DISCOVER THE SPLENDOUR OF CHINA
Features the fabulous Autumn Tints in Jiuzhaigou and Yunnan
30 days/28 nights accommodated
Part tour possible - 22 days/20 nights accommodated fly home from Beijing.
HONG KONG - GUILIN - LI RIVER CRUISE - YANGSHUO - SHANGHAI - SUZHOU - LUXURY YANGTSE 4 NIGHT CRUISE - CHONGQING - DAZU - JIUZHAIGOU - CHENGDU - PANDA BREEDING CENTRE - XIAN -BEIJING - KUNMING - DALI - LIJIANG - SHANGRI LA - KUNMING
Optional extension to XISHUANGBANNA - MEKONG CRUISE - CHIANG RAI, LAOS and CAMBODIA
Includes: 4 star hotels, 5 star Beijing Hotel, and 4 night luxury 5 star Yangtse cruise
2010: October 9
Tour cost per person - 30 days: 2 per room $13,680. single room $16,590
22 Days - return from Beijing. 2 per room $9,760. Single room $11,860
Upgrade to Business Class on International Flights $3,300 extra per person
Tour Highlights
HONG KONG. 1 night in the City of Life - arrive earlier if you wish!
Optional tours to Hong Kong Island, Lantau, etc
GUILIN. 2 nights. Natural beauty of the Li River and amazing Karst limestone formations. Reed Flute Cave and Fubo Hill.
YANGSHUO. 1 night among the amazing Karst limstone formations and one of the best evening shows in China!.
SHANGHAI. The sophisticated face of modern China
Yu Garden - the Bund - Nanjing Road - Jade Buddha Temple - Acrobats - Huangpu River cruise.
SUZHOU. Silk industry spinning, weaving, and embroidery. Canal cruise
YANGTSE CRUISE. Four nights aboard Victoria Cruises luxury 5 star cruise ship. All cabins with private balconies. Cruise from Yichang to Chongqing via the Three Gorges dam, Three gorges scenic wonders, and Shennong Stream or three little gorges
CHONGQING. Fast developing city of the Yangtse.
DAZU. Amazing Buddhist carvings at this World Heritage site
JIUZHAIGOU. 3 nights. One of the most scenic areas in China. The autumn tints should be fabulous during our stay.
CHENGDU. Capital of Sichuan Province. Visit the Panda breeding centre and Sanxindui historical site.
XIAN. First capital of all China!
Terracotta Warriors - Pagoda - Grand Mosque - Bell Tower
BEIJING Modern capital of all China
Great Wall - Ming Tombs - Temple of Heaven - Tian An Men Square -Forbidden City - Summer Palace, Hutong tour
KUNMING. City of Flowers and capital of Yunnan province. Stone Forest DALI. Home of the Bai people, Three Pagodas, Erhai lake cruise
LIJIANG. World Heritage town. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Black Dragon Pond.
SHANGRI LA. Stone Drum Village, Songzanlinbu Temple, Tiger Leaping Gorge.
Option to XISHUANGBANNA, MEKONG CRUISE TO THAILAND, LAOS, CAMBODIA.
ITINERARY
Day 1. Saturday. October 9, 2010. AUCKLAND - HONG KONG
Fly from Auckland to Hong Kong. We will be transferred to the Marco Polo Hong Kong Hotel or similar on arrival.
Day 2. Sunday. October 10. HONG KONG - GUILIN (B)
Free time to explore as you wish this morning. Mid afternoon transfer to the airport and this evening fly to Guilin. We will be met by our local guide and transferred to the Park or Guilin Bravo Hotels or similar.
Day 3. Monday. October 11. GUILIN. (BLD)
Visit Reed Flute Limestone Cave, Fubo Mountain, and an Arts Centre this morning. Free afternoon to explore the markets and town and this evening enjoy a night lights tour and cruise on the river to see the Cormorant fishermen and city lights.
Day 4. Tuesday. October 12. GUILIN - Li River cruise - YANGSHUO. (BLD)
A day of magnificent scenery as we cruise down the Li River among the amazing Karst limestone landscape to Yangshuo. Explore the markets and the town and stay overnight in Yangshuo. This evening enjoy one of the best shows in China!
Day 5. Wednesday. October 13. YANGSHUO - SHANGHAI (BLD)
Drive back to Guilin and fly to big, bustling, exciting, Shanghai and transfer to the Shanghai Broadway Mansions Hotel, right by the Bund and in easy walking distance of Nanjing Road.
