China: Juxtaposition Of Ancient & Modern Civilization
Erik Madsen/Carson Tang
May 5 to May 26, 2008
SUMMARY OF TRIP INFORMATION
China: Juxtaposition Of Ancient & Modern Civilization
Leader Erik Madsen
Co-leader Carson Tang
Chengdu, Leshan, Chongqing, Yichang, Kali, Guilin, Yangshou, Hong Kong
May 5 to May 26, 2008
Total # of days 22
Hiking
Downhill skiing
Kayaking
Title of trip
Leadership
Location(s)
Dates
Type of trip
check all that apply
Backpacking
Cultural
Road biking
Nordic ski
Mountain biking
Snorkeling
Other – please describe
Cultural trip involves lots of walking, several hikes limited to 6 miles, bike rental
is an option on part of the trip.
Max 20
Min 12
$ 4591 Approximate
Does it include airfare? Yes
No
$
Number of participants
Advertised cost
Airfare range if not included
LEADER AND CO-LEADER INFORMATION
Leader name
Leader address
Leader email
Leader phone
Wilderness first aid training
CPR training
Prior leading experience
Trip one
Trip two
Trip three
Other related trip experience
Co-leader name
Co-leader address
Co-leader email
Co-leader phone
Wilderness first aid training*
CPR training*
Prior leading experience
Erik Madsen
70 Oak Hill DR, Bristol, CT, 06010-2438
emadsen2004@yahoo.com
Home 860-314-0125
Work 860-418-6012
WFA
AWFA
WFR
Expiration: 2/08 will renew by 3/31/08
CPR
BLS
Expiration: 4/7/07 will renew by 6/07
Please list the last three longer (5+ day) trips you have led for the AMC including
destination, type of trip, dates and number of participants. Feel free to list additional
trips you have led, particularly if they demonstrate experience related to the trip you
are proposing.
Southern Utah, day hikes, 11 days May 06, 18 participants
NH White Mtns., backpacking, 10 days August 04, 5 participants
Will CoLead 10 day August 07 hiking trip to Canadian Rockies, Will Lead 19 day
September 07 trek in Bhutan.
Carson Tang
2nd Floor, 1653 11th AVE, Brooklyn, NY, 11215-6018
carsonoutdoors@earthlink.net
Home 917-880-5091
Work 347-689-9090
WFA
AWFA
WFR
Expiration: 2007 Will renew as necessary
CPR
BLS
Expiration:
2007 Will renew as necessary
If you are a new co-leader you must submit an application to be a major excursions
leader or co-leader prior to submitting this application.

To lead a major excursion you must have current CPR and WFA at the time of your trip (or AWFA for all
backcountry trips). If you do not have the required level of certification at the time you submit your proposal or it will
expire before the date of your trip, you will need to make arrangements to recertify in a timely manner.

Revised 7/15/2016
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 1 of 5
China: Juxtaposition Of Ancient & Modern Civilization
Erik Madsen/Carson Tang
May 5 to May 26, 2008
Scouting
Have either of you led this trip
before or traveled to this
area?
Languages
Does either the co-leader or
leader speak the local
language?
Couples
Do the leader and co-leader
have a significant personal
relationship?
Private trips
Do either of you lead trips that
are private - not sponsored by
the AMC?
Yes
Executive summary
Please provide a brief
description of the trip and the
activities planned.
Cultural tour of China, to experience the people, architecture, culture, history, and natural
beauty of an ancient civilization comming to terms with the modern era. Points of interest
include sightseeing in an around the cities of Chendu, Leshan, Chongqing, Kali, Guilin,
Yangshuo, and Hong Kong. Trip will include a Yangtze river cruise. Opportunites for
cultural immersion will include occasional stays with minority villagers for meals and
lodging. Participant involvement in cultural activities like farming, cooking, and crafts
will be sought for their educational value.
