AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY EXPEDITIONS
Decorated Caves of Spain and France
May 25―June 4, 2017
With Paleoanthropologist Ian Tattersall
At the Museum, the Anne and Bernard Spitzer Hall of Human Origins probes some of the deepest
mysteries of humankind: where we come from, who we are.
Delve into these questions, and examine the origins of human creativity, on this NEW itinerary,
designed by Dr. Ian Tattersall exclusively for Patrons Circle Members. The Pyrenees and
adjacent areas offer many astonishing—but almost entirely unheralded—examples of Ice Age art
that offer unique windows into the lives, achievements, and sensibilities of our ancient forebears.
Admire unusual and elegant bas-relief animal images in Basque caves, a profusion of hand prints
at Gargas, and the famous panels of line-drawn and subtly shaded bison, horse, and ibex images
at Niaux. The trip concludes with a visit to the newly opened Chauvet cave replica at VallonsPont d’Arc, which expertly re-creates the earliest, and perhaps most impressive, of the many
masterpieces of Ice Age art. The sophisticated animal images in this beautiful cave amazed
archaeologists when they were dated to some 35,000 years ago.
HIGHLIGHTS
WALK DEEP into the original decorated caves of Isturitz and Oxocelhaya, Niaux, Bédeilhac, and
Gargas.
STEP BACK IN TIME to behold the delightful animal images in Covalanas, and the incredible
frieze in El Pendo.
EXPERIENCE PREHISTORY at the newly opened replica of Chauvet cave; Ekainberri, an exact
replica of the Ekain cave; and Arago, where “Tautavel Man,” some of Europe’s best preserved
hominid remains, were found.
IMAGINE AGES PAST as you explore the Parc de la Préhistoire, experiencing the prehistory of
the region through its museum and reconstructions.
DISCOVER CONTEMPORARY LIFE in Bilbao, a dynamic and complex city defined by its river
and surrounded by mountains.
RELAX AND UNWIND in beautifully appointed accommodations, thoughtfully designed with
your comfort and convenience in mind.
TRAVEL HASSLE-FREE throughout the trip a with professional tour manager who attends to
every detail.
ENJOY MEMBERSHIP in the Museum’s Patrons Circle and continue your exploration of the
natural world, and humanity’s place in it, throughout the coming year.
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May 25 – June 4, 2017
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Leader Bio
Ian Tattersall, American Museum of Natural History curator emeritus, is a renowned expert on
physical anthropology and human evolution. He has lectured to acclaim on numerous expeditions
to Spain, France, and throughout the world. Trained in geology as well as in archaeology and
anthropology, his field research on living primates and his fossil collecting has taken him around
the globe. Dr. Tattersall co-curated the Museum’s Spitzer Hall of Human Origins and has written
many books on the origins of human creativity, including Masters of the Planet; Becoming
Human: Evolution and Human Uniqueness; and the recently published The Strange Case of the
Rickety Cossack, and Other Cautionary Tales from Human Evolution.
Itinerary
THURSDAY, MAY 25, 2017 HOME > BILBAO, SPAIN Depart home on independent flights to
Bilbao, Spain.
FRIDAY, MAY 26 BILBAO Transfer from the Bilbao airport to the Gran Hotel Domine, situated
in the heart of this thriving city. This afternoon, admire both the architecture and the permanent
collection of the spectacular Guggenheim Museum during a guided tour. Gather later at the hotel
for a welcome drink and dinner. Overnight at the Gran Hotel Domine for two nights.
SATURDAY, MAY 27 BILBAO > COVALANAS > RAMALES > EL PENDO > BILBAO After
breakfast, drive to Covalanas cave with its extraordinary collection of animal images. After an
independent lunch in nearby Ramales, continue to El Pendo cave and its nearly nine-meter-long
panel of painted figures. Dinner is at leisure in Bilbao.
