BEST OF THE YANGTSE, 2010
19 Days/ 17 Nights accommodated.
Features Beijing, Xian, Chengdu, Dazu, Chongqing and a 6 night luxury cruise from Chongqing to Shanghai.
Optional extension to Guilin and Hong Kong
Optional 5 day tour to Chengde, Beidehe, and the eastern and of the Grat Wall prior to the main tour.
| Tour Number | Depart New Zealand | Return New Zealand | 2 per room | Single |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 103 | May 15, | June 2nd | $8,960 | $10,640 |
| 104 | June 12 | June 30 | $8,600 | $10,100 |
| 105 | July 10 | July 28 | $8,600 | $10,100 |
| 106 | August 7 | August 25 | $8,600 | $10,100 |
| 107 | September 4 | September 22 | $8,900 | $10,900 |
| 108 | October 16 | November 3 | $8,900 | $10,900 |
GO ESCORTED.
All departures will be escorted for a minimum of 10 passengers. Best chances are for 16 October!
Day 1.Saturday. AUCKLAND DEPART
Depart Auckland late evening aboard Air New Zealand flight non stop to Beijing.
Day 2. Sunday. ARRIVE BEIJING
Arrive Beijing mid morning. You will be met on arrival by your local guide and transfer to our Hotel within walking distance of Tian an Men Square.A short orientation tour of the city will be provided en route to our hotel including some of the Olympic venues (exterior view) and Tian an Men Square. No visit to Beijing is complete without seeing the Birds Nest, Water Cube and other Olympic venues. The rest of the day is free to relax.
Day 3. Monday BEIJING (BLD)
Drive to Mutianyu and take the cable car to one of the least crowded sections of the Great Wall then on through beautiful countryside 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 4. Tuesday. BEIJING (BLD)
Explore the Summer Palace and take a rickshaw ride through the Hutong ancient residential area including a visit to the Drum tower and enjoy lunch with a local family including dumplings. This afternoon visit the amazing Imperial Palace (Forbidden City). This evening enjoy a Peking Duck dinner.
Day 5. Wednesday. BEIJING - XIAN. (BLD
Fly south to Xian, first capital of all China. This afternoon visit the Bell Tower, market, Grand Mosque, and city wall. Accommodation at Bell Tower Hotel.
Day 6. Thursday. XIAN. (BLD)
A highlight day visiting the Terracotta Warriors, and Ban Po Neolithic Village. This evening enjoy the Tang Dynasty Show and dinner.
Day 7. Friday. XIAN - CHENGDU. (BLD)
Fly to Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province. You will be met by your local guide and tour the city including the Panda Bear Breeding centre. usually young ones are in residence. Accommodation at Tibet Hotel or similar.
Day 8. Saturday. CHENGDU - CHONGQING. (BLD)
Visit the Sanxingdui historic area and city and this afternoon we take the train to Chongqing. Transfer to the Holiday Inn Yangtse Hotel.
Day 9. Sunday. DAZU EXCURSION. (BLD).
Tour old and new Chongqing and drive to Dazu to explore this amazing Buddhist World Heritage site with its massive carvings. Return to Chongqing.
Day 10. Monday. CHONGQING. DEPART (BLD)
You will be transferred to the pier to join your Victoria Cruise ship sailing at 11am. Enjoy the river life cruising downstream with a shore excursion at Fengdu late afternoon.
Day 11. Tuesday. CRUISING. (BLD)
Enjoy an excursion by small boat up the Daning river to see the small gorges this morning and this afternoon cruise through the three big gorges. This evening you will pass through the Three Gorges Dam shiplock system.
Day 12. Wednesday. CRUISING. (BLD)
Morning excursion by bus to the Three Gorges Dam information centre and reboard your ship to continue your cruise downstream.
Day 13. Thursday. CRUISING. (BLD)
Arrive Wuhan at noon for an excursion ashore to the Hubei provincial museum
Day 14. Friday. CRUISING. (BLD)
Arrive Guichi for a full day excursion by coach to beautiful Mt Huangshan.
