Coastal Patagonia and Iguazu Falls: Another Side of Argentina
Janis Stahlhut/Dick Cable
SUMMARY OF TRIP INFORMATION
Coastal Patagonia and Iguazu Falls: Another Side of Argentina
Co-leader Dick Cable
Leader Janis Stahlhut
East Coast of Argentina: Iguazu Falls & National Park, Buenos Aires, Bahia
Bustamante
February 4-15, 2017
Total # of days 12 including US
departure/overnight flight
Backpacking
Bicycling-Mountain
Bicycling-Road
Title of trip
Leadership
Location(s)
Dates
Type of trip
check all that apply
Camping
Cultural
Family
Hiking
Paddling-Canoeing
Paddling-Sea-Kayaking
Skiing-CrossCountry (Nordic)
Trekking (e.g., hutto-hut)
Primary type of trip
Number of participants
(excluding leaders)
Advertised cost
Airfare range if not included
When should the trip notice be
published in AMC Outdoors?
Do you wish to have your trip
listed online before it is
published in AMC Outdoors?
Smaller trips and leader
subsidization
Other
Minimum 14
Skiing-Downhill
Snorkeling
(Alpine)
Walking
Other – please describe Exploring via
jeep, foot trails, mtn bikes,
canoes/kayaks, sea-vessels, horseback
Select one of those checked above.
Maximum 16
$ 4050
Does it include airfare? Yes
No
$ 2000
Will leaders assist participants with flights? Yes
No
First Appearance: Month asap
Year 2015
Last Appearance: Month Feb
Year 2017
Note: AMC Outdoors is only published in Jan., March, May, July, Sept., Nov.
Yes
No If yes, please list the approximate month and year when it should
be posted on line. immediately
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?
LEADER AND CO-LEADER INFORMATION
Leader name
Leader address
Leader email
Leader phone
Wilderness first aid
training
CPR training
Prior leading experience
Trip one
Form Revised July 2013
Janis Stahlhut
1465 E. Putnam Ave #323, Old Greenwich, CT 06870
jstahlhut@me.com
Home 203-637-9275
Work
Cell 203-820-9275
WFA
AWFA
WFR
Expiration: 4/2016, will renew 4/2016
CPR
BLS
Expiration: 11/2015, will renew 11/2015
If this is your first Adventure Travel trip as a Leader you must be present at the AMCATC meeting at which the trip proposal is considered.
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.
see below
Adventure Travel Trip Proposal Form, page 1 of 8
Coastal Patagonia and Iguazu Falls: Another Side of Argentina
Janis Stahlhut/Dick Cable
Trip two
Trip three
Other related trip
experience
I have co-led the following international trips with Dick Cable, and was approved as
leader in 2013: Biking Sicily (2010/14pax), Biking Mantova-Venice (2011/14pax),
Biking Camino-de-Santiago (2012/14pax), Biking Provence (2012/14pax), Hiking
Machu Picchu/Easter Island (2014/18 pax), Biking Puglia (2014, 18pax). Upcoming coleads: Biking Finland (2015/12 pax), Hiking Norway (2015, 14 pax), New Zealand
(2015, 11-14pax), Hiking Patagonia (2016/14pax), Biking Innsbruk-Venice (2016 12-14
pax). Qualifying trips for AMC AT Leader training: Biking Cape Cod (2009, 3 days, 9
pax), Hiking at Highland Center (2010, 3 days, 10 pax) Our Machu Picchu/Easter Island
trip was similar to the one proposed here as it is multi-location and includes many
different aspects that require coordination with a local outfitter. Though this trip is less
rigorous in terms of the physical exertion of spending extended time above 10,000 feet
and hiking rocky and steep terrain. The Other Side of Patagonia will be an exploration of
areas not often visited by AMC-AT, highly focused on education. If our 2016 Biking
Finland trip is approved, that will be my first Lead experience.
