SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              WASHINGTON, DC 20549

                                   SCHEDULE TO


            TENDER OFFER STATEMENT UNDER SECTION 14(D)(1) OR 13(E)(1)
                     OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

            EXCELSIOR ABSOLUTE RETURN FUND OF FUNDS MASTER FUND, LLC
                                (Name of Issuer)

            EXCELSIOR ABSOLUTE RETURN FUND OF FUNDS MASTER FUND, LLC
                      (Name of Person(s) Filing Statement)

                       LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY INTERESTS
                         (Title of Class of Securities)

                                       N/A
                      (CUSIP Number of Class of Securities)
                                 DAVID R. BAILIN
            Excelsior Absolute Return Fund of Funds Master Fund, LLC
                               225 High Ridge Road
                               Stamford, CT 06905
                                 (203) 352-4497

 (Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notices and
           Communications on Behalf of the Person(s) Filing Statement)

                                 With a copy to:
                            Kenneth S. Gerstein, Esq.
                            Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP
                                919 Third Avenue
                            New York, New York 10022
                                 (212) 756-2533

                                 April 12, 2007
                       (Date Tender Offer First Published,
                       Sent or Given to Security Holders)








                            CALCULATION OF FILING FEE

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Transaction Valuation:  $60,000,000.00 (a)   Amount of Filing Fee: $1,842.00 (b)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(a)   Calculated as the aggregate maximum repurchase price for Interests.

(b)   Calculated at $30.70 per million of Transaction Valuation.

[X]   Check the box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Rule
      0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing with which the offsetting fee was
      previously paid. Identify the previous filing by registration statement
      number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

      Amount Previously Paid:
      Form or Registration No.:
      Filing Party:
      Date Filed:

[ ]   Check the box if the filing relates solely to preliminary communications
      made before the commencement of a tender offer.

Check the appropriate boxes below to designate any transactions to which the
statement relates:

[ ]   third-party tender offer subject to Rule 14d-1.

[X]   issuer tender offer subject to Rule 13e-4.

[ ]   going-private transaction subject to Rule 13e-3.

[ ]   amendment to Schedule 13D under Rule 13d-2.

Check the following box if the filing is a final amendment reporting the results
of the tender offer:  [ ]

ITEM 1.  SUMMARY TERM SHEET.

         As stated in the offering  documents of Excelsior  Absolute Return Fund
of Funds  Master  Fund,  LLC (the  "Fund"),  the Fund is offering to  repurchase
limited  liability  company  interests in the Fund ("Interest" or "Interests" as
the context  requires)  from members of the Fund  ("Members") at their net asset
value (that is, the value of the Fund's assets minus its liabilities, multiplied
by the proportionate interest in the Fund a Member desires to tender). The offer
to repurchase  Interests  (the  "Offer") will remain open until 12:00  midnight,
Eastern Time, on May 10, 2007, unless the Offer is extended. The net asset value
of the Interests will be calculated for this purpose on June 29, 2007 or, if the
Offer is  extended,  on the last  business  day of the  month in which the Offer
expires  (the  "Valuation  Date").  The Fund  reserves  the right to adjust  the
Valuation  Date to  correspond  with any  extension of the Offer.  The Fund will
review the net asset value  calculation of Interests as of June 29, 2007, during
the Fund's  audit for its fiscal  year  ending  March 31,  2008,  which the Fund
expects will be  completed by the end of May 2008.  This June 29,





2007 net asset value,  as reviewed,  will be used to determine  the final amount
paid for tendered Interests.

         Members may tender their entire  Interest,  a portion of their Interest
defined as a specific  dollar value or the portion of their  Interest  above the
required  minimum  capital  account  balance.  If a Member  tenders  its  entire
Interest (or a portion of its  Interest)  and the Fund accepts that Interest for
repurchase,   the  Fund   will   give  the   Member  a   non-interest   bearing,
non-transferable promissory note (the "Note") entitling the Member to receive an
amount  equal  to the net  asset  value  of the  Interest  tendered  (valued  in
accordance with the Fund's Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company
Agreement dated September 26, 2006 (the "LLC Agreement"))  determined as of June
29, 2007 (or if the Offer is  extended,  the net asset value  determined  on the
Valuation  Date).  The Note will be held in a special  custody account with PFPC
Trust Company ("PFPC").

         If a Member  tenders  its entire  Interest,  the Note will  entitle the
Member to receive  an  initial  payment  in cash  and/or  marketable  securities
(valued  in  accordance  with the LLC  Agreement)  equal to at least  95% of the
unaudited  net  asset  value of the  Interest  tendered  by the  Member  that is
accepted for repurchase by the Fund (the "Initial  Payment") and will be paid to
the Member's account with United States Trust Company,  National  Association or
an affiliate bank  (collectively,  "U.S. Trust"), or mailed to the Member if the
Member does not have a U.S.  Trust  account,  within 30 calendar  days after the
Valuation Date or, if the Fund has requested withdrawals of its capital from any
investment  funds in order to finance the  repurchase of  Interests,  within ten
business days after the Fund has received at least 95% of the  aggregate  amount
withdrawn by the Fund from such investment funds.

         The Note will also entitle the Member to receive a  contingent  payment
(the  "Contingent  Payment")  equal to the excess,  if any, of (a) the net asset
value of the  Interest  tendered  by the  Member  and  accepted  by the Fund for
repurchase,  determined as of the Valuation Date, as it may be adjusted based on
the next annual audit of the Fund's March 31, 2008  financial  statements,  over
(b) the  Initial  Payment.  The Fund will  deposit the  aggregate  amount of the
Contingent  Payments in a separate,  interest  bearing  account and will pay any
interest  actually  earned thereon PRO RATA to the Members whose  Interests have
been repurchased. The Contingent Payment (plus any interest earned) will be paid
within ten calendar days after the  completion  of the Fund's annual audit.  The
Contingent Payment will also be deposited into the tendering Member's account at
U.S.  Trust,  or mailed to the Member if the Member  does not have a U.S.  Trust
account.

         A Member that tenders for  repurchase  only a portion of such  Member's
Interest  will  receive a Note that will entitle the Member to a payment in cash
and/or marketable securities (valued in accordance with the LLC Agreement) equal
to 100% of the net asset  value of the portion of the  Interest  tendered by the
Member that is accepted for repurchase by the Fund. Payment pursuant to the Note
will be made to the  Member's  account at U.S.  Trust or mailed to the Member if
the Member does not have a U.S. Trust account, within 30 calendar days after the
Valuation Date or, if the Fund has requested withdrawals of its capital from any
investment  funds in order to finance the  repurchase of  Interests,  within ten
business days after the Fund has received at least 95% of the  aggregate  amount
withdrawn by the Fund from such investment funds.

         A Member that tenders for  repurchase  only a portion of such  Member's
Interest  must  tender a minimum of $25,000  and will be  required to maintain a
capital account balance equal to $100,000 or more.


                                      -2-



         The Fund reserves the right to repurchase less than the amount tendered
by a Member if the repurchase  would cause the Member's  capital  account in the
Fund to have a value  less than the  required  minimum  balance  or if the total
amount  tendered by Members is more than $60  million.  If the Fund  accepts the
tender of the Member's  entire  Interest or a portion of such Member's  Interest
for repurchase, the Fund will make payment for Interests it repurchases from one
or more of the  following  sources:  cash on hand;  withdrawals  of capital from
investment  funds in which  the Fund  has  invested;  proceeds  from the sale of
securities and portfolio assets held by the Fund;  and/or  borrowings (which the
Fund does not currently intend to do).

         Following  this  summary  is a formal  notice  of the  Fund's  offer to
repurchase  the  Interests.  The  Offer  remains  open to  Members  until  12:00
midnight, Eastern Time, May 10, 2007, the expected expiration date of the Offer.
Until that time,  Members  have the right to change their minds and withdraw the
tenders of their Interests. Members will also have the right to withdraw tenders
of their  Interests  at any time after June 8, 2007,  40 business  days from the
commencement  of the Offer,  assuming  their  Interest has not been accepted for
repurchase by the Fund on or before that date.

         If a Member would like the Fund to repurchase its Interest or a portion
of its Interest,  it should complete,  sign and either:  (i) mail (via certified
mail return  receipt  requested) or otherwise  deliver a Letter of  Transmittal,
attached  to this  document as Exhibit C, to U.S.  Trust Hedge Fund  Management,
Inc., the investment  adviser of the Fund (the "Adviser"),  225 High Ridge Road,
Stamford,  CT 06905,  attention  Peggy Lynn; or (ii) fax it to U.S.  Trust Hedge
Fund  Management,  Inc. at (203)  352-4456,  so that it is received before 12:00
midnight, Eastern Time, on May 10, 2007. If the Member chooses to fax the Letter
of Transmittal, it should mail the original Letter of Transmittal to the Adviser
promptly  after it is faxed  (although the original does not have to be received
before 12:00 midnight,  Eastern Time, on May 10, 2007). Of course,  the value of
Interests will change between March 30, 2007 (the last time prior to the date of
the Offer as of which net asset value has been  calculated)  and June 29,  2007,
the date as of which the value of Interests  will be determined  for purposes of
calculating the repurchase price for Interests. Members may obtain the estimated
net asset value of their Interests,  which the Fund calculates  monthly based on
the information  the Fund receives from the managers of the investment  funds in
which it invests,  by contacting the Adviser at (203) 352-4497 or at the address
listed above,  Monday through Friday,  except  holidays,  during normal business
hours of 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time).

         Please  note,  that just as each Member has the right to  withdraw  the
tender of an Interest,  the Fund has the right to cancel, amend or postpone this
Offer at any time before 12:00  midnight,  Eastern Time,  on May 10, 2007.  Also
realize that  although the Offer  expires on May 10, 2007, a Member that tenders
all or a portion  of its  Interest  will  remain a Member  with  respect  to the
Interest tendered and accepted for repurchase by the Fund through June 29, 2007,
when the net  asset  value of the  Member's  Interest  tendered  to the Fund for
repurchase is calculated.

ITEM 2.  ISSUER INFORMATION.

         (a) The name of the issuer is Excelsior  Absolute  Return Fund of Funds
Master Fund,  LLC. The Fund is registered  under the  Investment  Company Act of
1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as a closed-end, non-diversified,  management
investment company. It is organized as a Delaware limited liability company. The
principal  executive  office  of the Fund is  located  at 225 High  Ridge  Road,
Stamford, CT 06905 and the telephone number is (203) 352-4497.


                                      -3-



         (b) The title of the  securities  that are the  subject of the Offer is
limited  liability  company  interests or portions thereof in the Fund. (As used
herein,  the term "Interest" or "Interests," as the context requires,  refers to
the limited  liability  company  interests in the Fund and portions thereof that
constitute  the  class of  security  that is the  subject  of this  Offer or the
limited  liability  company  interests in the Fund or portions  thereof that are
tendered  by Members  pursuant  to the  Offer.) As of the close of  business  on
February 28, 2007, there was approximately  $261,406,971  outstanding in capital
of the Fund,  represented  by Interests.  Subject to the conditions set forth in
the Offer,  the Fund will  repurchase  up to $60 million of  Interests  that are
tendered and not  withdrawn as described in ITEM 1, subject to any  extension of
the Offer.

         (c) Interests are not traded in any market, and any transfer thereof is
strictly limited by the terms of the LLC Agreement.

ITEM 3.  IDENTITY AND BACKGROUND OF FILING PERSON.

