Tour Information
Note: The information presented here is an abbreviated version of our formal General Information for Tours to Southern California. Its purpose is solely to give readers a sense of what might be involved if they take this tour. Although we do our best to make sure that what follows here is completely accurate, it should not be used as a replacement for the formal document which will be sent to all tour registrants, and whose contents supersedes any information contained here.
ENTERING THE UNITED STATES: Non-U.S. citizens will need a valid passport and may need a tourist visa. Consult your nearest U.S. consulate for details. Canadian citizens should carry proof of citizenship in the form of a passport or birth certificate.
HEALTH: California presents no real hazards to the visiting birdwatcher but certain factors must be considered. Winter sun is powerful and deserves respect. Early-morning temperatures can be cold, possibly close to freezing. Desert vegetation also deserves respect. The most common injury results from spines penetrating lightweight canvas shoes. Many desert plants are armed with thorns or spines and we recommend tough canvas or leather shoes of at least ankle height and tough trousers as the best safeguards.
PACE OF THE TOUR: Under normal circumstances no major hiking is required. If a rarity is present in one of the canyons, however, a hike of up to one mile or so may be made by those wishing to see the bird. Otherwise, the longest walk on the tour is less than a mile on level ground along roads, on trails, and through park lands. All such walks are optional.
CLIMATE: In winter (November to February), daytime highs are in the 55-70°F range with nighttime lows in the 30s and 40s F. It can be colder at high elevations and it is always possible to experience days with maximum temperatures of 20°F above or below these figures. Be prepared for early-morning temperatures around freezing or just below. Rain is infrequent but periodic storms can produce precipitation throughout the area. Snow is possible above 4000 feet.
ACCOMMODATIONS: We stay at standard motels throughout. A list of hotel addresses and telephone numbers will be sent to participants as part of the final information.
FOOD: WINGS tours are all-inclusive and, except for tours in the US, no refunds can be issued for any missed tour meals. While our restaurants and ground agents make every effort to ensure the comfort of all participants, we cannot guarantee that all food allergies can be accommodated at every destination. Many restaurants offer set menus and are unable to accommodate all special requests within a group. Thus, participants with significant food allergies or special dietary needs should bring appropriate foods with them for those times when their needs cannot be accommodated. Our tours are carefully scheduled to ensure the best possible birding experience. Meal times can generally not be adjusted; any participant who needs to eat earlier or later than the times scheduled for the group should bring supplemental food. Please contact the WINGS office if you have any questions.
DRESS: Informal throughout.
TRANSPORTATION: We will be traveling by 15- (or 12-) passenger window van or minivan, depending on the group size. When using 15-passenger window vans, we take a maximum of seven passengers plus the leader. Participants should be able to ride in any seat in tour vehicles and are expected to change seats with others daily.
SMOKING: Smoking is prohibited in the vehicles or when the group is gathered for meals, checklists, etc. If you are sharing a room with a nonsmoker, please do not smoke in the room. If you smoke in the field, we ask that you do so well away and downwind from the group. If any lodge, accommodation or location where the group is staying or is gathered has a more restrictive smoking policy than WINGS’ policy, the more restrictive policy will prevail.
GENERAL INFORMATION & CONDITIONS OF WINGS TOURS: Please take a moment to read the General Information & Conditions at the back of the WINGS catalog or in the ‘About Our Tours’ segment of the WINGS website; if you do not have access to the internet, please contact the WINGS office for this information. This section contains important information about how we conduct tours, e.g., what is included in the tour price, refund and cancellation policies, pace of the tours and other information that will help you prepare for the tour.
FINAL INFORMATION: Final information with instructions for meeting the group, hotel addresses, etc., will be mailed about three weeks before trip departure. Other news will be communicated as necessary. If you have any questions, please let us know.
Created: 17 January 2011