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Yangtze river cruise - China ultima tour

Beijing - Xi’an - Chongqing - Yangtze River Cruise - Wuhan - Nanjing - Shanghai

Experience China’s immense history and cultural diversity in a value packed 5-Star tour that takes you to many of China’s most amazing sites. You’ll stay in premium hotels, savour delicious meals and discover hidden treasures when you take the ultimate 7-day luxury downstream cruise along the mighty Yangtze River.

The tour begins in China’s current capital Beijing, where we’ll encounter an impressive mix of historical attractions such as the Great Wall, Temple of Heaven, Forbidden City and Ming Tombs. Next, we’ll fly to China’s original capital of Xi’an to witness the incredible Terracotta Warriors. Afterwards we’ll fly to Chongqing to meet the adorable Giant Pandas and link up with the prestigious 5-Star Victoria Cruises (USA) ship to explore regions such as the 3 Gorges, Wuhan, Yellow Mountain and Nanjing. The tour concludes in Shanghai, where the cruise docks and we tour the modern metropolis that’s fast become China’s food, fashion and business capital.

Tour Summary

Duration

17 Days

Departure Date

Tour departs Australia on 15 October 2012

Route

Beijing – Xi’an – Chongqing – Yangtze River Cruise – Wuhan – Nanjing – Shanghai

Fitness Level

Average

Tour Price

AU $5,995 per person - twin share
AU $4,893 per person - twin share Land Only Package excluding international airfares
AU $1,770 per person single hotel room & cruise cabin supplement
AU $150 per person earlybird discount^ applies to registered Probus members and bona fide Australian Seniors Card holders who pay in full by 31 January 2012

Inclusions

International return economy class airfares including AU$605 taxes* departing Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide or Perth on Singapore Airlines; 2 domestic economy class flights Beijing > Xi’an and Xi’an > Chongqing including all taxes; meals as per the itinerary - Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), Dinner (D); 5-star hotel accommodation; superior cabin with private balcony aboard the 5-star Victoria Cruises ship with meals, shore excursions and onboard activities per the cruise itinerary; accredited English-speaking local tour & river guides; LetsdoChina.com national escort; gratuities to local tour guides & drivers; Chinese Visa application fees for Australian Passport Holders; transportation for all specified transfers & tours, entry fees to all listed attractions and 2 show tickets; LetsdoChina.com Travel Wallet.

Exclusions

Personal expenses such as telephone, internet, dry cleaning, taxi fares etc, or optional activities or shows or meals or any items not listed in the itinerary.

Itinerary

Days 1-2

Depart Australia aboard Singapore Airlines and fly overnight to Beijing via Singapore. On arrival to Beijing Airport, we’ll be met by our local guide and transferred to the Crowne Plaza Hotel to relax for the remainder of the day.

Day 3

After breakfast we’ll visit Tiananmen Square and tour the amazing Forbidden City - headquarters of the imperial emperors for more than 500 years. After lunch we’ll visit the tranquil settings of the Temple of Heaven where Emperors prayed for good harvests and the welfare of the people. Next we’ll enjoy a Pedi-cab tour of the Hutongs and back alleys of old-world Beijing. This evening we’ll dine on a sumptuous Peking Duck dinner - one of China’s most famous signature dishes. (BLD)

Day 4

Today we’ll journey to the Great Wall of China and be overwhelmed as we walk along one of the greatest man-made structures in the world. Later we’ll also visit the Ming Tombs in the Shisanling Forest, resting place for 13 of the Ming Dynasty emperors. Relax after dinner or explore Beijing from our centrally located hotel. (BLD)

Day 5

This morning we’ll take a shopping trip to the incredible multi-storey Silk Street Market. You’ll be amazed at the variety on offer so brush up on your bargaining. Later we’ll have lunch and then transfer to the airport for a flight to Xi’an. On arrival to China’s original capital, we’ll be met by our local guide and transferred to the Sofitel Hotel. (BLD)

Day 6

The highlight of today’s tour is our visit to one of China’s most amazing archaeological discoveries - the Terracotta Warriors. Marvel as we study the 6,000 plus life-sized clay soldiers and their horses. Later we’ll walk along the well-preserved ancient City Wall and wander through the old town centre. In the evening we’ll enjoy dinner whilst being entertained by the colourful performance of the Tang Dynasty Cultural Show. (BLD)

Day 7

Today we leave Xi'an and transfer to the airport for a flight to Chongqing. On arrival we'll be met by our local guide and visit the old Ciqikou part of the city. Afterwards we'll pay a visit to Chongqing Zoo to see the adorable Giant Pandas. This evening we’ll have an overnight stay at the JW Marriott Hotel to relax and prepare for tomorrow’s cruise. (BLD)