Day 6. Thursday. October 14. SHANGHAI (BLD)
Our full day sightseeing includes the Bund, Nanjing Road, and the new development area of Pudong including a visit to the upper sphere of the Oriental Pearl Tower. Also enjoy a leisurely 1 hour cruise on the Huangpu River, and visit the Yu gardens, and the Jade Buddha Temple. Time to relax and freshen up before enjoying the famed Shanghai Acrobats.
Day 7. Friday. October 15. SUZHOU EXCURSION (BLD)
Transfer to the rail station and enjoy the scenes of rural China during the ride to Suzhou, city of silks and gardens. Visit one of the famous gardens such as the Garden of the Humble Administrator, as well as a silk weaving factory, and take a cruise through the suburbs on an ancient canal. Return to Shanghai this evening.
Day 8. Saturday. October 16. SHANGHAI - YICHANG - CRUISE (BD)
Free time to explore at your leisure this morning. This afternoon fly to Yichang for dinner at a local restaurant and join your 5 star Victoria cruise ship.
Day 9. Sunday. October 17. CRUISING – THREE GORGES DAM (BLD)
This morning we visit the Three Gorges Dam information centre for panoramic views over this massive engineering project. Return to the ship and cruise through the Xiling Gorge.
Day 10. Monday. October 18. CRUISING – DANING RIVER (BLD)
Disembark into small boats for a cruise up the Daning River or Shennong Stream for more amazing scenery before reboarding victoria Queen we cruise through the Wu and Qutung Gorges. Your ship board OPTIONAL programme includes Tai Chi, Calligraphy lessons, Massage demonstrations, and entertainment from your wonderful crew.
Day 11. Tuesday. October 19. CRUISING. (BLD)
Continue upriver and enjoy the passing parade of villages, boats, and amazing scenery. You will have a shore excursion at either Shibozhai or Fengdu as determined by the river authorities.
Day 12. Wednesday. October 20. CHONGQING ARRIVE - DAZU EXCURSION (BLD)
Arrival at Chongqing is scheduled for 9am. Say farewell to your crew and enjoy a tour of Chongqing before driving to the World Heritage site at Dazu. Explore the amazing Buddhist grottoes before returning to Chongqing. Accommodation at Holiday Inn Yangtse hotel.
Day 13. Thursday. October 21. CHONGQING - – JIUZHAIGOU (BLD)
Morning flight to Jiuzhaigou and this afternoon explore the beautiful Huanglong National Park. See the ponds, waterfalls, mountain and forests. Accommodation for 2 nights at Gesang hotel.
Day 14. Friday. October 22. JIUZHAIGOU (BLD)
Day 15. Saturday. October 23. JIUZHAIGOU. (BLD)
Two days to tour the Jiuzhaigou National Park admiring the majestic scenery and meeting the local people, mainly Tibetan.
Day 16. Sunday. October 24. JIUZHAIGOU - CHENGDU (BLD)
Fly to Chengdu this morning. This afternoon visit the Panda Breeding Centre and Sanxindui museum. Accommodation at Tibet Hotel or similar.
Day 17. Monday. October 25. CHENGDU - XIAN (BLD)
This morning fly to Xian, first capital of all China. Transfer to the Bell Tower Hotel in the heart of the city. This afternoon visit the Little Wild Goose pagoda, City Wall, and market. This evening enjoy the Tang Dynasty show and dinner.
Day 18. Tuesday. October 26. XIAN - BEIJING (BLD)
A highlight of your tour will be a visit to the amazing Terracotta Army of Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi. See the army and enjoy the 360 degree film of events which took place over 2000 years ago. Also visit the Ban Po village and this evening fly to Beijing. Transfer to the magnificent 5 star Beijing Hotel, a few minutes walk from Tian an Men Square and right at the start of the Wanfujing shopping street.
Day 19. Wednesday. October 27. BEIJING (BLD)
Today visit the Summer Palace, Tian an Men Square and the Forbidden City. Western dinner tonight.
Day 20. Thursday. October 28. BEIJING. (BLD)
Drive to the Great Wall at Mutianyu with a ride on the cable car included then on to the Ming Tombs to walk the sacred way of the animals and visit one of the tombs. Also today visit a Cloisonne factory with demonstrations of this ancient art form - and the opportunity to buy!.
