China: In search of the Giant Panda
11-day expedition
The Giant Panda is a true icon for endangered wildlife. Yet today the future of the Giant Panda is particularly fragile. This peaceful, bamboo-eating member of the bear family faces a number of threats. Its forest habitat, in the mountainous areas of southwest China, is fragmented and Giant Panda populations are small and isolated from each other. Meanwhile, poaching remains an ever-present threat. The Chinese Government has created over 50 panda reserves protecting more than 10,400km² and yet despite these efforts there are estimated to be less than 1,600 Giant Pandas left on earth.
Please join us for an expedition into the heart of the natural habitat of this enigmatic species.
We hope to encounter wild Giant Pandas on this trip.
We will not visit any of the captive "sanctuaries" - this is a trip designed to see Pandas in-the-wild. Sightings of wild Pandas cannot be guaranteed.
2009 Departure Dates: November 16 to 27
Cost is $5,999 per person
Detailed Itinerary
This is an Ecotour that will make a difference to you, and to the areas we visit.
We will make a contribution to the Foping Nature Reserve.
We will employ local people.
We will use locally owned and operated lodges and outfitters.
We will use local goods and services.
Day 1: Monday 16th November - Arrive Xi An, China
Everyone should plan to arrive on, or before, the morning of Monday 16th November. You will be met at the Xi An airport and transferred to our hotel where we have lunch and freshen-up. In the afternoon we will visit the famed Terra-Cotta Warriors and Horses Museum, with visits to Pit 1, Pit 2 and Pit 3, and the Chariot Museum. We will drive back to Xi An in the later afternoon and enjoy a welcome dinner at our Hotel this evening. Overnight at Grand New World Hotel (L,D)
Day 2: Tuesday 17th November - Xi An city tour
Today we have full day to explore the City with a guided tour to the Shaanxi History Museum, the Wild Goose Pagoda, Jade factory visit and the Old City Wall. We plan to build in some free time to explore on your own. Of course we can also change the sequence of visits, if people are too tired on the first day, and visit the Terra Cotta Warriors today. Dinner this evening is a dumpling Banquet! Overnight at Grand New World Hotel (B,L,D)
Day 3: Wednesday 18th November - Xi An to Foping Reserve Station
After breakfast we will drive to Foping National Nature Reserve, this reserve located on the south side of the Qinling Mountains has the highest density of wild Giant Pandas ever recorded. We plan to spend the next week here, tracking wild Pandas each day, with the hope of encountering Giant Pandas in-the-wild. We have specifically chosen the month of November to visit as in the late Autumn and early Winter the Pandas come down to lower elevations, and the likely presence of light snowfall should make the Pandas easier to track.
Once we reach the end of the road we must walk into the Station and porters will carry our luggage. The path into the station is an easy walk, but everyone should be in good physical condition as some days the tracking may be quite difficult. Indeed, if you wish to join this trip you should be able to walk up and down sometimes slippery terrain, the trails can be quite steep and scrambling up or down snow-covered slopes may be necessary. Overnight at Foping Reserve Station (B,L,D)
Day 4-10: Thursday 19th to Wednesday 25th November - Foping Nature Reserve / Panda tracking
Each day we plan to go out in the Reserve with our team of trackers and guides in search of wild Giant Pandas and of course some of the other wildlife found in the area, such as Golden Takin, Asiatic Brown Bear, the elusive Golden snub-nosed monkeys and a wealth of birdlife, including Crested Ibis, pheasants and tragopans. Indeed the Foping National Nature Reserve has recorded some 68 mammal species, 217 species of birds, 38 species of reptiles, 15 species of fishes and over 1,250 species of insects. We will use porters each day to transport some of our gear and take boxed lunches to allow us maximum time out in the reserve. Overnights at Foping Reserve Station (B,L,D)
Day 11: Thursday 26th November - Foping Nature Reserve to Xi An
After breakfast today we say farewell to the station that has been our home for a week and walk back out of the reserve to our waiting vehicle. Then we will drive the several hours back to Xi An and civilization! Tonight we have our farewell dinner back at the Grand New World Hotel where we first began our adventure. Overnight at Grand New World Hotel (B,L,D)
Cost per person is $5,999
Single supplement is $1,000
(B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner)
Cost Includes:
Fully-escorted at all times by Gerard "Ged" Caddick, Founder of Terra Incognita Ecotours.
All accommodations listed.
All meals listed as listed.
Bottled water throughout.
Bi-lingual Guide services (Chinese / English).
Reserve entrance fee.
Donation to the Conservation Activities being carried out in Foping National Nature Reserve.
All gratuities.
Not included:
International Airfare
Vaccinations and/or medications.
Alcoholic drinks.
Visas and/or departure taxes.
Phone calls.
Laundry or other items of a personal nature.
Any other personal expenses.
International Air Travel - International air is not included in the price of your trip, but we would be happy to have you work with AirTreks, our preferred preferred provider of international air arrangements. We recommend our customers work directly with AirTreks as they coordinate your international flights directly with Ecotours and enable you to arrive at your destination at the times specified for your tour. Please contact AirTreks at ecotours@airtreks.com for more information on international air travel, a no obligation cost estimate of your international flights and complete international air itinerary planning.
