For Members of AAAS, ACS & Sigma Xi Canadian Rockies Rockies2011x.pdf · learn about the great...

Canadian RockiesIncluding the Dinosaurs at Drumheller

September 12-19, 2011With Optional ViaRail Train Jasper to Vancouver, September 18-19, 2011

Join Canadian Rockies naturalist Mike Otto as we discover the dramatic mountains and glacial landscapes of the Canadian Rockies. Our adven ture will include an opportunity to learn about prehistoric environments of western Canada. Our expedition leader possesses a wealth of knowledge about the area, and will make every outing special.

Our adventure will begin with flights to Calgary, Alberta where we will have our welcome and trip orientation. The next day, take a short drive through the prairies to the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology in Drumheller. Here we can explore the dawn of life on earth to the last Ice Age, and learn about the great dinosaur finds and prehistory of the area.

We will then head west to Banff National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a resort town nestled in the valley of the Bow River, encircled by spectacular mountains of the Canadian Rockies. Banff contains a variety of museums, hot springs, and other attractions. We will ride to the “top of the world” on the Sulphur Mountain Gondola Lift and take the Banff Skywalk to the Cosmic Ray Station National Historic Site. We will enjoy lunch in the panoramic summit restaurant with spectacular views of Banff, the Bow Valley, and the Rocky Mountains. The iconic landscape at Lake Louise will draw photographers, where turquoise waters sparkle beneath towering Victoria Glacier.

We will then head north, past spectacular hanging glacial valleys, on the Icefields Parkway to the Athabasca Glacier. Named for the Icefields lining the Continental Divide to the west, the Icefields Parkway is one of the most beautiful roads in the

world. We will see deep turquoise alpine lakes on our way to the Athabasca Glacier, which flows from the Columbia Icefield towards the highway. Eight glaciers descend from the Columbia Icefield, which covers 325 square km. The Icefield creates a“hydrological apex”(its meltwater streams pour into the Arctic, Atlantic, and Pacific Oceans). We will get right up on the Athabasca Glacier on the Columbia Icefield Glacier Tour.

We will continue north up the Icefields Parkway to Jasper National Park, Canada’s largest Rocky Mountain park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here we’ll explore the spectacular, narrow Maligne Canyon, whose sheer limestone walls drop 165 feet to the Maligne River. Stream-cut valleys are rare in this land which glaciers left only recently. Maligne Canyon offers a unique opportunity to observe this stage in the shaping of the Rocky Mountains.

Our group will return to Calgary (with more interesting stops on the way!), or you may take the

optional extension by train on Canada’s ViaRail “Canadian” train to Vancouver, British Columbia. The train departs Jasper in early afternoon, and travels through scenic evergreen forests, with vistas of jagged peaks, pristine icefields, and wildlife. You stay overnight in comfortable one or two-person compartments on the train and will arrive in Vancouver at 9:42 am on September 19th for the end of your expedition.Sincerely,

Robert P. Nansen, Naturalist & Field Operations Coordinator

For Members of AAAS, ACS & Sigma Xi

Explore the Canadian RockiesIncluding the ViaRail Train Jasper to Vancouver! September 12-19, 2011

Explore the Canadian Rockies...September 12-19, 2011Optional Extension ViaRail Train Jasper to Vancouver!

AAAS Travels ACS & Sigma Xi Expeditions

BETCHART EXPEDITIONS Inc. 17050 Montebello Road, Cupertino, CA 95014-5435

FIRST CLASS

Yes! I/we want to join the Canadian Rockies Expedition, September 12-19, 2011, offered by AAAS Travels, ACS & Sigma Xi Expeditions. Please reserve ____ space(s). As a deposit, I/we enclose a check for $___________ ($500 per person) payable to Betchart Expeditions Inc. Trust Account. ____ I/we wish to register for the optional ViaRail Train extension to Vancouver, September 18-19, 2011.