Day 21. Friday. October 29. BEIJING. (BLD)
This morning enjoy a visit to the Temple of Heaven, and take a rickshaw ride through the ancient Hutong residential district of Beijing. This evening enjoy a Peking Duck dinner
Day 22. Saturday. October 30. BEIJING DEPART - KUNMING. (B)
Those leaving us for Auckland today fly from Beijing to Hong Kong, connecting on to Auckland arriving late sunday morning.
Those continuing to Yunnan fly south to Kunming, capital of Yunnan, and transfer to the Harbour Plaza or similar hotel.
Day 23. Sunday October 31. KUNMING - DALI (BLD)
Fly to Dali this morning. Visit the minority villages of Xizhou and Zhoucheng with dye workshop, Cang Hill with a cable car ride, Butterfly Spring, a local dye workshop, the famous Three Pagodas and enjoy a cruise on lake Erhu.
Day 24. Monday. November 1. DALI - LIJIANG. (BLD)
Drive to the ancient World Heritage Site village of Lijiang. This afternoon visit Dragon Pond Park, Dongba Museum and the old town. This evening enjoy a Naxi traditional music concert.
Day 25. Tuesday. November 2. LIJIANG (BLD)
Sightseeing today includes visits to Yak meadow of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain with a chairlift ride, Baisha frescoe, and Longquan Naxi Village. This evening enjoy a local modern concert.
Day 26. Wednesday. November 3. LIJIANG - SHANGRI LA.
A day of magnificent scenery travelling through the foothills of Tibet with visit to Tiger Leaping Gorge in the headwaters of the Yangtse, and Stone Drum Village. Accommodation in Zhongdian (Shangri La) at Paradise Hotel.
Day 27. Thursday November 4. SHANGRI LA. (BLD)
Visit the Songzanlinbu temple, most important Tibetan Lamasery in Yunnan and Sichuan, Pudacuo Forest Park, and a Tibetan family. Also explore the town and handicraft centre.
Day 28. Friday November 5. SHANGRI LA - KUNMING (BLD)
Fly to Kunming, capital of Yunnan province, this morning. Afternoon sightseeing includes the Stone Forest and climb to Dragon gate at West Hill. This evening a magnificent theatre performance is included.
Day 29. Saturday November 6. KUNMING - HONG KONG - DEPART
Fly to Hong Kong from Kunming connecting to our overnight flight back to Auckland, arriving Sunday morning.
Those going on to Xishuangbanna, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia fly to Xishuangbanna and transfer to our hotel
Day 30. Sunday. November 7. XISHUANGBANNA. (BLD)
Day 31. Monday November 8. XISHUANGBANNA. (BLD)
Two days exploring the Xishuangbanna area including the Sanchahe nature reserve covering some 1.5 million hectares. We visit the Banna Wild Elephant valley and take a 2km cable car across the tree tops. Also visit the Elephant shaped Banyan tree at Mengyang. Xishuangbanna is home to many unique species of plant and animal life and we will try and see as many as possible.
Day 32. Tuesday. November 9. XISHUANGBANNA – CHIANG RAI. (B)
Transfer to the pier for a special experience as we depart at 8am for our 12 hour cruise down the mighty Mekong River to Chaeng Saen in Thailand. We will be met on arrival and transfer to our resort in Chiang Rai for 2 nights. (Please note that this is a local rather than tourist boat!)
Day 33. Wednesday. November 10 CHIANG RAI - Burma Excursion. (BLD)
Drive to Mae Sai on the Thai-Burma border and cross the Sai River into Tha Chilek Burma border town. Take a tricycle ride to explore Tha Chilek with its Shan style temples including the suburban areas and market, and a weaving village. Lunch at a local restaurant and take a long tail boat trip on the Mekong to Chiang Saen and return to Chiang Rai. Special farewell Thai dinner and show tonight.
Day 34. Thursday. November 11. CHIANG RAI DEPART (B)
The morning is free to relax before transferring to the airport for our flight to Bangkok and overnight to Auckland arriving Friday morning, October 30.
You are welcome to stay longer in Chiang Rai or go to Chiang Mai and explore the rest of Thailand if you wish.
TO COMPLETE AN AMAZING JOURNEY WHY NOT DEPART ON A TWO DAY CRUISE DOWN THE MEKONG ON OUR BEST OF LAOS AND CAMBODIA TOUR
Day 35. Friday November 12. AUCKLAND ARRIVE
Arrival at Auckland is scheduled for late morning.