“Make sure to mention Terra Incognita Ecotours when you contact AirTreks to receive preferred pricing, and recommended travel itineraries specifically developed for your tour.”
Travel Information
Thanks for choosing China with Terra Incognita Ecotours, Inc. It is our pleasure to help you plan for your upcoming ecotour. To ensure that your travel arrangements are made to your satisfaction, please take a few minutes to read through this information.
What you need to have with you on your trip:
Passport: If you are a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you will need a passport, valid for six months from the date of completion of your trip.
It is always a good idea to make a photocopy of your airline tickets and of the pages of your passport that have the number, your photograph and other pertinent information. Keep the copies separate from the originals.
Visas: Please consult the China consulate or embassy nearest you for visa requirements to enter China. If a visa is required, you are responsible for obtaining it.
Documents for children under the age of 18, not traveling with both parents: The U.S. government is increasingly requiring that minors under 18 years of age traveling alone, with grandparents, or with one parent/legal guardian only, carry a notarized document signed by both parents or by the parent/legal guardian not traveling with the child. We suggest you obtain such a document (noting the age of the child, relationship to traveling adult(s), dates of travel, and destination) to avoid potential problems. For example, in the case of divorce, the parent with legal custody must sign the permit, and the accompanying adult must carry proof of this fact. In addition, if the child's surname differs from that of either parent, you may want to carry the child's birth certificate.
Emergency Contact number while on your ecotour:
Call COLLECT (813) 289-1049
Practical Information
Currency: The currency of China is the Yen and 1 USD = 6.87 YEN (effective July 2008). Major credit cards are generally accepted at hotels, restaurants and larger stores. US dollars are NOT widely accepted, so we suggest you carry Chinese currency in small denominations for smaller purchases such as taxis, refreshments or other miscellaneous expenses.
Health: All information we obtain regarding health precautions is received from the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta at 404.332.4559 or www.cdc.gov.
Please note that Terra Incognita Ecotours, Inc., as a travel company, is in no way authorized to prescribe any inoculations or medications. We recommend that you consult your personal physician for medical advice, showing him or her the brochure that indicates the places you will be visiting. Your physician is most familiar with your personal medical history and is best qualified to determine your particular needs. It is always advisable to have physical and dental check-ups before you leave.
At the present time, no immunizations are required for this ecotour, although the CDC recommends that the normal "childhood" vaccines should be up to date: Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR Vaccine), Diphtheria, Tetanus, Perturssia (DTP Vaccine) and Polio vaccine.
Swimming: There may be an opportunity to swim at the Hotel in XiAn for added protection from the sun you may wish to wear a T-shirt while swimming.
Time Difference: China is twelve hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time.
Weather: China is an enormous country and consequently every type of weather is possible. We will be visiting in November and the area we are visiting is in the mountainous interior so temperatures could drop to, or below, freezing, and snowfall is possible. We advise pack clothing that can be worn in layers, and be prepared for cold and/or wet conditions.
What to pack for your ecotour
Your travel wardrobe should be informal, comfortable and carefree. Clothing which can be layered is the most suitable, for example, a T-shirt, sweater or sweatshirt, and windbreaker or jacket. The emphasis is on casual attire.
Recommended items:
Hiking boots as they provide good traction for walks on sometimes-slippery
terrain.
Comfortable "closed" walking shoes with rubber soles and good support. Tennis
shoes would be a good choice.
T-shirts, polo shirts, and/or other comfortable short-sleeved shirts.
Sweater or sweat-shirt.
1 bathing suit.
Long-sleeved shirts for protection from the sun and/or possible insects.
Cotton or other lightweight long pants.
Fleece jacket and/or windbreaker.
Raincoat and waterproof pants.
Hat and Gloves.
Sunglasses.
Waterproof sunblock (30 SPF minimum).
Waterproof insect repellent.
A small backpack or rucksack.
Waterproof bags to protect your camera and binoculars.
Binoculars.
Camera, lenses and plenty of film.
Extra camera batteries.
Prescription medicines. If certain medicines are part of your daily health
regimen and are vital to your health, make sure you bring an adequate supply
for the duration of your ecotour.
Travel Alarm Clock.
Binocular guidelines
Good binoculars and their proper use can add immeasurably to enjoying wildlife. Each traveler with Terra Incognita Ecotours should decide well before a trip begins whether the binoculars you own are adequate and, if not, what kind of binoculars should be acquired.
Recommendation Binoculars are rated with two numbers, e.g. 7 x 35. The first number is the magnification and the second is the diameter of the objective (the larger ones) lenses in millimeters. The first tells how much an object is enlarged and the second number is a measure of how much light-gathering power a lens has. As the second number increases so usually does the weight of a pair of binoculars. If one divides the first number into the second, the closer the result is to 5 the better the balance between weight, magnification and resolution.