         (a) The name of the filing person is Excelsior  Absolute Return Fund of
Funds Master Fund, LLC. The Fund's principal  executive office is located at 225
High Ridge Road, Stamford,  CT 06905 and the telephone number is (203) 352-4497.
The investment adviser of the Fund is U.S. Trust Hedge Fund Management, Inc. The
principal executive office of U.S. Trust Hedge Fund Management,  Inc. is located
at 225 High Ridge Road,  Stamford,  CT 06905,  and its telephone number is (203)
352-4497.  The  Fund's  managers  ("Manager(s)"  or "Board of  Managers"  as the
context requires) are David R. Bailin,  Virginia Breen, Jonathan B. Bulkeley and
Thomas F. McDevitt.  The Managers' address is c/o Excelsior Absolute Return Fund
of Funds Master Fund, LLC, 225 High Ridge Road, Stamford, CT 06905.

ITEM 4.  TERMS OF THIS TENDER OFFER.

         (a) (1) (i)      Subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer,  the
Fund will repurchase up to $60 million of Interests that are tendered by Members
and not  withdrawn as described  in ITEM 1. The initial  expiration  date of the
Offer is 12:00 midnight, Eastern Time, on May 10, 2007, (such time and date, the
"Initial Expiration Date"),  subject to any extension of the Offer. The later of
the  Initial  Expiration  Date or the latest time and date to which the Offer is
extended is called the "Expiration Date."

                 (ii)     The  repurchase  price  of  Interests tendered  to the
Fund  for  repurchase  will be  their  net  asset  value,  determined  as of the
Valuation  Date or, if the Offer is  extended,  on the last  business day of the
month in which the Offer expires.

                 Members  may tender  their entire  Interest, a portion of their
Interest  defined as a specific  dollar  value or the portion of their  Interest
above the required minimum capital account balance. Each Member that tenders its
entire  Interest or a portion  thereof that is accepted for  repurchase  will be
given a Note within ten calendar days of the acceptance of the Member's Interest
for  repurchase.  The Note will be held for the  Members  in a  special  custody
account  with PFPC.  The Note will entitle the Member to be paid an amount equal
to the value,  determined as of the  Valuation  Date, of the Interest or portion
thereof being  repurchased  (subject to adjustment  upon  completion of the next
annual audit of the Fund's financial statements).  This amount will be the value
of the  Member's  capital  account (or the portion  thereof  being  repurchased)
determined as of the Valuation  Date and will be based on the net asset value of
the


                                      -4-



Fund's assets determined as of that date, after giving effect to all allocations
to be made as of that date.

                 If a Member tenders its entire Interest, the Note will  entitle
the Member to receive an Initial  Payment.  Payment of this  amount will be made
within 30 calendar days after the  Valuation  Date or, if the Fund has requested
withdrawals  of its capital  from any  investment  funds in order to finance the
repurchase of Interests, within ten business days after the Fund has received at
least 95% of the  aggregate  amount  withdrawn by the Fund from such  investment
funds. The Note will also entitle a Member to receive a Contingent Payment equal
to the excess,  if any, of (a) the net asset value of the  Interest  tendered by
the Member and accepted by the Fund for repurchase as of the Valuation  Date, as
it may be  adjusted  based on the  annual  audit of the  Fund's  March 31,  2008
financial  statements,  over (b) the Initial Payment.  The Fund will deposit the
aggregate  amount of the  Contingent  Payments in a separate,  interest  bearing
account  and will  pay any  interest  actually  earned  thereon  PRO RATA to the
Members whose Interests have been repurchased.  The Contingent Payment (plus any
interest  earned) will be payable  within ten calendar days after the completion
of the Fund's next annual audit. It is anticipated  that the annual audit of the
Fund's  financial  statements  will be completed  within 60 days after March 31,
2008, the fiscal year end of the Fund.

                 A  Member that  tenders for  repurchase only  a portion of such
Member's  Interest will receive a Note that will entitle the Member to a payment
in  cash  and/or  marketable  securities  (valued  in  accordance  with  the LLC
Agreement)  equal to 100% of the net asset value of the portion of the  Interest
tendered by the Member  that is accepted  for  repurchase  by the Fund.  Payment
pursuant to the Note will be made within 30  calendar  days after the  Valuation
Date  or,  if the  Fund  has  requested  withdrawals  of its  capital  from  any
investment  funds in order to finance the  repurchase of  Interests,  within ten
business days after the Fund has received at least 95% of the  aggregate  amount
withdrawn by the Fund from such investment funds.

                 Although  the  Fund  has  retained  the  option to pay all or a
portion  of the  repurchase  price  for  Interests  by  distributing  marketable
securities,  the  repurchase  price will be paid  entirely in cash except in the
unlikely event that the Board of Managers  determines  that the  distribution of
securities is necessary to avoid or mitigate any adverse  effect of the Offer on
the remaining Members.  In such event, the Fund would make such payment on a pro
rata basis so that each Member would receive the same type of consideration.

                 A  Member that tenders only a portion of such Member's Interest
for repurchase must tender a minimum of $25,000 and will be required to maintain
a capital account balance equal to $100,000 or more.

                 A  copy of: (a)  the Cover  Letter to  the Offer  and Letter of
Transmittal;  (b) the Offer; (c) a form of Letter of Transmittal;  (d) a form of
Notice of  Withdrawal  of Tender;  and (e) forms of Letters to Members  from the
Fund that will be sent in  connection  with the Fund's  acceptance of tenders of
Interest  for  repurchase  are  attached  hereto as  Exhibits  A, B, C, D and E,
respectively.

                 (iii)    The  scheduled expiration  date of  the Offer is 12:00
midnight, Eastern Time, May 10, 2007.

                 (iv)     Not applicable.


                                      -5-



                 (v)      The Fund reserves the right, at any time and from time
to time,  to extend  the  period of time  during  which the Offer is  pending by
notifying  Members of such  extension.  If the Fund  elects to extend the tender
period,  for the  purpose  of  determining  the  repurchase  price for  tendered
Interests, the estimated net asset value of such Interests will be determined at
the close of business on the last  business  day of the month after the month in
which the Offer  actually  expires.  During any such  extension,  all  Interests
previously tendered and not withdrawn will remain subject to the Offer. The Fund
also reserves the right,  at any time and from time to time, up to and including
the Expiration Date, to: (a) cancel the Offer in the  circumstances set forth in
Section 7 of the Offer and in the event of such cancellation,  not to repurchase
or pay for any Interests tendered pursuant to the Offer; (b) amend the Offer; or
(c) postpone the acceptance of Interests for repurchase.  If the Fund determines
to amend the Offer or to postpone the acceptance of Interests tendered, it will,
to the extent  necessary,  extend the period of time  during  which the Offer is
open as provided above and will promptly notify Members.

                 (vi)     A  tender of  an Interest may be withdrawn at any time
before  12:00  midnight,  Eastern  Time,  May 10,  2007 and, if the Fund has not
accepted  such  Interest  for  repurchase,  at any time after  June 8, 2007,  40
business days from the commencement of the Offer.

                 (vii)    Members wishing to tender an Interest pursuant to  the
Offer should mail or fax a completed and executed  Letter of  Transmittal to the
Adviser,  to the  attention of Peggy Lynn, at the address set forth on page 2 of
the Offer, or fax a completed and executed Letter of Transmittal to the Adviser,
also to the  attention  of Peggy Lynn,  at the fax number set forth on page 2 of
the Offer.  The completed and executed Letter of Transmittal must be received by
the Adviser,  either by mail or by fax, no later than the  Expiration  Date. The
Fund  recommends  that all  documents  be  submitted to the Adviser by certified
mail, return receipt requested, or by facsimile transmission.  A Member choosing
to fax a Letter of  Transmittal  to the  Adviser  must also send or deliver  the
original  completed and executed  Letter of Transmittal to the Adviser  promptly
thereafter.

                 Any  Member tendering  an Interest  pursuant to  the Offer  may
withdraw  its tender as  described  above in ITEM 4(vi).  To be  effective,  any
notice of  withdrawal  must be timely  received by the Adviser at the address or
fax  number set forth on page 2 of the  Offer.  A form to use to give  notice of
withdrawal  of a tender is  available  by calling the  Adviser at the  telephone
number  indicated  on page 2 of the  Offer.  A tender  of an  Interest  properly
withdrawn  shall not  thereafter  be deemed to be tendered  for  purposes of the
Offer.  However,  subsequent  to the  withdrawal  of a  tendered  Interest,  the
Interest may be tendered  again prior to the  Expiration  Date by following  the
procedures described above.

                 (viii)   For purposes of the Offer, the Fund will  be deemed to
have  accepted  (and thereby  repurchased)  Interests  that are tendered when it
gives written notice to the tendering  Member of its election to repurchase such
Member's Interest.

                 (ix)     If  more  than  $60  million  of  Interests  are  duly
tendered to the Fund prior to the Expiration  Date and not  withdrawn,  the Fund
will in its sole discretion:  (a) accept additional Interests in accordance with
Rule 13e-4(f)(1)(ii)  under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; (b)
extend the Offer,  if necessary,  and increase the amount of Interests  that the
Fund  is  offering  to  repurchase  to  an  amount  it  believes  sufficient  to
accommodate  the excess  Interests  tendered as well as any  Interests  tendered
during the extended  Offer;  or (c) accept  Interests  tendered on or before the
Expiration Date for payment on a PRO RATA basis based on the


                                      -6-



aggregate  net asset value of  tendered  Interests.  The Offer may be  extended,
amended or canceled in various other circumstances described in (v) above.

                 (x)      The repurchase of Interests pursuant to the Offer will
have the effect of increasing the proportionate  interest in the Fund of Members
that do not tender Interests. Members that retain their Interests may be subject
to  increased  risks that may possibly  result from the  reduction in the Fund's
aggregate assets resulting from payment for the Interests tendered.  These risks
include the potential for greater  volatility due to decreased  diversification.
However,  the Fund believes that this result is unlikely given the nature of the
Fund's investment  program.  A reduction in the aggregate assets of the Fund may
result in  Members  that do not tender  Interests  bearing  higher  costs to the
extent that certain  expenses borne by the Fund are relatively fixed and may not
decrease  if assets  decline.  These  effects  may be reduced to the extent that
additional  subscriptions  for  Interests  are made by new and existing  Members
subsequent to the date of this Offer and thereafter from time to time.

                 (xi)     Not applicable.

                 (xii)    The  following discussion  is a general summary of the
federal income tax  consequences of the repurchase of Interests by the Fund from
Members pursuant to the Offer. Members should consult their own tax advisors for
a complete  description of the tax consequences to them of a repurchase of their
Interests by the Fund pursuant to the Offer.

                 In general, a Member from which an Interest is  repurchased  by
the Fund will be  treated as  receiving  a  distribution  from the Fund and will
generally  reduce (but not below zero) its adjusted tax basis in its Interest by
the amount of cash and the fair  market  value of property  distributed  to such
Member.  Such Member  generally will not recognize income or gain as a result of
the repurchase,  except to the extent (if any) that the amount of  consideration
received by the Member  exceeds such  Member's  then  adjusted tax basis in such
Member's  Interest.  A Member's basis in such Member's Interest will be adjusted
for income, gain or loss allocated (for tax purposes) to such Member for periods
prior to the repurchase of such Interest. Cash distributed to a Member in excess
of the adjusted tax basis of such Member's Interest is taxable as a capital gain
or ordinary income, depending on the circumstances. A Member that has its entire
Interest  repurchased  by the Fund for cash may generally  recognize a loss, but
only to the extent that the amount of  consideration  received  from the Fund is
less than the Member's then adjusted tax basis in such Member's Interest.

         (a) (2) Not applicable.

         (b) Not applicable.

