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Peregrine Travel Centre

Exploring the Hudson River: Fall Colors, Conservation & Creativity

Exploring the Hudson River: Fall Colors, Conservation & Creativity

From AUD $7,200

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Description

In the seasonal transformation with summer’s longer days only a memory, we are in the Hudson, legendary for music and art, dotted with riverside towns full of history and steeped in maritime legend, often guarded by stoic lighthouses. Rising serenely from the river, the land occasionally borders the great waterway by startingly steep cliffs, as autumn bursts forth in a many-hued transformation. Along our journey, we focus on and learn about the river, valley, critical conservation work, the Hudson’s maritime history, and the essential roles music and art have played in the region. The Hudson, “America’s First River,” has emerged as a place of rebirth, transformation, nature, and of adventure. Our meticulously designed itinerary explores the region, designated as the Hudson Valley Natural Heritage Area and part of the National Estuarine Research Reserve, with remarkable depth, coming to know this river of constant change through specially curated experiences.

Trip Name
Exploring the Hudson River: Fall Colors, Conservation & Creativity
Days
8
Overview
Vessel Type: Comfortable Expedition Length: 52 metres Passenger Capacity: 62 (in twin cabins) Built: 1982 / Refurbished 2015 Twin Expedition ships, National Geographic Sea Bird & Sea Lion, can reach places inaccessible to larger ships due to their small size, yet each can comfortably accommodate 62 guests. The feeling, is often compared to that of a large private yacht, with everyone integral to the adventure. Accessibility means freedom. Our captains have decades of sailing experience in the regions we explore. They know when and where to navigate so that you feel the places we visit are all ours. Full interior renovations have been completed on these twin 62-guest ships, National Geographic Sea Lion and National Geographic Sea Bird. The extensive renovation to guest cabins, the lounge and bar, dining room, public areas and spa has transformed the ships to provide the ultimate in expedition hospitality and comfort. Nothing has been left untouched, from the sleekly framed wall photos, to the fresh paint, and new carpets throughout the ships. - The lounge and bar have been completely redesigned and reconfigured to provide an open, enhanced environment with additional seating and better flow. The modern design features new tables and chairs, upholstery of settees, overhead ceiling panels, and LED dimmable lighting. The lounge also hosts a new food & beverage area, library, and Global Market. - The dining room’s upgrade features all new tables, chairs, ceiling panels, and LED dimmable lighting. The wine bar has been replaced and features a display showcasing selections from the regions explored. - Every cabin has been completely redone and all furnishings have been replaced. Modern aged cherry bed boxes, faux leather headboards, Lindblad signature bed linens, new windows, lighting, and additional USB outlets provide a dramatic makeover for a relaxing guest experience. Bathrooms now feature new shower doors and all new hardware. - Exterior renovations include new deck furniture and outdoor awning.