Total tour cost including Xishuangbanna and Chiang Rai - $11,900 2 per room.
BEST OF LAOS AND CAMBODIA
Day 34. Thursday. November 11. CHIANG RAI – HOUEI SAY - PAKBENG by LuangSay Cruise on the Mekong River (BLD)
Pick up from Hotel in Chiangrai to HoueiSay immigration. After that transfer to HoueiSay pier. LuangSay boat leaves HoueiSay pier at 09:00 Hrs.for a cruise down the Mekong to Pakbeng. En route one stop is made to observe rural life along the Mekong and discover minorities, a buffet lunch on board. Arrive Pakbeng before sunset and check in at LuangSay Lodge. Dinner on the terrace, overlooking the Mekong River.
Day 35. Friday. November 12. PAKBENG – PAK OU – LUANG PRABANG (BLD)
(Optional : early morning walk to Pakbeng market, where people from the surrounding village of minorities exchange their goods). At 08:30 board the boat for the second leg of the cruise. A short stop to discover a Hmong village before having buffet lunch on board. Continue to Pak-Ou village at the mouth of the Nam Ou River, visit Tam Ting “Caves of a thousand Buddha’s”. On the way to Luang Prabang a brief stop is made to observe the traditional process of obtaining local rice alcohol. Arrive at Luang Prabang before sunset around 16:00 Hrs. Transfer from pier to hotel. Dinner at local restaurant. 3 nights at Hotel Villa Santi
Day 36. Saturday. November 13 . LUANG PRABANG. (BLD)
Full day sightseeing including: Wat Visoun, Wat Aham, Wat Xiengthong, Wat Sean. After lunch at local restaurant visit Wat Mai, Hand weaving village ( Ban Phanom ). Return to town, then climb up Phousi Mountain and see a panoramic view of Luang Prabang city. Dinner at local restaurant.
Day 37. Sunday. November 14. LUANG PRABANG – Kuangsi Waterfall excursion (BLD)
Morning tour to Former Royal Palace Morning tour to the former Royal Morning tour to the former Royal Palace,now the National Museum, then excursion to Kuangsi Waterfall by road with picnic lunch box. On the way visit local villages. Return to Luang Prabang. Dinner at hotel.
Day 38. Monday. November 15. LUANG PRABANG – VIENTIANE (BLD),br/> You are free at leisure until transfer to the airport. Fly south to Vientiane, capital of Laos and transfer to your hotel. Special Lao dinner and cultural show tonight.
Day 39. Tuesday. November 16. VIENTIANE. (BLD)
Morning sightseeing in Vientiane includes Wat Sisaket, Hor Prakeo, That Luang, and Patuxai. Free afternoon to explore at your leisure.
Day 40. Wednesday. November 17. VIENTIANE – SIEM REAP> (BLD)
Fly to Siem Reap, home of Angkor Wat.
Day 41. Thursday. November 18. SIEM REAP. (BLD). In the morning, we visit magnificent Angkor Wat to view its architecture and bas reliefs. This temple is the largest religious buildings ever constructed and is truly one of the wonders of the world. Believed to have been undertaken as a temple and mausoleum for King Suryavarman II at the peak of the Khmer empire in the first half of the 12th century, Angkor Wat is the best-preserved of the Angkorian temples.Lunch at local restaurant. In the afternoon, we visit the sites of Angkor Thom. This Royal city was first built under the reign of Udayadityavarman II in the 11th Century. It was destroyed when the Chams from Vietnam rose up against the Khmers and invaded, sacking the city, and was subsequently renovated by King Jayavarman VII at the end of the 12th Century. Its vast walls, some 6m wide, 8m high and 13km in length contain many monuments. Continue to visit Victory Gate, the Bayon, this temple mountain, built by Jayavarman VII, is situated in the center of the city of Angkor Thom. It is a three-tiered pyramid with its entrance facing east. The central shrine is surrounded by 54 towers all crowned by gigantic faces, representing Avalokite-shvara but with the features of Jayavarman VII. Next stop is Baphuon, Phimean Akas, Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King. Enjoy sunset over Angkor Wat from Phnom Bakheng. Dinner at local restaurant
Day 42. Friday. November 19. SIEM REAP– Countryside (picnic). (BLD)
We board a small wooden boat for the trip to Kompong Phluk. Cruising down a narrow waterway, we enter this medieval floating village, where the houses stand atop stilts as much as 10 metres above the water. Everything lives on the water, pigs, dogs, crocodiles and people, all jockeying for space in this incredible floating town. We explore the local Wat here, before boarding a bigger boat to take us through the flooded forest and across the Great Lake to Chong Kneas with a glorious sunset at the Tonle Sap before heading back to Siem Reap by road. Then, we call in at Les Artisans d’Angkor, a workshop of the craftsmanship to redevelop Khmer traditional artisan skills, retail Craft-center selling colorful, handcrafted Cambodian gifts and home wares. Also a visit to the Angkor Conservancy is included today. Dinner at local restaurant.