ITEM 5.  PAST CONTRACTS, TRANSACTIONS, NEGOTIATIONS AND
         AGREEMENTS WITH RESPECT TO THE ISSUER'S SECURITIES.

         The Fund's LLC Agreement,  which was provided to each Member in advance
of subscribing for Interests,  provide that the Fund's Board of Managers has the
discretion to determine whether the Fund will repurchase  Interests from Members
from time to time pursuant to written tenders.  The Adviser expects that it will
recommend  to the Board of  Managers  that the Fund  repurchase  Interests  from
Members  twice  each year,  effective  as of the last  business  day in June and
December,  in accordance with the offering  materials of such Members.  The Fund


                                      -7-



previously  offered to  repurchase  Interests  from Members  pursuant to written
tender  offers  effective as of December 31, 2004,  June 30, 2005,  December 30,
2005,  June 30,  2006  and  December  29,  2006.  The  Fund is not  aware of any
contract,  arrangement,  understanding  or  relationship  relating,  directly or
indirectly,  to this Offer (whether or not legally enforceable) between: (i) the
Fund and the  Adviser or any Manager of the Fund or any person  controlling  the
Fund or controlling the Adviser or any Manager of the Fund; and (ii) any person,
with respect to Interests.  However,  the LLC  Agreement  provides that the Fund
shall be dissolved  if the  Interest of any Member that has  submitted a written
request, in accordance with the terms of the LLC Agreement, to tender its entire
Interest for repurchase by the Fund has not been repurchased  within a period of
two years of the request.

ITEM 6.  PURPOSES  OF   THIS  TENDER  OFFER  AND   PLANS  OR  PROPOSALS  OF  THE
         ISSUER OR AFFILIATE.

         (a) The purpose of the Offer is to provide  liquidity  to Members  that
hold  Interests as  contemplated  by and in accordance  with the  procedures set
forth in the LLC Agreement.

         (b)  Interests  that are  tendered to the Fund in  connection  with the
Offer will be retired,  although the Fund may issue  Interests from time to time
in transactions  not involving any public offering,  conducted  pursuant to Rule
506 of  Regulation  D under the  Securities  Act of 1933,  as amended.  The Fund
currently expects that it will continue to accept subscriptions for Interests as
of the first day of each calendar quarter, but is under no obligation to do so.

         (c) The Fund,  the  Adviser  and the Board of  Managers do not have any
plans or proposals that relate to or would result in: (1) the acquisition by any
person of  additional  Interests  (other  than the  Fund's  intention  to accept
subscriptions  for  Interests  on the first day of each quarter and from time to
time in the  discretion of the Fund) or the  disposition  of Interests;  (2) any
material  change  in  the  present   distribution   policy  or  indebtedness  or
capitalization  of the Fund;  (3) a sale or  transfer  of a  material  amount of
assets  of the Fund  (other  than as the  Board of  Managers  determines  may be
necessary or appropriate to fund any portion of the purchase price for Interests
acquired  pursuant  to this  Offer  or in  connection  with  ordinary  portfolio
transactions of the Fund); (4) any other material change in the Fund's structure
or  business,  including  any  plans or  proposals  to make any  changes  in its
fundamental  investment policies, as amended, for which a vote would be required
by Section 13 of the 1940 Act; or (5) any changes in the LLC  Agreement or other
actions that may impede the acquisition of control of the Fund by any person.

         On  November  20,  2006,  The  Charles  Schwab  Corporation  ("Schwab")
announced an agreement to sell its subsidiary,  U.S. Trust  Corporation,  to The
Bank of America  Corporation  ("Bank of America"),  along with all of U.S. Trust
Corporation's  subsidiaries,  including  the Adviser (the  "Sale").  The Sale is
expected to be  consummated  in the third quarter of 2007, but could occur later
depending upon regulatory  approvals and satisfaction of other conditions and is
subject to continued  negotiation by Bank of America and Schwab.  As required by
the 1940 Act, the change in control of the Adviser  resulting  from the Sale, if
consummated,  will cause the automatic  termination of the Company's  investment
advisory agreement with the Adviser in accordance with its terms. The closing of
the Sale is subject to: (i) the approval of new investment  advisory  agreements
by the boards and shareholders of each of the mutual funds advised by U.S. Trust
or UST  Advisers,  Inc.;  (ii)  certain  regulatory  approvals;  and (iii) other
customary  closing  conditions.


                                      -8-



The Sale will result in Bank of America  controlling U.S. Trust  Corporation and
each of its subsidiaries, including the Adviser.

         On January 12,  2007, a new  investment  advisory  agreement  (the "New
Agreement"),  to be effective upon  consummation of the Sale with the same terms
as the  investment  advisory  agreement  in  effect  immediately  prior  to such
consummation,  was  approved  by the  Board of  Managers,  and  separately  by a
majority of the  Managers  who are not  "interested  persons," as defined by the
1940 Act, of the Fund,  subject to the approval of a  "majority"  (as defined by
the 1940 Act) of Members.  On March 15, 2007, a majority of Members approved the
New Agreement.

         Because  Interests are not traded in any market,  Sections (6), (7) and
(8) of Regulation M-A ss.229.1006(c) are not applicable to the Fund.

ITEM 7.  SOURCE AND AMOUNT OF FUNDS OR OTHER CONSIDERATION.

         (a) The Fund expects that the repurchase  price for Interests  acquired
pursuant to the Offer, which will not exceed $60 million (unless the Fund elects
to  repurchase  a  greater  amount),  will be  derived  from  one or more of the
following  sources:  (i) cash on hand; (ii) the proceeds from the sale of and/or
delivery of securities and portfolio assets held by the Fund; and (iii) possibly
borrowings,  as described in paragraph (b) below. The Fund will segregate,  with
its custodian,  cash or U.S.  government  securities or other liquid  securities
equal  to the  value of the  amount  estimated  to be paid  under  any  Notes as
described above.

         (b) Neither  the Fund nor the  Adviser  nor the Board of Managers  have
determined  at this time to borrow  funds to  repurchase  Interests  tendered in
connection with the Offer. However,  depending on the dollar amount of Interests
tendered and prevailing general economic and market conditions, the Fund, in its
sole discretion,  may decide to seek to borrow money to finance all or a portion
of the repurchase  price for Interests,  subject to compliance  with  applicable
law. If the Fund finances any portion of the repurchase price in that manner, it
will deposit assets in a special custody account with its custodian, to serve as
collateral  for any amounts so  borrowed,  and if the Fund were to fail to repay
any such amounts, the lender would be entitled to satisfy the Fund's obligations
from the collateral  deposited in the special custody account.  The Fund expects
that the repayment of any amounts  borrowed will be made from  additional  funds
contributed  to the Fund by  existing  and/or  new  Members,  withdrawal  of its
capital from the investment funds in which it has invested,  or from proceeds of
the sale of securities and portfolio assets held by the Fund.

         (d) Not applicable.

ITEM 8.  INTEREST IN SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER.

         (a) Based on February 28, 2007 estimated  values,  there are no persons
holding  interests  that may be deemed to control the Fund, may control a person
that  controls the Fund and/or may be  controlled  by a person  controlling  the
Fund.

         (b)  There  have been no  transactions  involving  Interests  that were
effected  during the past 60 days by the Fund,  the Adviser,  any Manager or any
person controlling the Fund or the Adviser.


                                      -9-



ITEM 9.  PERSONS/ASSETS RETAINED, EMPLOYED, COMPENSATED OR USED.

         No persons have been employed, retained or are to be compensated by the
Fund to make solicitations or recommendations in connection with the Offer.

ITEM 10. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

         (a) (1) Reference is made to the following financial  statements of the
Fund,  which the Fund has  prepared and  furnished  to Members  pursuant to Rule
30e-1 under the 1940 Act and filed with the Securities  and Exchange  Commission
pursuant  to Rule  30b2-1  under the 1940 Act,  and  which are  incorporated  by
reference in their entirety for the purpose of filing this Schedule TO:

     Audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005,
     previously filed on EDGAR on Form N-CSR on June 8, 2005.

     Audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006,
     previously filed on EDGAR on Form N-CSR on June 8, 2006.

             (2) The  Fund is  not required  to  and  does  not  file  quarterly
unaudited  financial  statements  under the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.  The Fund does not have shares, and consequently does not have earnings
per share information.

             (3) Not applicable.

             (4) The  Fund does  not have shares, and consequently does not have
book value per share information.

         (b) The Fund's  assets  will be  reduced by the amount of the  tendered
Interests that are repurchased by the Fund. Thus,  income relative to assets may
be affected by the Offer.  The Fund does not have shares and  consequently  does
not have earnings or book value per share information.

ITEM 11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

         (a) (1) None.

             (2) None.

             (3) Not applicable.

             (4) Not applicable.

             (5) None.

         (b) None.

ITEM 12. EXHIBITS.


                                      -10-



         Reference is hereby made to the following  exhibits which  collectively
constitute the Offer to Members and are incorporated herein by reference:

         A.  Cover Letter to the Offer and Letter of Transmittal.

         B.  The Offer.

         C.  Form of Letter of Transmittal.

         D.  Form of Notice of Withdrawal of Tender.

         E.  Forms  of  Letters  from  the  Fund to Members in  connection  with
             the Fund's acceptance of tenders of Interests.

























                                      -11-



                                    SIGNATURE

         After due inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify
that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

                                        EXCELSIOR ABSOLUTE RETURN
                                        FUND OF FUNDS MASTER FUND, LLC



                                            By:  /s/ David R. Bailin
                                                 -------------------------------
                                                 Name:  David R. Bailin
                                                 Title: President and Manager

April 12, 2007




















                                      -12-



                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

EXHIBIT

A     Cover Letter to the Offer and Letter of Transmittal.

B     The Offer.

C     Form of Letter of Transmittal.

D     Form of Notice of Withdrawal of Tender.

E     Forms  of  Letters from  the Fund to Members in connection with the Fund's
      acceptance of tenders of Interests.





























                                      -13-



                                    EXHIBIT A

               Cover Letter to the Offer and Letter of Transmittal



      [Excelsior Absolute Return Fund of Funds Master Fund, LLC Letterhead]

       IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO SELL YOUR LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY INTERESTS
                   AT THIS TIME, PLEASE DISREGARD THIS NOTICE.
               THIS IS SOLELY A NOTIFICATION OF THE FUND'S OFFER.

April 12, 2007

Dear Member:

         We are writing to inform you of important dates relating to an offer by
Excelsior  Absolute  Return  Fund of Funds  Master  Fund,  LLC (the  "Fund")  to
repurchase  limited  liability  company  interests  in the Fund  ("Interest"  or
"Interests" as the context requires) from investors (the "Offer").

         The Offer period will begin at 12:01 a.m.,  Eastern  Time, on April 12,
2007.  The purpose of the Offer is to provide  liquidity  to members of the Fund
holding Interests. Interests may be presented to the Fund for repurchase only by
tendering them during one of the Fund's announced tender offers.

         NO ACTION IS  REQUIRED  IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO SELL ANY  PORTION OF YOUR
INTEREST  AT  THIS  TIME.  IF YOU DO NOT  WISH TO SELL  YOUR  INTERESTS,  SIMPLY
DISREGARD THIS NOTICE.