All accomodations to be arranged in advance by tour operator. Three star budget minded
hotels in cities close to the city center. Rural accomodations will be a mix of hotels, guest
houses, and village dwellings.
Most meals in China included in tour package. Some meals arranged in advance,
remaining meals to be coordinated by guide. Meals in Hong Kong will be coordinated
and paid for by leader. All meals will be prepared for participants.
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below:
China Visa must be obtained by all participants. Trip leaders will assist participants with
the visa process. The cost of visa is included in the price of the trip.
No
If yes, please describe below:
Co-leader: Yes
No
Leader: Yes
No
Not applicable:
Yes
No
If yes, please list who has agreed to be your back-up in case one or
both of you need to drop out. This is required for approval!
Yes
No
If yes, please note that you cannot advertise AMC and private trips
together unless there is a clear distinction between the two in any marketing
materials you send out.
LOGISTICAL DETAILS OF TRIP
Accommodations
Please describe your plan for
accommodation(s)
Meals
Please describe your plan for
providing meals
Permits or permissions
Does the trip require special
permits or permissions?
(required on many U.S.
federal lands and national
parks)
Special equipment
Does the trip require special
equipment?
Special experience
Does the trip require special
skills on the part of the
participant?
Pre-trip activities
Do you plan to get your group
together before the trip for an
activity or social event?
Conservation, education and
recreation
How will this major excursion
meet the mission of the AMC?
www.outdoors.org/about/
mission.cfm
Revised 7/15/2016
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below what type of equipment and how you
will ensure that people know how to use it:
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below what type of experience? Also describe
how you will ensure that the participant has this experience?
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below what you will do:
Prior to the trip offer group socialization opportunity in Flushing Queens New York, with
two days of sight seeing and a one night stay. Leader will coordinate lodging, meals, and
activities to simulate the big trip.
Cultural immersion and education are key themes of this trip. The accompanying licensed
english speaking guide will be proficent in the history and traditions of the places we
visit. Environmentally sensitive subjects like, Panda habitat, the Three Gorges Dam,
overfishing, pollution, automobile use, and industrialization will be discussed.
When possible english speaking guides will be sought at museums. Participants will learn
village life through experiencial learning. Participants will have opportunity to assess the
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 2 of 5
China: Juxtaposition Of Ancient & Modern Civilization
Erik Madsen/Carson Tang
May 5 to May 26, 2008
relationship between environmental conservation and human progress in China.
TOUR OPERATOR AND GUIDE SERVICE INFORMATION
Will this trip require a tour
operator or guide service
during part, or the entire
trip?
Name of tour operator/guide
service
Tour operator website
Safety record
Please provide information
about their safety record.
Insurance
Do they have liability
insurance?
Emergency response
Please describe the outfitters’
response plan in the case of an
emergency.
Yes
No
Please describe their services. If you are using a tour operator for the entire trip,
please describe why you will be using them rather than doing this trip on your own:
Tour operator will coordinate entire trip except for meals in Hong Kong. Leader
may elect to get oversea flights through either a consolidator or tour operator. An
english speaking guide will accompany the group for its entire stay in China. The
guide will inplement the trip intinerary as contracted, and see that the trip runs
smoothly. Additionally the guide will educate the participants about the culture and
environment of the sites visited. The trip itinerary was created by the leaders as a
custom trip. Credentials and references will be checked prior to signing a contract.
Leaders will make clear the expectation that all services rendered by the guide be of
the standards set forth in the contract. My past experience with the MEC has made
it clear that a trip such as this would not be approved without the use of a tour
operator and guide.
