Ginette Beaudoin/Anna Panszczyk An Exotic Hiking Holiday in Azores Archipelago SUMMARY OF TRIP INFORMATION An Exotic Hiking Holiday in Azores Archipelago Leader Ginette Beaudoin Co-leader Anna Panszczyk Azores Archipelago September 26-October 7, 2014 Total # of days Backpacking Bicycling-Mountain Bicycling-Road Title of trip Leadership Location(s) Dates Type of trip check all that apply 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 Camping Cultural Family Hiking Paddling-Canoeing Paddling-Sea-Kayaking Skiing-CrossCountry (Nordic) Trekking (e.g., hutto-hut) Select from list Minimum 14 Skiing-Downhill Snorkeling (Alpine) Walking Other – please describe Select one of those checked above. Maximum 18 $ 3665 Does it include airfare? Yes No $ 800-900 Will leaders assist participants with flights? Yes No First Appearance: Month May Year 2013 Last Appearance: Month July Year 2014 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. April 2014 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 Trip two Trip three Other related trip Form Revised February 2013 Ginette Beaudoin DVM 66 Graham Street, Biddeford, Maine 04005 ginette4000@yahoo.com Home 207-294-6302 Work 207-282-5151 WFA AWFA WFR Expiration: 5/2015 Cell 207-590-4431 CPR BLS Expiration: 3/2015 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. AT to Neustift, Austria August 2012 AT to Yosemite June 2012 AT to Neustift, Austria July 2011 Maine Chapter trip to Bar Harbor 2 to 3 times a year, co leader on prior trips to Neustift, Adventure Travel Trip Proposal Form, page 1 of 6 An Exotic Hiking Holiday in Azores Archipelago experience Ginette Beaudoin/Anna Panszczyk Austria 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? Anna Panszczyk 22 Alfred Rd, Arlington, MA 02474 annatp13@verizon.net Home 781-648-2492 Work n/a Cell 781-648-2492 WFA AWFA WFR Expiration: 5/15 CPR BLS Expiration: 5/15 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. AT Morrocco May 2013 AT Yosemite June 2013 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! 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 Please provide a description of the trip and the activities planned. If available, please include or attach an itinerary. 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 Form Revised February 2013 Fly from either Boston or New York to Ponta Delgada, the Azores capital city on San Miguel Island. This hiking tour comprises 10 nights duration in 3 hotel destinations. Visits to Sao Miguel, Pico and Faial Islands; staying in 3 and 4 star hotels. Transfers via private and public bus, taxis, air and ferry boat. Guided walking and cultural highlights program throughout. Special focus on authentic local dishes. Opportunites to experience the lesser traveled regions of the Azores that the average tourist do not generally visit. Optional opportunites for wine tastings, whale watch tour and summit hike to Mt Pico. Staying in 3 and 4 star hotels with shared twin accommodation with ensuite bathroom, telephones, cable TV, hair dryers and AC in two of the hotels. Single room available at an additional charge of $580 Breakfast buffet will be provided at each hotel as part of the hotel accommodation charge. On 5 days we will be having picnic lunches arranged by the outfitter company, 3 lunches and 10 dinners will be eaten at local restaurants. All meals are included from dinner the first day through breakfast the last day except for lunch on Day 8 of the trip when participants will be enjoying free time to pursue the activity of their choice. Beverages are only included in the trip price at breakfast. Use of SATA commercial airline for inter island flight which is included in the trip cost. Commercial ferry for inter island transport; private vehicles, taxis, and commercial buses as applicable for each of the three islands we will be visiting. Adventure Travel Trip Proposal Form, page 2 of 6 An Exotic Hiking Holiday in Azores Archipelago Permits or permissions Does the trip require special permits or permissions? (required on many U.S. federal lands and national parks) Special equipment Does the trip require special equipment? Special experience Does the trip require special skills on the part of the participant? Ginette Beaudoin/Anna Panszczyk Yes No If yes, please describe below what you will need to do to obtain them: If no, please describe the process you went through to find out that they were not required: Outfitter has already researched this matter and no permits are required. Yes No If yes, please describe below what type of equipment and how you will ensure that people know how to use it: Yes No If yes, please describe below what type of experience? Also describe how you will ensure that the participant has this experience? The participants must be able to demonstrate that they can hike for 4-5 hours per day. A guideline for hiking abilities will be supplied with the prospectus so participants can rate themselves. Leader/coleader will follow up with AMC local chapter contacts to see if participants will be a good fit for this trip. Phone calls will be used if uncertain about abilities and being a good group player. Yes No If yes, please describe below what you will do: Pre-trip activities Do you plan to get your group together before the trip for an activity or social event? Conservation, education and recreation How will this AMC-AT trip meet the mission of the AMC? www.outdoors.org/about/mission.cfm Education on Azorean flowers, animals, trees, on altitude and acclimatization procedures, hiking safety. The main recreation will be hiking. Optional whale watching excursion with naturalist, leaders will supply other optional sightseeing info. 