         Should you wish to tender your  Interest or a portion of your  Interest
for repurchase by the Fund during this Offer period,  please complete and return
the enclosed Letter of Transmittal in the enclosed  postage-paid  envelope or by
fax (if by fax, please deliver an original,  executed copy promptly thereafter).
All tenders of  Interests  must be received by the Fund's  adviser,  U.S.  Trust
Hedge Fund Management, Inc., in good order by May 10, 2007. Please note that the
enclosed postage-paid envelope is provided for convenience, neither the Fund nor
its adviser can guarantee  that the package will be received by May 10, 2007. If
you are concerned about the timely  delivery of this Letter of Transmittal,  you
are  encouraged  to fax the Letter of  Transmittal  (by May 10,  2007)  prior to
mailing it.

         If you have any questions, please refer to the attached Offer document,
which contains additional important  information about the tender offer, or call
Peggy Lynn at (203) 352-4497.

Sincerely,

Excelsior Absolute Return Fund of Funds Master Fund, LLC






                                     A - 1



                                    EXHIBIT B

                                    The Offer


            EXCELSIOR ABSOLUTE RETURN FUND OF FUNDS MASTER FUND, LLC
                               225 High Ridge Road
                               Stamford, CT 06905

              OFFER TO REPURCHASE UP TO $60 MILLION OF OUTSTANDING
                          INTERESTS AT NET ASSET VALUE
                              DATED APRIL 12, 2007

                 THE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT
                 12:00 MIDNIGHT, EASTERN TIME, ON MAY 10, 2007,
                          UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED

Dear Member:

         Excelsior Absolute Return Fund of Funds Master Fund, LLC, a closed-end,
non-diversified,  management  investment company organized as a Delaware limited
liability company (the "Fund"),  is offering to repurchase for cash on the terms
and  conditions  set forth in this offer to repurchase and the related Letter of
Transmittal  (which  together  constitute  the  "Offer")  up to $60  million  of
interests in the Fund or portions  thereof pursuant to tenders by members of the
Fund  ("Members")  at a price equal to their net asset value,  determined  as of
June 29,  2007,  if the Offer  expires on May 10,  2007.  If the Fund  elects to
extend the tender offer period,  for the purpose of  determining  the repurchase
price for  tendered  interests,  the net asset value of such  interests  will be
determined  at the close of  business on the last  business  day of the month in
which the Offer actually expires. (As used in this Offer, the term "Interest" or
"Interests," as the context  requires,  shall refer to the interests in the Fund
and portions thereof representing beneficial interests in the Fund.) This Offer,
which is being  made to all  Members is  conditioned  on a minimum of $25,000 in
Interests being tendered by a Member tendering only a portion of an Interest for
repurchase,  and  is  subject  to  certain  other  conditions  described  below.
Interests are not traded on any  established  trading  market and are subject to
strict restrictions on transferability pursuant to the Fund's Second Amended and
Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement dated as of September 26, 2006 (the
"LLC Agreement").

         Members should realize that the value of the Interests tendered in this
Offer will likely  change  between March 30, 2007 (the last time net asset value
was calculated)  and June 29, 2007, when the value of Interests  tendered to the
Fund  for  repurchase  will  be  determined  for  purposes  of  calculating  the
repurchase price of such Interests.  Members tendering all or a portion of their
Interests  should also note that they will remain  Members,  with respect to the
Interests  tendered  and accepted  for  repurchase  by the Fund through June 29,
2007, the valuation date of the Offer when the net asset value of their Interest
is calculated. Any tendering Members that wish to obtain the estimated net asset
value of their Interests should contact U.S. Trust Hedge Fund Management,  Inc.,
at the  telephone  number or address set forth  below,  Monday  through  Friday,
except holidays, during normal business hours of 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern
Time).


                                      B-1



         Members  desiring to tender all or any portion of their  Interests  for
repurchase  in accordance  with the terms of the Offer should  complete and sign
the attached  Letter of Transmittal and mail or fax it to the Fund in the manner
set forth in Section 4 below.

                                    IMPORTANT

         Neither the Fund, nor its investment  adviser nor its Board of Managers
make any  recommendation  to any Member as to whether to tender or refrain  from
tendering  Interests.  Members must make their own  decisions  whether to tender
Interests,  and,  if they  choose to do so, the  portion of their  Interests  to
tender.

         Because each Member's  investment  decision is a personal one, based on
their own  financial  circumstances,  no person has been  authorized to make any
recommendation  on  behalf  of the  Fund as to  whether  Members  should  tender
Interests  pursuant  to the  Offer.  No person has been  authorized  to give any
information or to make any  representations  in connection  with the Offer other
than those contained  herein or in the Letter of Transmittal.  If given or made,
such recommendation and such information and representations  must not be relied
on as having been authorized by the Fund.

         This  transaction  has neither  been  approved nor  disapproved  by the
Securities and Exchange  Commission  (the "SEC").  Neither the SEC nor any state
securities  commission have passed on the fairness or merits of this transaction
or on the accuracy or adequacy of the  information  contained in this  document.
Any representation to the contrary is unlawful.

         Questions,  requests for assistance and requests for additional  copies
of the Offer may be directed to the Adviser:




                                   U.S. Trust Hedge Fund Management, Inc.
                                   225 High Ridge  Road
                                   Stamford, CT  06905
                                   Attn:  Peggy Lynn

                                   Phone:  (203) 352-4497
                                   Fax: (203) 352-4456











                                      B-2



                                TABLE OF CONTENTS


1.   Background and Purpose of the Offer......................................6
2.   Offer to Purchase and Price..............................................7
3.   Amount of Tender.........................................................7
4.   Procedure for Tenders....................................................8
5.   Withdrawal Rights........................................................9
6.   Purchases and Payment....................................................9
7.   Certain Conditions of the Offer.........................................11
8.   Certain Information About the Fund......................................11
9.   Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences.................................12
10.  Miscellaneous...........................................................13
11.  Financial Information...................................................13




























                                      B-3



                               SUMMARY TERM SHEET

          o    As stated in the offering  documents of Excelsior Absolute Return
               Fund of Funds Master Fund, LLC (hereinafter  "we" or the "Fund"),
               we will repurchase your limited  liability  company  interests in
               the Fund  ("Interest" or "Interests" as the context  requires) at
               their net asset  value  (that is, the value of the Fund's  assets
               minus its liabilities,  multiplied by the proportionate  interest
               in the Fund you desire to redeem).  This offer (the "Offer") will
               remain open until 12:00  midnight,  Eastern Time, on May 10, 2007
               (such  time  and  date  being  hereinafter  called  the  "Initial
               Expiration  Date"),  or such  later  date as  corresponds  to any
               extension of the Offer. The later of the Initial  Expiration Date
               or the  latest  time and date to which the Offer is  extended  is
               called  the  "Expiration  Date."  The  net  asset  value  will be
               calculated  for this purpose on June 29, 2007 or, if the Offer is
               extended,  on the last  business  day of the  month in which  the
               Offer actually expires (the "Valuation Date").

          o    The Fund  reserves  the right to  adjust  the  Valuation  Date to
               correspond with any extension of the Offer.  The Fund will review
               the net asset value  calculation of Interests as of June 29, 2007
               during the  Fund's  audit for its fiscal  year  ending  March 31,
               2008,  which the Fund expects will be completed by the end of May
               2008.  This June 29, 2007 net asset value,  as reviewed,  will be
               used to determine the final amount paid for tendered Interests.

          o    You may tender your entire  Interest,  a portion of your Interest
               defined  as a  specific  dollar  value  or the  portion  of  your
               Interest above the minimum required  capital account balance.  If
               you tender your entire  Interest (or a portion of your  Interest)
               and we accept that  Interest for  repurchase,  we will give you a
               non-interest  bearing,   non-transferable  promissory  note  (the
               "Note")  that will be held for you in a special  custody  account
               with PFPC  Trust  Company  ("PFPC")  and will  entitle  you to an
               amount  equal to the net  asset  value of the  Interest  tendered
               (valued in accordance with the Fund's Second Amended and Restated
               Liability  Company  Agreement  dated September 26, 2006 (the "LLC
               Agreement")),  determined as of June 29, 2007 (or if the Offer is
               extended, the net asset value determined on the Valuation Date).

          o    If you tender your entire Interest,  the Note will entitle you to
               an initial payment in cash and/or marketable  securities  (valued
               in accordance  with the LLC  Agreement)  equal to at least 95% of
               the  unaudited  net asset  value of the  Interest  (the  "Initial
               Payment")  which will be paid to your account with United  States
               Trust  Company,   National   Association  or  an  affiliate  bank
               (collectively,  "U.S.  Trust")  or mailed to the Member if you do
               not have a U.S. Trust account,  within 30 calendar days after the
               Valuation  Date or, if we have  requested  withdrawals of capital
               from any  investment  funds in order to finance the repurchase of
               Interests,  ten business days after we have received at least 95%
               of the total amount withdrawn from such investment funds.


                                      B-4



          o    The Note will  also  entitle  you to a  contingent  payment  (the
               "Contingent Payment") equal to the excess, if any, of (a) the net
               asset value of the Interest tendered as of the Valuation Date (as
               it may be adjusted based upon the next annual audit of the Fund's
               financial statements) over (b) the Initial Payment. The Fund will
               deposit  the  aggregate  amount of the  Contingent  Payments in a
               separate,  interest  bearing  account  and will pay any  interest
               actually  earned thereon PRO RATA to the Members whose  Interests
               have been repurchased.  The Contingent Payment (plus any interest
               earned)  will  be  paid  within  ten  calendar   days  after  the
               completion  of the  Fund's  next  annual  audit.  The  Contingent
               Payment will also be paid to your U.S. Trust account or mailed to
               the Member if you do not have a U.S. Trust account.

          o    If you  tender  only a portion  of your  Interest,  the Note will
               entitle  you to a payment in cash  and/or  marketable  securities
               (valued in accordance  with the LLC  Agreement)  equal to 100% of
               the  unaudited net asset value of the portion of the Interest and
               will be paid to your  account  with  U.S.  Trust or mailed to the
               Member  if you  do not  have a  U.S.  Trust  account,  within  30
               calendar days after the Valuation  Date or, if we have  requested
               withdrawals of capital from any investment funds in order to fund
               the  repurchase of  Interests,  within ten business days after we
               have  received at least 95% of the total  amount  withdrawn  from
               such investment funds.

          o    If you tender only a portion of your  Interest,  you are required
               to tender a minimum  of $25,000  and you must  maintain a capital
               account  balance of  $100,000  or more.  We reserve  the right to
               repurchase  less than the  amount  you  tender if the  repurchase
               would cause your  capital  account to have less than the required
               minimum balance or if the total amount tendered by members of the
               Fund ("Members") is more than $60 million.

          o    If we accept the tender of your  entire  Interest or a portion of
               your  Interest,  we will  pay the  proceeds  from:  cash on hand;
               withdrawals of capital from the investment funds in which we have
               invested;  the proceeds from the sale of securities and portfolio
               assets  held by the  Fund;  and/or  borrowings  (which  we do not
               currently intend to do).

          o    Following  this  summary  is a  formal  notice  of our  offer  to
               repurchase  your  Interest.  This Offer remains open to you until
               12:00  midnight,  Eastern  Time,  on May 10,  2007,  the expected
               expiration date of the Offer. Until that time, you have the right
               to change your mind and withdraw any tender of your Interest. You
               will also have the right to withdraw the tender of your  Interest
               at any  time  after  June 8,  2007,  40  business  days  from the
               commencement  of the Offer,  assuming  your  Interest has not yet
               been accepted for repurchase by the Fund on or before that date.

          o    If you would like us to repurchase  your Interest or a portion of
               your  Interest,  you should  (i) mail the  Letter of  Transmittal
               (enclosed with the Offer), to our investment adviser,  U.S. Trust
               Hedge Fund Management, Inc. (the "Adviser"),


                                      B-5



               225 High Ridge Road, Stamford, CT 06905, attention Peggy Lynn, or
               (ii)  fax it to the  Adviser  at  (203)  352-4456,  so that it is
               received before 12:00 midnight, Eastern Time, on May 10, 2007. If
               you choose to fax the Letter of Transmittal,  you should mail the
               original Letter of Transmittal to the Adviser  promptly after you
               fax it (although the original does not have to be received before
               12:00 midnight,  Eastern Time, on May 10, 2007).  Of course,  the
               value of your  Interests  will change between March 30, 2007 (the
               last time net asset value was calculated) and June 29, 2007, when
               the value of your  Interest  will be  determined  for purposes of
               calculating  the  repurchase  price  to be  paid  by us for  your
               Interest.

          o    If you would like to obtain the estimated net asset value of your
               Interest,  which we calculate monthly, based upon the information
               we receive from the managers of the investment  funds in which we
               invest,  you may contact the Adviser at (203)  352-4497 or at the
               address  set  forth  on page 2,  Monday  through  Friday,  except
               holidays,  during normal business hours of 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
               (Eastern Time).

          o    Please  note  that,  just as you have the right to  withdraw  the
               tender of your  Interest,  we have the right to cancel,  amend or
               postpone  this Offer at any time before 12:00  midnight,  Eastern
               Time,  on May 10,  2007.  Also  realize  that  although the Offer
               expires on May 10, 2007, you will remain a Member with respect to
               the Interest (or portion of the  Interest)  you tendered  that is
               accepted for  repurchase by the Fund through June 29, 2007,  when
               the net asset value of your Interest is calculated.