SUNDAY, MAY 28 BILBAO > EKAINBERRI > SAN SEBASTIAN > AINHOA, FRANCE Check
out of our hotel and head north towards France, stopping first at the Ekainberri replica and its
famous panels of horses, the original dating from the Magdalenian period. Continue to the
elegant Basque city of San Sebastian, situated on the Bay of Biscay. Enjoy a stroll through the
town and savor an independent lunch before moving on to Ainhoa. Gather in the evening for
dinner. Overnight at the Hotel Ithurria for two nights.
MONDAY, MAY 29 AINHOA > ISTURITZ AND OXOCELHAYA > ESPELETTE > AINHOA This
morning, visit the caves of Isturitz and Oxocelhaya with their bas-relief sculptures and
concretions. Stop for an independent lunch in the small town of Espelette, famous for its
cultivation of spicy red peppers, before returning to our hotel in Ainhoa. The balance of the day
is at leisure.
TUESDAY, MAY 30 AINHOA > GARGAS > TARASCON Check out of our hotel and drive to
Gargas cave, one of the finest in the Pyrenees and known for its collection of more than 200
stenciled hand prints, many of which are mysteriously incomplete. After a group lunch in Gargas,
drive to Le Manoir d'Agnes, a 200-year-old French chateau in Tarascon. Gather for dinner in the
restaurant next to our hotel. Overnight at Le Manoir d’Agnes for three nights.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 31 TARASCON > NIAUX > PARC DE LA PREHISTOIRE >
TARASCON This morning, drive a short distance to the cave of Niaux, regarded as one of the
most impressive in Europe for its Magdalenian wall paintings, most of which are found in its
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"Salon Noir," situated some 800 meters from the cave entrance. After a group lunch in the
village of Niaux, visit the Parc de la Préhistoire for an overview of the area’s prehistory through
its museum and numerous reconstructions. Dinner is at leisure.
THURSDAY, JUNE 1 TARASCON > MAS D'AZIL > BÉDEILHAC > TARASCON After
breakfast, visit the cave of Mas d'Azil, an ancient refuge for humans and animals including
mammoth and rhinoceros. Replicas of exquisitely carved horses from Mas d'Azil may be viewed
in the Spitzer Hall of Human Origins. Enjoy lunch together on our return journey before an
afternoon visit to Bédeilhac cave, which has a vast entrance and was decorated by Magdalenian
hunters. The evening is at leisure.
FRIDAY, JUNE 2 TARASCON > ARAGO > TAUTAVEL > MONTPELLIER Check out of our
hotel and drive to Arago cave, situated just outside the village of Tautavel and famous for the
discovery of "Tautavel Man," some of the most significant hominid remains ever found in Europe.
After an independent lunch and, time permitting, a quick tasting of the local wine, visit the small
but impressive museum in Tautavel before driving on to Montpellier. Dinner this evening is at
leisure. Overnight at the Hotel Pullman Montpellier Centre.
SATURDAY, JUNE 3 MONTPELLIER > CHAUVET > LYON After checking out of our hotel,
drive north to what may be the highlight of the journey: the recently opened and spectacular
replica of Chauvet cave, including a reproduction of its famous, delicately shaded horses—also
featured in the Spitzer Hall of Human Origins. Chauvet is one of the most famous decorated
caves in the world and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. After an independent lunch in the
village, drive to Lyon. Gather together for a farewell dinner this evening. Overnight at Le Royal
Hotel Lyon.
SUNDAY, JUNE 4 LYON > HOME Transfer this morning to the Lyon airport for flights home.
What to Expect
This is a relatively strenuous program and you must be in good physical condition to participate.
Visits to caves and other archaeological sites necessitate unassisted walking and climbing
without handrails, sometimes over steep and slippery terrain. Weather in Spain and France in
late May is generally pleasant with average daytime temperatures ranging from the high 50s to
70s °F. Cave temperatures average 55 °F and humidity levels can reach 95 percent. Please note
that no photography is allowed inside the caves.
Rates
Double Occupancy $8,995 per person
Single Supplement $1,195
Rates are based on a minimum of 10 participants and a maximum of 20 participants.
Participation requires current membership in the Patrons Circle at or above the Collector level per
traveler household. Call 212-769-5153 for more details about the Patrons Circle membership or
visit www.amnh.org/join-support.