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. Form Revised February 2013 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: Because it is a distant foreign country and neither leader speaks the local language. We feel very confident with the outfitter and their experience as well as their safety record. Outfitter will be able to provide a superior trip experience in the Azores due to his intimate knowledge of the islands as well as his fluency of the Portugese language. It will allow for a seamless and pleasurable experience for the participants. His familiarity with the islands will allow for an enhanced experience by being able to explore regions of the Azores few travelers have the opportunity to visit. The outfitter and guide have conducted numerous trips to the area and are well acquainted with the local customs, flora, fauna, trails, transportation etc. Hopping between islands using different transportation mediums (plane, ferry) will require a good knowledge of timing (of hikes and to the departure points) and routes to meet the transports on time. Guides who are familiar with the region can provide that comfort to the group. The Azores archipelago is not as readily accessible to tourism as other parts of the world (ie Yosemite Valley; Neustift, Austria; Switzerland; Tuscany etc) and the use of a well organized outfitter will maximize participants trip enjoyment. AMC leaders will augment guide's services by educating participants in "Leave No Trace" policies, trail safety, history and culture of the Azores. AMC leaders will assist in leading hikes, assist in hike selection based on condition of trails, participant abilities and weather conditions. Matt Butler/ Adventurebug www.adventurebug.com Adventurebug has operated worldwide (based from Spain), since 2000. They have put thousands of participants (from children to corporate groups to pensioners), through countless expeditions and tours that involve travel in the form of hiking, biking, kayak, horse travel, 4x4, camel treks, rafts, mountaineering and more. Adventurebug has NO Adventure Travel Trip Proposal Form, page 3 of 6 Ginette Beaudoin/Anna Panszczyk An Exotic Hiking Holiday in Azores Archipelago Insurance Do they have liability insurance? Emergency response Please describe the outfitters’ response plan in the case of an emergency. single claim on its PUBLIC LIABILITY insurance nor has it had any liable suits or charges against them in its entire company history. Liability? Yes No Maximum amt: $ 1,200,000.00 euro Are they willing to list AMC as an Yes No additional insured? Adventurebug employs a detailed emergency evacuation plan for all group events, tours and expeditions (see copy attached). This program starts with ´on location´ first aid procedures followed by ´evacuation´ planning that involves accessing nearest medical support and finally, ´care facility´ listing such as hospital or surgery nearest the locations of the tour / expedition. This is all contained in one document that is carried by all leaders for easy access. 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 Slipping on/off trail, rock fall, exposure on cliffs, rain, and cold exposure. Response Stay on marked trails, observe slopes and weather changes, instruct hikers on trail safety and etiquette. Carry rain gear, extra layers, hats, gloves, gaiters, polypro and wool layers, first aid kit. Political concerns, crime, language translation, terrorism Foreign Country Potential hazards Azores is a part of Portugal. Crime is minimal, language is Portugese with a limited amount of English spoken by a few residents of the islands. No past history of terrorism. Response Check State department advisories. Know some Portugese, carry small dictionary and phrase book. Warn participants in advance of thieves in airports and cities. Road conditions, drivers, insurance Transportation Potential hazards Commercial airlines to Azores. Shuttle bus from/to airport. Private and local buses, local ferry service, and regional airline intra/inter island while in Azores archhipelago. Response All have proven safety records. Level of fitness, screening concerns, experience with equipment or activity Participants Potential hazards Intermediate hiking skills required of all participants. Health conditions will dictate what level participant will be allowed to hike. Must be a group player and not an individualist. Response Careful screening: application response, phone calls, chapter feedback, recent excursions (local and ME), list of hikes done in past 2 years. Participants will need to be up