         1. BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE OFFER.  The purpose of the Offer is to
provide  liquidity to Members that hold  Interests,  as  contemplated  by and in
accordance  with the procedures  set forth in the Fund's LLC Agreement.  The LLC
Agreement,  which was  provided  to each  Member in advance of  subscribing  for
Interests, provide that the board of managers of the Fund (each a "Manager," and
collectively,  the "Board of Managers") has the discretion to determine  whether
the Fund will  repurchase  Interests  from Members from time to time pursuant to
written  tenders.  The Adviser  expects  that it will  recommend to the Board of
Managers  that the Fund offer to  repurchase  Interests  from Members twice each
year, effective as of the last business day of June and December,  in accordance
with the offering  materials of such  Members.  The Fund  previously  offered to
repurchase  Interests from Members  pursuant to written tenders  effective as of
December 31, 2004, June 30, 2005,  December 30, 2005, June 30, 2006 and December
29,  2006.  Because  there is no  secondary  trading  market for  Interests  and
transfers of Interests are  prohibited  without prior  approval of the Fund, the
Board of Managers has determined,  after consideration of various matters,  that
the Offer is in the best interests of Members in order to provide  liquidity for
Interests as contemplated in the LLC Agreement.  Such matters  include,  but are
not limited to, the  following:  whether any Members have  requested the Fund to
repurchase  their  Interests or portions  thereof;  the  liquidity of the Fund's
assets;  the investment plans and working capital  requirements of the Fund; the
relative economies of scale with respect to the size of the Fund; the history of
the Fund in  repurchasing  Interests;  the economic  condition of the securities
markets;  and the  anticipated tax  consequences of any proposed  repurchases of
Interests or portions thereof.


                                      B-6



         The Board of Managers intends to consider the continued desirability of
the Fund  making  an  offer to  repurchase  Interests  from  time to time in the
future, but the Fund is not required to make any such offer.

         The repurchase of Interests  pursuant to the Offer will have the effect
of  increasing  the  proportionate  interest in the Fund of Members  that do not
tender  Interests.  Members  that  retain  their  Interests  may be  subject  to
increased risks due to the reduction in the Fund's  aggregate  assets  resulting
from payment for the Interests  tendered.  These risks include the potential for
greater volatility due to decreased diversification.  However, the Fund believes
that this result is unlikely given the nature of the Fund's investment  program.
A reduction  in the  aggregate  assets of the Fund may result in Members that do
not tender  Interests  bearing higher costs to the extent that certain  expenses
borne by the Fund are relatively  fixed and may not decrease if assets  decline.
These  effects may be reduced to the extent that  additional  subscriptions  for
Interests  are made by new and existing  Members  subsequent to the date of this
Offer and thereafter from time to time.

         Interests  that are tendered to the Fund in connection  with this Offer
will be retired,  although the Fund may issue new Interests from time to time in
transactions not involving any public offering conducted pursuant to Rule 506 of
Regulation D under the  Securities  Act of 1933, as amended.  The Fund currently
expects that it will  continue to accept  subscriptions  for Interests as of the
first day of each calendar quarter, but is under no obligation to do so.

         2.  OFFER TO  REPURCHASE  AND PRICE.  The Fund  will,  on the terms and
subject to the  conditions  of the Offer,  repurchase up to $60 million of those
outstanding  Interests  that are properly  tendered by Members and not withdrawn
(in  accordance  with Section 5 below) prior to the  Expiration  Date.  The Fund
reserves the right to extend, amend or cancel the Offer as described in Sections
3 and 7 below.  The  repurchase  price of an Interest  tendered  will be its net
asset  value on June 29,  2007 or, if the Offer is  extended,  on the  Valuation
Date,  payable as set forth in Section 6. The Fund  reserves the right to adjust
the Valuation Date to correspond with any extension of the Offer.

         As  of  the  close  of  business  on  February  28,  2007,   there  was
approximately  $261,406,971 outstanding in capital of the Fund held in Interests
(based on the unaudited  net asset value of the Fund on that date).  Members may
obtain monthly estimated net asset value information,  which the Fund calculates
based on the  information it receives from the managers of the investment  funds
in which the Fund invests,  until the expiration of the Offer, by contacting the
Adviser at the telephone  number or address set forth on page 2, Monday  through
Friday, except holidays,  during normal business hours of 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
(Eastern Time).

         3.  AMOUNT OF  TENDER.  Subject  to the  limitations  set forth  below,
Members may tender their entire Interest, a portion of their Interest defined as
a specific  dollar  value or the portion of their  Interest  above the  required
minimum capital account  balance,  as described below. A Member that tenders for
repurchase  only a  portion  of such  Member's  Interest  shall be  required  to
maintain a capital  account  balance of $100,000 or more. If a Member tenders an
amount that would cause the Member's  capital  account balance to fall below the
required  minimum,  the Fund  reserves  the  right to  reduce  the  amount to be
repurchased from such Member


                                      B-7



so that the required  minimum balance is maintained.  The Offer,  which is being
made to all Members,  is conditioned on a minimum amount of $25,000 in Interests
being  tendered  by the Member if the Member is  tendering  only a portion of an
Interest for repurchase.

         If the amount of Interests that are properly  tendered  pursuant to the
Offer and not withdrawn pursuant to Section 5 below is less than or equal to $60
million (or such greater amount as the Fund may elect to repurchase  pursuant to
the Offer),  the Fund will,  on the terms and subject to the  conditions  of the
Offer,  repurchase  all of the  Interests so tendered  unless the Fund elects to
cancel or amend the Offer,  or postpone  acceptance  of tenders made pursuant to
the Offer, as provided in Section 7 below. If more than $60 million of Interests
are duly  tendered to the Fund prior to the  Expiration  Date and not  withdrawn
pursuant to Section 5 below,  the Fund will in its sole  discretion:  (a) accept
additional  Interests  in  accordance  with  Rule   13e-4(f)(1)(ii)   under  the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; (b) extend the Offer, if necessary,
and increase the amount of Interests  that the Fund is offering to repurchase to
an amount it believes sufficient to accommodate the excess Interests tendered as
well  as any  Interests  tendered  during  the  extended  Offer;  or (c)  accept
Interests  tendered on or before the  Expiration  Date for payment on a PRO RATA
basis based on the  aggregate net asset value of tendered  Interests.  The Offer
may be extended, amended or canceled in various other circumstances described in
Section 7 below.

         4. PROCEDURE FOR TENDERS.  Members wishing to tender Interests pursuant
to the  Offer  should  either:  (a) mail a  completed  and  executed  Letter  of
Transmittal  to the Adviser,  to the attention of Peggy Lynn, at the address set
forth on page 2; or (b) fax a completed and executed  Letter of  Transmittal  to
the Adviser, also to the attention of Peggy Lynn, at the fax number set forth on
page 2. The completed and executed Letter of Transmittal must be received by the
Adviser, either by mail or by fax, no later than the Expiration Date.

         The Fund  recommends that all documents be submitted to the Adviser via
certified mail, return receipt requested, or by facsimile transmission. A Member
choosing to fax a Letter of Transmittal to the Adviser must also send or deliver
the  original  completed  and  executed  Letter of  Transmittal  to the  Adviser
promptly  thereafter.  Members  wishing  to  confirm  receipt  of  a  Letter  of
Transmittal may contact the Adviser at the address or telephone number set forth
on page 2. The  method of  delivery  of any  documents  is at the  election  and
complete risk of the Member tendering an Interest including, but not limited to,
the  failure  of the  Adviser  to receive  any  Letter of  Transmittal  or other
document submitted by facsimile transmission.  All questions as to the validity,
form,  eligibility (including time of receipt) and acceptance of tenders will be
determined by the Fund, in its sole discretion,  and such determination shall be
final and binding.  The Fund  reserves  the absolute  right to reject any or all
tenders  determined by it not to be in appropriate  form or the acceptance of or
payment for which  would,  in the opinion of counsel for the Fund,  be unlawful.
The Fund also reserves the absolute  right to waive any of the conditions of the
Offer or any defect in any tender with respect to any particular Interest or any
particular Member, and the Fund's  interpretation of the terms and conditions of
the  Offer  will  be  final  and  binding.   Unless   waived,   any  defects  or
irregularities  in connection with tenders must be cured within such time as the
Fund  shall  determine.  Tenders  will not be deemed to have been made until the
defects or  irregularities  have been cured or waived.  Neither the Fund nor the
Adviser  nor the Board of  Managers  shall be  obligated  to give  notice of any
defects or irregularities in tenders,  nor shall any of them incur any liability
for failure to give such notice.


                                      B-8



         5. WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS. Any Member tendering an Interest pursuant to this
Offer may  withdraw  its tender at any time prior to or on the  Expiration  Date
and, if such Member's  Interest has not yet been accepted for  repurchase by the
Fund, at any time after June 8, 2007, 40 business days from the  commencement of
the Offer. To be effective,  any notice of withdrawal of a tender must be timely
received by the Adviser at the address or fax number set forth on page 2. A form
to give notice of  withdrawal of a tender is available by calling the Adviser at
the  telephone  number  indicated  on page 2. All  questions  as to the form and
validity (including time of receipt) of notices of withdrawal of the tender will
be determined by the Fund, in its sole discretion,  and such determination shall
be final  and  binding.  A tender  of  Interests  properly  withdrawn  shall not
thereafter  be  deemed  to be  tendered  for  purposes  of the  Offer.  However,
withdrawn  Interests  may be  tendered  again  prior to the  Expiration  Date by
following the procedures described in Section 4.

         6. REPURCHASES AND PAYMENT. For purposes of the Offer, the Fund will be
deemed to have accepted (and thereby  repurchased)  Interests  that are tendered
as, if and when, it gives written notice to the tendering Member of its election
to repurchase such Interest.  As stated in Section 2 above, the repurchase price
of an  Interest  tendered  by any  Member  will be the net asset  value  thereof
determined as of June 29, 2007,  if the Offer expires on the Initial  Expiration
Date,  and  otherwise the net asset value thereof as of the last business day of
the month in which the Offer  expires.  The net asset  value will be  determined
after all  allocations to capital  accounts of the Member required to be made by
the LLC Agreement have been made.