Sunshine Travel USA, & China International Travel Service
sunshinetravelusa.com, cits.net
Sunshine travel usa is a registered tour operator in China. Sunshine travel usa specializes
in creating custom tour packages. Sunshine travel usa has helped us to plan all the details
of the trip. Sunshine travel usa will be responsible for booking our Yangtze cruise, air
travel, and hotels, all of which we will review to be satisfactory before having them
booked. Sunshine travel usa does not own or operate any of these entities. Sunshine travel
usa will use CITS (China International Travel Service) to implement the land portion of
our tour. CITS will be providing our guides and making all necessary transportation and
accommodation arrangements. CITS has been in operation for 30 years and currently
controls 10% of the China travel business. It is the biggest tour operator in China. It is run
by the government and administered through CNTA (China National Tourism
Administration). CITS uses an examination and licensing process to assure quality in tour
guides and tour management. We are researching to find out about the safety record,
liability insurance, and emergency response of CITS. CITS from my research thus far
does not appear to be a shoddy fly by night opperation. We do expect that CITS will
prove to meet the high tour operator standards of the AMC. As soon as we can extract this
information out of their formidable bureaucracy we will provide it to Darcy and Stacia.
We choose CITS because they have the best expertise and resources when it comes to
accessing places that are less frequented by tourists. Because of its size we thought it best
not to work directly with CITS, but instead to work with an affiliated tour operator.
Sunshine travel usa has been very accomodating and attentive to our needs thus far, and
has more pull with CITS than we would individually. The safety record, liability
insurance, and emergency response of sunshine travel usa are secondary to those of CITS.
Maximum amt: $ Researching, will
Liability? Yes
No
provide at a later date.
Are they willing to list AMC as an
Yes
No
additional insured?
See safety record above. Any additional information concerning emergency response will
be forwarded to Darcy and Stacia as it becomes available to us.
RISK ASSESSMENT
Please assess the risks and hazards of your trip. Carefully consider each area of risk and how it may affect your trip.
Revised 7/15/2016
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 3 of 5
China: Juxtaposition Of Ancient & Modern Civilization
Erik Madsen/Carson Tang
May 5 to May 26, 2008
Devise a plan to prevent each hazard and to respond to it if it becomes necessary. Please be very specific for each section if
applicable.
Trail conditions, river crossings, weather, wildlife (bears, snakes, etc.)
Climate/terrain
Potential hazards
(1)Mud, (2)rain, (3)lightning, (4)hypothermia, (5)poisonous snakes, (6)ticks, (7)Heat
exhaustion, (8)motion sickness, (9)Sunburn, (10)Common Cold, (11)Diarrhoea,
(12)Giardia, (13)Amoebic Dysentery
Response
(1)Light weight hiking boots, (2)rain jacket with hood, (3)adequate clothing water and
calories, (4)Take shelter or follow solo proceedures for avoidance, (5)avoid vegetation
and holes, (6)avoid vegetation and inspect self for ticks, (7)Drink fluids with electrolytes,
avoid sun, (8)Dramamine, (9)Suntan lotion, (10)Wash hands before touching self,
(11)Immodium, (12)Explosive diarrhoea, see doctor, (13)Bloody diarrhoea, treat with
metronidazole
Political concerns, crime, language translation, terrorism
Foreign Country
Potential hazards
(1)Theft, (2)robbery, (3)language difficulty, (4)Terrorism
Response
Will check US State Dept website for China concerns (1)Hold onto belongings, or keep
locked, (2)Avoid crime areas, (3)Have list of common phrases, Guide speaks English, (4)
Terrorism is not directed at tourists.
Road conditions, drivers, insurance
Transportation
Potential hazards
(1)Accidents, (2)Liability
Response
(1)Will ask Tour Operator, and guide to explain proceedures in the event of an accident,
(2)Will expect Tour Operator contract to assure that all drivers are licensed and have
appropriate insurance.
Level of fitness, screening concerns, experience with equipment or activity
Participants
Potential hazards
(1)Not physically fit for walks, (2)lying about ability, (3)Getting Lost.
Response
(1)Screen participants carefully, (2)Be thorough in questioning, check references, meet
participant at pre trip meeting, (3)Participants will have on their person directions for
what to do when lost, and be advised verbally how to aviod loosing the group.
