China Parent Trip-

Note from David Hughes:  Levin Brown, founder of Great Mountain Rafting www.raftchina.com, has completed all parent trip and New River Academy logistics.  Wow! What a task, I have been impressed.  NRA is helping facilitate this trip and not receiving any incentive other than helping families visit our school program.  When I asked Levin regarding the price he pointed his competitors higher rates for a similar trip.  Additionally, he pointed out the tailor made trip that has been a logistical puzzle.  With that said we hope to see you in China for this fabulous cultural exploration.

Dates:  11/23/07 to 12/5 (Families have the option to stay longer.  Levin will help coordinate these logistics.)

Deposit deadline: Nonrefundable deposit:  $1,000/person due Tuesday, September 25.

I am interested what do I do? Send David Hughes an email and he will place you in contact with Levin.  Your parent trip will be completely arranged through Great Mountain vs. New River Academy.

Flight Arrivals:

Leave the US on November 23rd, arriving in Shanghai Pudong (PVG) before 6pm on November 24th. Great Mountain will arrange flight on November 25 to Lijiang.

Arrivals outside of the designated time are charged $75.

Flight Departures:  Families will return to Lijiang by midday Dec 5th, from where they may return to Shanghai on the 6th or travel independently with the assistance of Great Mountain.

Extended Stay Opportunities Include:  Hike or drive the Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the deepest gorges on the planet.  Travel to Sichuan to experience the Three Gorges before it’s dammed, or see Shanghai’s myriad sights at the center of global trade. Of course you can simply stay in Ancient Lijiang, a UNESCO World Heritage site, to experience Chinese culture with Great Mountain owner D. Levin Brown, who taught at the orphanage here in 2001.  He and Great Mountain’s associates, including local Maguotuo Travel, are happy to help you plan any further travels, as there are quite many options.

Costs: 

Nonrefundable deposit:  $1,000/person due Tuesday, September 25.

$2250 (9-12+ members)

$2450 (5-8 members)

$450 internal flights additional (Levin will use this fee to arrange China domestic flights and ultimately save families travel funds and time)

$250 kayak freight supplement for kayakers only- Kayak option (boaters must have class V experience on big water.  Grand Canyon, Futaleafu or big volume Colorado equivalent.)

$325 single supplement (for guest who wish not to share a room or tent)

Our trip is priced well below MT Sobek, the only other company to offer this trip.  This is because we work not just with local connections, but local friends.  Additionally, they require you to book your international flight directly to and from Kunming, which would prevent NRA parents from having time to travel with their children.  We are reducing your costs by booking the flights locally, and giving you the freedom to explore China on your own terms with our support after the trip, something no other company on the planet offers.

Passport/Visa Deadlines:  Please secure your passports ASAP.

Important:  If you do not have your passport then secure one immediately.  We will be processing China visa applications as soon as we return to the US from Canada.  We have to actually mail our passports to the visa agency.  So, I prefer to deal with this process when we return from vs. prior to Canada.  More info:   

From Levin Brown:  (The following part of our student trip itinerary and is a different itinerary than our parent trip.  Levin is submitting a parent update to this info.  You may use this info for visa applications.)

All you really have to do is send your passport to the agency, explain that you are going to be traveling and visiting friends for some time, and that you'd like 90 days on your visa to visit Beijing, Shanghai, and Kunming.  It helps to have the a copy of the flight booking or E-ticket. The local contact address can be:

Mr. Xu Shi

Yunnan, Kunming, Fengning District, Building 55,  #301

Trip info:

In Kunming we'll be staying in "The Hump'" hostel, so named after the moniker that was given to the central Yunnan area where US pilots would fly in supplies and equipment to Help the Chinese Nationalist army in the battles with the Japanese during WWII.

From there we'll travel thru Lijiang and Shangri-La, which was renamed from De-Qin after the mythelogical place in Jame's Hilton's 'Lost Horizon', a verdant valley hidden in the hills sheltered from Tibet's harsh climate, governed by a group of international lama-scholars.

Our time in Lijiang will be spent at the Ancient Town International Hostel, with western food, movies, and a beautiful courtyard for getting test taken.

In both places and throughout the trip we'll be getting to know some of the handful of Chinese out of 1.2 billion with extensive whitewater experience.  We'll get to hear their stories of high adventure about new runs and exploration in a country where less than 1% of the rivers have been boated.  In fact there will be some great opportunities to help them learn about play boating.

Early Bailout Option:  If there are some guests who have very limited time, we can provide a 5-day trip option at an isolated rate.  The travel will be quite strenuous.

Immunizations:  From Levin Brown,

There are no particular immunizations required for entry into China, unless the traveler is coming from a yellow fever infected area. The Canadian and US disease control and prevention authorities recommend the all travelers have current polio and tetanus immunizations. It is very important that you consult your own doctor or local clinic for more information.  We advise you to bring along a supply of antibiotics, an anti-diarrhea agent, and any other prescription drugs required by your current medical conditions.

Health & Hygiene       

China is a remarkably healthy country despite its relative poverty and climatic variations. Standards of hygiene varies from place to place so all visitors must be aware of potential hazards and act cautiously. Tap water is not safe; all water consumed must be boiled or filtered unless it is bottled mineral water. Boiled water is available in all Chinese hotels and restaurants. Although food is prepared fresh and cooked or cleaned thoroughly, stomach upsets are always possible so it is advisable to take some medicine with you. 

Ailments such as sore throats and chest colds are also possible and can occur at any time of year considering China's climatic extremes. The summer months are brutally hot so it is imperative to combat the harmful summer heat with a sufficient supply of liquids to prevent dehydration. 

Prior to departing for China, it is recommended that you get accident and medical Insurance coverage for any medical expenses that may arise during a trip. 

No vaccinations are required for travel to China but it is advisable to check with your doctor for current information. Tetanus and typhoid vaccines are essential for travel anywhere, and rabies and hepatitis vaccinations are recommended. Please note that there is a risk of malaria in remote tropical areas of south China, so take precautionary measures before you go. 

Emergency Medical Service

The clinics in large hotels and restaurants offer medical and first aid services to travelers.  Ensuring your insurance policy covers foreign costs and necessary transport is highly recommended.

Trip Description:

Join Great Mountain and the New River Academy as we journey down the Great Bend of the Yangtze.  Our trip begins in a spectacular canyon with thrilling rapids and follows the gorge around 18,000ft Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.  Enjoy Yunnan’s famously mild fall temperatures as we take in the rare mix of Tibetan, Naxi, and other minority cultures. We’ll hike to ancient villages long sheltered by the towering mountains, and enjoy vistas that only those who travel down the river will ever know.

            You’ll enjoy great food, top-notch guides, and highly challenging rapids on what is the crown river in all of Asia, China’s mighty Yangtze.

	1. 15-08-2007 16:12
	Parents are not staying in the hostel. From Levin:   OK- just read the parents trip report you posted (David Hughes). Everything's fine except that the parents are definitly not staying in the Hostel! THe kids are!    I have them in a 3 star hotel in Lijiang's ancient town with fantastic traditional Chinese decor! http://www.kayakschool.org IP: 75.111.217.76 Guest Report

David Hughes

	2. 29-08-2007 12:36
	China Parents Trip We, Mike & Char, are definitely interested in the China trip. If more spots available, I have two brothers also interested.    Thanks, Mike IP: 24.106.210.109 Guest Report

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