         Members may tender their entire  Interest,  a portion of their Interest
defined as a specific  dollar value or the portion of their  Interest  above the
required  minimum capital account  balance.  Each Member that tenders its entire
Interest or a portion  thereof that is accepted for  repurchase  will be given a
Note within ten calendar  days of the  acceptance  of the Member's  Interest for
repurchase.  The Note will be held for the Member in a special  custody  account
with PFPC.  The Note will  entitle the Member to be paid an amount  equal to the
value,  determined as of the Valuation  Date, of the Interest or portion thereof
being  repurchased  (subject to  adjustment  upon  completion of the next annual
audit of the Fund's financial statements).  This amount will be the value of the
Member's capital account (or the portion thereof being  repurchased)  determined
as of the Valuation  Date and will be based on the net asset value of the Fund's
assets  determined as of that date, after giving effect to all allocations to be
made as of that date.

         If a Member  tenders  its entire  Interest,  the Note will  entitle the
Member to receive  an  Initial  Payment  in cash  and/or  marketable  securities
(valued  in  accordance  with the LLC  Agreement)  equal to at least  95% of the
unaudited net asset value of the Interest  tendered and accepted for  repurchase
by the Fund, determined as of the Valuation Date. Payment of this amount will be
made  within  30  calendar  days  after the  Valuation  Date or, if the Fund has
requested  withdrawals  of its  capital  from any  investment  funds in order to
finance the repurchase of Interests, within ten business days after the Fund has
received at least 95% of the  aggregate  amount  withdrawn by the Fund from such
investment  funds.  The Note will also  entitle a Member to receive a Contingent
Payment equal to the excess,  if any, of (a) the net asset value of the Interest
tendered  by the  Member  and  accepted  by the  Fund for  repurchase  as of the
Valuation  Date,  as it may be adjusted  based on the next  annual  audit of the
Fund's March 31, 2008, financial  statements,  over (b) the Initial Payment. The
Fund will deposit the aggregate amount of the Contingent Payments in a separate,
interest  bearing account and will pay any interest


                                      B-9



actually  earned  thereon  PRO RATA to the  Members  whose  Interests  have been
repurchased.  The Contingent  Payment (plus any interest earned) will be payable
within ten calendar  days after the  completion of the Fund's next annual audit.
It is anticipated that the annual audit of the Fund's financial  statements will
be  completed  within 60 days after March 31,  2008,  the fiscal year end of the
Fund.

         A Member that tenders for  repurchase  only a portion of such  Member's
Interest  will  receive a Note that will entitle the Member to a payment in cash
and/or marketable securities (valued in accordance with the LLC Agreement) equal
to 100% of the net asset  value of the portion of the  Interest  tendered by the
Member that is accepted for repurchase by the Fund. Payment pursuant to the Note
will be made within 30 calendar  days after the  Valuation  Date or, if the Fund
has requested  withdrawals of its capital from any investment  funds in order to
finance the repurchase of Interests, within ten business days after the Fund has
received at least 95% of the  aggregate  amount  withdrawn by the Fund from such
investment funds.

         Although  the Fund has  retained  the option to pay all or a portion of
the repurchase price for Interests by distributing  marketable  securities,  the
repurchase price will be paid entirely in cash except in the unlikely event that
the  Board  of  Managers  determines  that the  distribution  of  securities  is
necessary to avoid or mitigate any adverse  effect of the Offer on the remaining
Members.  In such event, the Fund would make such payment on a pro rata basis so
that each Member would receive the same type of consideration.

         The Note pursuant to which Members will receive the Initial Payment and
Contingent Payment (together,  the "Payments") will be held in a special custody
account  with PFPC for the benefit of Members  tendering  Interests in the Fund.
All payments  due  pursuant to the Note will also be  deposited  directly to the
tendering  Member's account at U.S. Trust if the Member has an account with U.S.
Trust and will be subject upon  withdrawal  from such  accounts to any fees that
U.S.  Trust  would  customarily  assess  upon the  withdrawal  of cash from such
account.  Those  Members that do not have a U.S.  Trust account will receive any
payments due under the Note by mail.

         It is expected that cash payments for  Interests  acquired  pursuant to
the  Offer,  which  will not  exceed  $60  million  (unless  the Fund  elects to
repurchase  a greater  amount),  will be  derived  from:  (a) cash on hand;  (b)
withdrawal of capital from the investment  funds in which the Fund invests;  (c)
the proceeds from the sale of securities and portfolio  assets held by the Fund;
and/or (d) possibly borrowings, as described below. The Fund will segregate with
its custodian  cash or U.S.  government  securities  or other liquid  securities
equal to the  value of the  amount  estimated  to be paid  under the  Notes,  as
described above. Neither the Fund nor the Board of Managers nor the Adviser have
determined  at this time to borrow  funds to  repurchase  Interests  tendered in
connection with the Offer. However,  depending on the dollar amount of Interests
tendered and prevailing general economic and market conditions, the Fund, in its
sole  discretion,  may decide to finance  any portion of the  repurchase  price,
subject to compliance  with  applicable  law,  through  borrowings.  If the Fund
finances any portion of the  repurchase  price in that  manner,  it will deposit
assets  in a special  custody  account  with its  custodian,  PFPC,  to serve as
collateral  for any amounts so  borrowed,  and if the Fund were to fail to repay
any such amounts, the lender would be entitled to satisfy the Fund's obligations
from the collateral  deposited in the special custody account.  The Fund expects
that the repayment of any amounts


                                      B-10



borrowed will be made from additional funds  contributed to the Fund by existing
and/or new Members,  withdrawal of capital from the investment funds in which it
has invested or from the proceeds of the sale of securities and portfolio assets
held by the Fund.

         7. CERTAIN CONDITIONS OF THE OFFER. The Fund reserves the right, at any
time and from time to time,  to extend the period of time during which the Offer
is pending by notifying Members of such extension. In the event that the Fund so
elects  to  extend  the  tender  period,  for the  purpose  of  determining  the
repurchase price for tendered  Interests,  the net asset value of such Interests
will be  determined  as of the close of business on the last business day of the
month in which the Offer  expires.  During  any such  extension,  all  Interests
previously tendered and not withdrawn will remain subject to the Offer. The Fund
also reserves the right,  at any time and from time to time, up to and including
acceptance  of tenders  pursuant  to the Offer,  to: (a) cancel the Offer in the
circumstances  set  forth in the  following  paragraph  and in the event of such
cancellation not to repurchase or pay for any Interests tendered pursuant to the
Offer;  (b) amend the Offer;  and (c) postpone the  acceptance  of Interests for
repurchase.  If the Fund  determines  to amend  the  Offer  or to  postpone  the
acceptance of Interests tendered,  it will, to the extent necessary,  extend the
period  of time  during  which  the  Offer is open as  provided  above  and will
promptly notify Members.

         The Fund may  cancel  the  Offer,  amend  the  Offer  or  postpone  the
acceptance  of tenders made  pursuant to the Offer if: (a) the Fund would not be
able  to  liquidate  portfolio  securities  in a  manner  that  is  orderly  and
consistent  with  the  Fund's  investment  objective  and  policies  in order to
repurchase  Interests  tendered  pursuant  to the  Offer;  (b)  there is, in the
judgment of the Board of Managers, any (i) legal action or proceeding instituted
or threatened  challenging the Offer or otherwise materially adversely affecting
the  Fund,  (ii)  declaration  of a  banking  moratorium  by  federal  or  state
authorities  or any  suspension  of payment by banks in the United States or the
State of Connecticut that is material to the Fund,  (iii) limitation  imposed by
federal or state authorities on the extension of credit by lending institutions,
(iv) suspension of trading on any organized exchange or over-the-counter  market
where the Fund has a material  investment,  (v) commencement of war, significant
change in armed hostilities or other international or national calamity directly
or indirectly  involving the United States since the  commencement  of the Offer
that is material to the Fund,  (vi) material  decrease in the net asset value of
the Fund from the net asset value of the Fund as of  commencement  of the Offer,
or (vii) other event or condition  that would have a material  adverse effect on
the Fund or its  Members  if  Interests  tendered  pursuant  to the  Offer  were
repurchased;  or (c) the Board of Managers determines that it is not in the best
interest of the Fund to  repurchase  Interests  pursuant to the Offer.  However,
there can be no assurance that the Fund will exercise its right to extend, amend
or cancel the Offer or to postpone acceptance of tenders pursuant to the Offer.

         8. CERTAIN INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND. The Fund is registered under the
Investment  Company Act of 1940,  as amended (the "1940 Act"),  as a closed-end,
non-diversified,  management  investment  company. It is organized as a Delaware
limited  liability  company.  The principal office of the Fund is located at 225
High Ridge Road, Stamford,  CT 06905 and the telephone number is (203) 352-4497.
Interests are not traded on any  established  trading  market and are subject to
strict restrictions on transferability pursuant to the LLC Agreement.


                                      B-11



         The Fund,  the  Adviser and the Board of Managers do not have any plans
or  proposals  that  relate to or would  result in: (a) the  acquisition  by any
person of  additional  Interests  (other  than the  Fund's  intention  to accept
subscriptions  for  Interests  on the first day of each quarter and from time to
time in the  discretion of the Fund) or the  disposition  of Interests;  (b) any
material  change  in  the  present   distribution   policy  or  indebtedness  or
capitalization  of the Fund;  (c) a sale or  transfer  of a  material  amount of
assets  of the Fund  (other  than as the  Board of  Managers  determines  may be
necessary or appropriate to fund any portion of the purchase price for Interests
acquired  pursuant  to this  Offer  or in  connection  with  ordinary  portfolio
transactions of the Fund); (d) any other material change in the Fund's structure
or  business,  including  any  plans or  proposals  to make any  changes  in its
fundamental  investment policies, as amended, for which a vote would be required
by Section 13 of the 1940 Act; or (e) any changes in the LLC  Agreement or other
actions that may impede the acquisition of control of the Fund by any person.

         On  November  20,  2006,  The  Charles  Schwab  Corporation  ("Schwab")
announced an agreement to sell its subsidiary,  U.S. Trust  Corporation,  to The
Bank of America  Corporation  ("Bank of America"),  along with all of U.S. Trust
Corporation's  subsidiaries,  including  the Adviser (the  "Sale").  The Sale is
expected to be  consummated  in the third quarter of 2007, but could occur later
depending upon regulatory  approvals and satisfaction of other conditions and is
subject to continued  negotiation by Bank of America and Schwab.  As required by
the 1940 Act, the change in control of the Adviser  resulting  from the Sale, if
consummated,  will cause the automatic  termination of the Company's  investment
advisory agreement with the Adviser in accordance with its terms. The closing of
the Sale is subject to: (i) the approval of new investment  advisory  agreements
by the boards and shareholders of each of the mutual funds advised by U.S. Trust
or UST  Advisers,  Inc.;  (ii)  certain  regulatory  approvals;  and (iii) other
customary  closing  conditions.   The  Sale  will  result  in  Bank  of  America
controlling U.S. Trust Corporation and each of its  subsidiaries,  including the
Adviser.

         On January 12,  2007, a new  investment  advisory  agreement  (the "New
Agreement"),  to be effective upon  consummation of the Sale with the same terms
as the  investment  advisory  agreement  in  effect  immediately  prior  to such
consummation,  was  approved  by the  Board of  Managers,  and  separately  by a
majority of the  Managers  who are not  "interested  persons," as defined by the
1940 Act, of the Fund,  subject to the approval of a  "majority"  (as defined by
the 1940 Act) of Members.  On March 15, 2007, a majority of Members approved the
New Agreement.

