2010 Hiking Yosemite's Sister Parks in China 

A Special Yosemite Journey to the National Parks of the Middle Kingdom

Flight Arrangements

Trip members are responsible for making their own arrangements for air transportation to/from China. Please do not purchase your airline tickets until you are confirmed on the trip and have reviewed your proposed air schedule with our office. Once your tickets have been purchased, please send us a copy of your airline schedule so that we can send it on to the Trip Leader (make sure to include your Trip Name and Trip Dates on it). Note: The name on your airline ticket must exactly match the name on your passport; otherwise you may be denied boarding. Please remember this when reserving your flights. In addition, your passport must be valid for at least six months after your date of return to the US (in most cases).         

Arrival and Departure

Hangzhou, China, is the meeting point for our journey. All arrival flights will be met at the airport for transfer to the hotel. At the end of the trip, you will be transferred to the airport in Chengdu for your departure flight. Airport transfers for independent arrivals or departure can be arranged (at extra cost). Our Departure Notes, included with your confirmation packet, will have detailed information.

Trip Cancellation Insurance

We highly recommend that all clients purchase trip cancellation insurance. A travel insurance application will be provided in your confirmation packet. The insurance premium must be paid at the time of final payment or earlier.

Travel Documents

A valid passport is required for your trip; your passport must be valid for six months after your date of exit from China. US citizens need a visa for China. We recommend that you use the service in the Visa Kit we'll send you. If you are a citizen of any country other than the US, check with a local consulate or tourist office for entry requirements.

Leadership

Pete Devine runs the education programs of the Yosemite Conservancy and has been a Yosemite naturalist and educator for 20 years. Originally from New England, he received his biology degree in Colorado and has worked as a park ranger, archaeologist, river guide, teacher, and naturalist throughout the American West as well as in Chile and New Zealand. Pete has birded in many different countries, biked with Lance Armstrong, surveys the Lyell Glacier every year, loves chocolate, and is married to Yosemite archeologist Sonni Montague.
Zhao Bei (in China the family name is written first, so what we'd call his 'first name' is Bei), of Beijing, is a veteran guide who has led numerous China journeys for American groups. A passionate traveler, he has explored his home country extensively, including organizing and leading Silk Road cultural expeditions, hiking adventures in the mountains of Sichuan and serving as a leader for Mr. Kofi Annan. Bei received his degree in International Politics from the University of International Relations in Beijing.

What the Trip is Like

The trip includes a combination of hiking as well as village walks and city exploration. We have five hiking days, hiking approximately 3-6 hours a day on moderate to steep trails. For the most part, you can go at your own speed. The group spreads out along the trail during the day, with our guides hiking along with us to make sure that everyone finds the way. There is ample opportunity for exploring the villages and beautiful surroundings and of course for photography. As noted in the Detailed Daily Itinerary, non-hiking options are available on some days. You carry only a daypack on the hikes. For your own enjoyment, we recommend that you make a special effort to be in good physical condition. Daily brisk walking and/or regular hiking (or using a stair-climbing machine at your gym) are excellent preparatory exercises. You should wear sturdy, well-broken-in hiking boots for comfort on the trail.

Departure Notes

Once you have signed up on the trip, we send you Departure Notes that include a complete packing list, relevant health information, required travel documents, and a reading list.

Terms & Conditions

Please read carefully the following terms and conditions, which constitute the sole, legally enforceable agreements between the passenger and the Yosemite Conservancy, Wild China and their ground tour operators (collectively “YC”). Responsibility: YC acts solely as agent for the passenger with respect to all transportation, hotel and other tour arrangements and neither assume nor bear any responsibility or liability for any injury, death, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity arising in connection with the services of any ship, airplane, train, automobile, motor coach, carriage or other conveyance, or the actions of any third-party, involved in carrying the passenger or in affecting these tours. YC is not responsible for damages, additional expenses, or any other losses due to cancellation, delay or other changes in air or other services, sickness, weather, strike, war, civil disturbances, acts or threats of terrorism, travel warnings or bans, termination or suspension of war risks or other carrier insurance, quarantine, acts of God or other causes beyond our control. All such losses must be borne by the passenger, and tour rates provide for arrangements only for the time stated. In the event of cancellation, delay or rescheduling mandated by any of the aforesaid causes beyond our control, the passenger shall have the option of accepting in lieu of the original tour such rescheduled tour or other substituted tour (s) as may be offered by us, or else, receiving a refund of as much of such advance tour expenditures as we are able to recover on the passenger’s behalf from carriers, third-party tour vendors, etc., but, we shall not have any obligation or liability to the passenger beyond the foregoing. We reserve the right to make alterations to the tour’s itinerary and to substitute hotels, vessels or study leaders if this is required. We reserve the right to cancel, delay, or reschedule any tour prior to departure, and so long as this is not due to any of the foresaid causes beyond our control, the passenger shall be entitled to a full refund of all monies paid to that point if he/she so desires. No refund shall be made for any unused portion of any tour. By forwarding their deposit(s), the passenger certifies that he/she and/or their dependents, minors or others covered thereby do not have any mental, physical or other condition of disability that could create a hazard for them or other passengers. We reserve the right to decline to accept or to decline to retain any person as a member of any tour should such person’s health, condition or actions adversely affect or threaten the welfare or safety of other passengers or impede the tour. Baggage or valuables brought on the tour shall be transported, handled or stored at the passenger’s risk entirely, and we shall bear no liability or responsibility for any damage or other loss thereto. We cannot guarantee the size of the group. Resolution of any disputes arising hereunder shall be affected exclusively in the state or federal courts presiding in California, pursuant to applicable California law. Rates: Tour costs are based upon current airfares, tariffs, and currency values. While we do everything possible to maintain the listed prices, they are subject to change.

Please be advised that California has established a Travel Consumer Restitution Fund under the California Seller of Travel Law which took effect January 1, 1996. This fund is designed to protect consumers from unscrupulous practices by discount airfare ticket sellers or air charter operators. Unfortunately, this law does not cover non-California residents and, even in the case of California residents, it does not cover any foreign travel where the foreign "providers of transportation or travel services" are not in compliance with the Sellers of Travel Law (compliance being defined as registered as a Seller of Travel in California and a participant in the Travel Consumer Restitution Fund). Thus this trip does not qualify and we are required by law to advise each client that they are not covered by the California Travel Consumer Restitution Fund.  While as accurate as possible at the time of printing, this itinerary should be considered an approximate indication of the schedule and scope of activities and trip routing, rather than an inflexible schedule of events; it is subject to change due to circumstances beyond our control. This trip is subject to terms and conditions as detailed in this brochure.