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May 25 – June 4, 2017
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Included:
+ Hotel accommodations for 9 nights
+ 9 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 4 dinners, including house wine with lunches and dinners
+ Group arrival transfer on May 26 and group departure transfer on June 4
+ All entrance fees to sites included in the itinerary
+ Transportation in a deluxe, air-conditioned motor coach, with bottled water provided
+ Professional, English-speaking tour manager/guide throughout
+ Local taxes and service charges
+ All gratuities to tour manager/guide, drivers, waiters, and porters
+ Handling of two pieces of checked luggage per person
+ Practical and cultural information, suggested reading guide, name badge, passport wallet, and
luggage tags
Not Included:
+ Airfare to Bilbao, Spain, and return airfare from Lyon, France
+ Passport and inoculation charges
+ All airport departure taxes
+ Cost of personal, trip cancellation, and baggage insurance
+ Transportation of excess baggage
+ Alcoholic beverages other than house wine served at included lunches and dinners
+ Taxi, telephone, and fax charges
+ Optional excursions or deviations from scheduled tour
+ Porterage or individual transfers to join or leave the group when traveling independently
+ Any items not specifically indicated as included
Reservations
To guarantee your place on this unique Museum journey, please contact us today:
Elizabeth DeGaetano
Associate Director of Expeditions
800-462-8687
[email protected]
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May 25 – June 4, 2017
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Terms and Conditions
RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT American Museum of Natural History Expeditions (AMNHE) has
appointed Eos Study Tours (EST), a professional tour operator, to manage and operate this tour
as an independent contractor. Throughout these Terms and Conditions, references to “we” or
“us” refer to AMNHE and EST.
AMNHE provides the educational enrichment and the study leader/s for the tour. EST acts only as
an agent for any transportation carrier, hotel, ground operator, or other suppliers of services
connected with this tour (referred to herein as “providers”), who in turn are solely responsible
and liable for providing their respective services. The passenger tickets in use by the carriers
shall constitute the sole contract between the carriers and the passenger—the carriers are not
responsible for any act, omission, or event during the time participants are not aboard their
conveyances.
We shall not be held liable for (A) any damage to, or loss of, property or injury to, or death of,
persons occasioned directly or indirectly by an act or omission of any provider, including but not
limited to any defect in any aircraft, watercraft, or vehicle operated or provided by such other
provider, and (B) any loss or damage due to delay, cancellation, or disruption in any manner
caused by the laws, regulations, acts or failures to act, demands, orders, or interpositions of any
government or any subdivision or agent, thereof, or by acts of God, strikes, fire, flood, war,
rebellion, terrorism, insurrection, sickness, quarantine, epidemics, theft, or any other cause(s)
beyond our control. Baggage and personal effects are at all times the sole responsibility of the
participant.
By registering for an AMNH Expedition, “you” (the “participant” or “passenger”) acknowledge and
agree to the Responsibility Statement and the Terms and Conditions herein. You waive and
release any claim against us for any such loss, damage, injury, or death, and each participant is
required to sign a confirmation of such waiver and release as a condition to participating in the
tour. If the program that you enroll in has a U.S. Department of State travel warning in effect for
a destination on the program, you will receive a copy of the travel warning upon confirmation
along with an additional Waiver of Liability, Assumption of Risk & Indemnity Agreement. You can
rest assured that the safety of our travelers is of the utmost importance to us and we continually
monitor the political and security situation within the destinations on each itinerary.
ELIGIBILITY AND HEALTH REQUIREMENTS Participation is a benefit of Patrons Circle
membership; current membership at or above the Collector level is required.
Anyone under 18 at the commencement of the trip must be accompanied by a parent or
guardian for the entire program. There is no upper age limit; however, all participants must be in
good physical and mental health.
This is a relatively strenuous program and you must be in good physical condition to participate.
Visits to caves and other archaeological sites necessitate walking and climbing unassisted
without handrails, sometime over steep and slippery terrain.