         There  have been no  transactions  involving  the  Interests  that were
effected during the past 60 days by the Fund, the Adviser,  any Manager,  or any
person controlling the Fund or the Adviser.

         Based on  February  28,  2007  estimated  values,  there are no persons
holding  interests  that may be deemed to control the Fund, may control a person
that  controls the Fund and/or may be  controlled  by a person  controlling  the
Fund.

         9. CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES. The following discussion is
a general  summary of the federal income tax  consequences  of the repurchase of
Interests by the Fund from Members pursuant to the Offer. Members should consult
their own tax advisors


                                      B-12



for a complete  description of the tax  consequences  to them of a repurchase of
their Interests by the Fund pursuant to the Offer.

         In general,  a Member from which an Interest is repurchased by the Fund
will be treated as  receiving a  distribution  from the Fund and will  generally
reduce (but not below zero) its adjusted tax basis in its Interest by the amount
of cash and the fair market value of property  distributed to such Member.  Such
Member  generally  will  not  recognize  income  or  gain  as a  result  of  the
repurchase,  except  to the  extent  (if any) that the  amount of  consideration
received by the Member  exceeds such  Member's  then  adjusted tax basis in such
Member's  Interest.  A Member's basis in such Member's  Interest will be reduced
(but not below zero) by the amount of consideration  received by the Member from
the Fund in connection with the repurchase of such Interest. A Member's basis in
such Member's Interest will be adjusted for income,  gain or loss allocated (for
tax  purposes)  to such  Member  for  periods  prior to the  repurchase  of such
Interest.  Cash  distributed  to a Member in excess of the adjusted tax basis of
such Member's Interest is taxable as capital gain or ordinary income,  depending
on the circumstances.  A Member that has its entire Interest  repurchased by the
Fund for cash may  generally  recognize a loss,  but only to the extent that the
amount of  consideration  received  from the Fund is less than the Member's then
adjusted tax basis in such Member's Interest.

         10. MISCELLANEOUS.  The Offer is not being made to, nor will tenders be
accepted from,  Members in any jurisdiction in which the Offer or its acceptance
would not comply with the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdiction.  The
Fund is not aware of any  jurisdiction  in which the Offer or  tenders  pursuant
thereto would not be in compliance with the laws of such jurisdiction.  However,
the  Fund  reserves  the  right  to  exclude  Members  from  the  Offer  in  any
jurisdiction in which it is asserted that the Offer cannot lawfully be made. The
Fund  believes  such  exclusion  is  permissible   under   applicable  laws  and
regulations,  provided  the Fund  makes a good faith  effort to comply  with any
state law deemed applicable to the Offer.

         The Fund has filed an Issuer Tender Offer Statement on Schedule TO with
the  Securities and Exchange  Commission,  which  includes  certain  information
relating to the Offer  summarized  herein.  A free copy of such statement may be
obtained  from the Fund by  contacting  the Adviser at the address and telephone
number  set forth on page 2 or from the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission's
internet web site,  http://www.sec.gov.  For a fee, a copy may be obtained  from
the public reference office of the Securities and Exchange  Commission at 100 F.
Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20549.

         11. FINANCIAL INFORMATION. Reference is made to the following financial
statements of the Fund which are incorporated herein by reference.

         Audited financial  statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005,
         previously filed on EDGAR on Form N-CSR on June 8, 2005.

         Audited financial  statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006,
         previously filed on EDGAR on Form N-CSR on June 8, 2006.





                                      B-13



                                    EXHIBIT C

                              LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

                                    Regarding
                                    Interests
                                       in

            EXCELSIOR ABSOLUTE RETURN FUND OF FUNDS MASTER FUND, LLC

                         Tendered Pursuant to the Offer
                              Dated April 12, 2007


            --------------------------------------------------------

                   THE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE
                   AT, AND THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL MUST BE
             RECEIVED BY THE FUND BY, 12:00 MIDNIGHT, EASTERN TIME,
                 ON MAY 10, 2007, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED.

            --------------------------------------------------------


        COMPLETE THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND RETURN BY MAIL OR FAX TO:
                     U.S. Trust Hedge Fund Management, Inc.
                               225 High Ridge Road
                               Stamford, CT 06905

                                Attn: Peggy Lynn


                           For additional information:

                              Phone: (203) 352-4497

                              Fax:   (203) 352-4456











                                      C-1



EXCELSIOR ABSOLUTE RETURN FUND OF FUNDS MASTER FUND, LLC - LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL


Ladies and Gentlemen:

         The  undersigned  hereby tenders to Excelsior  Absolute  Return Fund of
Funds Master Fund,  LLC, a closed-end,  non-diversified,  management  investment
company  organized  under the laws of the State of Delaware  (the  "Fund"),  the
limited  liability  company interest in the Fund  (hereinafter the "Interest" or
"Interests" as the context requires) or portion thereof held by the undersigned,
described  and specified  below,  on the terms and  conditions  set forth in the
offer  to  repurchase,  dated  April  12,  2007,  receipt  of  which  is  hereby
acknowledged,  and in this Letter of Transmittal (which together  constitute the
"Offer"). THE TENDER AND THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL ARE SUBJECT TO ALL THE TERMS
AND  CONDITIONS  SET FORTH IN THE  OFFER,  INCLUDING,  BUT NOT  LIMITED  TO, THE
ABSOLUTE RIGHT OF THE FUND TO REJECT ANY AND ALL TENDERS  DETERMINED BY FUND, IN
ITS SOLE DISCRETION, NOT TO BE IN THE APPROPRIATE FORM.

         The  undersigned  hereby  sells  to the Fund the  Interest  or  portion
thereof tendered hereby pursuant to the Offer.  The undersigned  hereby warrants
that the  undersigned has full authority to sell the Interest or portion thereof
tendered  hereby and that the Fund will  acquire  good title  thereto,  free and
clear of all liens, charges, encumbrances, conditional sales agreements or other
obligations  relating to the sale thereof, and not subject to any adverse claim,
when and to the  extent  the same  are  repurchased  by it.  Upon  request,  the
undersigned  will  execute and deliver any  additional  documents  necessary  to
complete the sale in accordance with the terms of the Offer.

         The undersigned  recognizes that under certain  circumstances set forth
in the Offer, the Fund may not be required to repurchase any of the Interests in
the Fund or portions thereof tendered hereby.

         A promissory  note for the  repurchase  price will be deposited  into a
special custody account with PFPC Trust Company ("PFPC"). The initial payment of
the  repurchase  price for the  Interest  or  portion  thereof  tendered  by the
undersigned will be made by transfer of the funds to the  undersigned's  account
at United  States Trust  Company,  National  Association  or an  affiliate  bank
(collectively,  "U.S.  Trust"),  or  mailed  to the  address  of  record  of the
undersigned if the undersigned does not have a U.S. Trust account,  as described
in Section 6 of the Offer. The undersigned  hereby  represents and warrants that
the undersigned  understands  that upon a withdrawal of such cash payment from a
U.S. Trust account, U.S. Trust may subject such withdrawal to any fees that U.S.
Trust would customarily assess upon the withdrawal of cash from such account.

         The  promissory  note will also  reflect the  contingent  payment  (the
"Contingent  Payment")  portion of the repurchase price, if any, as described in
Section 6 of the Offer. Any Contingent  Payment of cash due pursuant to the Note
will also be deposited directly to the undersigned's account with U.S. Trust, or
will be mailed to the undersigned if the undersigned  does not have a U.S. Trust
account. Upon a withdrawal of such cash from such account, U.S. Trust may impose
such fees as it would  customarily  assess upon the withdrawal of cash from such
account. The undersigned  recognizes that the amount of the repurchase price for
Interests will be based on the unaudited net asset value of the Fund, determined
as of June 29,  2007,  subject  to an  extension  of the Offer as  described  in
Section 7. The Contingent  Payment portion of the repurchase price, if any, will
be determined  upon completion of the audit of the Fund's  financial  statements
which is  anticipated  to be  completed  not later than 60 days after  March 31,
2008,  the Fund's  fiscal year end,  and will be paid within ten  calendar  days
thereafter.

         All authority  herein conferred or agreed to be conferred shall survive
the death or incapacity of the undersigned and the obligation of the undersigned
hereunder shall be binding on the heirs,  personal  representatives,  successors
and assigns of the undersigned. Except as stated in Section 5 of the Offer, this
tender is irrevocable.


                                      C-2



EXCELSIOR ABSOLUTE RETURN FUND OF FUNDS MASTER FUND, LLC - LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL


PLEASE FAX OR MAIL IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE PAID ENVELOPE TO:
U.S. TRUST HEDGE FUND MANAGEMENT, INC., 225 HIGH RIDGE RD., STAMFORD, CT 06905
ATTN: PEGGY LYNN. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: PHONE: (203) 352-4497 FAX: (203)
352-4456

PART 1. NAME AND ADDRESS:

        Name of Member:
                                  ----------------------------------------------

        U.S. Trust Account Number ----------------------------------------------
        (where applicable)

        Social Security No.
        or Taxpayer
        Identification No.:
                                        -----------------------------

        Telephone Number:               (      )
                                        -----------------------------

PART 2. AMOUNT OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY INTEREST IN THE FUND BEING TENDERED:

  [ ]   I would  like to tender my entire limited  liability company interest in
        the Fund.

  [ ]   I  would  like to  tender $_________ of  my  limited  liability  company
        interest in the Fund. (Please note, the minimum  tender is $25,000 and a
        minimum  interest with a value of $100,000,  or  more must be maintained
        in the Fund (the "Required Minimum Balance").)*

  [ ]   I  would  like to  leave $__________ of  my  limited  liability  company
        interest  in the Fund, and tender any remaining  balance.  (Please note,
        the minimum  tender is $25,000 and the Required Minimum Balance, or more
        must be maintained in the Fund).*

        *The  undersigned understands and agrees that if the undersigned tenders
        an amount that would cause the  undersigned's capital account balance to
        fall below the Required  Minimum Balance, the Fund may reduce the amount
        to  be repurchased  from the  undersigned so  that the  Required Minimum
        Balance is maintained.

PART 3. PAYMENT.

        CASH PAYMENT

        Cash  payments will  be deposited to the  undersigned's  account at U.S.
        Trust,  or mailed  to the  address  of record for the  undersigned.  The
        undersigned   hereby  represents  and  warrants  that  the  undersigned
        understands  that,  for  cash  payments  deposited to the  undersigned's
        account, upon a withdrawal of  such cash payment from such account, U.S.
        Trust may  impose  such fees  as it would  customarily  assess  upon the
        withdrawal of cash from such account.

        PROMISSORY NOTE

        The promissory  note reflecting both the initial and contingent  payment
        portion of the repurchase  price, if applicable,  will be deposited into
        a special custody account with PFPC for  the benefit of the undersigned.
        The  undersigned  hereby  represents  and warrants that the  undersigned
        understands that any payment of  cash due pursuant to the Note will also
        be deposited  directly to


                                      C-3



EXCELSIOR ABSOLUTE RETURN FUND OF FUNDS MASTER FUND, LLC - LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL


        the  undersigned's  account  at U.S.  Trust or mailed to the  address of
        record for the  undersigned  and upon  a withdrawal  of such cash from a
        U.S.  Trust  account,  U.S.  Trust  may  impose  such  fees  as it would
        customarily assess upon the withdrawal of cash from such account.


PART 4. SIGNATURE(S).





