Angeles Chapter Fundraiser Outings
Special Opportunities for Travel Adventure

Feb 12-27, 2010 DESTINATION COSTA RICA
RATING O: (Angeles Chapter, OC Sierra Singles, Sierra Sage)
Fifteen day tour from the Pacific beaches to the wild Northern Caribbean. Why watch a National Geographic special when you can live it? On layover days, hike and explore why this country is known for its enlightened approach to conservation. Visit Volcanoes, rain forests, ecological reserves, wildlife refuges and see spectacular wildlife.

Sierra Club Member cost $1395, Non member cost $1495 (Sierra Club) includes mid range accommodations (dbl. occup.), private 21-passenger air-conditioned coach, some meals, happy hours, boat transportation to Tortuguero, driver gratuities. Group airfare extra. For itinerary, application, cancellation policy contact Co Leader: Donna Specht (donnaspecht@juno.com) or phone 714-963-6345. Leader: Mike Sappingfield (Mikesapp@cox.net)

MAY 4-19, 2010 CHINA SILK ROAD – TIBET & GOBI DESERT
RATING O: (Angeles Chapter)
See seldom visited sights China Silk Road, Tibet, & Gobi Desert. See Mountains, deserts, living historic sites, rare wildlife and abandoned cities - adventure - few Western tourists travel. Visit historic Urumqi’s Great Bazaar, historic buildings, mountains and lakes. Turpan- see ancient ruined city, beautiful Imin Minaret, old city, Tuyu Valley, & more. Liuyuan- visit Bizaklik Thousand Buddha Grottoes, Flaming Mountains, Gaochang ancient city ruins, and Astana Tombs. Historic Dunhuang- visit old city, Mogao Thousand Buddha Caves, White Horse Pagoda, Crescent Moon Springs, and Gobi Desert. Jiayuan- visit western end of Great Wall, Qiyi Glacier, and nearby mountains. Xining- tour Taer Monastery, Beichan Lamasery, Buddhist temple and region’s largest mosques. We travel to by train world’s highest rail line Lhasa across Tibetan Plateau to Roof of World & surrounding mountain ranges. Spend 4 nights in Lhasa. Visit awe-inspiring Potala Palace, Jokang Temple, Barkhor quadrangle, Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery. In Xian see famous Terra Cotta Warriors, Museum, and city wall. Optional Beijing tour.

$3,750 to December 31 (January 1st & later $3,850) includes RT air (LAX-Beijing), transportation, 4star hotels, most meals, admissions, guides. Taxes & Visa Fees extra. Send 2 SASE, H&W Phones, SC#, e-mail, deposit check $400 (Sierra Club) to Leader Bruce Hale, 3025 Alabama St, La Crescenta, CA 91214, 818-957-1936. Co-Leader: Fred Dong

images by Fred Dong

MAY 17–24, 2010 VOYAGE OF THE GLACIERS
RATING C/O: (Angeles Chapter)
You really don’t know what wild means until you’ve been to Alaska. Travel with your Sierra Club friends on this Island Princess cruise up the Inside Passage from Vancouver, B.C. to Whittier, AK (Anchorage). Visit the pioneer ports of Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway. Join the leaders on rainforest hikes and frontier saloon explorations. Leaders host on board get togethers at sea and brisk hikes around the promenade deck. Experience the spectacular grandeur that John Muir encountered in 1879 when he paddled his canoe in the waters of what is now Glacier Bay. View the maritime mammals and massive tidewater glaciers as we cruise Glacier Bay National Park and College Fjord.

Cruise fare includes ship stateroom, gourmet meals, entertainment, exercise opportunities. Inside staterooms from $514, double occupancy. Sign up early, limited cabins in some categories. Port charges, taxes, transfers, tips, airfare extra. For brochure contact Montrose Travel Agent: Violet Calderon (VCalderon@montrosetravel.com, 800-301-9673). Post-cruise extension to Denali Nat'l Park May 24-30 and Prince William Sound May 24 – June 1, 2010 or meet us in Anchorage. For information on extension or the cruise contact Leader: Donna Specht (donnaspecht@juno.com, 714-963-6345). Co-Leader: Ana Cadez

image courtesy of Derek Wallentinsen, Shadowcaster Press

MAY 24-30, 2010 DENALI - THE LAST FRONTIER
RATING O: (Angeles Chapter)
A land tour extension to the Voyage of the Glaciers or meet us in Anchorage. Experience the Call of the Wild on a seven day/six night fully escorted charter coach trip to the frontier flavored, quaint town of Talkeetna, six million acre Denali National Park and Anchorage for a fun slice of urban life, Alaska style. Relaxed pace to enjoy beautiful wilderness lodging, adventure, spectacular scenery and wildlife.

