|
|
 |
|
|
Wild Frontiers, who successfully brought you the 2001 eclipse in the Zambezi Valley, the 2002 eclipse in the Matopos Hills of Zimbabwe and the awesome experience of the Great Sand Sea in Libya for 2006 have once agained teamed up and will be leading a group to Shanghai in 2009.
Your leaders on this tour will be John and Debbie Addison and Laila Darley of Wild Frontiers, all veterans of travel organisation, especially to out-of-the-way destinations. Technically the tour will be guided by Peter Tiedt and Andreas Gada, both experienced eclipse chasers with many totalities under their belts. Both Peter and Andreas will be available to answer any and all of your questions on eclipse dynamics, the timeline and eclipse photography.
Wild Frontiers has yet to be clouded out of an eclipse!
|
|
|
|
DETAILS
Total Solar Eclipse China 2009
We cannot miss this one! Since our first eclipse in Zambia, and then the Zimbabwe event, and of course who can forget that great Libya trip - we have become a bit obsessed with these.
China 2009 was always on the cards and finding out that an old friend of ours from the travel business in Africa (Kenya / Sudan etc) Pete Toms had moved to Shanghai three years ago, we felt this was fate. Pete and his local contact have made this a lot easier to set up than we realized his advice on hotels, sites of interest etc have been invaluable - basically Pete understands us and how we work and what we need.
We are also employing local guides to be with us the whole time in Shanghai this will allow us to split up and, making use of these guys, get out on our own to see a bit more of the area than we would on a standard "tour" - a bit of shopping, nightlife etc. The main reason for this is the language and cultural difficulties we may encounter much better to have a local to make sure you are safe etc, and I think a lot more fun too.
Having just returned from a wild recce trip (22 Sep '08), we have made a few changes the main one being that we will now be onsite, right near the centre line, the night before the eclipse. This makes a sot of sense no major moves on the day (Chinese traffic can be very slow, and we do not want to be doing major distances on the day). The site we have identified is near South Lake, in Jiaxing.
South Lake is a great area, famous as one of the areas where the first Communist Party manifestos was ratified in the 1920s, but also has great trees, grass etc nice place to spread out and watch this event. Peter Tiedt has done the maths and we are looking at 5:52 of totality here --- just short of the maximum we can get on mainland. There are also plenty of roads and routes we can use along the centreline in case of bad weather on the day. Weather while I was there was good and clear at 0930, so should be the same at eclipse time.
More info on China on my full report but its a great place, with great people, helpful and many speak English
Accompanying our group will be Peter Tiedt, John and Debbie Addison and Laila Darley the same as Libya and we do not plan to get this group above 60 people.
With almost 6 minutes of totality, easy access, and the help of our agents in China we have put together some great options here, and hope you can join us.
The basic tour is for 5 days, as below. An add on to Xi'an is great for those who are short of time, and then we have a slightly longer trip planned to take in Xi'an, Beijing and the Great Wall. All trips will route in and out of Shanghai our agent will take care of all local flights etc for the add on trips, as this appears to be much easier and more reliable than trying to book from elsewhere.
|
|
|
|
MODULE 1
DAY 1 Sunday 19th July 2009 D
On arrival at Shanghai International Airport, you will be met and transferred to the Chalms Hotel. There will be a briefing this evening at the hotel and meet all the crew.
DAY 2 Monday 20th July 2009 BLD
Shanghai's enchanting highlights will be the focus of your tour today. You will drive through Fuxing Park, which is famous for its huge trees and the nearby residence of Dr. Sun Yat-sen - Chinese revolutionary and political leader often referred to as the "father of modern China." Next you will pass by the classic, beautiful Garden of Happiness (Yu Yuan) with its lovely teahouses, pavilions and ponds glittering with goldfish. Later, friendly monks will welcome you to the Jade Buddha Temple, the home of two solid white jade statues of Buddha. One of the statues is 2 meters high and weighs 1 000kg. It is definitely something not to be missed! You will also visit the Shanghai Museum. Lunch at a local restaurant is included.
