|
|
| Tours >>
Yangtze River |
THREE GORGES YANGTZE RIVER BESTOUR E
featuring VICTORIA CRUISES
The consummate land/cruise odyssey with a leisurely 4-night Yangtze cruise upstream and a journey onto the rooftop of the world.
14 days / 12 nights from $5,180 |
|
|
|
|
|
Shanghai, the amazing city (2 nights)
Yangtze River & the famed Three Gorges (4 nights)
Xian & the great terra cotta army (2 nights)
Lhasa and the “roof of the world” (3 nights)
Beijing, the emperors’ city (3 nights)
Extensions to complement & personalize your vacations:
Hong Kong, the Pearl of the Orient (3 nights)
Tokyo, the bustling city (3 nights) |
|
| Tour Features |
- All domestic airfare included within China
- Premier or Deluxe accommodations throughout
- 14 breakfasts (B), 9 lunches (L), 9 dinners (D or SD-special dinner)
- A gala evening event including Shanghai Acrobats
- Be among the first to tour the Yangtze’s new dam, and among the last to see Yangtze gorges and landmarks before they’re submerged
- Full-day Great Wall and Ming Tombs outing
- Visit the excavation site of 8,000 terra cotta soldiers
- Tibetan architecture and the glorious Himalayan scenery
- Comprehensive sightseeing of each city's highlights
|
|
|
| Pricing |
 |
|
- Special US domestic add-on fare available from your home city (from $100 to $300)
- Weekend (Fri,Sat,Sun) surcharge $50 each way (applicable to Trans-Pacific flight only)
- Above SAMPLE AIRFARES are for your reference only and are based on all major Transpacific carriers. It is inclusive of Transpacific airfare and airfares between China, Hong Kong & Asia. The exact airfare will be quoted at the time of booking. US departure taxes, foreign airport taxes, security charges and fuel surcharges of $250 to $400 are not included.
- Land prices are inclusive of all domestic airfares within China.
- Competitive Executive Class airfares available upon request.
- Optional upgrade to First Class air travel within China $850 per person.
- Guaranteed departures are based on minimum of 2 passengers.
|
|
|
|
| Detailed Itinerary |
|
| Day 1, Thu: Depart Hometown |
| Depart on an overnight flight to China’s largest city, Shanghai, the landing point for many international arrivals.
|
 |
| Day 2, Fri: Arrive Shanghai, China |
Arrive at one of the great seaports of the world, an exciting starting point for your China adventure. Your deluxe hotel is a comfortable place to rest or set off shopping at the arts and crafts center.
HOTEL: PUDONG SHANGRI LA or WESTIN ON THE BUND (premier)
HOTEL: SOFITEL or HUA TING (deluxe) |
|
| Day 3, Sat: Shanghai – Meals: (B,L) |
| Immerse yourself in the culture and sophistication of Shanghai on a full-day tour of the city’s premier attractions. View all manners of Chinese arts, beautifully displayed in the astounding galleries of the new Shanghai Museum. Wander the lovely paths and pavilions of Yuyuan Gardens; experience the old world ambiance of the waterfront Bund; enchanting Xintiande, an urban tourist attraction imbued with the city’s history and culture. After dinner, prepare for a thrilling evening at the Shanghai Acrobatics Show.
|
|
| Day 4, Sun: Shanghai/Yichang/Yangtze River Cruise – Meals: (B,D) |
Fly into Yichang, here you are welcomed aboard your Yangtze cruise ship and shown to your comfortable, air-conditioned cabin. Get acquainted with the American cruise director and helpful cabin stewards, enjoy the relaxing lounges and varied amenities. Later tonight, the city lights fade as we depart upriver.
VICTORIA CRUISES (MV KATRINA) Mar 15 - Nov 2009
VICTORIA CRUISES (MV EMPRESS) Other dates
*Upgrade to MV. YANGTZE EXPLORER (Super Deluxe) available with additional cruise fare. |
|
| Day 5, Mon: Yangtze River Cruise - The Three Gorges and Dam Site – Meals: (B,L,D) |
| After breakfast, enjoy an insightful tour of the colossal new Three Gorges Dam site. Then return to ship, where an incomparable stretch of river scenery unfolds as the river narrows and we begin our dramatic passage through the famed Three Gorges. Enjoy commentary up on the open decks, and informal lectures in the main observation lounge, while ascending through the rapids of Xiling Gorge and the forested limestone peaks of Wu Gorge. Docking overnight in Wushan, you are free to go ashore to browse the lively street market. |
|
| Day 6, Tue: Yangtze River Cruise - The Three Small Gorges – Meals: (B,L,D) |
| A thrilling excursion has us motoring up the Daning River to the sheer cliffs and rushing waters of the Three Small Gorges, this morning’s destination. Return for a fresh, delicious lunch on ship, before sailing on to the final great gorge, Qutang, an exceptionally tranquil and scenic passage through soaring hills blanketed by evergreen forest. Further ahead, the ancient walled city of Fengjie climbs steeply from the riverfront. |
|
| Day 7, Wed: Yangtze River Cruise - Fengdu or Wanxian – Meals: (B,L,D) |
| Travel past fragrant orchards, sleepy villages, and small family farms to Fengdu or Wanxian. A shore excursion will present either the fabled “Ghost City” of Fengdu, with its monstrous carvings and mystical temple; or the picturesque old Sichuan river city of Wanxian, famed for its silk and woven textiles. |
|
| Day 8 Thu: Chongqing/Xian – Meals: (B) |
Arise in Chongqing and enjoy breakfast on ship, before bidding your cruise staff farewell and heading to your next destination. A city tour of Chongqing if time allows, before departing by air to inner China and the old Silk Road city of Xian.