Co-leader name
Co-leader address
Co-leader email
Co-leader phone
Wilderness first aid training
CPR training*
Prior leading experience
Trip one
Trip two
Trip three
Other related trip experience
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?
Dick Cable
8 Healther Lane, Burlington, CT 06013
r.cable@sbcglobal.net
Home 860-673-1940
Work
Cell 860-944-0594
WFA
AWFA
WFR
Expiration: 4/2016, will renew in 2016
CPR
BLS
Expiration: 12.2015, will renew in 2015
If you are a new co-leader you must submit an application to be an Adventure Travel
leader or co-leader prior to submitting this application. Also, it is strongly
recommended that you be present at the AMC-ATC meeting at which the trip proposal
is considered.
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. Please indicate if you were
the leader or co-leader.
Biking Provence
Biking the Camino de Santiago
Biking Mantova to Venice
Hiking Yosemite, 2 trips to Mongolia, Hiking Nepal, Biking Sicily. Machu
Picchu/Easter Island, Biking Berlin to Prague, Biking Puglia, Upcoming trips: Biking
the Loire Valley, Biking Finland, Hiking Norway, New Zealand & Patagonia, Biking
Innsbruk-Venice, Walking Safari-Tanzania.
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below:
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!
n/a
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 materials
you send out.
LOGISTICAL DETAILS OF TRIP
Summary
Form Revised July 2013
We plan to introduce (or reaquaint) adventure travelers with a side of Argentina not often
Adventure Travel Trip Proposal Form, page 2 of 8
Coastal Patagonia and Iguazu Falls: Another Side of Argentina
Janis Stahlhut/Dick Cable
Please provide a description
of the trip and the activities
planned. If available, please
include or attach an itinerary.
selected "first," but well worth the time and investment: the coastal region of central
Patagonia to the spectacular Iguazu Falls in the north. In between lies Buenos Aires, a
cosmopolitan city of intrigue and beauty. We will begin by flying into Buenos Aires,
spending a full day there to visit the Costanera Sur Nature Reserve and the famed 4
Balconies tour before transferring via plane and coach to a private property, Bahia
Bustamante, on the central Atlantic coast of Patagonia.
Ideal for nature lovers, we spend 4 nights at Bahia Bustamante, with the ability to select
from a number of activities such as bird and sea lion watching (and of course the ever
popular penguin), visit a petrified forest, panoramic trekking, and mountain biking. The
property is a working Patagonian ranch where we can observe their sheep ranching
operations and seaweed processing operations. We can even relax and enjoy the most
exclusive sandy beaches and crystal-clear water, surrounded by huge red rocks, in an
atmosphere of incredibly different textures and colors. With its huge number of
geographic accidents, sounds and quietness, Bahía Bustamante is a paradise for us to
discover. Horseback riding and kayaking are also possible (with an extra cost). Bahia
Bustamante has been described as South America's "other Gallapagos" for its unique and
protected natural environment and the wide array of flora and fauna that result.
We then transfer by coach and commercial air to Iguazu to see the world famous Iguazu
Falls and spend a day exploring the Iguazu National Park, a subtropical rain forest,
before returning to Buenos Aires to fly home.
Itinerary:
Day 0/1 depart US, arrive next day Buenos Aires, overnight BA
Day 2 tour BA and overnight BA
Day 3 transfer to Bahia Bustamante, part day activities (settle in, leisure), overnight BB
Day 4 BB full day of activities, overnight BB
Day 5 BB full day of activities, overnight BB
Day 6 BB full day of activities, overnight BB
Day 7 transfer to Iguazu, overnight Puerto Iguazu
Day 8 visit the falls, national park, overnight PI
Day 9 explore national park, overnight PI
Day 10 transfer to BA, overnight BA
Day 11 depart for US
Accommodations
Please describe your plans for
accommodation(s)
Meals: Please describe your
plans for providing meals. If
the budget includes any funds
for leader meals not shared
with the group please justify.
Local Transportation
Please describe your plans for
local transportation
Will leaders or participants be
drivers of motor vehicles?
