The Great Total Solar Eclipse of 2009

Throughout history one can find references to a lunar or solar eclipse with great fear and portends for great evil to come. For these were times when the science of gravity and the Solar System were still unknown and Total Solar Eclipses were rare.

"Were Rare"…....Indeed!

Consider the fact that even though over seventy total solar eclipses occur every century, there are just a lucky few that get to witness this celestial event, since less than one percent of Earth's surface happens to fall in the “path of totality.” More often than not, the moon's shadow, averaging a mere 100 miles in width, crosses Earth's immense body of water - thus limiting land-based viewers. In yesteryears (before international travel) standing in the shadow of the moon was rare indeed. In today’s world of modern transportation and relatively open borders, we do not have to wait a lifetime to see an eclipse. Today, we can travel to where ever totality beckons us. Come ..... be an eclipse chaser.

On July 22, 2009, the narrow band of the moon's shadow touches Earth in the Arabian Sea. Making landfall in Surat, India, it then crosses the monsoon covered Indian-Subcontinent into China. Crossing central China, the shadow shoots across the South Pacific where nightfall occurs. On this day of nature’s most extravagant celestial event, we will be ideally situated on the center line of the path of totality in central China. We will have arrived at our eclipse site the day before, thus giving us a relaxed day to setup and prepare for totality.

With legs firmly planted on the ground and tripods steady, we will be able to observe and photograph the various stages of the eclipse with ease. This will be very different from the frustrating rolling deck of shipboard viewing. “Got to have your feet on solid ground, with plenty of elbow room to observe and photograph an eclipse” says Sanjay Saxena, leader of four total solar eclipse expeditions and veteran of five. We will have ample time to soak in the amazing sight as the moon’s shadow rushes across China towards us before engulfing us in it embrace for a long 5 minutes and 30 seconds

Outline Itinerary – 2009

Day 1: July 16th – DEPART USA

Day 2: July 17th – ARRIVE BEIJING - You will be met on arrival and transferred to the Regent Hotel.

Day 3: July 18th – EXPLORING BEIJING
Explore Tiananmen Square, an icon of Beijing, before proceeding to the vast enclave of the imperial court, the Forbidden City, called Ta Nei, “The Great Within.” The Forbidden City has been supplanted by history, but it retains an ancient and knowing air of utter command. We also explore the Temple of Heaven. The Regent Beijing(B, L, D)

Day 4: July 19th – GREAT WALL EXCURSION / TO XIAN
The Great Wall is one of those wonders of the world travelers throughout the centuries have lusted after, and for good reason. More than 2,500 years old, the Chinese built this impressive fortification to protect their civilization from the unruly northern tribes. Returning to Beijing, we will catch the early evening flight to Xi’an, the capital of Shaanxi Province. Once the largest city in the world, Xi'an was the capital of eleven dynasties (from the 11th century B.C. to the 10th century A.D.) and was the easternmost city along the Silk Road.
Xian Sheraton Hotel (B, L, D)

Day 5: July 20th – EXPLORING XI’AN
After breakfast we visit the famous Terra Cotta Warriors. One of the century's greatest archaeological finds, these life-size figures number in the thousands. Each seems based on a live model, each has a personality, a history.
Xian Sheraton Hotel (B, L, D)

Day 6: July 21st – TO WUHAN / ECLIPSE VIEWING SITE
Mid-morning we will be transferred to the airport for our flight to Wuhan. Departing Xian we will fly to Wuhan, arriving there at 3:00 PM. After checking into tour hotel the leaders (and any participants who wish) to will drive out to the eclipse site and check it out once again.
The Shangri-La Hotel (B, L, D)

Day 7: July 22nd – IN THE SHADOW OF THE MOON
We will rise early this morning to head off for the centerline and viewing stations that we defined yesterday. We will have our vehicles and drivers on standby and in case of cloudy skies we will have the option of driving East on the excellent roadways in this region to find our patch of open sky. “

With the sun well above the horizon (32 degrees) and luck on our side (bringing clear skies) we will be ready as first contact occurs around 8:15 am with the moon’s shadow racing towards us at 1600 km per hour. At our viewing site totality occurs for a long 5 minute 30 seconds, starting at 9:24:28 am. The eclipse ends at 10:46 am as the moon completely moves out from in front of the sun and the partial eclipse starts.

After totality (or before) we will have a “picnic breakfast,” returning to our hotel for lunch. In the afternoon we head out to some of the sites in and around Wuhan with a Gala Dinner this evening, complete with slide show of the eclipse that we just witnessed. The Shangri-La Hotel (B, L, D)

Day 8: July 23rd – FLY TO CHENGDU
After two early mornings, we have a relaxed morning as we depart mid-day to Chengdu, the prosperous capital of Sichuan province. Our afternoon’s exploration include the beautiful Wenshu Yuan (God of Wisdom) Temple, built during the Tang dynasty and is the best preserved Buddhist temple in Chengdu.
The Shangri-La Hotel (B, L, D)

Day 9 : July 24th – DAY EXCURSION TO LESHAN
We depart early this morning to see the Giant Buddha at Leshan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. We will view the statue both, from across the river and walking up the stairs from its feet to viewing platforms level with its eyes. On our way back we will make a diversion to see the largest collection in the world of Buddhist carving on a Cliffside. Over 2,400 Buddhas in various sizes, shapes and groupings are carved on the cliffs at Jianjiang Qianfoyan. This is off the tourist path and we may be the only visitors here.
The Shangri-La Hotel (B, L, D)

Day 10: July 25th – DEPART FOR USA Today we will transfer to Chengdu’s airport for our return flight to the USA. Flights will arrive in the USA the same day.

Call us toll free at 1-800 MY INDIA (1-800-694-6342) or email us to request a detailed day-to-day itinerary.

"Zeus, the father of the Olympic Gods,
turned mid-day into night,
hiding the light of the dazzling Sun,
and sore fear came upon men.”
- Archilochus (680 -640 BC)

“Astronomers Studying an Eclipse” 1571 painting by Antoine Caron

The Great Wall of China

The Terracotta Army

The start of Totality

Corona of the sun at Totality

Corona of the sun at Totality

Giant Buddha at Leshan