- --------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------

                                           
FOR INDIVIDUAL INVESTORS                      FOR OTHER INVESTORS:
AND JOINT TENANTS:


- -------------------------------------------  -------------------------------------------
Signature                                     Print Name of Investor
(SIGNATURE OF OWNER(S) EXACTLY AS APPEARED
 ON SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT)


- -------------------------------------------  -------------------------------------------
Print Name of Investor                        Signature
                                              (SIGNATURE OF OWNER(S) EXACTLY AS APPEARED
                                               ON SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT)


- -------------------------------------------  -------------------------------------------
Joint Tenant Signature if necessary           Print Name of Signatory and Title
(SIGNATURE OF OWNER(S) EXACTLY AS APPEARED
 ON SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT)


- -------------------------------------------  -------------------------------------------
Print Name of Joint Tenant                    Co-signatory if necessary
                                              (SIGNATURE OF OWNER(S) EXACTLY AS APPEARED
                                               ON SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT)


                                             -------------------------------------------
                                              Print Name and Title of Co-signatory

- --------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------

Date:
      ---------------------------












                                      C-4



                                    EXHIBIT D

                         NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL OF TENDER

                             Regarding Interests in

            EXCELSIOR ABSOLUTE RETURN FUND OF FUNDS MASTER FUND, LLC

                         Tendered Pursuant to the Offer
                              Dated April 12, 2007


            --------------------------------------------------------

                   THE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE
                    AT, AND THIS NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL MUST BE
             RECEIVED BY THE FUND BY, 12:00 MIDNIGHT, EASTERN TIME,
                 ON MAY 10, 2007, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED.

            --------------------------------------------------------

          COMPLETE THIS NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL AND RETURN OR DELIVER TO:

                     U.S. Trust Hedge Fund Management, Inc.
                               225 High Ridge Road
                               Stamford, CT 06905

                                Attn: Peggy Lynn


                           For additional information:

                              Phone: (203) 352-4497

                              Fax:   (203) 352-4456













                                      D-1



Ladies and Gentlemen:

         The undersigned  wishes to withdraw the tender of its limited liability
company  interest in Excelsior  Absolute  Return Fund of Funds Master Fund,  LLC
(the "Fund"),  or the tender of a portion of such  interests,  for repurchase by
the Fund  that  previously  was  submitted  by the  undersigned  in a Letter  of
Transmittal dated _____________________.

Such tender was in the amount of:

  [ ]    Entire limited liability company interest.

  [ ]    $_______________ of limited liability company interest.


  [ ]    The portion of limited liability company interest in excess of
         $_________________.

         The  undersigned  recognizes that upon the submission on a timely basis
of this Notice of Withdrawal of Tender,  properly executed,  the interest in the
Fund (or portion of such interest)  previously  tendered will not be repurchased
by the Fund upon expiration of the tender offer described above.

SIGNATURE(S).





- --------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------

                                           
FOR INDIVIDUAL INVESTORS                      FOR OTHER INVESTORS:
AND JOINT TENANTS:


- -------------------------------------------  -------------------------------------------
Signature                                     Print Name of Investor
(SIGNATURE OF OWNER(S) EXACTLY AS APPEARED
 ON SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT)


- -------------------------------------------  -------------------------------------------
Print Name of Investor                        Signature
                                              (SIGNATURE OF OWNER(S) EXACTLY AS APPEARED
                                               ON SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT)


- -------------------------------------------  -------------------------------------------
Joint Tenant Signature if necessary           Print Name of Signatory and Title
(SIGNATURE OF OWNER(S) EXACTLY AS APPEARED
 ON SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT)


- -------------------------------------------  -------------------------------------------
Print Name of Joint Tenant                    Co-signatory if necessary
                                              (SIGNATURE OF OWNER(S) EXACTLY AS APPEARED
                                               ON SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT)


                                             -------------------------------------------
                                              Print Name and Title of Co-signatory

- --------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------

Date:
      ---------------------------





                                      D-2



                                    EXHIBIT E

                         Forms of letters from the Fund
          to Members in connection with acceptance of offers of tender

 [THIS LETTER IS SENT IF THE MEMBER TENDERED ITS ENTIRE INTEREST IN THE FUND.]

                                                       May 16, 2007


Dear Member:

         Excelsior  Absolute  Return Fund of Funds Master Fund, LLC (the "Fund")
has received and accepted for repurchase  your tender of your limited  liability
company  interest  in  the  Fund  ("Interest"  or  "Interests"  as  the  context
requires).

         Because  you have  tendered  and the Fund has  repurchased  your entire
investment,  you have been paid a note (the "Note")  entitling you to receive an
initial payment of 95% of the repurchase  price based on the unaudited net asset
value of the Fund,  determined as of June 29, 2007, in accordance with the terms
of the tender offer.  A cash payment in this amount will be deposited  into your
account with United States Trust Company,  National  Association or an affiliate
bank (collectively, "U.S. Trust") on July 27, 2007 or mailed to you on that date
if you do not  have a U.S.  Trust  account,  unless  the  valuation  date of the
Interests has changed or the Fund has requested a withdrawal of its capital from
the  investment  funds in which it has  invested  and has not yet  received  the
proceeds of that withdrawal, in accordance with the terms of the tender offer.

         The terms of the Note provide that a  contingent  payment  representing
the  balance  of the  repurchase  price,  if any,  will be paid to you after the
completion of the Fund's fiscal year-end audit and is subject to fiscal year-end
audit adjustment.  This amount,  will be paid within ten calendar days after the
conclusion of the fiscal  year-end  audit, or on such earlier date as the Fund's
Board of Managers may determine,  according to the terms of the tender offer and
will also be deposited  into your U.S. Trust account or will be mailed to you if
you do not have a U.S. Trust account. We expect the audit to be completed by the
end of May 2008.

         Should you have any  questions,  please feel free to contact the Fund's
adviser, U.S. Trust Hedge Fund Management, Inc. at (203) 352-4497.

                                         Sincerely,



                                         Excelsior Absolute Return Fund of Funds
                                         Master Fund, LLC

Enclosure


                                      E-1



[THIS  LETTER IS SENT  IF THE MEMBER TENDERED  A PORTION OF ITS  INTEREST IN THE
FUND.]



                                                       May 16, 2007


Dear Member:

         Excelsior  Absolute  Return Fund of Funds Master Fund, LLC (the "Fund")
has  received  and  accepted  for  repurchase  your  tender of a portion of your
limited liability company interest in the Fund ("Interest" or "Interests" as the
context requires).

         Because you have  tendered  and the Fund has  repurchased  a portion of
your investment, you have been paid a note (the "Note") entitling you to receive
an initial  payment of 100% of the  repurchase  price based on the unaudited net
asset value of the Fund,  determined as of June 29, 2007, in accordance with the
terms of the tender offer.  A cash payment in this amount will be deposited into
your  account with United  States  Trust  Company,  National  Association  or an
affiliate bank (collectively, "U.S. Trust") on July 27, 2007 or mailed to you on
that date if you do not have a U.S. Trust account,  unless the valuation date of
the  Interests has changed or the Fund has requested a withdrawal of its capital
from the investment  funds in which it has invested and has not yet received the
proceeds of that withdrawal, in accordance with the terms of the tender offer.

         You  remain a member of the Fund with  respect  to the  portion of your
Interest in the Fund that you did not tender.

         Should you have any  questions,  please feel free to contact the Fund's
adviser, U.S. Trust Hedge Fund Management, Inc. at (203) 352-4497.

                                         Sincerely,



                                         Excelsior Absolute Return Fund of Funds
                                         Master Fund, LLC

Enclosure


                                      E-2



[THIS  LETTER IS  SENT TO THE  MEMBER WITH THE  INITIAL PAYMENT  FOR ALL  OF ITS
INTEREST WHICH WAS REPURCHASED BY THE FUND.]



                                                       July 27, 2007


Dear Member:

         Enclosed  is  a  statement   showing  the  breakdown  of  your  capital
withdrawal  resulting from our repurchase of your interest in Excelsior Absolute
Return Fund of Funds Master Fund, LLC (the "Fund").

         Because  you have  tendered  and the Fund has  repurchased  your entire
investment, you have previously been paid a note entitling you to receive 95% of
the  repurchase  price  based on the  unaudited  net  asset  value of the  Fund,
determined  as of June 29,  2007,  in  accordance  with the terms of the  tender
offer.  A cash payment in this amount is being  deposited into your account with
United  States  Trust  Company,   National  Association  or  an  affiliate  bank
(collectively, "U.S. Trust") on July 27, 2007, if you have a U.S. Trust account.
If you do not have a U.S. Trust account, a check is enclosed with this letter.

         The balance of the repurchase  price, if any, will be paid to you after
the completion of the Fund's fiscal year-end audit for the year ending March 31,
2008 and is subject to  year-end  audit  adjustment.  This  amount  will be paid
within ten days after the conclusion of the year-end  audit,  or on such earlier
date as the Fund's  Board of Managers may  determine,  according to the terms of
the tender offer. We expect the audit to be completed by the end of May 2008.

         Should you have any  questions,  please feel free to contact the Fund's
adviser, U.S. Trust Hedge Fund Management, Inc. at (203) 352-4497.

                                         Sincerely,



                                         Excelsior Absolute Return Fund of Funds
                                         Master Fund, LLC


Enclosure









                                      E-3



[THIS  LETTER IS  SENT TO THE MEMBER WITH THE INITIAL PAYMENT FOR THE PORTION OF
ITS INTEREST WHICH WAS REPURCHASED BY THE FUND.]



                                                       July 27, 2007


Dear Member:

         Enclosed  is  a  statement   showing  the  breakdown  of  your  capital
withdrawal  resulting from our repurchase of your interest in Excelsior Absolute
Return Fund of Funds Master Fund, LLC (the "Fund").

         Because you have  tendered  and the Fund has  repurchased  a portion of
your  investment,  you have been paid 100% of the repurchase  price based on the
estimated unaudited net asset value of the Fund, determined as of June 29, 2007,
in accordance  with the terms of the tender offer. A cash payment in this amount
is being deposited into your account with United States Trust Company,  National
Association or an affiliate bank (collectively,  "U.S. Trust") on July 27, 2007,
if you have a U.S.  Trust account.  If you do not have a U.S.  Trust account,  a
check is enclosed with this letter.

         Should you have any  questions,  please feel free to contact the Fund's
adviser, U.S. Trust Hedge Fund Management, Inc. at (203) 352-4497.

                                         Sincerely,



                                         Excelsior Absolute Return Fund of Funds
                                         Master Fund, LLC

Enclosure












                                      E-4



THIS  LETTER IS SENT  TO THE MEMBER WITH THE CONTINGENT PAYMENT FOR THE INTEREST
REPURCHASED BY THE FUND.

                                                       June 8, 2008


Dear Member:

         Enclosed  is  a  statement   showing  the  breakdown  of  your  capital
withdrawal  resulting from our repurchase of your interest in Excelsior Absolute
Return Fund of Funds Master Fund, LLC (the "Fund").

         Pursuant to the terms of the tender offer,  the  contingent  payment is
being  deposited  into your account with United States Trust  Company,  National
Association or an affiliate bank (collectively, "U.S. Trust") on June 8, 2008 if
you have a U.S. Trust account.  If you do not have a U.S. Trust account, a check
is enclosed with this letter.

         Should you have any  questions,  please feel free to contact the Fund's
adviser, U.S. Trust Hedge Fund Management, Inc. at (203) 352-4497.

                                         Sincerely,



                                         Excelsior Absolute Return Fund of Funds
                                         Master Fund, LLC


Enclosure
















                                      E-5