Day 8

After breakfast, we’ll transfer to the dock to board the our Victoria Cruises ship for check-in and a 10:00AM departure. Relax and settle in to the gentle ebb of the mighty Yangtze as we pass beautiful scenery and rich vegetation. A shore excursion is scheduled to the ghost city of Fengdu. This evening we’ll enjoy dinner and partake in some onboard activities. (BLD)

Day 9

Relax as we sail past the towering cliffs and the amazing Qu Tang & Wu Gorges. Today there’s a shore excursion planned for the smaller gorges of the Daning River. This evening we’ll have an opportunity to meet fellow passengers and the ship’s crew when we attend the Captain’s Welcome Cocktail Party. Tonight the ship will also pass through the engineering marvel of the 3 Gorges Ship Lock. (BLD)

Day 10

This morning we’ll go ashore at Yichang to inspect the incredible 3 Gorges Dam – one of the world’s largest engineering projects. Later we’ll return to the ship and head for Wuhan. (BLD)

Day 11

Around midday there’s a shore excursion to Wuhan - China’s largest central city. Here we’ll visit the Hubei Provincial Museum and discover artefacts that date back to the first century BC. Later we’ll return to the ship and continue a course towards Shanghai. (BLD)

Day 12

This morning we’ll arrive in Guichi and after breakfast there’s a full day shore excursion to visit the majestic Yellow Mountain. This is one of the major highlights of the cruise where we’ll visit one of China’s most scenic mountainous regions. In the evening we’ll return to the ship and head for Nanjing. (BLD)

Day 13

As day breaks we’ll find ourselves in Nanjing - a former ancient capital of China. A half-day tour has been planned which includes a visit to Dr Sun Yat-sen’s Mausoleum. We’ll also visit a Qing Dynasty style bazaar that surrounds a Confucian Temple. This evening the ship will leave Nanjing and set a course for our final destination - Shanghai. (BLD)

Day 14

This morning the ship will arrive in the modern city of Shanghai. After breakfast we’ll bid farewell to the Captain and crew and disembark. We'll be met at the dock by our local guide who'll be waiting to escort us on a visit to the riverfront promenade known as the Bund and then we’ll ascend to the observation deck of Jin Mao Tower in Pudong for a bird’s eye view of Shanghai. Later we’ll check-in to the Radisson New World Hotel and relax for the remainder of the day. (BLD)

Day 15

Today after breakfast we'll head off for a tour of Yuyuan Gardens in Shanghai’s old city quarter. Afterwards, we’ll experience the bustling shopping atmosphere of Shanghai’s famous Nanjing Road. In the evening we’ll enjoy a local specialty dinner before catching a breath-taking performance by the Shanghai Acrobatic Show. (BLD)

Day 16

After checking out we’ll be transferred to Shanghai Airport for our flight home to Australia. (B)

Day 17

Today we’ll arrive home in Australia.

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Important
Prior to making a booking, please visit our Terms and Conditions web page to view our policies related to travel in China. Booking forms & deposits of $440 per person must be received no later than 31 July 2012. A minimum of 10 passengers is required for the tour to go ahead. Cancellations made 42 days or less from the departure date will result in a forfeiture of 100% of your tour payment. ^Only registered members of Probus and bona fide registered Australian Seniors Card holders who pay in full by 31 January 2012 are entitled to the $150 per person earlybird discount - proof of registration will be required. Sometimes due to local traffic conditions or other circumstances, the order of your activities may vary slightly from your written itinerary. We also reserve the right to make alternative accommodation arrangements of a similar standard should a proposed hotel be unavailable. The price is correct as of 05/09/2011 and is based on the current exchange rates. LetsdoChina.com reserves the right to adjust the cost of your tour prior to your final payment due to unexpected events such as rises in airline taxes* & fuel surcharges.

Victoria Cruises Terms and Conditions - Single supplement is 75% of the cruise fare in a superior cabin and 100% of the cruise fare in a suite. Children under 12 staying in the parents' cabin are charged 67% of the full cruise fare. Children under 2 are charged 10% of the full cruise fare. Parents with children 2 and over, and adults sharing a triple occupancy may find that a standard cabin is not roomy enough when a third bed or cot is placed in it. For such bookings, it is suggested that either a suite be reserved, or the third passenger reserve as a single or share basis in a separate cabin. In a standard cabin, infants under 2 must stay in a bed with a parent. Prices are subject to change without prior notice. Cancellations made 30 days or less prior to the cruise departure date will result in a forfeit of 100% of the cost of the cruise. Victoria Cruises’ prices are subject to change without prior notice and they reserve the right to vary the order or content of their cruise itinerary and we recommend you read their Terms & Conditions web page prior to making a booking.

LetsdoChina.com strongly recommend that you purchase appropriate Travel Insurance cover prior to your departure to safeguard against unforeseen events. LetsdoChina.com is a registered Safe Travel Charter Partner with the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and is an authorised agent to issue travel insurance. Visit our Quick Quote site where you can also purchase an online policy. For further information, please go to our Travel Insurance page and also find other useful links regarding advice on safe travel practices.