Itinerary



Day 1 - DAY 1: Arrive New York City / Embark
This evening, we embark National GeographicSea Lion and sail out of New York Harbor northinto the Hudson River. (D)
Day 2 - DAY 2: Cruising the Hudson River / Constitution Marsh / Bannerman Castle
With the dawn, we awake to the beauty of theHudson River Valley. The place to be is on deck aswe spend the early hours of the day cruising withthe river unfolding before us.We cruise slowly by West Point Military Academybefore arriving at Constitution Marsh, where welaunch kayaks to explore the protected riversidewetland. Watch for birds: belted kingfishers sittingquietly or darting up a slough sounding theirrattling call, or hawks like northern harriersquartering over the marshland. Or, simply stop fora moment and relish the stillness of the wetland.The island protecting the marsh was presented tothe nation on behalf of early American authors,Anna and Susan Warner, to be forever preservedas a historic and natural landmark.Next, we make the short trip north for a cruisearound Bannerman Castle on Pollepel Island. Thisabandoned military storage facility with a storiedhistory dates back to the early 1900’s. On shore,take in a special musical performance as our firstevening on the Hudson fades to night. (B,L,D)
Day 3 - DAY 3: Catskill / Rogers Island / Hudson
This morning, we call at the village of Catskill. Visitthe home of renowned landscape painter ThomasCole, now a National Historic Landmark Site.Passionate about American wilderness, Cole isrecognized as the founder of the Hudson River artmovement.Later, as our ship is anchored near thepicturesque Hudson-Athens Lighthouse, opt to joina kayak excursion through the waterways ofRogers Island Wildlife Management Area orchoose to visit the quiet town of Hudson. (B,L,D)
Day 4 - DAY 4: Kingston
This morning, we are at Kingston, where theRondout Lighthouse marks the entrance to thecreek with the town a short distance from the river.At Kingston, we learn the story of the sloopClearwater and the organization, founded in partby legendary American folk musician Pete Seegerand dedicated not only to the care of the vessel,but to many conservation and environmentalprojects in the area. Conditions permitting, weembark the sloop and sail out of the harbor for aunique experience on the Hudson. Later, we stopby the Hudson River Maritime Museum, featuringexhibits on a variety of subjects, especiallyfocused on the conservation of this greatwaterway. (B,L,D)
Day 5 - DAY 5: Esopus Island / Esopus Meadows Lighthouse / Cruising the Hudson
Today, we are off exploring the Hudson in theEsopus area. By kayak and Zodiac, we cruiseEsopus Island, now a quiet less-visited mid-river islet. Over the years, this skinny little island—noteven a mile long and mere yards wide—has seenits share of intriguing visitors from NativeAmericans’ gatherings to F. Scott Fitzgerald’sparties. Even the legendary and notorious AleisterCrowley camped for 40 days and nights in solitudeon Esopus Island in the summer of 1918 duringthe waning days of the First World War.Our day of exploration takes us to EsopusMeadows Lighthouse, considered one of the mostscenic on the Hudson. Later, meandering slowlyalong the great riverway, the splendor of the riversurrounds us. (B,L,D)
Day 6 - DAY 6: Storm King Mountain
The mountain, called “Butter Hill” in earlier days,later became known as Storm King, encouraged inpart by writer Nathaniel Parker Willis, who wrote,“The tallest mountain is ... looked upon as themost sure foreteller of a storm. When the whitecloud-beard descends upon his breast in themorning ... there is sure to be a rain-storm beforenight.” Storm King was a regular subject ofHudson River School painters, as they depictedthe natural splendor of the mountain whilewrestling with the approaching industrializationand commercialization of the Hudson, acontentious duality to this day. Art is alive on thewestern flanks of the mountain. The 500-acreStorm King Art Center seeks to bring art, natureand people together in the open air of thesculpture park. Later, we ascend to the higherreaches of the mountain itself to take in themagnificent views back down towards the riverand beyond. (B,L,D)
Day 7 - DAY 7: Bear Mountain Bridge / Popolopen Creek at Fort Montgomery / Sleepy Hollow
We awake in sight of Bear Mountain Bridge, themorning’s golden hour offering the opportunity tophotograph the bridge against the backdrop of theHudson fall. If conditions look good, we set out fora morning kayak exploration where PopolopenCreek meets the Hudson at Fort Montgomery. Onour way south, we pass Iona Island, part of theHudson River National Estuarine ResearchReserve.Soon, we arrive at Sleepy Hollow. “A drowsy,dreamy influence seems to hang over the land,and to pervade the very atmosphere,” wroteWashington Irving about the town. We disembarkand hear a re-telling of Irving’s tale before a walkalong the 13 Bridges Trail. In the late afternoon westop at the Sleepy Hollow cemetery as the sunsets on our Hudson River adventure. (B,L,D)
Day 8 - DAY 8: New York / Disembark
This morning we disembark in New York Harbor tobegin our homeward journeys. (B)
Day 9 - Please Note:
Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
21-10-202328-10-2023AUD $7,200Category 1
21-10-202328-10-2023AUD $8,220Category 2
21-10-202328-10-2023AUD $9,220Category 3
21-10-202328-10-2023AUD $10,800Category 1 Single
21-10-202328-10-2023AUD $12,320Category 2 Single
28-10-202304-11-2023AUD $7,200Category 1
28-10-202304-11-2023AUD $8,220Category 2
28-10-202304-11-2023AUD $9,220Category 3
28-10-202304-11-2023AUD $10,800Category 1 Single
28-10-202304-11-2023AUD $12,320Category 2 Single
04-11-202311-11-2023AUD $7,200Category 1
04-11-202311-11-2023AUD $8,220Category 2
04-11-202311-11-2023AUD $9,220Category 3
04-11-202311-11-2023AUD $10,800Category 1 Single
04-11-202311-11-2023AUD $12,320Category 2 Single
11-11-202318-11-2023AUD $7,200Category 1
11-11-202318-11-2023AUD $8,220Category 2
11-11-202318-11-2023AUD $9,220Category 3
11-11-202318-11-2023AUD $10,800Category 1 Single
11-11-202318-11-2023AUD $12,320Category 2 Single

Inclusions

    • Experience the magic of autumn’s transitional beauty
    • Encounter fall wildlife while kayaking Constitution Marsh and Rogers Island Wildlife Management Area
    • Visit Storm King Mountain Art Center
    • Photograph the many iconic lighthouses and bridges along our journey
    • Visit Sleepy Hollow and hear Washington Irving’s ageless tale re-told.

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