Day 15. Saturday. CRUISING. (BLD)
Arrive Nanjing 8am with a half day city tour provided including Dr Sun Yat Sen Mausoleum, Qing Dynasty style Bazaar, and Confucian temple. Free time to explore at your leisure. Depart at 9pm.
Day 16. Sunday. END CRUISE - SHANGHAI. (BLD)
Arrival in Shanghai is scheduled for 8am. Visit the Bund and Nanjing Road, Yu Gardens, Jade Buddha Temple, and the colonial area. Accommodation at Shanghai Mansions Hotel.
Day 17. Monday. SHANGHAI (BLD)
Drive into the countryside this morning to see the ancient water village of Zhujiajiao. Walk the ancient streets, see the gardens and pavilions and take a cruise on the canal. Return to Shanghai and see the entire silk process from silk worms through to finished weaving and embroidery, and cruise on the Huangpu River. Enjoy a special Shanghai dim sum dinner before the included world famed acrobatic show.
Day 18. Tuesday. SHANGHAI DEPART (B)
Transfer to the airport this morning to rejoin Air New Zealand for your non stop flight to Auckland.
Day 19. Wednesday. ARRIVE AUCKLAND
Arrive Auckland early this morning.
Tour cost includes:
Economy class air fares from Auckland, Wellington, or Christchurch, all transfers and comprehensive sightseeing with English speaking guide including admissions where necessary, 11 nights 4 star hotels, 6 nights Victoria Cruises luxury cruise ship, usually Victoria Prince. Most meals as indicated by each day, Visa fee, airport taxes in China. Tips are not included - (Bonus: Tips included on escorted group tours), allow $NZ10 per person per day for tips.
ADD GUILIN AND HONG KONG
Fly to Guilin tuesday for 2 nights with a 1 day cruise on the Li River to Yangshuo wednesday and local sights thursday including Reed Flute Cave, Fubo Hill, and an art gallery. Fly to Hong Kong Thursday evening for 2 nights at Marco Polo Hong Kong hotel departing saturday evening, arriving Auckland sunday morning.
Extra cost per person $1,400 share room, $1,900 single room
ADD CHENGDE, BEIDEHE, AND THE EASTERN END OF THE GREAT WALL BEFORE YOUR BEST OF THE YANGTSE TOUR.
Departs Auckland wednesdays prior to BEST OF THE YANGTSE.
Day 1. Wednesday. AUCKLAND DEPART
Depart Auckland late evening aboard Air New Zealand flight non stop to Beijing.
Day 2. Thursday. ARRIVE BEIJING
Arrive Beijing mid morning. You will be met on arrival by your local guide and transfer to our Hotel within walking distance of Tian an Men Square.A short orientation tour of the city will be provided en route to our hotel including some of the Olympic venues (exterior view) and Tian an Men Square. No visit to Beijing is complete without seeing the Birds Nest, Water Cube and other Olympic venues. The rest of the day is free to relax.
Day 3. Friday. BEIJING - CHENGDE (BLD)
Drive to the Great Wall at Jinshanling and marvel at this ancient wonder snaking over the hills. This area of the Great Wall was built in the 6th century, is relatively undeveloped, and has a large number of watchtowers. Continue to Chengde, Summer resort of the Emperors. Accommodation at a 3 star hotel.
Day 4. Saturday. CHENGDE. (BLD)
Explore the Summer ("Fleeing the Heat" Palace, mostly built in the 18th century, and covering some 590 hectares, bigger than Beijing's Summer Palace and Forbidden City combined. The Emperor was enthralled by Tibetan and Mongolian culture which is reflected in the amazing Putuozongcheng Temple (Little Potala Palace) which we also visit. There will be time to wander through the park and just enjoy the local atmosphere.
Day 5. Sunday. CHENGDE - BEIDAHE. (BLD)
we take the back roads to the seaside resort of Beidahe for accommodation at a 4 star hotel. Stroll along the waterfront and enjoy a special seafood dinner tonight.
Day 6. Monday. BEIDAHE - BEIJING. (BLD)
Today we visit the Eastern end of the Great Wall at Old Dragon Head and also the "First Pass Under Heaven" where the wall stretches off into the mountains. Return to Beijing this afternoon and rejoin the main itinerary.