Price $1,175 includes: lodging, bus, transfers, happy hours, some meals, driver gratuities. For complete information, itinerary, application, refund policy, optional tours, contact Trip Leader: Donna Specht, (donnaspecht@juno.com). Co leader: Ana Cadez.

image courtesy of Derek Wallentinsen, Shadowcaster Press

MAY 24-JUNE 1, 2010 DENALI, VALDEZ & PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND
RATING O: (Angeles Chapter)
A land tour extension to the Voyage of the Glaciers or meet us in Anchorage. Experience the Call of the Wild on this nine day/eight night fully escorted charter coach trip to the frontier town of Talkeetna, six million acre Denali National Park and Anchorage for a fun slice of urban life, Alaska style. Enjoying beautiful wilderness lodging, adventure, spectacular scenery and wildlife. We leave the city life of Anchorage to travel the wilder terrain of majestic and rugged landscapes on the scenic Glenn and Richardson Highways to Valdez. Full day Glacier cruise aboard our Alaskan owned, fully narrated tour of Prince William Sound, the crowning glory of coastal Alaska. Slice through floating ice to explore the 4 mi wide massive Columbia Glacier, sighting land and marine wildlife including humpback whales. Disembark at Whittier and board charter coach back to Anchorage.

Price $1,775 includes: lodging, bus, transfers, happy hours, some meals, driver gratuities, Glacier cruise. For complete information, itinerary, application, refund policy, optional tours, contact Trip Leader: Donna Specht, (donnaspecht@juno.com). Co leader: Ana Cadez.

June 26-July 3, 2010 BLACK HILLS ADVENTURE
RATING O: (Angeles Chapter, Sierra Sage, Sierra Singles)
Explore South Dakota’s fabulous Black Hills. Custer State Park is world renowned for its large buffalo herd and at this time of the year, we can expect to see a lot of buffalo calves. Pronghorn Antelope, prairie dogs, elk, deer, wild burros and mountain goats inhabit the park and are often visible. A jeep safari to the buffalo herds followed by a Chuckwagon BBQ will round out the experience. Other highlights include Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, Jewel Cave and/or Wind Cave, hiking around Devils Tower and an optional trip to the Badlands. Includes six nights lodging in South Dakota; transportation from Rapid City to the Black Hills and return and all transportation in the Black Hills; admission fees to all group activities; and happy hours.

Cost $1150 with SC number, $1225 non-members. (Check payable Sierra Club.) Participants are responsible for transportation to and from Rapid City and for meals. A $500 deposit will hold your reservation (Balance due April 1, 2010). For complete information, itinerary and application contact Mike Sappingfield, (Mikesapp@cox.net). Asst Leader: Mary Morales

images by Mike Sappingfield

JULY 24-AUGUST 1, 2010 ALASKA WILDLIFE ADVENTURE RATING O: (Angeles Chapter)
Join us for a 9 day, 8 night adventure to see both land and sea wildlife in 3 National Parks and wild areas. Full day tour of the Prince William Sound area to see calving Glaciers as close as our boat can take us along with possible whale, dolphin, sea otter, and other wildlife sights with a ranger-naturalist guide. We will have a second full day sea adventure in Kenai Fjords National Park primarily to see sea and land wildlife along with other glaciers with a park service ranger-naturalist. Five days in Denali National Park with opportunities for hiking and wildlife observation. Included is one full day bus trip into the park to look for land mammals and birds. Our tour will encompass the natural beauty of Alaska.

Price includes hotel, bus transportation, some meals, 2 full day cruises with naturalist-guides, and more. Airfare extra, group air may be available. Sierra Club members $1,945 before December 31. After December 31, $1,995. Non-members $100 more. Send 2 SASE, H&W Phones, SC#, e-mail, Check for full amount (Sierra Club) to Reservationist: Cliff Caplan, 1932 Rhuland Ave #A, Redondo Beach, CA 90278. Leader: Fred Dong, Stephanie Gross

images by Fred Dong

SEPTEMBER 2-18 2010 WILD BORNEO ADVENTURE
RATING O: (Angeles Chapter)
Join us for a 17 day adventure to see the wild Borneo, land of the Headhunters. We will stay at some of the premier wildlife lodges and visit rainforest areas in order to get close ups of the unusual plants and animals of Borneo. You will see the endangered Orangutans, unusual Silver Leaf Monkeys, rare Proboscis Monkeys, Macaques, Hornbills and many other birds. We also may see Gibbons, Pygmy Elephants, Rafflesia (world’s largest flower), and more; some unique to Borneo. We will visit several National Parks or Jungle Reserve areas including Bako, Kinabalu, Danum Valley Conservation Area, and Kinabatangan Wildlife Reserve. We will also visit the Sepilok and Semenggoh Orangutan Sanctuaries. You will also have time to visit the beautiful coral reefs of Tunku Abdul Rahman Park. See unusual animals and bioluminescence on the night walks led by naturalists.