Conditions unique to this type of trip
Other
Potential hazards
(1)TB, (2)Typoid, (3)Sexually transmitted disease, (4)Malaria, (5)Bed Bugs, Lice, Crabs,
(6)Bee stings, (7)Cholera, Dengue Fever, (8)Filariasis, (9)Encephalitis,
(10)Leishmaniasis, (11)Rabies, (12)Tetnus, (13)Typus
Response
(1)watch for symtoms and treat with antibiotic, avoid people that cough, (2)Increasing
fever requires medical attention, drink bottled/boiled water, avoid washed vegetables,
(3)Use condoms, (4)Deet, netting, clothing, stay indoors, (5)Avoid bloody marks in or
near bedding, use sheet liner and pillow case, (6)watch for anaphalaxis, (7)Stay hydrated,
(8)Look for fever, pain, swelling of limbs, scotum, lymph nodes, blindess and seek
medical attention, (9)look for fever and altered consciousness, aviod mosquitoes, get
medical help, (10)Use deet and aviod sand flies, (11)Seek medical help if bitten by
animal, (12)Get tetnus shot, (13)Aviod Ticks and Lice
EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN
Please describe your plans for dealing with emergencies. Use as much detail as possible, and list any special
communications equipment you may need to ensure the safety of your participants. DO NOT LEAVE THIS SECTION
BLANK
All participants will carry their personal emergency contact information, including
Emergency communication
Phone contacts, language,
contact info for the AMC and any travel insurance, Leaders will also carry all participant
documentation, distance from
emergency contact and medical information. Will ask that tour operator provide guide
emergency services
and participants with emergency services contact information for all points on the trip.
Guide will facillitate language issues in most emergencies. Group will be in civilization
throughout entire trip and thus close to and accesible to emergency responders.
None needed, phones are available or close by.
Emergency equipment
What sort of emergency first
aid or communication
equipment (satellite phone,
two-way radios) do you plan
Revised 7/15/2016
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 4 of 5
China: Juxtaposition Of Ancient & Modern Civilization
Erik Madsen/Carson Tang
to use, if any?
Evacuation
Please describe your plan for
evacuation from the
backcountry location if
applicable?
Medical care
Please describe the medical
care available in the area(s)
where you will be traveling
and list names and telephone
numbers for these facilities.
May 5 to May 26, 2008
NA
See emergency communication above for means and method of communication. Cities
are nearby that have good basic medical care. Serious medical issuses could result in
transfer to larger city, or return to US hospital.
COST AND BUDGET DETAILS
Deposits
What deposits will be required
by airlines, hotels, tour
operators, etc., and when?
Refunds
What is the latest date you can
cancel and still receive a full
refund?
Participant deposit
What are the initial deposit
and your schedule of
payments?
Cancellation policy
What will your cancellation
policy be for the participants?
Minimum numbers
Will you still run the trip if you
do not get the minimum
number?
US to Asia flights will need to be paid for before 2/5/08, however, purchase sooner may
get a lower price. Land costs will be paid on or before 1/5/08.
12/31/07 for full refund minus a $60 administrative fee and any existing or future
incurred costs.
Deposit due with application is $2,000. Remaining balance due by 12/31/07.
After 12/31/07 cancellations are subject to the conditions of Refunds above, in addition to
the following conditions. Land costs will be refunded if a replacement participant can be
found. Airfares purchased in the participants name are the property of the participant and
cannot be refunded.
Yes
No
If yes, please describe conditions:
Leaders may elect to run the trip with fewer than 12 participants. This decision would be
based on the leaders ability at that time to bear increased personal costs, as well as the
Tour Operators ability to withstand a size reduction.
Reference web links:
MEC Home Page:
Forms:
Deadlines:
Club House:
http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/
http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/application/
http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/listings
amcexcursions@outdoors.org
E-Mail Addresses:
Club House:
MEC Chair:
amcexcursions@outdoors.org
mecchair@amcboston.org
Revised 7/15/2016
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 5 of 5