Trip Ratings
We rate our trips to assist you in choosing the learning adventure that’s right for you. We rate each trip with a number from 1 to 4 according to the degree of activity and fitness required. A careful reading of our trip descriptions should provide additional information about specific trip activities such as hiking or sea kayaking.

1 Easy:
Hotel, lodge, ship, or boat-based, no camping, hikes of up to 2 miles, and minimal exposure to high elevations.

2 Easy to Moderate:
Lodge, ship, or camping based, hikes of 2-4 miles, optional sea kayaking, possible small plane travel, and moderate elevation gains.

3 Moderate to Strenuous:
Expedition ship, boat or raft-based, remote wilderness localities, possible primitive camping, small plane travel as needed, and trail or off-trail hikes of up to 6-8 miles over rugged, mountainous terrain.

4 Strenuous:
Expeditionary and rugged in nature, primitive camping, full-day hikes in steep, mountainous terrain, some hikes in excess of 8 miles, and possible sea kayaking or whitewater rafting.

A Word about Expedition Travel
Because of the agility required on most expeditionary-class ships or on raft-based trips, participants with serious disabilities, critical heart and/or respiratory problems, or other significant medical conditions are advised NOT to register for these trips. Please note, however that the M/V Sea Wolf is fully handicapped-accessible. By forwarding the registration deposit for any expedition-class trip you are certifying that you are in good physical health and capable of performing all normal activities on the expedition.

Trip Cancellation & Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend that all trip participants purchase some form of travel insurance that includes trip cancellation and medical emergency/evacuation coverage to protect your travel investment in the event of illness or injury to you or to a family member prior to or during the trip. Contact Cloud Ridge or our travel providers for a brochure describing the range of insurance options available. Emergency evacuation from remote, wilderness sites is extremely expensive and is generally not included in standard medical insurance policies. Participants covered by Medicare are advised that Medicare does not provide coverage outside the U.S; a travel insurance policy does. A word to the wise traveler — Don’t leave home without it!

Mew gulls, B.C., photo Audrey Benedict

Registration & Payment:
To register for one of Cloud Ridge’s expeditions, simply fill out the our registration form and send it to us, along with your non-refundable deposit (in parentheses). In the event that a trip is full, we’ll add your name to a wait-list and return your deposit. All trip prices in our catalogue are based on double occupancy. Should you wish single accommodations (when available) or have no roommate and we are unable to assign one, please be advised that you will need to pay a single supplement. The balance of all tour fees is due 90 days prior to departure. Registrations recieved within 90 days of departure must include payment in full.

To download our Registration Form, just click on the link below (or "right-click" on the link and select the "download linked file" option).

>> Registration Form < (104 kb PDF) <

Cancellation Policy
All cancellations must be made in writing. Because we must send payments to our travel suppliers well in advance of our departures, we cannot offer refunds beyond those described below. We appreciate your understanding! Cancellation refunds are made according to the following schedule:

Cancellation received 90 days or more prior to a trip’s departure, all trip costs, less the deposit, will be refunded. The deposit will also be refunded if we are able to fill your space from a wait-list.

Cancellation received less than 90 days prior to departure, no refund is possible unless we can fill your space from a wait-list.

Contributions:
Cloud Ridge Naturalists is a nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)3 organization providing high quality educational opportunities in the natural sciences and financial support to entities and individuals conducting research in critical areas of conservation concern. If you feel that you would like to become a Supporting Member ($25) or a Sponsor ($50 or more), we would be sincerely grateful for your support. All contributions, unless otherwise specified, are placed in a special fund to underwrite our scholarships or to support Cloud Ridge operating expenses. If you wish to support any of our conservation research projects, please indicate your interest on the registration form by checking the appropriate box. If you wish to make a significant contribution to any of the projects please contact:

Cloud Ridge Naturalists
Audrey Benedict
8297 Overland Road
Ward, CO 80481 USA      (303) 459-3248
email > cloudridgeadb@earthlink.net