HOTEL: SHANGRI-LA or SOFITEL (Premier)
HOTEL: SHANGRI-LA GOLDEN FLOWER or HYATT (Deluxe) |
|
| Day 9, Fri: Xian – Meals: (B,L,SD) |
| Xian was a capital and international trade center for many centuries while Beijing was still a small frontier settlement, and today you’ll explore the sights of that glorious era: the army of terra cotta soldiers, individually carved to the smallest detail; the splendid city wall with its Ming Dynasty Gates; and one of China’s oldest brick structures, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Art lovers will adore the collections of the History Museum. A Tang Dynasty banquet and stage show complete the day. |
|
| Day 10, Sat: Xian/Lhasa – Meals: (B,D) |
Fly to Lhasa in the morning and arrives in the afternoon. You will be transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to acclimatize to the 12,000-foot altitude.
HOTEL: THE YARLONG TSANGPO or XIN DING (premier)
HOTEL: LHASA or similar (deluxe) |
|
| Day 11, Sun: Lhasa – Meals: (B,L,D) |
| Your stay in Lhasa is devoted to exploring the jewels of Tibetan architecture and the glorious Himalayan scenery. Today, you will visit the architectural wonder of the Potala Palace and visit the Jolkhang Temple, the most sacred and oldest temple in Tibet. Later, proceed to the Barhor devotional circuit. Encircling the Hokhang, the Barkhor is also a hive of market activity and an astounding jamboree. |
|
| Day 12, Mon: Lhasa – Meals: (B,L,D) |
| This morning, you will visit the massive and atmospheric 15th-century Drepung Monastery, which is the largest and best-preserved monastery in Tibet, and Norbu Lingka, the former summer palace of the Dalai Lama. In the afternoon, continue to Sera Monastery, the second largest Monastery in Tibet, and Sera Temple. You will also visit a Tibetan family. Enjoy a traditional performance with dinner tonight. |
|
| Day 13, Tue: Lhasa/Beijing – Meals (B) |
Fly to Beijing. Arrive in sprawling Beijing, where every boulevard, monument, plaza and edifice exudes an air of importance. Your hotel is one of the city’s finest, an ideal location to relax; enjoy the fine restaurants, pool and facilities; or go shopping and exploring.
HOTEL: THE PENINSULA PALACE or THE REGENT (premier)
HOTEL: NEW OTANI or PARK PLAZA (deluxe) |
|
| Day 14, Wed: Beijing – Meals: (B,L) |
| Arise to explore Beijing’s greatest sights: the Forbidden City, a treasure trove of art and heirlooms; the Temple of Heaven’s exuberant interior and delightful park setting; and the breezy landscapes of the Summer Palace, still much as they were during the court of the Empress Dowager. |
|
| Day 15, Thu: Beijing – Meals: (B,L,SD) |
| Built entirely by hand some 2,200 years ago, the Great Wall of China bears testimony to the strength and resilience of the Chinese people. On a full-day tour, walk its promenades, peer out from its towers, and marvel at the Wall stretching endlessly into the countryside. Continue to the Ming Tombs, lined with granite statues of court attendants, which have stood for some 500 years. Top off a grand day with an imperial-style dinner of Peking duck at a top city venue. |
|
| Day 16, Fri: Beijing/Hometown – Meals: (B) |
| Departing for home on your select airline, bid China a fond farewell. |
|
OPTIONAL UPGRADE … NEW LUXURY VESSEL MV. YANGTZE EXPLORER
Shoulder season: March 15 – 29, 2009 & June 06 – September 06, 2009
Deluxe cabin (Main deck) $650 per person or $1,300 per person (single cabin)
Deluxe cabin (Xiling deck) $750 per person or $1,500 per person (single cabin)
Deluxe cabin (Wu deck) $850 per person or $1,670 per person (single cabin)
High season: April 05 – 26, 2009 & November 01 - 22, 2009
Deluxe cabin (Main deck) $1,080 per person or $2,130 per person (single cabin)
Deluxe cabin (Xiling deck) $1,180 per person or $2,290 per person (single cabin)
Deluxe cabin (Wu deck) $1,280 per person or $2,490 per person (single cabin)
Peak season: April 30 – May 31 & September 10 – October 29, 2009
Deluxe cabin (Main deck) $1,170 per person or $1,990 per person (single cabin)
Deluxe cabin (Xiling deck) $1,270 per person or $2,190 per person (single cabin)
Deluxe cabin (Wu deck) $1,370 per person or $2,350 per person (single cabin)
Note: Limited space and subject to availability
3rd person in the room – rates available upon request |
|
|