By paying the deposit for passage, the passenger certifies that he/she does not have any
physical or other condition of disability that would create a hazard for him/her or other
passengers. Any physical condition requiring special attention, diet, or treatment must be
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reported in writing on the passenger information form sent to you upon confirmation onto the
expedition. All reasonable efforts will be made to accommodate special diets and treatment;
however, we cannot guarantee special arrangements. We reserve the right to decline to accept
any person as a member of an expedition or to require any traveler to withdraw from an
expedition at his or her own expense at any time when such action is determined by the tour
staff to be in the best interest of the health, safety, and general welfare of the expedition group
or individual expedition members.
BASIS OF RATES All prices are per person based on two sharing a room, and fares are quoted
in U.S. dollars. Per person rates for single, triple, or quad occupancy may be available if not
already noted. Please inquire. The rates are based on current tariffs, fuel costs, and currency
values which are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances. The prices are based on
the minimum number of participants specified in the pricing joining the expedition. While we will
do everything possible to maintain the listed prices, they are subject to change. Due to
fluctuations in oil prices, a fuel surcharge may be added to your tour price. If it is necessary to
levy a surcharge, we reserve the right to do so with notification prior to trip departure.
SINGLE TRAVELERS A limited number of single rooms are available at extra cost on a firstcome, first-served basis, but availability cannot be guaranteed. We make every effort to match
single travelers who request a roommate. Neither a single room nor a share can be guaranteed.
Participants will be notified if we are unsuccessful in finding a suitable roommate. In this case,
the single supplement will be charged.
DEPOSITS AND PAYMENTS A deposit of $1,000 per person is required to confirm a reservation
and is payable by check to “Eos-Passenger Account-AMNHE Dec. Caves 5/17” or credit card.
Final payment is due 120 days prior to departure and must be by check or wire transfer only;
credit cards are not accepted for final payment. Any wire-transfer fees incurred shall be paid by
the passenger. By submitting your deposit you are bound by the terms and conditions detailed in
this brochure. Full payment is required for reservations made after the final payment date.
CANCELLATIONS Cancellations that occur more than 120 days prior to departure are subject to
an administrative fee of $600 per person. Cancellations that occur between 120 and 89 days
prior to departure are subject to a cancellation fee equal to 50% of the trip price. Cancellations
that occur 89 or fewer days prior to departure are subject to full forfeiture of the trip price.
AMNHE reserves the right to cancel a reservation if full payment has not been received by the
designated final payment due date.
Leaving a trip in progress, for any reason whatsoever, will not result in a refund, and no refunds
will be made for any unused portions of a trip. AMNHE reserves the right to cancel any tour
because of inadequate enrollment that makes the tour economically unfeasible to operate, in
which case you will receive a full refund of monies paid to EST. If AMNHE cancels a tour because
of good-faith concerns with respect to the safety, health, or welfare of the tour participants, you
will have the option of either (a) accepting a rescheduled tour or other substituted, comparable
tour(s) as may be offered by AMNHE and/or EST, or (b) receiving a refund of payments made by
you for the tour to the extent EST has not issued payment on your behalf to tour providers as
well as a refund of as much of any such payments EST has issued on your behalf to tour
providers that EST is able to recover from such providers. In the event of cancellation, AMNHE
and EST shall have no obligation or liability to you beyond the foregoing.
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TRAVEL INSURANCE For your protection, trip cancellation and travel insurance is strongly
recommended. Detailed information will be provided with your reservation confirmation. This
insurance is at an additional cost and is available up until you make final payment for the
expedition.
AIR TICKETS PURCHASED INDEPENDENT OF THE TOUR We urge you to check airline
cancellation penalties before purchasing airline tickets since departure times and flights can
change. Tours also can be cancelled due to low enrollments. We do not accept liability for
cancellation penalties related to domestic or international airline tickets purchased independently
in conjunction with a tour.
ITINERARY CHANGES The itinerary and study leader staff presented is subject to modification
and change. Every reasonable effort will be made to operate the program as planned, but
alterations may still occur without allowance of refund.
SMOKING POLICY For the comfort of all participants, we ask that there be no smoking during
all group activities, including excursions and meals.
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