Winged Wonders of Ecuador Ecuador Moth Recording Programme & Tour
Terms & Conditions
These tours are operated by Neotropical Nature and Birding Trips, Ecuador.
The practical moth recording workshop and moth study are undertaken by C & R Wildlife, Hong Kong.
The primary language of communication for this tour is English, with Spanish as a second language.
The primary purpose of this tour is to document the moth assemblages and approximate abundances of each species through photography undertaken by C & R WildlifeAND the tour participants.
C & R Wildlife will provide instruction on moth photography, moth identification skills, the methodology of the project, how the participants contribute and other moth related study during the tour.
Neotropical Nature and Birding Trips will endeavour to provide transportation and wildlife walks during the tour.
Neotropical Nature and Birding Trips will oversee all accommodation logistics. Whilst booking the tour months in advance should ensure the desired accommodation is available, circumstances beyond the control of the tour operator may result in alternative accommodation being sought at very short notice (see also paragraph 28).
Elevation: This tour operates between 1400m and 3500m elevation; participants are advised that suitable fitness levels are needed to take part – participants with medical conditions likely to be excacerbated by high elevations must bring suitable medications with them.
Fitness: walking at high elevations is more demanding on one’s body than at sea level and low elevations. Further: moth recording using photography will entail a lot of squat/stand/squat activity, thus participants may become light-headed if standing up too fast. Caution is urged to ensure activity is not too strenuous. Participants with medical conditions, including heart and circulatory issues, please take note that while most moth recording is not overtly strenuous, pre-existing medical conditions may lead to unpleasant medical outcomes whilst or shortly after extertion during moth recording. Participants are reminded that these field sessions are a long way from hospitals.
Health and safety advice provided by Neotropical Nature and Birding Trips staff and C & R Wildlife staff should be adhered to.
This tour takes place in locations that are high rainfall areas. Suitable precautions to keep electronic equipment (cameras, lap top computers etc.) in good working order should be taken. Further, participants should ensure suitable clothing and footware are packed and used, noting that at 3300m, nights are cold and warm clothing will be needed. In the cloud forest sites, protection against damp and soggy conditions is recommended, nights are cool (between 12°C and 18°C).
Whilst attending moth recording sessions, please be aware that the light source used to attract moths emits ultraviolet light in the region of 360nm to 400nm wavelength, which is damaging to human eyes. It is recommended that uv absorbing glasses are worn, or at the least a hat with a peak, or wide brim, is worn to shield one’s eyes.
Further, if moth recording sessions are impacted by rain, ground conditions are likely to become slippery. Moth recording is likely to be curtailed in dangerous weather conditions (e.g. thunderstorm, high winds).
Prior to moth recording, Neotropical Nature and Birding Trips and C & R Wildlife will assess the weather and decide upon the most appropriate moth recording strategy, or even to abandon the evening’s field session, possibly with alternative recording taking place in a sheltered location at the accommodation.
Similarly, for the daytime wildlife walks and tours, weather at the time will be assessed and appropriate wildlife watching will take place accordingly.
All participants are expected to observe Ecuadorian legislation. No collecting of wildlife voucher material is allowed on this tour, unless by prior agreement and with evidence of all necessary permissions granted. Participants retaining voucher material may be asked, in advance, to give a brief presentation during the moth recording workshop explaining the reasoning for voucher material.
The tour will attempt to cater for participants’ specific dietry needs, as directed by the booking information. Please note that antihistamines to counter food allergies are not part of standard first aid kits and should be carried as part of one’s own medical kit. Antihistamine creams should also be part of one’s own medical kit, to counter possible allergic reactions to, and provide alleviation of, insect stings and bites.
Participants are responsible for arranging their own immunsation against malaria and yellow fever, as well as other potentially dangerous diseases that occur in the Neotropics. Medical insurance coverage is not provided by this tour, and as such it is recommended that appropriate travel insurance is purchased for this tour.
Participants booking the standard twin accommodation will be expected to share a twin room with one other tour participant.
