4-Day /3-Night Yangtze River Cruise
ESCORTED 14 Days Beijing/Hong Kong
from $2799 land, cruise & intra-tour air
YOUR TRAVEL VALUE INCLUDES
- Airport transfers throughout
- All intra-tour air
- Hotel accommodation in twin-bedded rooms with private bath or shower in hotels listed or similar; hotel taxes, service charges, and tips for baggage handling
- Three night cruise on the 5-star East King in an outside cabin in Superior Category; Upgrades available to Royal and Executive suites
- 13 breakfasts (B), 11 lunches (L) and 9 dinners (D) including a Tang Dynasty Show in Xi’an and Captain’s Welcome and Farewell Dinners on the ship
- Services of professional bilingual Tour Directors from arrival in Beijing to departure in Hong Kong
- Sightseeing as detailed in the itinerary
- All on board activities including Chinese massage and acupuncture demonstrations
- All on board entertainment including crew revues and talent shows
- Services of an English-speaking Cruise Director
- All local taxes
- Portfolio of travel documents
NOTE: Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler. For flights within China, the maximum weight for your checked luggage is 44 pounds per person.
ITINERARY
- Day 1 BOARD YOUR OVERNIGHT TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT.
- Day 2, Tue. ARRIVE IN BEIJING, CHINA. at Beijing On arrival in China’s capital, you will be transferred to your hotel, where the balance of the day is free.
- Day 3, Wed. GREAT WALL & SUMMER PALACE EXCURSION. at Beijing Head northwest to the Great Wall of China, an architectural wonder. There is plenty of time to explore the ramparts of this awesome structure. Back in Beijing, visit the splendid Summer Palace, a stunning complex of pavilions, temples, and gardens situated around man-made Kunming Lake. (B,L,D)
- Day 4, Thu. BEIJING. at Beijing This morning, the energetic can join an excursion to exercise with the locals in a nearby park. Then continue sightseeing with a visit to the Temple of Heaven. Built in the 15th and 16th centuries, it represents the pinnacle of Ming and Qing architecture. Next is the Xishiku Church, one of just 17 churches in China. Stop at Tiananmen Square, and finally, visit the Forbidden City, an immense maze of palaces. (B,L)
- Day 5, Fri. BEIJING / XI’AN. at Xian A free morning to relax, shop or explore on your own. There is an optional visit to a Hutong, an ancient city alley or lane between courtyards, via rickshaw. A Hutong visit is an ideal way to learn about the daily life of ordinary Beijing citizens. This afternoon, fly to Xi’an. (B,L,D)
- Day 6, Sat. XI’AN. at Xian Your first stop today is a highlight tour of the magnificent Museum of Qin Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses. Next, visit a pottery workshop where you will have a chance to make your own pottery warrior. At lunch, meet a local chef for a dumpling cooking demonstration. This afternoon, see the city wall, probably the most complete ancient city wall in China today. Tonight, attend the Tang Dynasty Dinner Show, featuring colorful classical performances of dance and song. (B,L,D)
- Day 7, Sun. XI’AN / CHONGQING / EMBARK CRUISE. at Chongqing Fly to Chongqing, a major port city on the Yangtze and board your ship. During the next few days, when you are not sightseeing, you can relax, enjoy the spectacular scenery, converse with new friends or attend an interesting acupuncture demonstration. (B,L,D)
- Day 8, Mon. CRUISING. at Chongqing Enjoy a memorable day of cruising. Depending on river conditions, stop in Fengdu, a typical riverside village, also known as the “Ghost City.” (B,L,D)
- Day 9, Tue. CRUISING. at Chongqing Continue through the first and second of the three gorges – Qutang Gorge and Wu Gorge. After lunch, enjoy a small boat excursion down the Daning River or Shennong Stream to see the lesser gorges (depending on river conditions). Later today sail through the Three Gorges locks. (B,L,D)