Permits or permissions
Does the trip require special
permits or permissions?
Form Revised July 2013
all accommodations except Bahia Bustamante are 3-star hotels with en suite facilities;
Bahia Bustamante accommodations are small cabin-style structures with en suite
facilities.
Meals at all accommodations include breakfast buffet. Bahia Bustamante includes all
meals from time of arrival (dinner on day 3) to time of departure at that destination
(breakfast day 7). A total of 11 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 4 dinners are included in the
trip cost. All other meals will be "out of pocket" for everyone including leaders.
All local transportation is by private car and coach hired by our outfitter. (Exception is a
taxi for those who wish to return to Iguazu National Park the day after visiting the Falls.)
Vehicles are 18 passenger vans/mini-buses with professional and licensed drivers.
Iguazu Falls train is publicly operated; the Falls navigation is operated by a hired
professional tour operation.
Will leaders be drivers?
Will volunteer participants be drivers?
If so, MVR checks will be needed. See Appendix S1.
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below what you will need to do to obtain them:
Adventure Travel Trip Proposal Form, page 3 of 8
Coastal Patagonia and Iguazu Falls: Another Side of Argentina
Janis Stahlhut/Dick Cable
(required on many U.S.
federal lands and national
parks)
If no, please describe the process you went through to find out that they were not
required:
All permits and permissions are incurred by our outfitter, except the optional
tours/features which will be arranged through the outfitter.
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below what type of equipment and how you
will ensure that people know how to use it:
Special equipment
Does the trip require special
equipment?
Special experience
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below what type of experience? Also describe
Does the trip require special
how you will ensure that the participant has this experience?
skills on the part of the
Pax will need only sturdy walking shoes or light hiking shoes/boots.
participant?
Pre-trip activities
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below what you will do:
Do you plan to get your group If possible we will organize a light hike and/or meet for a luncheon.
together before the trip for an
activity or social event?
This trip is fully geared toward learning about the flora, fauna and unique
Conservation, education and
geology of the Argentine Steppe, central coastal Patagonia and the subtropical
recreation
How will this AMC-AT trip meet the
jungle of Iguazu and its famous waterfalls. In addition we will spend a day in
mission of the AMC?
Buenos Aires visiting the famed "Four Balconies of Buenos Aires" and the
www.outdoors.org/about/mission.cfm
Costanera Sur Nature Reserve
TOUR OPERATOR AND GUIDE SERVICE INFORMATION
This section should be completed if the trip will be using a tour operator, outfitter, guide service, travel agency or
other such company or person(s) for a significant part of the trip or for the entire trip. Any person(s) or companies
that are handling a significant portion of trip funds or arrangements need to be vetted. If there is more than one
tour operator please provide this information about each such entity.
Will this trip require a tour
Yes
No
operator or guide service
Please describe their services. If you are using a tour operator for the entire trip,
during part of or for the
please describe why you will be using them rather than doing this trip on your own:
Please see attached Travel Company Questionaire Response. This trip requires a level of
entire trip?
detail in planning that is not within the scope of volunteer leaders. Having spent 3-4
years planning trips in South America, the leaders have discovered the value of using a
well established locally connected company who has the business (and political)
relationships and knowledge necessary to arrange accommodations, transportation,
emergency planning, risk management, special equipment (though none is required on
this trip), and expert guide services required to offer such a rich and varied trip as this
one. The "guides" used on this trip are those who work as field experts for the tours
packaged within our trip, not as wilderness guides. They are university professors and
specialists in the flora, fauna and geology of the areas we will be visiting.
Name of tour operator/guide Wanderlust Expediciones Esmeralda 614- 3º B (1007) Buenos Aires - Argentina
Te: (54)(11) 5218-4856/ 57/ 58 // Fax: Interno/Extension 18
service
wanderlustguardia@yahoo.com.ar
Tour operator website
Wanderlust Expediciones – "operating in Argentina since 2006 – has no records of
Safety record
Please provide information
incidents or problems with clients; we have had some problems such as clients falling
about their safety record.
while on a hike or with some bug bite and they were immediately taken care of.