Price includes hotel, bus transportation, some meals, airport transfers, most hikes or walks, and more. Domestic & International Airfare is extra and group air is available. Sierra Club members $2,395 before March 15th. After March 15th $2,475. Non-members $100 more. Send 2 SASE, H&W Phones, SC#, e-mail, Check for full amount (Sierra Club) to Stephanie Gross, PO Box 423, Montrose, CA 91021. Leader: Fred Dong, 818-545-3878

SEPTEMBER 19-26 2010 CANADA AND NEW ENGLAND FALL FOLIAGE CRUISE
RATING C: (Angeles Chapter)
Eight days/7 nights. Sail from New York City at the time of the year when nature displays its most beautiful colors. In Canada, we visit Halifax and Saint John (Bay of Fundy). Back in the US, we visit Bar Harbour, Maine; Boston, Massachusetts and Newport, Rhode Island. The itinerary includes history, culture, great architecture and spectacular coastal scenery. Gourmet free-style dining, pools, spas, Sierra Club group get-togethers and brisk hikes around the promenade deck. Cruise fare includes double occupancy cabins (we help to match singles), all meals, first class entertainment, exercise/fitness center and duty-free shopping.

Staterooms from $629, balconies $1129 double occupancy plus taxes, port charges. Group or on your own airfare extra. A pre-cruise, excursion in New York is offered. Sign up early! For information, brochure and any specials, please contact Violet at Montrose Travel Group Division (VCalderon@montrosetravel.com, 800-301-9673). Or go online: www.montrosetravel.com/sierraclub. For information on pre-cruise extension, contact leader: Mary Morales (10ter@cox.net). Asst: Donna Specht.

OCTOBER 13-31, 2010 NEW ZEALAND HIGHLIGHTS
RATING O: (Angeles Chapter, Verdugo Hills)
Fifteen day tour includes famous locales on both North and South Islands-- Rotorua, Mt. Cook, Christchurch, and Queenstown along with three special nature refuges and four excursions by boat, including Tiritiri Matanango outside Auckland, and Doubtful Sound on the rain drenched southwest coast. Skip the re-runs of Peter Jackson movies and Whale Rider; drink in the real culture, including cuisine, wine, a Maori village, and absolutely unique wildlife. Travel by private motor coach with optional leg-stretching hikes /or extra birding and photography on layover days. Geysers, tree ferns, waterfalls, kiwi, penguins, parrots and spring flowers in gardens and fields are a part of the mix.

$3350 with SC #,$3450 non-member. Includes two NZ flights, ferry and boat charges, entrance fees, driver gratuity, mid-range accommodations (double occupancy), all breakfasts, some other meals and happy hours. Pre and post trip extensions available. Group airfare extra. For itinerary, application, cancellation policy, send email to Co-leader Bruce Hale, 3025 Alabama St, La Crescenta, CA 91214, 818-957-1936 brucehale@sbcglobal.net. Ldr: Judy Anderson. (anderson-judith@att.net)

NOVEMBER 21-DECEMBER 3, 2010 3 CONTINENTS MEDITERRANEAN CRUISE
RATING C: (Angeles Chapter)
Join members and friends on a 12-night cruise the length of Mediterranean aboard the Norwegian Jade. Ports of call are Rome, Italy; Athens, Greece; Ephesus, Turkey; Alexandria, Egypt; Valletta, Malta; and Barcelona, Spain. Just imagine your options: Pyramids of Egypt, Coliseum and Sistine Chapel in Rome, Acropolis in Athens, Hadrian’s Gate in Ephesus, Prehistoric sites in Malta, and of course lovely Barcelona. And many others!

Luxury cruise fare includes d/occupancy staterooms (we’ll match singles), all meals buffet or restaurant style, Las Vegas style entertainment, bands and orchestras, exercise/fitness center, hot tubs and pool, and other services, like duty-free shopping. There are many opportunities for adventures, shopping, and exploration. Prices are from $930 plus taxes, port charges. Discounted cabins will only be available for a few months, then unsold cabins are returned to cruise line. Note these prices are less than half of what we paid for a comparable cruise in 2007. Sign up now and receive $100 per cabin on board credit. For information, brochure, contact Gabriela at IberoAmericana, 888-477-8669 or gabriela@iberoamericanatravel.com. Precruise extension will be offered in Barcelona. Send email to lajeunes@pacbell.net subject line “cruise extension” after January. Ldrs: John Lajeuness and Andrea Lim.

images courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Lines