Binoculars that are rated at 7x35, 8x40 or 10x40, are among the best for wildlife viewing. Binoculars with a center focus are much preferable over ones in which you have to focus each eyepiece separately. For some, image stabilized binoculars are an asset. Now it is a matter to decide on price and style.
The following is a checklist of things to do to make sure that you have the best binoculars and know how to use them.
Binocular cups Binoculars usually are constructed so that you can raise and lower the cups that surround the eyepieces. If you are going to wear eyeglasses when using binoculars, roll or push the cups down. This will bring the lenses of the eyepiece the proper distance from your eye. If you do not use glasses then leave the cups unrolled or the eyepiece frames elevated.
Distance between eyepieces All binoculars can be adjusted so that the distance between the eyepieces varies. You should move the eyepieces apart as far as they go, look through the eyepieces and gradually move the eyepieces together until you see a single image.
Adjusting each lens to your eyes Binoculars usually have two focus adjustments, one that is a center focus that moves both lenses at the same time and one, called the diopter, that adjusts only one lens, usually the right one. To adjust the lenses to your eyes look through the binoculars with your right eye closed. With the center focus wheel, focus on an object 20-40 feet away. Then, with the left eye closed, focus the eyepiece on the right eye while looking at the same object. Now using the center focus make sure you see a sharp image. Most diopters have a numerical scale so that after you have made the adjustment it can be easily reset if it is accidentally altered.
Practice When viewing wildlife it is helpful if when you raise your binoculars that they are pointed at what you are looking at with your naked eyes. If you cannot do that consistently a little practice would be helpful. Try looking at a flying bird, without taking your eyes off it, raise your binoculars and look through them. If you see the bird immediately, good, if not, bring your binoculars down and put them back up again after re-spotting the bird. Do this enough so that you can immediately see in your binoculars what you were seeing without them.
Wearing binoculars If the weight of binoculars around your neck is bothersome, there are two things you might consider. One is to buy a neck strap, made of a spongy material at least an inch or more wide. The second is to buy a harness that fits over the shoulders and distributes the weight more evenly.
Photography Notes
For many of us, photography is a natural and fun part of travel. No matter what your level of interest, or what kind of equipment you use, the following may help you prepare.
Equipment: Regardless of what camera you use - film or digital
- be sure to check that it is working properly before you leave home. If you
purchase a new camera, or have an old one that has not been used for a long
time, try shooting some pictures and examine the results. Also, be sure read
your camera manual and bring it with you to help address any unexpected problems
you might encounter.
Batteries: Modern cameras will not operate without a functioning battery. For this reason, please bring extra camera batteries with you, even if the one in your camera is new. For digital cameras, and many film cameras as well, rechargeable batteries are a great option. Digital cameras can use up batteries fairly quickly, depending on the camera make and model and how often you review images in-camera. Bring at least one extra rechargeable battery - or battery set. Look for chargers with a fast recharge time.
Film: How much film should you bring? Consider bringing at
least twice as much film as you expect to need, as stores are few and far between.
And be forewarned - enthusiastic photographers sometimes shoot up to 5 rolls
per day! Film speed (ASA or ISO) is also an important consideration - the higher
the ISO the faster the film, meaning the more sensitive it is to light. For
most situations, 200 ISO film is a good all-around choice. You may also want
to bring along a supply of 400 ISO for overcast days and low-light situations.
Professional photographers generally use 100 ISO because of its fine grain
(good for making big enlargements and publishing), but the slow speed requires
extra care and use of a tripod.
Digital Memory Cards: Memory cards are the digital equivalent of film and, like film, they come in different types (e.g., compact flash, smart media, memory stick) and sizes (e.g., 128MB, 256MB, 512MB). Be sure you know what kind of memory card your camera requires and bring as many memory cards as needed to hold all your images from your expedition. If you are new to digital, consult your camera manual to learn the different image resolution and JPEG compression settings on your camera. This will determine how many photos will fit on your memory cards and what quality of image is required for your end use (e.g., the higher the resolution the larger the print you can make). You might consider bringing a digital storage device for downloading images from your memory cards (see below).
Digital Storage Devices: Many digital photographers travel with a laptop computer or a specific type of portable digital storage device designed for downloading images from digital cameras. A laptop has the advantage of letting you view, edit, store, and share your images while you travel and many even have a built-in CD burner for backing up your image files. Options for smaller devices that do not require a laptop include portable digital storage hard drives, some available with viewing screens, and portable CD burners that work directly from the memory card. Whatever hardware you choose be sure to learn the workflow for downloading and storing your images before leaving home.
Digital Camera Cables: One of the greatest advantages of shooting digital is the ability to review and share your daily images with others. It is important to remember to bring along the cables that will allow your camera to connect with a computer (USB), or storage device.
Tripods: Many photographers use a tripod because they help keep the camera steady in low-light situations and when using long telephoto lenses.
China: In search of the Giant Panda
Passport: If you are a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you will need a passport, valid for six months from the date of completion of your trip.
Time Difference: China is twelve hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time.