galapagos.
TOUR OPERATOR AND GUIDE SERVICE INFORMATION
Will this trip require a tour
operator or guide service
during part, or the entire
trip?
Name of tour operator/guide
service
Tour operator website
Safety record
Please provide information
about their safety record.
Insurance
Do they have liability
insurance?
Emergency response
Please describe the outfitters’
response plan in the case of an
emergency.
Yes
No
Please describe their services. If you are using a tour operator for the entire trip,
please describe why you will be using them rather than doing this trip on your own:
Galapagos trip requires a tour operator. Holbrook Travel is able to build a complete
package around this trip at a good price.
Holbrook Travel will book the Galapagos boat and arrange most of the land portion as
well. We have worked together on the itinerary. This company has been in business
since 1972 and books many Galapagos trips for groups and individuals.
www.holbrooktravel.com
This info has been requested and will be forthcoming. Reading their website has been
very reassuring.
Liability? Yes
No
Are they willing to list AMC as an
additional insured?
Info on request
Maximum amt: $
Yes
No
RISK ASSESSMENT
Please assess the risks and hazards of your trip. Carefully consider each area of risk and how it may affect your trip.
Devise a plan to prevent each hazard and to respond to it if it becomes necessary. Please be very specific for each section
if applicable.
Trail conditions, river crossings, weather, wildlife (bears, snakes, etc.)
Climate/terrain
Potential hazards
Sun (near equator) - sunscreen, hat; lava footing in Galapagos - sturdy footwear; possible
altitude issues - acclimatize in Quito - no strenuous hiking as part of trip; afternoon rains
in Highlands - adequate raingear
Response
Political concerns, crime, language translation, terrorism
Foreign Country
Potential hazards
Thefts, pickpockets, robberies in Quito - take extra precautions with purses and wallets,
use hotel safes, at night walk in groups and avoid certain areas, perhaps use taxis
Response
Road conditions, drivers, insurance
Transportation
Potential hazards
Roads in the Quilotoa area not great, but we will use hired bus transportation throughout
the trip. We will not drive ourselves. Yacht will be new in June so hopefully it will be
in great shape with all the kinks worked out.
Response
Level of fitness, screening concerns, experience with equipment or activity
Participants
Potential hazards
Use buddy system for snorkeling; prepare them for possible issues of altitude, possibly
they could bring meds; offer alternatives for days when they choose not to hike.
However, the hiking will not be especially long or difficult so those in reasonable fitness
should have no problems.
Response
Conditions unique to this type of trip
Other
Potential hazards
Response
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Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 5 of 7
The Galapagos and Ecuador's Highlands
Jan Taylor/Jeanne Kangas
January 2, 2009- January 19, 2009
EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN
Please describe your plans for dealing with emergencies. Use as much detail as possible, and list any special
communications equipment you may need to ensure the safety of your participants. DO NOT LEAVE THIS SECTION
BLANK
Will provide AMC and all participants with complete listing of contact info. All hotels
Emergency communication
Phone contacts, language,
and yacht have excellent ability to communicate with any rescue service needed. Leader
documentation, distance from
has reasonable command of Spanish and guides will speak English.
emergency services
Leaders will bring first aid kit; yacht and hotels will also have equipment. We will not
Emergency equipment
What sort of emergency first
need satellite phones or two-way radios. Yacht can be contacted by radio on phone line.
aid or communication
equipment (satellite phone,
two-way radios) do you plan
to use, if any?
We will not be officially in the backcountry at any time, but in the Galapagos air rescue
Evacuation
Please describe your plan for
services exist and for 4 or 5 nights we will be in or very close to Quito. In the Quilotoa
evacuation from the
loop (3 nights) evacuation could take a while by road due to condition of roads in that
backcountry location if
area but it exists.
applicable?
Will provide this
Medical care
Please describe the medical
care available in the area(s)
where you will be traveling
and list names and telephone
numbers for these facilities.
COST AND BUDGET DETAILS
Deposits
What deposits will be required
by airlines, hotels, tour
operators, etc., and when?
Refunds
What is the latest date you can
cancel and still receive a full
refund?
Participant deposit
What are the initial deposit
and your schedule of
payments?
Cancellation policy
What will your cancellation
policy be for the participants?
Minimum numbers
Will you still run the trip if you
do not get the minimum
number?
Reference web links:
MEC Home Page:
Forms:
Deadlines:
Revised 7/15/2016
Tour operator - $350 per person by July 1; Airline - $100 per person when book (too
early to do so now)
July 1 for tour operator. That is why it is vital to start advertising in April. If there is not
significant registration by that time, we will rethink the trip. Also tour operator is able to
add passengers to yacht if needed.
$1000 deposit, July 1 - $2000; October 1 - remainder
After registration, $100 non-refundable, unless trip cancels. After July 1, no refunds
until trip completed. Co-leader already paying for Galapagos portion of trip and leader
using her frequent flier miles to get to Quito so we do not want other participants or
leaders to have increased costs.
Yes
No
If yes, please describe conditions:
Probably not. This will raise the price too much for leaders and participants. But we
will discuss it with Holbrook and AMC if this happens. Depends on interest and
registration by July 1, 2008.
http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/
http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/application/
http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/listings
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 6 of 7
The Galapagos and Ecuador's Highlands
Jan Taylor/Jeanne Kangas
Club House:
amcexcursions@outdoors.org
E-Mail Addresses:
Club House:
MEC Chair:
amcexcursions@outdoors.org
mecchair@amcboston.org
Revised 7/15/2016
January 2, 2009- January 19, 2009
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 7 of 7