If a single room, or double (as opposed to twin) room is needed by the participant, a request must be made at the initial booking. Neotropical Nature and Birding Trips cannot guarantee placement in a single or double room. Booking rates will be different for single, and possible double, rooms and rates will be provided by the tour operator as soon as information is available from the accommodation providers. It is assumed that a booking made for two to four participants will be sharing a twin, triple (if available) or two twin rooms. A single room supplement costs US$580, is subject to availability and must be arranged through Neotropical Nature and Birding Tripsafter being requested on the booking form.
The tour fee covers all “on the ground” accommodation, meals, nature reserve entry fees and travel fees as described by the schedule, as well as a research facilition fee that allows the project organisers to undertake post-tour anaysis of the moth data obtained during the tour.
The tour fee does not include additional fees that may be incurred by participants, such as: additional food and drinks; laundry; sundry items; extra tours; insurance of any description; travel to and from Quito, Ecuador, prior to and after the tour; nor any accommodation expenses incurred prior to or after the tour; visa and passport charges; any emergency costs; credit card fees; banking fees.
Payment of the tour fee does not include fees incurred in making the payment (e.g. credit card, PayPal, bank transfer charges). If a single room (or other accommodation arrangements) is requested, and confirmed by Neotropical Nature and Birding Trips, the supplement fee is payable to NNBT, in accordance with their booking & payment policies for this tour.
Participants must make clear arrangements with Neotropical Nature and Birding Trips for their tour rendezvous location in Quito prior to and after the tour. Neotropical Nature and Birding Trips may specify a particular location, or give a list of options for rendezvous.
If participants are delayed en route to the tour rendezvous, should they still wish to participate, then they must make arrangements to join at their own additional travel expense. Neotropical Nature and Birding Trips will attempt to facilitate judicious and timely arrangements, but make no guarantee of success.
Submission of the booking form is not binding: a contract is binding upon payment of the tour fee in full by the specified deadline to Dr. R.C. Kendrick (Director, C & R Wildlife), who then liases with Neotropical Nature and Birding Trips to make the relevant bookings and payments for tour guides, accommodation, meals and transport. However, upon booking, participants agree to the specified terms and conditions, and agree to waive any and all liability of the tour operator (Neotropical Nature and Birding Trips) and moth recording team (C & R Wildlife), participating on the tour at their own risk. A non-returnable booking deposit of 30% will hold a booking place until full payment is made by the booking deadline. This deposit and the booking, is forfeit if full payment is not made by the booking deadline as specified on the booking form.
Cancellation of the tour: (i) if a particpant/participants has/have to cancel their place/places on the tour, the research fee of the tour is non refundable; the remaining components of the tour fee (travel, meals, accommodation and tour guide costs) may be refundable at the discretion of Neotropical Nature and Birding Trips, before the booking deadline for the tour, but not therefter; (ii) if the tour organisers or project organisers cannot operate the tour and cancel the tour, travel, meals, accommodation and tour guide costs will be refunded in line with the companies and lodges own terms and conditions; the research fee will be refunded for tour cancellation up to 30 days prior to the tour.
Tour modifications:Neotropical Nature and Birding Trips reserves the right to change arrangements or itineraries where we consider it to be in the best interest of our clients, or due to factors beyond our control. The type of travel that we offer is subject to the uncertainties of local bureaucracy, events, weather and road and air travel and other unpredictable and unforeseeable circumstances. Alterations will be communicated to the client as soon as reasonably possible.
Customer confidentiality: data provided by the client on the booking form will be held by Neotropical Nature and Birding Trips and C & R Wildlife solely for the purpose of undertaking the tour and no other commercial purposes. Appropriate client information will be passed to the accommodation providers for meeting legal requirements of guest documentation, and to provide suitably tailored dietry needs based upon information provided. Where necessary, a client’s medical information will be provided to first responders and subsequent medical service providers. Signing of the booking form indicates the client authorises disclosure of information on an as needs basis for the tour, as described herein.
Signing for multiple participants: the signatory party of the booking form signing for other named participants therein does so with the express permission of the named participants.
Further information: To enquire further about the logistics of this tour, please contact Neotropical Nature & Birding Trips (info[at]neotropicalecuador.com).
Booking a place: To enquire about availability of places or make a booking, please contact Dr. Kendrick (ecuador[at]hkmoths.com).
