On the last weekend in September, the 20 students going to China next summer with Wilderness Expertise completed the first stage of their expedition training.

They spent the weekend researching and creating their itinerary, which sees them, over 28 days, travel from Chengdu to the Gobi Desert, covering vast distances (the longest of several train journeys they take will be 27 hours). They plan to see incredible sights such as the western-most end of the Great Wall, and fortresses and Buddhist monasteries that are more than 1000 years old. They will complete two four-day treks, one in high altitude alpine scenery and the other in the Gobi, perhaps supported by camels. They may also

work with yak herders during their week-long project at an Eco-lodge in a Khampa Tibetan area, where they hope to see the spectacular annual horse festival, at which around 4000 Tibetans compete to display their horsemanship skills.

The area is famous for giant pandas, so the team were all keen to include a visit to the breeding centre in Chengdu before flying home. Teachers and students alike are now wishing away the rest of the school year before they can go!
Miss van der Werff