Day 43. Saturday. November 20. SIEM REAP – PHNOM PENH. (BLD)
Transfer to Siem Reap Ferry Dock to embark a speedboat at 07:00 to Phnom Penh. On arrival at 12:30, welcome and transfer with tour guide to your hotel for check in. Lunch at local restaurant This afternoon, we visit the harrowing genocide museum at Tuol Sleng and the Killing Fields of Choeng Ek, both enduring memorials to the gruesome and brutal rule of the Khmer Rouge. Enjoy the sunset at Wat Phnom, standing atop the artificial hill built in the 15th century stands a stupa containing the ashes of a king from the same period. There is also a small Buddhist pagoda. Wat Phnom is a city landmark and a popular place for worship. Dinner at Local Restaurant.
Day 44. Sunday. November 21. PHNOM PENH. (BLD)
First we visit the Royal Palace, located on the shores of the Mekong. Inside its walls are the Throne Hall, the Chan Chaya Pavilion, used for performances of classical dance, the Napoleon III Pavilion, and the King and Queen's residential quarters. Next stop will be the Silver Pagoda, home to a glittering array of Buddhist statuary. The Silver Pagoda is also called the Pagoda of the Emerald Buddha; it is located in the walls of the Royal Palace. Inside, its floor is made up of 5,000 silver blocks. In the center of the pagoda, there is a magnificent 17th century emerald Buddha statue made of baccarat crystal. The walls enclosing the pagoda are covered with frescoes depicting episodes from the Khmer version of the Ramayana. Continue to visit the National Museum, the world’s leading museum of Khmer sculpture. National Museum is situated near the Royal Palace; Cambodia's National Museum offers a charming setting for the display of a stunning collection of Khmer art. Predominantly worked in stone, the sculptures date from both the Angkorean and pre-Angkorean eras, complimented by more recent examples of Cambodian art. The museum is housed in a terracotta-roofed structure of traditional Cambodian design, which was built between 1917 and 1920. Lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon, we visit the Central Market and Russian Market. The Central Market is where most people do their shopping. There are many branches leading off the central area and the market’s high roof is very impressive. Both markets are the place to pick up a few bargains, especially the “Russian” market which specializes in antiques, souvenirs and cheap CDs and DVDs. Enjoy sunset cruise on The Mekong River. Dinner at local restaurant
Day 45. Monday. November 22. PHNOM PENH DEPART. (B)
The morning is free to explore at your leisure. Transfer to the airport this afternoon for departure.
Those going to Vietnam to join our 7 or 14 day tour depart early afternoon for a leisurely cruise along the Mekong River arriving Chau Doc mid evening. Transfer to your hotel for the night. You will be met by your Vietnam vehicle and guide Saturday morning and be in Ho Chi Minh city early afternoon.
Day 46. Tuesday. November 23. AUCKLAND ARRIVE
Arrival in Auckland is scheduled for late morning.
Tour cost per person
Full tour - 46 Days. 2 per room - $13,980. Single room - $15,650
End Beijing* - 22 Days. 2 per room - $8,780. Single room - $9,890
End Kunming* - 30 Days. 2 per room -$10,600. Single room - $11,760
End Chiang Rai* - 31 Days. 2 per room - $11,980. Single room - $13,460
* Includes air fares back to New Zealand
Tour cost includes
** Round trip economy class air fares
** Accommodation at first class hotels plus 4 nights on de luxe Yangtse cruise
** Comprehensive sightseeing with English speaking guides as listed including all admissions
** All visa fees, taxes, and tips
** Services of tour escort from Auckland for minimum of 10.