Name(s) _________________________________________ Age_______

_________________________________________ Age_______

Address _____________________________________________________

City _________________________________ State ____ Zip __________

Phone: Home (______) ________________________________________

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Membership: AAAS Sigma Xi ACS Planetary SocietyAccommodations Preference:__ Twin __ Single __ Twin Share with a friend or __ assign a roommate __ Nonsmoker __ Smoker

Signature __________________________________ Date ____________

Signature __________________________________ Date ____________Please Mail To: Canadian Rockies 2011

Betchart Expeditions Inc. 17050 Montebello Road, Cupertino, CA 95014-5435

Betchart Expeditions Inc., the American Association for the Advance ment of Science (AAAS), Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society, and American Chemical Society (ACS) act only as agents for the passenger with respect to transportation and hotels, and exercise every care possible. However, we can assume no liability for injury, damage, delay, loss, accident or irregularity in connection with the serv ices of any airplane, ship, motorcoach, or any other conveyance used in carrying out the arrangements of the tour. We cannot accept any respon si bility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in air or other services, sickness, weather, strike, war, quaran tine, terrorism, acts of God, or other causes beyond our control. All such losses or expenses will have to be borne by the passenger, as tour rates pro vide for arrangements only for the time stated. We re serve the right to substitute another leader of simi lar expertise or to cancel any tour prior to departure, in which case the entire payment will be re f unded with no further obligation on our part. The right is also reserved to decline to accept or retain any per son as a member of the tour. No refund will be made for the unused portion of any tour unless arrangements are made in suf ficient time to avoid penal ties. The price of the program is based on current tariffs and rates, and is subject to change. Any tariff, exchange rate, or fuel increases will be passed on to partici pants. Baggage is carried at the owner’s risk entirely. It is understood that the air ticket when issued shall constitute the sole contract between the passenger and the air line concerned. The airlines concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission, or event during the time passengers are not on board their plane or conveyance.

Expedition Fee: $2,995 per person twin share (plus air to Calgary, RT). Air Fares Are Subject to Change until ticketed. Optional overnight train Jasper to Vancouver is $995 per person single or twin share.Expedition Fee Includes: Land transport; group airport transfers; accommodations twin share (6 nights in lodges and hotels); meals as indicated; group entrance fees; baggage handling; leadership, administration.Expedition Fee Does Not Include: Air Fare; independent airport transfers; some meals; gratuities to expedition leader; personal items such as laundry, phone calls, alcoholic beverages, snacks; personal insurance, or foreign airport departure taxes.What to Expect: This expedition is for travelers who would like to explore the Canadian Rockies led by an excellent Canadian naturalist. We will also explore the prehistory at the world-renowned museum in Drumheller. This is a rich experience with wonderful opportunities to learn about the natural history of the Rockies. The group will travel from 2 to 3 hours by 15-passenger van or bus several days, with an all-day adventure up the Icefields Parkway. Walks are at a leisurely pace suitable for discovery and enjoying the natural history of the area. Optional Extension by ViaRail “Canadian” train from Jasper to Kamloops which continues overnight to Vancouver, is in comfortable 2-person compartments with private toilet and sink. There will be some fall color, with midday temperatures in the 70’s, and a cool 40’s to 50’s at night. The expedition will be a tremendous experience for travelers who relish the opportunity to enjoy rich natural areas in the Canadian Rockies! (No smoking in vehicles, during lectures, or meals please.)Air Flights & Pre- & Post-Nights: You will receive details about recommended flight arrival and departure times, and pre- and post-night accommodations in your confirmation packet. For information, contact Renee at (800) 252-4910 or email [email protected]: Are in comfortable first class lodges and hotels. Limited single accommodations are available for $895.Reservations, Deposits & Payments: To reserve a place on this expedition, please mail a deposit of $500 per person with the completed reservation form to: Canadian Rockies, Betchart Expeditions Inc., 17050 Montebello Road, Cupertino, CA 95014-5435. Balance of land fee is due 60 days before departure.Cancellations & Refunds: The initial deposit is refundable up to 60 days before departure less a handling fee of $100 per person. There is no refund after the 60-day period unless your place is resold, then only the $100 per person handling fee is withheld. There are no refunds for unused meals or other expedition features.

COSTS & CONDITIONS

RESERVATIONS #1198

RESPONSIBILITY

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ITINERARYDay 1 USA to Calgary, Alberta

Passengers fly from USA gateway cities to Calgary, Alberta. Arrive by 4 pm, and transfer on own to our Hotel (2 nights). Welcome social, dinner, and introduction to the expedition. DDay 2 Drumheller

Today, we’ll have a short drive through the prairies to the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology in Drumheller. Here we can explore the dawn of life on earth to the last Ice Age, and learn about the great dinosaur finds and prehistory of the area by touring the Dinosaur Hall. The Museum is a center of palaeontological research and noted for its vast collection of more than 120,000 fossils. The exhibits include the Terrestrial Paleozoic where you walk though over 200 million years of the Earth’s history. Explore Alberta’s world 69 million years ago, coming face to face with Albertosaurus dinosaurs and the plants of the era. See the Preparation Laboratory to watch fossils being prepared for future exhibits and the Devonian Reef. BDay 3 Banff National Park