One of the policies of our company is to work only with fully qualified and insured
companies throughout the country. We select only those companies, ventures, guides that
can credit their experience with education, training, and references. We check them on
site, ask for referrals and check credentials and accomplishments.
When dealing with transportation, it is a requirement of our company that all the vehicles
have the requested insurances and corresponding authorization to operate. We do not
work with informal services and will not do; not only because informal providers cannot
be responsive to any problem but also for a work ethos."
Form Revised July 2013
Adventure Travel Trip Proposal Form, page 4 of 8
Coastal Patagonia and Iguazu Falls: Another Side of Argentina
Janis Stahlhut/Dick Cable
Insurance
Do they have liability
insurance?
Emergency response
Please describe the outfitters’
response plan in the case of an
emergency.
Liability? Yes
No
Maximum amt: $ See Travel Company
Questionaire Response (Insurance/Legal)
Yes
No
Are they willing to list AMC as an
additional insured?
See Travel Company Questionaire Response / Risk Management Plan
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
Response
There are no "extreme" risks regarding climate/terrain. Our day-excursions will be
accompanied by experienced personnel who are familiar with the areas and provide
emergency access to medical facilities. See Travel Company Questionaire Response /
Risk Management Plan
Political concerns, crime, language translation, terrorism
Foreign Country
Potential hazards
No State Dept alerts; minimal to no political or terrorism risk.
Response
Our guides will know and work in English. Many Argentinians, especially in
Buenos Aires, speak English as well. Leaders will monitor State Department
website.
Road conditions, drivers, insurance
Transportation
Potential hazards
Transportation is provided by professional hired coach and transfers.
Response
Tour company drivers and vehicles are certified, licensed and managed by our
outfitter or their subcontractors.
Level of fitness, screening concerns, experience with equipment or activity
Participants
Potential hazards
Activity level is moderate - walking tours, light day hikes, light mountain biking,
kayaking and horse-riding: participants will be screened for skills and fitness levels.
Response
Basic fitness and mobility levels as well as basic skills consistent with light day hikes,
light mountain biking, kayaking and/or horse-riding. Activities are supervised and
accompanied by trained/certified staff or guides employed by or through our operator.
Some of the exursion/activites at Bahia Bustamante are optional at the choice of each
pax. Pax may self-select for their ability to undertake any of the available activities at
Bahia Bustamante, as well as a small selection of optional "adventure" tours at Iguazu.
Conditions unique to this type of trip
Other
Potential hazards
Traveling in a foreign country; immunization, inflation
Response
Partipants will be advised about cultural differences in South America. Cultural
sensitivity will be shared in newsletters and in daily meetings/meals taken
together during the trip.
Routine immunizations: tetanus, Hepatitis A
Iguazu Falls: Yellow Fever
Dengue: No proven vaccination. Best protocol is to avoid mosquito bites by using proper
insecticide and protective clothing (Iguazu Falls/National Park)
Argentina's economy has been a lesson in inflation forecasting - with wild swings that
can be at least partially attributed to politics and how inflation is calculated. The IMF
has required that they use a system more in line with the global financial standards and
as a result of adjusting, recent trending can show wild swings, perhaps misrepresenting
the true picture. Our outfitter is in close touch with this, as well as the polical elections
in October 2015 which could have an effect on the economy, and has advised us to add
an inflation factor of 22% from 2014 to 2016 prices to address any extremes. (We have
placed our trip in early 2017 in hopes of avoiding another year's inflationary effects.)
We are quietly optimistic that 22% will not be realized, and if that is the case we will
Form Revised July 2013
Adventure Travel Trip Proposal Form, page 5 of 8
Coastal Patagonia and Iguazu Falls: Another Side of Argentina
Janis Stahlhut/Dick Cable
expect to see a reduction in our forecasted trip price either prior to departure or in the
form of refunds after the trip. Conversely, a higher rate of inflaction could result in a
need to increase the price. We have been careful to construct an itinerary at the lowest
possible price while containing elements that we think will be attractive to the AMC
membership.
EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN
Please describe your plans for dealing with emergencies. Give 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 BLANK
See Travel Company Questionaire Response / Risk Management Plan
Emergency communication
Phone contacts, language,
Buenos Aires: emergency services readily available.
documentation, distance from
Bahia Bustamante: emergency services 2 hours by car to COMODORO RIVADAVIA.
emergency services
Iguazu Falls: private medical facilities available locally.
The AMC leaders will carry cell phones with international coverage, and are
Emergency equipment
What sort of emergency first
CPR/WFA trained. Our guide(s) will carry all suitable communication equipment
appropriate to our location. See Travel Company Questionaire Response / Risk
aid or communication
Management Plan
equipment (satellite phone,
two-way radios) do you plan
to use, if any?
We will not be in the "back country", but at times will be several hours distance from
Evacuation
Please describe your plan for
land transportation to the nearest emergency medical facility. See Travel Company
evacuation from the
Questionaire Response / Risk Management Plan. Land vehicles will be readily available
backcountry location if
to reach emergency facilities.
applicable?
Buenos Aires. Many facilities available, including:
Medical care
Please describe the medical
Hospital Británico de Buenos Aires located at Perdriel 74 - CP 1280AEB - Tel: 4309 care available in the area(s)
6400
where you will be traveling
Hospital Juan A. Fernandez located on Cerviño 3356
and list names and telephone
Hospital Aleman located on Av Pueyrredon 1640
numbers for these facilities.
From Bahia Bustamante, 2 hr drive to Comodoro Rivadavia where many facilities are
available:
Hospital Regional
H. Yrigoyen 950 444-2287 / Emerg: 107
Sanatorio Rivadavia
Belgrano 954 447-9129
Sanatorio Austral
Rivadavia 818 447-4617 446-9179
Sanatorio Asoc. Esp. de Socorros Mutuos Mitre 860 447-0600 447-4327
Privalmed
San Martín 926 447-7000 / 446-4837
Hospital Alvear SA
Ramón Lista 1900 445-0223
Ctro. Oftalmológico y Clínica SRL
Mitre 827 447-5480
Ctro. de Estudios Médicos Penta
España 578 447-2887
Consultorios Osecac
Mitre y Rawson 444-1463 / 2232
Clínica Del Valle
Alsina 656 446-3121
Centro Pediátrico del Sur
Italia 540 444-5069
Centro Médico Integral NOVA
Chacabuco 1060 446-1059 e-mail
Centro de Litiasis SRL
Rivadavia 589 447-9955
Centro Catamarqueño
San Martín 847 446-1003 / 447-5318
Ados
Sarmiento 722 447-5024
Iguazu Falls, several private facilities available, there appears to be no public facilities.
Costa Cavalcanti private hospital: +55 47 576 8000
2 hr flight to Buenos Aires facilities.
COST AND BUDGET DETAILS
Form Revised July 2013
Adventure Travel Trip Proposal Form, page 6 of 8
Coastal Patagonia and Iguazu Falls: Another Side of Argentina
Janis Stahlhut/Dick Cable
Foreign currencies
For int’l trips list each foreign currency, the
current $US dollar exchange rate and what
contingencies you have if that rate changes. If
a tour operator or agent is being used, what
currency is the agent to be paid in?
All trip costs will be paid in US$. The spreadsheet B11 cell $2600 land
cost is inclusive of all items listed on 2016CoastalPatagonia_itineraryand-operators attachment. Wanderlust has quoted, in $US a price of
$2,099pp. This quote is based on 2015 rates and we are advised to
factor 22% as an inflationary factor for 2016. The rates negotiated
include group discounts at Buenos Aires and Iguazu hotels, leader
discounts at Bahia Bustamante, and trip leader free passage on Iguazu
Falls exursion. The trip is scheduled in early in 2017 in hopes of
avoiding any further inflationary impact It also includes 1.5% TD
transfer fee. We anticpate 22% to be the most that we would see in
cost increases, and are confident that we will be able to meet our costs
and even refund monies to our pax after the trip. Our contingency is 5%.
