Bromeliads Down Under - Cairns Australia

2009 Expeditions
Dear friends, clients, people that requested information, and subscribers of our information newsletter. We hope this economic crisis does not have a big effect on your situation!! I think the worst part is over, or at least the part where people were starting to panic!
I just came back from Peru, and had a great time looking for habitat, finding lots of new plants, and of course checking hotels, restaurants, and rechecking the itinerary planned for next year. We drove close to 3500 miles (our trip will be a lot shorter than that!), and found great plants and habitats. The tour (or tours) will take place next year, end of August and September!
As some of you know, there was a lot of demand for Central Brazil. I do have some people on waiting list, so please, if any of you had signed up, and is backing up, please let me know. I would also need a deposit for those who have not done so yet.
I will be sending a separate email to those people who have signed up to the trip to Brazil. I will be requesting a re-confirmation, as I understand that some people may have backed up due to the economic turmoil that is going on. However, since I have people on the waiting list, I want to be fair to them and offer enough time to plan if they sign up



1. IGUAZU AND PANTANAL (BIRD WATCHING) May 2009

A birding trip combining some of the best places in South America for scenery and birding!
A slight change in the itinerary (from the one published on the website) may take place, in order to save some kilometers (and perhaps some days). Possibly starting from Iguazu and ending in Cuiaba. Possible 16-17 days.
The trip will be planned for May 2009 (fewer mosquitoes than March or April).

Dates: May 6th –May 22nd , 2009
You must arrive on May 6th to Foz do Iguacu (Brazil), you will leave on May 22nd from Cuiaba

I could get tickets from LAX for $ 1200 with all taxes!
I could get tickets from SFO for $ 1450 with all taxes

Mode: All inclusive,
Max number of participants: 14 Duration: 18 days
Price: $3150, all inclusive except air fare. Price may vary if number of people is less than 12


2. CENTRAL BRAZIL (CACTUS AND BROMELIADS) June 2009
We will be repeating our successful itinerary that we completed in 2007 in the year 2009.
Slight changes may be done depending on the major interest of the people joining this tour. Great opportunity to see cactus and bromeliads, besides some beautiful birds and incredible scenery. (Uebelmannias, Discos, Melos, and many columnar species) and bromeliads (Hohenbergias, Encholiriums, Dyckias, Orthophytum, Cryptanthus, Neoregelias, Aechmeas, etc).

Dates: June 20th-July 7th, 2009 (confirmed, you can buy tickets, you must arrive on June 20th, most likely you will need to depart from the US on June 19th; you will leave from Belo Horizonte on July 7th. The code for the airport is CNF in Belo Horizonte

Mode: All inclusive,
Max number of participants: 14 Duration: 18 days
Price: $2950, all inclusive except air fare. Price may vary if number of people is less than 12
Itinerary (very similar): http://www.cactusexpeditions.com.ar/minasgerais.htm


3. PERU 2009, (CACTUS AND BROMELIADS)

It is already confirmed that I will be doing a trip in 2009.
Focus will be on cactus and bromeliads, BUT WE WILL VISIT MACHU PICHU as well, an amazing site!

Dates 16 August a al 1 de September (confirmed)
8 al 24 September (to be confirmed)

Mode: All inclusive, departing from Chiclayo (northern Peru), ending in Cuzco,
Max number of participants: 15 Duration: 17 days

Price: $3250, all inclusive except air fare. I have included now train fare to Machu Pichu, Park entrance, and park transfer. (Price may vary if number of people is less than 10). Flight over Nasca lines is optional.

Optional extension: Manu National Reserve: 5, 7, or 9 day tours (price range $ 900 - $ 1050 depending on program)



4. NORTHWESTERN ARGENTINA (CACTUS AND BROMELIADS) Nov 2009

Our classical tour in the peak of the flowering season for many Argentinean cactus species. We will also see over 50 species of Bromeliads (Tillandsias, Dyckias, Deuterochonias, Aechmeas, Bromelias, etc).

Dates: You must arrive to Cordoba on Nov 4 2009 You will leave from Cordoba Nov 21 2009
Mode: All inclusive, Max number of participants: 14
Duration: 16 days
Price: $2450, all inclusive except air fare. Price may vary if number of people is less than 12