17 nights Yangtze Cruise & Tibet Tours
US - Shanghai - Yichnag - Yangtze River Cruise - Chongqing - Chengdu - Lhasa
- Chengdu - Xian - Beijing - US
* Guaranteed departure with minimum 2 people
A
Departure dates
* Guaranteed daily departure with minimum 2 people
B. Itinerary
Day 1 US/Shanghai
Depart San Francisco with your transpacific flight for Shanghai.
Day 2 Arrive Shanghai
Arrive Shanghai, China's most populous city and a rising economic center
in Asia. Our guide and driver will be greeting you at the airport and
escort you to your 5 star Sheraton Huating Hotel & Towers or same
class.
Day 3
Shanghai (B, L, D)
Stroll along the world famous Bund waterfront, where your guide will show you
the landmarks along China's Wall Street and one of the world's highest buildings
in the newly developed land across the bustling Huangpu River. In the afternoon,
shop along the Old City Town and Nanjing Road - Shanghai's past and present
center business districts.
Day 4 Shanghai (B)
Free on your own.
Day 5 Shanghai - Yichang - Yangtze River Cruise (B-L)
Fly to Yichang
and board the fine cruise ship Victoria Cruise.
Day 6
Three Gorges Dam (B, L, D)
Passing the shiplock at Gezhouba Dam, you enter the fabled Yangtze Three Gorges
this morning. Disembark at the Three Gorges Dam construction site for a close
look at the world's largest hydro project. Then reach Badong for overnight.
Xiling Gorge, the first and longest of the three gorges, is featured with dramatic
shoals, verdant cliffs, temples and landmark rocks.
Day 7
Yangtze River Cruise <Badong> (B, L, D)
Excursion in a small boat exploring the Shennong Stream: ancient plank road
remains along the river, mysterious ancient Ba people's coffins suspended high
on the cliff, wild monkeys running under the primitive bushes and trees. Continue
to the 2nd gorge, Wu Gorge. The weathered twelve peaks of Goddess shapes a
deep zigzagging valley and forested mountains.
Day 8 Yangtze River Cruise <Wanxian> (B, L, D)
Qutang Gorge. Sailing through the 5,000 ft high, 300 ft wide passage and the
breath-taking gorges onto Wanxian. A shore excursion includes visits to the
museum with a suspended coffin on display, silk factory, and open market selling
everything fresh - an insight into the local daily life. After Captains' farewell
banquet, there is a gala party tonight on the ship till next day morning.
Day 9
Yangtze River Cruise/Chongqing/Chengdu
Your cruiser reaches Chongqing at 9 AM. Disembark the ship and transfer by
bus to Chengdu, Capital of Sichuan Province and the “Gateway to Tibet”.
Enjoy the authentic Sichuan cuisine for dinner and stay overnight at 4 star
Lhasa Hotel.
Day 10 Chengdu to Lhasa (B, L, D)
Early morning flight to Lhasa. Over two million people inhabit this land of
ancient cultures, with their own ways of marriage, burial, and other ceremonies.
Lhasa is an isolated outpost open to foreigners in 1984. Its 1,300-year history
has put it in the center of politics, economy, culture, and religion in Tibet
since ancient times. Upon arrival, we transfer to the 3 star Tibetan Lhasa
Hotel. The balance of the day is free to relax and adjust to the high altitude.
Day 11 Lhasa (B, L, D)
Buddhism infuses all aspects of life. We see this influence today at the 17th
century Potala Palace. Built on the sides of the Red Hill, rising more than
1,000 feet above the valley floor, it was once the residence of the Dalai Lama.
The Potala Palace consists of the Red Palace and the White Palace. Resembling
a magnificent castle in the heaven, it is now a state museum with more than
1,000 rooms. Jokhang is an intriguing complex of chapels, courtyards, and sacred
Buddhist art that attracts pilgrims day and night. Its architectural mixes
of Tibetan, Indian, Nepalese, and Chinese styles that will fascinate you. Surrounding
Jokhang is Barkhor, a plaza lined with chanting monks, street performers, and
vendors selling carpets, hats, prayer shawls, jewelry, and yak sculls.
Day 12 Lhasa (B, L, D)
After breakfast in our hotel, continue our tour to Drepung Monastery, which
was the sprawling home to 10,000 yellow hat monks. Most of the buildings are
decorated in the maroon and white motif. There is a richness of gold decoration
on the rooftops. Sera Monastery. Sera means "Hailstone" in Tibetan, and legend
says that it hailed during the foundation of this famous monastery. Golden
minarets atop the monastery shine like beans to the pilgrims who still seek
its spiritual guidance. Norbulingka means "jeweled garden", a fitting title
for this 200-year-old park, served as the ruler's summer palace. Beautiful
frescoes, including one that depicts the union of the three worlds - that of
heaven, earth, and human beings - cover the walls 0f the 370-room palace. On
the park's grounds boast a rich bounty of arbors, pavilions, trees, and flowers.
Day 13
Lhasa to Chengdu to Xian (B, L, D)
Fly to Chengdu and then connect your flight to Xian, an ancient capital for
13 dynasties and now a modern metro city. Transfer to your 5 star Xi’an
ANA Grand Castle Hotel or same class.
Day 14
Xian (B, L, D)
Today, we set off to view China's first emperor’s 6,000 life size Terra-cotta
Soldiers and their horses, chariots, and weapons, “the eighth wonder
of the world”. Also visit legendary Wild Goose Pagoda and the ancient
City Wall. If time permits, visit Banpo Neolithic Museum. A marvelous Tang
Dynasty dumpling dinner and show.
Day 15 Xian/Beijing (B, L, D)
Fly to Beijing, China's capital, 2008 Olympic Games host city. You will marvel
at the ever changing and splendid city in blend of old and new, even if you
are not a first time visitor. Stay in your new 5 star Kunlun Hotel.
Day 16 Beijing (B, L, D)
Visit the world's largest plaza -- Tiananmen Square. The magnificent royal
court Forbidden City offers endless treasures and stories. Continue to the
Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace, the symbols of the country.
Day 17 Beijing (B, L, D)
Great Wall, bordering the Gobi Desert. Walk on the Great Wall is going to be
a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Also visit the Ming Imperial Tombs. An authentic
Peking Duck farewell dinner party concludes your China tours.
Day 18 Beijing/US (B)
Take your homebound transpacific flight to the US. You will arrive home the
same day, with everlasting memories.
C. Tour Costs
$3,525 p.p. from San Francisco.
Land only: $2,925 p.p.
Single Supplement: $1,100 p.p.
Add-on airfare: $50-$250 p.p. from other cities (call for details).
High season (May, August, Sept, Oct) surcharge: $190 p.p.
D. Including
1. Round-trip international air from SFO;
2. Transportation between cities;
3. 5 star deluxe hotel accommodations, double occupancy;
4. 4 and 3 star hotels in Chengdu and Tibet, double occupancy;
5. Famed deluxe cruise ships up the Yangtze River (based on Standard outside
cabin);
6. Shore excursions along the Yangtze Three Gorges;
7. American breakfast buffet, Chinese lunch and dinner daily;
8. Private sightseeing with English speaking guides;
9. Special banquets and cultural events;
10. . All transfers.
E. Excluding
1. Gratuities;
2. China visa fee;
3. Tibet Travel Permit;
4. Travel insurance;
5. Airport Taxes and International Departure Taxes.
6. International airfares are subject to change by the airlines, unless full
payments have been made or tickets have been issued.
|