After the Otober 2015 political elections we will be able to make
another assessment of the Argentine economic forecasts.
Our operator responds: "Please note that the exchange rate for today
(3/31/15) is AR$ 8.81 = US$ 1.- The exchange rate had a change by
January 2014, it increased from AR$ 6/6.80 to AR$ 8/8.80 on Jan 2015.
We have elections for President on October 2015 and this might affect
the exchange rate however we would know by November/December.
Some indicate the exchange rate will be kept and other that it might
increase. Please note that the 22% increase is to be added to the amount
in US$. Our rates are indicated in US$ dollars and thus the estimated
increase is for the amount in US$ dollars. Please note that rates for 2017
are not available yet, we are indicating estimated rates."
1.5% bank transfer fee for TD Bank is included. Other payment options
are not available: Wanderlust will not accept a US check, and a credit
card, even if it has no transfer fees, would be charged a 4% service fee
by Wanderlust.
We realize that this trip is expensive. If it appears that we are not
getting the interest we anticipate at this price point, and that the inflation
rate is remaining forecast on the high side or even climbing, we are
prepared to revise the itinerary to eliminate a day or two. However, we
initially believe that this is an amazing itinerary and offers an
opportunity to see an astounding side of Argentina that is often
overshadowed by the lure of the spectacular/glacial and mountainous
Patagonia in the south of the country. We have done some market
research amongst our past participants and acquaintenances and they
seem to favor adding Iguazu Falls to this trip as many people regret
having not seen them while in Argentina on other trips there, or have
them on their "bucket list." We also believe that Bahia Bustamante is
an incredible opportunity to see an unspoiled portion of the central
Patagonian coast. Like we say in the prospectus, "the other
Gallapagos".
Group Trip Deposits
What deposits will be required
from you by airlines, hotels, tour
operators, etc., and when?
Group Trip Refunds
What is the latest date you can
cancel and still receive a full
refund of any deposits?
Participant deposits
What are the initial deposit and
Form Revised July 2013
60 days prior to checkin.
$1500 with deposit, $1500 due February 1, 2016, balance of $1050 due September 1,
2016.
Adventure Travel Trip Proposal Form, page 7 of 8
Coastal Patagonia and Iguazu Falls: Another Side of Argentina
Janis Stahlhut/Dick Cable
your schedule of payments by
participants to you?
Cancellation policy
What will be your cancellation
policy for the participants?
Minimum numbers
Will you still run the trip if you
do not get the minimum number?
Reference web links:
AMC-ATC Home Page:
Forms:
Deadlines:
E-Mail Addresses:
Club House:
AMC-ATC Chair:
Form Revised July 2013
We will use the standard format of AMC-AT's cancellation procedures. Participants
will forfeit all monies paid unless a replacement is found, or if a cancellation does not
impact remaining participants' obligation or the trip's ability to run: Our cancellation
policy statement reads: Full refund if the trip does not run. Once a trip has been
confirmed to run with a sufficient number of partcipants, no refund will be available
unless another suitable participant can be confirmed. Once that participant is
confirmed and monies deposited, a refund will be issued. Refunds will only be
refunded to the extent that the cost of the trip for other participants is not affected.
Participants are responsible for their own airline tickets and cancellation or change
penalties. Trip cancellation insurance is advised.
Yes
No
If yes, please describe conditions:
If a near minimum number is achieved (12), leaders will assess their own
willingness and capability to contribute to the trip cost in order for the trip to
run.
http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/
http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/application/
http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/committee/proposals/
nholland@outdoors.org
amcatchair@comcast.net
Adventure Travel Trip Proposal Form, page 8 of 8