front and accurate with all health conditions and medications. Participant must be a group player, if not they will put the groups safety in jeopardy and this would not be acceptable. Conditions unique to this type of trip Other Potential hazards Response 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 Outfitter has set emergency procedures in place (see separate paperwork). Pan European Emergency communication Phone contacts, language, phone number is 112. Calls to 112 are free from any phone (mobile, cellular or land documentation, distance from line). The operator will put us in contact with the medical emergency service in emergency services ENGLISH language. Outfitter will have emergency first aid equipment on hand. Emergency equipment What sort of emergency first Communication in the back country will be via cell phone (excellent coverage on the aid or communication small islands), and the cell phones have Portuguese SIM cards for direct connection. equipment (satellite phone, Some GPS navigational points can be used in the event of emergency response reporting. two-way radios) do you plan Two way radios are available and will be brought by the local outfitter so the front and Form Revised February 2013 Adventure Travel Trip Proposal Form, page 4 of 6 Ginette Beaudoin/Anna Panszczyk An Exotic Hiking Holiday in Azores Archipelago to use, if any? Evacuation Please describe your plan for evacuation from the backcountry location if applicable? 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. back of the walking group can be in touch. Nearly all hiking routes are accessible by small motor vehicle (quad bike or 4x4), and in most cases ambulance access is very good. With the exception of walks in the Caldeira region of Sao Miguel Island where we descend 900 feet on official park walking paths to a lake walk. Evacuation from this area requires either helicopter evacuation (available) or on foot via emergency stretcher device (carried by Adventurebug leader). Walks on the Islands of Picos and Faial are within 100 and 500 meters to road networks in which case evacuation can be human assisted to a vehicle or ambulance service. 112 is the European number (in all languages) to report an emergency. There are numeros, modern medical facilities on the Azores. The following facilities apply: SAO MIGUEL ISLAND - Hospital Divine Spirit of Espirito Santo - Address: Rua Grotinha 9500-370 PONTA DELGADA / Tel. +351 296 203 300 http://divinoespirito.pai.pt/ PICO ISLAND - Hospital Santa Casa de Misericordia - Address: Praça Dr. Caetano Mendonça 9950-027 Bandeiras, Madalena PICO / Tel. +351 292 622 480 FAIAL ISLAND - Hospital General of Horta - Address: Estrada Príncipe Alberto do Mónaco 9900-038 Horta Tel. +351 292 201 000 COST AND BUDGET DETAILS Euro is used in Azores as they are part of Portugal, have budgeted an exchange rate of $1.55 per euro. Have also budgeted a contingency of 8% to offset increases in the euro. Current exchange rate as of 2/27/2013 is 1 euro= $1.31 Please note: The price of the ME is given in good faith based on current tariffs & rates and is subject to change. Any tariff, exchange rate increases will be passed on to participants. Outfitter to be paid in euros. Outfitter requires 25% of outfitter fee per participant by February 1st 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? 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 your schedule of payments by participants to you? Cancellation policy What will be your cancellation policy for the participants? Minimum numbers Form Revised February 2013 Period before trip: More than 42 days(6 weeks) Between 42 and 29 days (4-6 weeks) Between 28 and 15 days (3-4 weeks) Between 14 and 8 days (2 weeks or less) $1000 with application Payment #2 $2665 due on May 1, 2014 Cancellation Charge: Deposit only 30% of outfitter fee 50% of outfitter fee 100% of outfitter fee If you cancel after being accepted for the trip, $50 is non-refundable. But if you cancel after February 1st, 2014, minimally $670 is nonrefundable, if (and only if) anther person takes your place. We will establish a waitinglist. Should another person replace you, you will be charged only the $670 cancellation fee. However, your cancellation shall not raise the cost of the trip to any of the participants or trip leaders. Thus if you cancel and are not replaced, you will forfeit the $670 plus the per capita expenses already incurred and any other unpaid expenses for which the trip cannot obtain a refund. We strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance. Information on a company recommended by the AMC will be sent to you. Please note: The price of the Major Excursion is given in good faith based on surrent tariffs and rates and is subject to change. Any tariff, exchange rate increases will be passed on to participants. Yes No If yes, please describe conditions: Adventure Travel Trip Proposal Form, page 5 of 6 An Exotic Hiking Holiday in Azores Archipelago Ginette Beaudoin/Anna Panszczyk 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 February 2013 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 6 of 6