Discover Vietnam and China
20 days/17 nights accommodated
LOCALLY HOSTED DEPARTURES FROM AUCKLAND EVERY SATURDAY YEAR ROUND
29 days/28 nights accommodated. 2 weeks in Vietnam and join our MAGNIFICENT CHINA tour
| Tour | ESCORTED DEPARTURES FROM AUCKLAND. 2009
FIVE STAR HOTELS AT FOUR STAR PRICES!
Depart New Zealand | Return | 2 per room | Twin Single |
|
|---|
| 927 | October 20 | November 7 | $9,980 | $11,980 |
Business class upgrade on International Flights $4,200 per person
Day 1. Wednesday NEW ZEALAND - HO CHI MINH CITY
Depart Auckland this morning with Cathay Pacific Airways for Hong Kong. Transfer on arrival to our flight to Ho Chi Minh City arriving mid evening. Accommodation at Duxton (4 star) or Caravelle (5 star) or similar hotels.
Day 2. Thursday. HO CHI MINH CITY (BD)
Morning tour of Ho Chi Minh City including Reunification Hall, Historical Museum, Vinh Ngiem Pagoda etc. This afternoon visit the Ben Thanh market, Notre Dam Cathedral, China Town, Thien Hau temple, and Cuu Chi tunnels
Day 3. Friday. MEKONG DELTA EXCURSION. (BLD)
Today we tour the Mekong Delta including Vinh Trang Pagoda, cruise on the Mekong to Orchard island and visit Dong Fam snake farm before returning to Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 4. Saturday. HO CHI MINH CITY - DA NANG - HOI AN (BLD)
Morning flight to Da Nang. Sightseeing includes the Cham Museum, Marble Mountains, and China Beach before visiting the fascinating ancient Heritage town of Hoi An. Overnight in Hoi An at Golden Sand or Victoria Hotels.
Day 5. Sunday. HOI AN - HUE (BLD)
Drive to Hue with a stopover at the top of Hoi An Pass and visit to Lang Co beach. Hue was the Imperial capital of the ancient Cham Civilisation and this afternoon visit the Imperial Citadel and museum of Royal relics.Accommodation at Imperial (4 star) or La Residence (5 star) Hotel.
Day 6. Monday. HUE. (BLD)
Enjoy a boat ride on the perfume river and visit the Thien Mu Pagoda, the tombs of the Kings Minh Mang and Khai Dinh the markets and shopping area.
Day 7. Tuesday. HUE - HANOI - HA LONG BAY (BLD)
Free time for shopping before our flight to Hanoi. We will be met on arrival and drive to beautiful Ha Long Bay with a stop in Haiphong City en route. Join our overnight cruise boat. Enjoy the fabuliuysKarst scenery and anchor overnight in a quiet bay.
Day 8. Wednesday. HA LONG BAY - HANOI - DEPART (BLD)
Disembark and return to Hanoi. Accommodation at Guoman (4 star) or Sofitel Plaza (5 star) Hotels.
Day 9. Thursday. HANOI (BLD)
Full day sightseeing includes Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature, Fine Arts Museum, Quan Tanh Temple, West Lake, and district of 36 ancient streets including a cyclo tour. This evening enjoy a Hanoi by night tour and water puppet show.
Day 10. Friday HANOI - DEPART (BD)
Most of the day is free to explore at your leisure. Lunch not included. Transfer to the rail station this afternoon and depart by train. Four berth sleeper cabins provided.(Group departure - 2 persons per cabin only)
Day 11. Saturday GUILIN ARRIVE (BLD)
Sit back and enjoy the scenery as we travel through southern China passing through Nanning this morning and arriving in beautiful Guilin late afternoon. We will be met and transferred to our accommodation at Guilin Bravo Hotel or similar.
Day 12. Sunday GUILIN - LI RIVER CRUISE (BLD)
A day of amazing scenery as we cruise down the Lijiang River amid the amazing karst limestone mountains. See the Cormorant fishermen and cruise past the rice fields to the village of Yangshuo. Explore the village and markets and return to Guilin by coach. This evening enjoy a night cruise on the river to see the city lights and night fishermen.
Day 13. Monday. GUILIN - XIAN (BLD)
Visit the beautiful Reed Flute limestone cave, Fubo Hill, and an art gallery. This afternoon fly to Xian, first capital of all China. Transfer to the Bell Tower Hotel or similar.
Day 14. Tuesday XIAN (BLD)
A highlight of your tour will be a visit today to the amazing Terracotta Army of Emperor Qing Shi Huangdi. Also visit the Small Wild Goose pagoda, Ban Po village, Grand Mosque, and Bell Tower. This evening enjoy a Tang Dynasty show and dinner.
Day 15. Wednesday XIAN - BEIJING (BLD)
Visit the excellent Shaaxi provincial museum, and the city wall this morning and lunch before flying to Beijing - modern capital of all China. Transfer to the New World Courtyard Hotel within walking distance of Tian An Men Square.
Day 16. Thursday BEIJING (BLD)
Visit Tian an men Square, the magnificent Forbidden City, and stroll through the Summer Palace of the emperors today.
Day 17. Friday BEIJING (BLD)
Drive to the amazing Great Wall at Mutianyu with a ride on the cable car included then on through beautiful rural scenery to the Ming Tombs and return to Beijing early evening. Also visit a Cloisonne Factory en route to see these products being made - and of course you have the opportunity to buy. This evening celebrate your final night on tour with a Peking Duck dinner.
