2008 BOTA Eco-tour to Ecuador

The following itinerary covers a lot of ground in the small country of Ecuador and provides opportunities to see many aspects of bamboo, including different native bamboo species in their natural habitat, certified plantations of commercial bamboo, community bamboo management and processing, and both utilitarian and elaborate bamboo structures. The tour begins on the coast where we focus on coastal Ecuador’s native timber bamboo, Guadua angustifolia (Days 2-6). Then we visit different field locations on western Andean slopes as well as in the northern and southern Ecuadorian Andes to see montane bamboo species -Chusquea, Rhipidocladum and maybe Aulonemia, as well as Neurolepis in the páramo (Days 7-13).

Our itinerary was developed by Peggy Stern, our tour leader, who has lived and worked in the Ecuadorian Andes for twenty years. Our local travel agency, Senderos Naturales, will handle in-country arrangements and logistics. They excel in biologically oriented specialty tours. Transportation, lodging, fees, in-country airfare, and some meals are covered in the tour cost. Our itinerary is subject to change (for the better or to handle the unexpected). Please be flexible and ready to go with the flow. We are guaranteed to see and learn lots and have fun.

Tour dates: September 3-16, 2008

Number of Participants: 15 persons

In Ecuador Tour cost: $1995

Seat reservation: $200 deposit sent to BOTA Treasurer, Sue Turtle by February 1, 2008 on a First-come-First Serve basis. Mail your check payable to “ABS-BOTA” to:

Sue Turtle, BOTA Treasurer,

30 Myers Rd.,

Summertown, TN 38483-7323

(Balance of $1795 is due by June 16, 2008 and also mailed to our BOTA Treasurer)

Airfare and Travel Insurance to Guayaquil, Ecuador is each participant’s responsibility.

Ask about the 4-day Galapagos Extension on the yacht, Aida Maria, following the bamboo tour.

Contact Gib Cooper for more detailed information.

Tel: 541-698-8052 or 541-247-0835
Email: Gib@bamboodirect.com