- Day 10, Wed. CRUISING / THREE GORGES DAM / YICHANG / SHANGHAI. This morning, take in the beautiful scenery. Then tour the gargantuan Three Gorges Dam. On arrival in Yichang, disembark and visit a local kindergarten. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Shanghai. There is time this evening to stroll along the main shopping street. (B,L,D)
- Day 11, Thu. SHANGHAI. First today visit Yuyuan Garden, a 400-year-old classical garden. Next is The Bund, with its unique modern architecture. On to see a Linong, blocks of old Shanghai neighborhoods with criss-crossing lanes and alleys. Then visit the Silk Museum to view a demonstration of the ancient process of making silk from silkworm cocoons. After dinner at a local restaurant, enjoy an evening cruise along the Huangpu River. (B,L,D)
- Day 12, Fri. SHANGHAI / GUILIN. at Guilin This morning, take a short flight to Guilin. See the Reed Flute Cave, a natural phenomenon of stalactites, stalagmites, and stone curtains, glistening under colored lighting. Continue your tour of the Guilin area, viewing Elephant Trunk Hill and the Li River. (B,L,D)
- Day 13, Sat. GUILIN / LI RIVER CRUISE / HONG KONG. at Hong Kong Enjoy a morning cruise on the green waters of the Li River. Afterwards, transfer to the airport for your flight to Hong Kong. (B,L)
- Day 14, Sun. HONG KONG. at Hong Kong Your city tour takes in all the famous sites, including Victoria Peak, the waterfront city of Aberdeen, lovely Repulse Bay and historic Stanley Market. The afternoon is free for independent sightseeing. (B)
- Day 15, Mon. DEPART HONG KONG. at Hong Kong The day is free until your transfer to the airport for your flight. (B)
2008 Cruises
| Departs On | Returns On | Cruise Price |
| September 22, 2008 | October 6, 2008 | $3,099.00 |
| September 29, 2008 | October 13, 2008 | $3,119.00 |
| October 6, 2008 | October 20, 2008 | $3,119.00 |
| October 13, 2008 | October 27, 2008 | $3,119.00 |
| November 3, 2008 | November 17, 2008 | $2,849.00 |
| November 17, 2008 | December 1, 2008 | $2,849.00 |
2009 Cruises
| Departs On | Returns On | Cruise Price |
| April 20, 2009 | May 4, 2009 | $3,555.00 |
| May 4, 2009 | May 18, 2009 | $3,555.00 |
| May 11, 2009 | May 25, 2009 | $3,555.00 |
| May 18, 2009 | June 1, 2009 | $3,555.00 |
| June 1, 2009 | June 15, 2009 | $3,155.00 |
| June 8, 2009 | June 22, 2009 | $3,155.00 |
| June 15, 2009 | June 29, 2009 | $3,155.00 |
| July 6, 2009 | July 20, 2009 | $3,155.00 |
| July 20, 2009 | August 3, 2009 | $3,155.00 |
| September 14, 2009 | September 28, 2009 | $3,555.00 |
| September 21, 2009 | October 5, 2009 | $3,690.00 |
| September 28, 2009 | October 12, 2009 | $3,690.00 |
| October 5, 2009 | October 19, 2009 | $3,690.00 |
| October 12, 2009 | October 26, 2009 | $3,690.00 |
| October 19, 2009 | November 2, 2009 | $3,690.00 |
| November 2, 2009 | November 16, 2009 | $3,690.00 |
| November 16, 2009 | November 30, 2009 | $3,315.00 |
*Savings are cruise only, based on select new 2009 river cruises booked and deposited by September 30, 2008. Cabin upgrades are available at an additional cost. Port taxes from $84 - $168 per person are additional. Valid on new bookings only. Not valid for groups. Ask about our low international airfares. Other restrictions apply. Savings on select cruises include: Book and deposit by September 30, 2008 and save $150 per person ($300 per cabin) or Book and pay in full by September 30, 2008 and save $300 per person ($600 per cabin). Save $150 or $300 per person on: Casltes along the Rhine, Enchanting Danube, Paris & Normandy, Burgundy & Provence, Douro Valley, Paris & Europe River Romance, Danube Holiday Markets, European Holiday Markets, Parisian Winter Holiday and Imperial Russia. Book and deposit by September 30, 2008 and save $250 per person ($500 per cabin) or book and pay in full by September 30, 2008 and save $500 per person ($1000 per cabin). Save $250 or $500 per person on: Legendary Rhine & Moselle, European Serenade, Eastern European Explorer, European Jewels, Grand France. Book and pay in full 10 months in advance and save up to 7.5% on: Best of Egypt, Wonders of Egypt, Egyptian Voyager, Highlights of China, and China Discovery.
