Panda Volunteer Trip, September 20-30, 2008

Below is the itinerary for the Panda Volunteer project September 20-30, 2008 in Chengdu, China. We will leave from the west coast, but please do not make connecting flights until you hear from me. I am trying to depart from the east coast or Midwest to lessen the expense.



We need deposits at this time. They are refundable until airline tickets are booked. We have several spaces open for other volunteers who may wish to join us. Our group size will be small, however; i.e., first come, first served. The cost of the 10 day program is $3350 and includes r/t air from LAX to Chengdu with a two night stopover in Shanghai on the return home Sept 28 and 29, all lodging, transfers, tours, admission fees, breakfasts, dinners, (no meals in Shanghai); Panda volunteer charges and uniform rentals. The $3350 is only valid unless airplane tickets and surcharges do not increase. I will tell you if this happens.



Your refundable deposits of $500 may be made in two ways:

Please make personal check payable to Wild Spots Foundation and mail to Wild Spots Foundation 757 SE 17th ST., #230 Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316	Or, by credit card, go to www.paypal.com Click SEND MONEY Send $500 deposit to Wild Spots Foundation Use barkerb@wildspotsfoundationorg Indicate “September – Panda”

ITINERARY (UPDATED July 18, 2008)
9/20	Depart JFK* Cathy Pacific Airways #841 at 1010AM and arrive in Hong Kong at 205PM; then board Dragon Air824 at 700PM and arrive in Chengdu at 930PM. We are met by our CTS Hosts and taken to the Flower Hotel. *We can also arrange a departure out of LAX, for those on the West Coast.
9/22	Chengdu Flower Hotel
9/23	Chengdu-Ya An-Shangli (B,L,D) Inn Take a 2-hours drive to the Panda Garden,Bifengxia, Ya An. Sign a contract with the reserve. in the afternoon drive to Shangli, a beautiful old town, about 30 kilometers away. You will stay at an inn in the old town as there is no place to stay at the panda garden.
9/24-25	Shangli-the Panda Garden-Shanghai (B,L,D) In the morning you will drive for half an hour to do the voluntary work. returen to Shangliin the late afternoon. shuttle bus will be provided.
9/26	Shanghai-Chengdu (B,L,D) Flower Hotel. Return to Chengdu. Visit the panda base in Chengdu. Enjoy the music changing show after a hot pot dinner.
9/27	Chengdu (B)A free day. Hotel with breakfast only. A chance to photograph some of the earthquake devastation and reconstruction.
9/28	Chengdu (B) Be transferred to the airport and take Dragon Air 821 to Hong Kong, then transfer to a 5-star (Sheraton or equivalent) Hotel
9/29	Free Day in Hong Kong (5-star hotel)
9/30	Depart for JFK on Cathy Pacific 840 at 640PM and arrive in New York at 1000PM.

The cost of this ten day volunteer adventure is $3350 and includes r/t air from LAX-Chendu-Shanghai-LAX, lodging, all food in Chengdu and Ya’an, tours and admissions in Chengdu. Because of increasing airfares, this price will climb as airfares increase. So, please confirm now!