In the afternoon, we will enjoy a cruise along the river opposite the Bund (this is great for photos, on land you cannot get the full panorama) The Bund (Waitan) is one of the most recognizable architectural symbols of Shanghai. The twenty-four major structures, of uneven height along approximately 1.5 kilometres of Zhongshan Lu and the Huangpu River, have changed little externally since the 1930s. All were constructed in western-inspired styles - classical, Gothic, renaissance, eclectic and modern - a reported seventeen styles of architecture. The Bund has been called a 'museum of international architecture', and indeed it was and still is.
We will have a dinner out, and return to the hotel. After dinner you will be able to drink at the popular local bars and nightclubs if you wish.
Note on this: Shanghai is a very easy place to "do your own thing" - taxis are cheap, and we will advise you on good places to see or just walk a block from the hotel ang you are on Nanjing Road, the largest shopping street in the world - open late, with amazing shops, bars, live music etc - and its safe!
DAY 3 Tuesday 21st July 2009 BLD
Morning excursion to Zhujiajiao, a river town with the old style where we can take river taxis, explore the town and shops etc - 40 minute drive from Shanghai with lunch at local restaurant. In the afternoon, we continue to the Dragon hotel in Jiaxing dinner and overnight.
DAY 4 Wednesday 22nd July 2009 ECLIPSE day!! BLD
We will depart early for the eclipse site (10 mins drive) and set up for this event, returning for lunch.
After the eclipse and lunch, we return to Shanghai, and check in to our hotel. In the evening we visit the Tianzifang area, which is full of small shops, bars, artists galleries etc. - dinner here and our celebration. This area is close to the famous French Quarter, which has some great old buildings, trees and parks etc.
DAY 5 Thursday 23rd July 2009 return home, or add on as below B
Those leaving today will be transferred to the airport for flights out. We intend to offer a tour of "Fake City" today, so do not book flights in morning here you can buy just about anything from cellphones to hiking gear to clothes all "fake" but still great value.
An option here, at a cost of about USD 10 per person, is that instead of driving you out to the airport we put you on the MagLev - one of the worlds fastest trains, this leaves from the Pudong side of the City and travels at 430 kph to the airport takes about 10 minutes, against 40 minutes in the bus - this we will plan for you as you book.
Flights for the add on trips will be scheduled so we can enjoy this extra shopping morning en route to flights etc
PRICE PER PERSON SHARING USD 920 (based on 40 pax)
TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:
4 Nights accommodation in 3 star Hotels
Meals as specified in itinerary (Breakfast = B, lunch = L and dinner = D)
Baggage handling throughout tour
Entrance fees to museums
Private motor coach transport in air conditioned buses throughout the tour
Sightseeing and ground transportation as indicated
All hotel taxes and service charges
Airport transfers in cities mentioned..
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Google Earth Rendition of Local Circumstances and Observing Site near Shanghai
|
|
|
|
OPTIONAL EXTRA MODULE 2 - XIAN EXCURSION 2 DAYS
DAY 5 Thursday 23rd July 2009 BLD
Afternoon transfer from your hotel to Airport for flight to Xi'an. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Xi'an was once considered the world's largest city when it was the capital of the Tan Dynasty. It now has a population of 1.5 million and is changing from a backward consumer city into a modern industrial city. Your sightseeing will include a drive through the countryside to the Terra Cotta Digs where many outstanding archaeological finds have been made over the past few years, including the 6,000 life-sized Terra Cotta warriors and horses who have been guarding the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi for 2,000 years. The Terra Cotta Army was discovered in March 1974 by local farmers drilling for a water well to the east of Mount Lishan. The terra cotta figures are life-like and life-sized. They vary in height, uniform and hairstyle in accordance with rank.