Today we will head west to Banff National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a resort town nestled in the valley of the Bow River, encircled by spectacular mountains of the Canadian Rockies. Banff contains a variety of museums, hot springs, and other attractions. We will ride to the “top of the world” on the Sulphur Mountain Gondola Lift and take the Banff Skywalk to the Cosmic Ray Station National Historic Site. We will enjoy lunch in the panoramic summit restaurant with spectacular views of Banff, the Bow Valley, and the Rocky Mountains. Caribou Lodge (2 nights). B,LDay 4 Banff & Lake Louise

This morning, we will visit the iconic landscape at Lake Louise, an enormous draw for photographers, where turquoise waters sparkle beneath towering Victoria Glacier. Drink in nature’s wonder at Lake Louise, one of the Canadian Rockies most beloved sites. As Victoria Glacier melts, it releases very small grains of rock into the lake. John Muir coined the term “glacier flour” to give a feeling of the very small size of each grain. The suspended particles reflect sunlight to give the famous robin’s egg blue color to the lake. Walk along the edge of the lake and enjoy the breathtaking views, bird song, and rich green pine and fir forests. Have some time on your own in Banff and then enjoy a late afternoon walk to the lake and marshlands of central Banff to view the evening wildlife venturing out to feed. B,LDay 5 Icefields Parkway to Jasper

Today we will head north, past spectacular hanging glacial valleys, on the Icefields Parkway to the Athabasca Glacier. Named for the Icefields lining the Continental Divide to the west, the Icefields Parkway is one of the most beautiful roads in the world. We will see deep turquoise alpine lakes on our way to the Athabasca

Glacier, which flows from the Columbia Icefield towards the highway. Eight glaciers descend from the Columbia Icefield, which covers 325 square km. The Icefield creates a“hydrological apex” (its meltwater streams pour into the Arctic, Atlantic, and Pacific Oceans). We will get right up on the Athabasca Glacier on the Columbia Icefield Glacier Tour. Continue up the Icefields Parkway to Jasper National Park. Tonquin Inn (2 nights). B,LDay 6 Jasper National Park

& World Heritage SiteToday we will explore the spectacular narrow Maligne

Canyon in Jasper National Park, whose sheer limestone walls drop165 feet to the Maligne River. Stream-cut valleys like this are rare in a land which glaciers have left only recently. Maligne Canyon offers a unique opportunity to observe this stage in the shaping of the Rocky Mountains. We will walk downstream to the lowland where the river emerges to flow freely. We will also explore a braided stream valley in search of bighorn sheep which come down from the peaks to lick the mineral-rich glacial silt near the road. Explore other sights in Jasper National Park this afternoon. B,L,DDays 7/8 Jasper to Calgary

This morning we will continue to explore in Jasper National Park. Passengers not going to Vancouver will

return to Calgary with scenic stops en route and overnight in Calgary, departing on Day 8 for the USA. Day 1 Optional extension

by Train to Vancouver, British Columbia

After lunch on Day 2, passengers selecting the optional extension will depart Jasper on Canada’s ViaRail “Canadian” train on the daylight journey to Kamloops, British

Columbia. You will travel through scenic evergreen forests, with vistas of jagged peaks, pristine icefields, and possibly grazing moose and elk or eagles soaring over-head. The train continues overnight to Vancouver. You will have accommodations in comfortable two-person compartments with private toilet and sink (share shower), with dinner included. ViaRail Train (1 night). B,DDay 2 Extension Passengers

Arrive VancouverEnjoy breakfast on board the ViaRail “Canadian” train.

You will arrive in Vancouver at 9:42 am on September 19th for the end of your expedition. Optional post-tour hotels can be arranged in Vancouver. B

Leading the expedition will be Michael Otto, who is a naturalist living in Edmonton, Alberta. Michael has a B.S. in Forestry from the University of Idaho in Resource Recreation and Tourism. He has been an interpreter for the Alberta Provincial Parks and science educator at Telus World of Science, Lakeland College, and others. Michael led our 2010 Canadian Rockies trip and looks forward to sharing the natural wonders of the Canadian Rockies with you.

LEADERSHIP