Day 18. Saturday BEIJING DEPART (BLD)
This morning we visit the Temple of Heaven before taking a rickshaw through the Hutong ancient residential area of Beijing and lunch with a local family. Transfer to the airport and fly back to Hong Kong connecting to direct flights to Auckland or Christchurch.
(Why not stay on for a few days and enjoy Beijing on your own or join our extra tours to Tibet, North Korea, or the Silk Road).
Day 19. Sunday. AUCKLAND ARRIVE.
Arrive Auckland this morning
INCLUDING SHANGHAI AND YANGTSE CRUISE - 7 extra nights
Join our MAGNIFICENT CHINA tour in Guilin.
Available every week from 4th April to 7th November, 2009
Day 13. Monday GUILIN - SHANGHAI (BLD)
This morning visit the beautiful Reed Flute limestone cave, Fubo Hill and an art gallery. This afternoon fly to Shanghai. Accommodation at Shanghai Mansions Hotel or similar.
Day 14. Tuesday SHANGHAI SIGHTSEEING (BLD)
Our full day sightseeing includesthe Bund, nanjing Road, Oriental pearl Tower in Pudong (Upper Sphere) Yu gardens, Jade Buddha temple and a one hour cruise on the Huangpu River. Enjoy a special Shanghai dim sum dinner before the included world famed acrobatic show.
Day 15. Wednesday SHANGHAI - SUZHOU EXCURSION (BLD)
Transfer to the railway station for our ride to the charming city of Suzhou, known as a Millionaire's retirement scentre in pre revolutionary times, and also as a centre of the Silk Industry. Visit the Master of Nets Garden, a silk spinning factory, and take a cruise on the ancient canals through the city. Return to Shanghai late afternoon.
Day 16. Thursday SHANGHAI -YICHANG - CRUISE (BLD)
The morning is free to explore at your leisure. Explore the shops and markets of Nanjing Road, the museum, or art gallery, or whatever you wish. All activities are extra expense. This afternoon we fly to Yichang and have dinner at a local restaurant before boarding Victoria Cruises luxury cruise vessel sailing late evening.
Day 17. Friday CRUISE - THREE GORGES DAM (BLD)
Visit the Three Gorges dam site after breakfast and disembark for a visit to the information centre, and inspection of this massive project. After reboarding the ship we will cruise through Xiling Gorge
Day 18. Saturday CRUISING - Wu and Qutung Gorges and Daning River or Shennong Stream (BLD)
Disembark to take a cruise aboard small sampans for a special excursion up Shennong Stream or Daning River for more magnificent scenery and an insight into early life on the river. Later we return to our ship for lunch and pass through the Wu and Qutung Gorges. This evening enjoy the entertainment of your crew on board.
Day 19. Sunday CRUISING - SHORE EXCURSION (BLD)
Most of the day is spent relaxing on board and watching the passing river life. Enjoy the calligraphy, acupuncture, massage, and other demonstrations on board and participate in the Tai Chi sessions. We have one shore excursion at Shibaozhai, Fengdu, or Wanxian as determined by the river authorities.
Day 20. Monday CHONGQING - XIAN (BLD)
Arrive Chongqing this morning and after disembarkation take a tour of the old and new parts of Chongqing including the zoo to see the Panda Bears. This afternoon fly to ancient Xian, first capital of all China. Transfer to the Bell Tower Hotel or similar.
Day 21. Tuesday XIAN (BLD)
A highlight of your tour will be a visit today to the amazing Terracotta Army of Emperor Qing Shi Huangdi. Also visit the Small Wild Goose pagoda, Ban Po village, Grand Mosque, and Bell Tower. This evening enjoy a Tang Dynasty show and dinner.
Day 22. Wednesday XIAN - BEIJING (BLD)
Visit the excellent Shaaxi provincial museum, and the city wall this morning and lunch before flying to Beijing - modern capital of all China. Transfer to the New World Courtyard Hotel within walking distance of Tian An Men Square.
Day 23. Thursday BEIJING (BLD)
Visit Tian an men Square, the magnificent Forbidden City, and stroll through the Summer Palace of the emperors today.
Day 24. Friday BEIJING (BLD)
Drive to the amazing Great Wall at Mutianyu with a ride on the cable car included then on through beautiful rural scenery to the Ming Tombs and return to Beijing early evening. Also visit a Cloisonne Factory en route to see these products being made - and of course you have the opportunity to buy. This evening celebrate your final night on tour with a Peking Duck dinner.
Day 25. Saturday BEIJING DEPART (BLD)
This morning we visit the Temple of Heaven before taking a rickshaw through the Hutong ancient residential area of Beijing and lunch with a local family. Transfer to the airport and fly back to Singapore connecting to direct flights to Auckland or Christchurch.(Why not stay on for a few days and enjoy Beijing on your own or join our extra tours to Tibet, North Korea, or the Silk Road).
Day 26. Sunday NEW ZEALAND ARRIVE
Arrive Auckland or Christchurch
Tour cost includes:-
| Tour |
ESCORTED DEPARTURES FROM AUCKLAND
Depart New Zealand | Return | 2 per room | Twin Single |
|
|---|
| 727 | October 20 | | November 15 $12,990 | $14,870 |
** Economy class air fares from Auckland/Wellington/Christchurch return.
** Arrival and departure transfers at each point
** All travel by air, coach, and cruise ship from Ho Chi Minh City to Beijing including airport departure taxes in Vietnam and China
** First class hotels throughout and 4 nights aboard luxury cruise ship (26 day tour only)
** Most meals as indicated by each day
** Very comprehensive sightseeing including all admissions where necessary and evening shows as stated
** Services of English speaking guides in each city
** Services of tour escort from Auckland subject to a minimum of 10 travelling