The coloured lacquer finish, moulded faces (each is individual), and real weapons and armour used in manufacturing these figures created a realistic appearance. Unfortunately, the weapons were stolen shortly after the creation of the army and the colouring has mostly faded. However, their existence served as a testament to the amount of labour and skill involved in their construction. It is also proof of the incredible amount of power the First Emperor possessed to order such a monumental undertaking as the manufacturing of the terra cotta army. After the tour, return to your hotel. This evening, you will enjoy a Chinese dinner and a dance show depicting the Tang Dynasty era. Experience the traditional songs and dances that have enthralled emperors and visitors for centuries. The beauty and power of another age is magically recaptured before your eyes. Overnight Xi'an.
DAY 6 Friday 24th July 2009 B
Afternoon flight back to Shanghai, to connect to flight home accordingly. End of the trip.
PRICE PER PERSON SHARING USD770 (based on 6 pax) To be added to main trip
TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:
1 Night accommodation in 3 star Hotel
Meals as specified in itinerary (Breakfast=B, lunch=L and dinner=D)
Baggage handling throughout tour
Entrance fees to archaeological sites and museums
Domestic flights in coach class Shanghai/Xian/Shanghai
Private motor coach transport in air conditioned buses throughout the tour
Sightseeing and ground transportation as indicated
All hotel taxes and service charges
Airport transfers in cities mentioned..
|
|
|
|
OPTIONAL EXTRA MODULE 3 - BEIJING, GREAT WALL AND XIAN 5 DAYS
DAY 5 Thursday 23rd July 2009 BLD
Afternoon transfer from the hotel to Airport for flight to Beijing. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. The capital of the Peoples Republic of China is one of the worlds largest cities with a population of over 14 million. At the core is the Forbidden City, with Tianan Men Square and Qian Men to the south, and the shopping district of Wangfujing to its east. Tonight enjoy a Peking duck dinner followed by an acrobatic show.
DAY 6 Friday 24th July 2009 BLD
Today will be spent visiting many of Beijing's highlights, such as The Temple of Azure Clouds and the Great Wall of China, which was created only after the unification of China under Qin Shi Huangdi (221-210 BC). After dinner, free to explore the city.
DAY 7 Saturday 25th July 2009 BLD
Today we will continue with our sightseeing around Beijing visiting The Ancient Observatory. Dating back to 1442 it is one of the oldest in the world. We then continue to the Forbidden City, Chinas most magnificent architectural complex, which was completed in 1420. After dinner tonight, you will be transferred to the train station for your overnight train trip to Xi'an.
DAY 8 Sunday 26th July 2009 BLD
On arrival in Xi'an you will be met and spend the day sightseeing. Your sightseeing will include a drive through the countryside to the Terra Cotta Digs where many outstanding archaeological finds have been made over the past few years, including the 6,000 life-sized Terra Cotta warriors and horses who have been guarding the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi for 2,000 years. Overnight Xi'an.
DAY 9 Monday 27th July 2009 B
Today you will be transferred to the Airport for your flight back to Shanghai and onward connecting flight home.
PRICE PER PERSON SHARING USD1320 (based on a 4 pax rate) to be added to main trip
TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:
4 Nights accommodation in 3 star Hotels
Meals as specified in itinerary (Breakfast=B, lunch=L and dinner=D)
Baggage handling throughout tour
Entrance fees to archaeological sites and museums
Domestic flights in coach class Shanghai/Beijing and Xian/Shanghai
Private motor coach transport in air conditioned buses throughout the tour
Overnight train ticket Beijing to Xian
Sightseeing and ground transportation as indicated
All hotel taxes and service charges
Airport transfers in cities mentioned.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tianenmen Square
|
|
|
|
|
|
ALL TOUR PRICES EXCLUDE:
International airfare
Any additional charge(s) and/or special documentations to be filled for importing/exporting telescopes (we will not know until within a few months of the tour if such documentation is even required)
Travel insurance
Costs of passport or visa
Beverages during meals except where indicated
Optional excursions
Camera use fees (where applicable at certain tourist sites) for video or still cameras
Tips and gratuities (to be announced)
Personal expense and anything else not included in the tour includes features list.
All prices are subject to change due to any unforeseen price increase.
|
|
