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Hotels Shanghai Westin Shanghai (D), Victoria Cruises Victoria Anna or Victoria Jenna, Xi’an Golden Flower (SF), Beijing Westin Beijing (D), Ulaanbaatar Hilton Ulaanbaatar (F), Gobi Desert Ger Camp (BA) Meals American breakfast daily (B), 13 lunches (L), 14 dinners (D), including a welcome dinner in Shanghai and a farewell dinner in Ulaanbaatar
Day 1:
Board your transpacific flight. Day 2: Arrive in Shanghai, China. Welcome to China’s most populous city and center of trade and industry. Hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in. Day 3: Shanghai. Full day of sightseeing. Stroll along the Bund, the city’s riverfront boulevard lined with historic buildings, housing, banks, and trade houses. You’ll visit a SILK FACTORY and experience the YU YUAN GARDENS. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant and visit the CHILDREN’S PALACE, one of China’s famous kindergartens. Your Tour Director will host a welcome dinner tonight as you meet your traveling companions. This evening you’ll be amazed by the fabulous ACROBATIC SHOW. (B,L,D) Day 4: Shanghai–Yichang (Embarkation)–Yangtze River Cruise. Visit the SHANGHAI MUSEUM before flying to Yichang. Board the Victoria Anna or Victoria Jenna for a 4-night cruise through the breathtaking Three Gorges of the Yangtze. (B,D) Day 5: Cruising: Three Gorges Dam Site. This morning, visit the THREE GORGES DAM SITE, where the Chinese progress toward building the largest dam of its kind in the world. After lunch, sail through the Three Gorges ship locks and the Xiling Gorge. (B,L,D) Day 6: Cruising: Shennong Stream or Daning River. This morning, disembark for a BOAT EXCURSION down either the Daning River or Shennong Stream, depending on conditions. After lunch, head upstream through the Qutang Gorge, the shortest but most dramatic gorge, and the Wu Gorge, known for its quiet beauty and forest-covered mountains. You can nearly touch the perpendicular walls rising from the riverbanks as your captain negotiates this narrow gap. (B,L,D) Day 7: Cruising: Wanxian or Shibaozhai or Fengdu. Depending on river conditions, one of the following shore excursions will be offered: Wanxian, “Gateway to Eastern Szechuan Province,” where you will see an acrobatic show, market, and possibly a school; Shibaozhai with its 400-year-old, 12-story red wooden pagoda perched high on a cliff; or Fengdu, where you’ll visit Snow Jade Cave. (B,L,D) Day 8: Cruising: Chongqing (Disembarkation)–Xi’an. Bid farewell to your ship’s crew upon arrival in Chongqing, China’s capital during World War II. The city is high on a hill overlooking the Jialing and Yangtze Rivers. Visit a local ZOO to see pandas before boarding your flight to the city of Xi’an in central China. (B,L,D) Day 9: Xi’an. One of the largest and wealthiest cities in the world when China dominated the silk trade, Xi’an today is an archaeological treasure-trove. Sightseeing begins with the nearby DAYAN PAGODA, built in 652 AD, followed by a LACQUER WORKSHOP. Next, visit the enormous tomb of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huangdi, accidentally discovered by local farmers in 1974. Marvel at the legion of TERRACOTA WARRIORS that has been guarding the burial site for 2,000 years. During lunch, enjoy a NOODLE-MAKING DEMONSTRATION by a master chef and learn how Chinese noodles are made by hand. Then, visit the Xi’an City Wall South Gate and learn to write like a local during a traditional Chinese CALLIGRAPHY CLASS. This evening, enjoy “The Tang Dynasty” DINNER SHOW, featuring a colorful assemblage of classical performances. (B,L,D) Day 10: Xi’an–Beijing. Today, fly to Beijing, China’s capital. Enjoy a rickshaw ride through a HUTONG, one of the city’s ancient alleys. Experience life in this historic neighborhood as you are invited into a daycare center, and into the courtyard of a family’s home for a tea ceremony. (B,L) Day 11: Beijing. Your full-day sightseeing starts with a visit to the FORBIDDEN CITY and its IMPERIAL PALACE, once the home of China’s great emperors. Nearby is 100-acre TIAN’ANMEN SQUARE, the largest public square in the world. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant and continue to the former SUMMER PALACE, a complex of pavilions, temples, and galleries set among beautifully landscaped grounds and situated on Kunming Lake. Tonight, experience local culture at the PEKING OPERA, including a behind-the-scenes look at the colorful makeup being applied to the performers. (B,L,D) Day 12: Beijing. The GREAT WALL OF CHINA once stretched 4,000 miles across China’s barren northern terrain from the Bohai Sea to the Gobi Desert. Head north to a village where the Great Wall is well preserved and walk along the wall to enjoy sweeping vistas of this mammoth fortress. Then, visit a CLOISONNÉ WORKSHOP and see local artisans use the techniques of this ancient art form to turn pieces of copper into colorful decorative items. After lunch in a local restaurant, take a leisurely walk down the SACRED WAY of the Ming Tombs and marvel at the impressive hand-carved stone statues. This evening you’re hosted to a special PEKING DUCK DINNER in a local restaurant. (B,L,D) Day 13: Beijing–Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Today, fly to Ulaanbaatar, capital of Mongolia. After some time in the hotel, enjoy a city tour that includes Sukhbaatar Square and Zaisan Hill, offering sweeping views of the city. Next, visit GANDAN MONASTERY. With more than 150 monks in residence and numerous temples, it is the most important Buddhist monastery in Mongolia. The last stop is the NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM, housing fascinating exhibits that showcase the geography, flora, and fauna of Mongolia, as well as dinosaur fossils excavated from the Gobi Desert. (B,D) Day 14: Ulaanbaatar–Gobi Desert. Today, fly to the Gobi Desert. Covering most of southern Mongolia, the Gobi is the world’s fourth-largest desert. Visit EAGLE VALLEY NATIONAL PARK and drink in stunning mountain scenery and the Gobi Glacier. The Gobi supports more than 300 varieties of flora and fauna and several endangered species, including the Snow Leopard and the Bactrian Camel. (B,L,D) Day 15: Gobi Desert. Today, visit Bayan Zag to explore the CEMETERY OF DINOSAURS, where the world’s best-preserved dinosaur skeletons and their petrified eggs were excavated. Then, visit a CAMEL BREEDERS CAMP to learn about the nomadic lifestyle and culture and to try some traditional food. (B,L,D) Day 16: Gobi Desert–Ulaanbaatar. Fly back to Ulaanbaatar. Upon arrival, visit the BOGD KHAN WINTER PALACE and the NATIONAL HISTORY MUSEUM with a rich collection of exhibits covering the history and people of Mongolia. This evening, enjoy a MONGOLIAN FOLKLORE PERFORMANCE featuring traditional musical instruments, songs, and dances. (B,L,D) Day 17: Ulaanbaatar. Excursion to Terelj National Park. After breakfast, drive north to TERELJ NATIONAL PARK, famous for its amazing rock formations and natural beauty. Here you will visit TURTLE ROCK, a unique rock formation shaped like a turtle, and the ARIYABAL MEDITATION TEMPLE. After lunch, enjoy an ARCHERY LESSON and an optional horse ride. Later, return to Ulaanbaatar. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner with your traveling companions. (B,L,D) Day 18: Ulaanbaatar–Beijing. Today, return to Beijing and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Perhaps join an optional excursion to the Temple of Heaven. (B) Day 19: Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (B)
City Highlights Cruise: Deluxe 4-night cruise from Yichang to Chongqing in an outside stateroom with two lower beds, private facilities, and balconyShanghai: Sightseeing with a Local Guide including headsets, visit the Bund, a silk factory, Yu Yuan Gardens, the Children’s Palace, and Shanghai Museum; attend an acrobatic showYichang: Begin your Yangtze cruise aboard the Victoria Anna or Victoria JennaThree Gorges Dam Site: Sightseeing of the impressive dam site with a Local GuideShennong Stream or Daning River: Boat excursion down one of the Yangtze’s lesser gorgesWanxian/Shibaozhai/Fengdu: View a wooden pagoda, an acrobatic show, or visit Snow Jade CaveChongqing: Visit a local zooXi’an: Sightseeing with a Local Guide including headsets, visit the Dayan Pagoda and Terracotta Warriors, calligraphy class, lacquer workshop, noodle-making demonstration; enjoy “The Tang Dynasty” dinner showBeijing: Sightseeing with a Local Guide including headsets; Hutong tour by rickshaw; visit the Forbidden City, Imperial Palace, Tian’anmen Square, Summer Palace, Great Wall, cloisonné workshop, and Sacred Way of the Ming Tombs; Peking Opera performance; Peking Duck dinnerUlaanbaatar: Sightseeing with a Local Guide, visit the Gandan Monastery, the Natural History Museum, Bogd Khan Winter Palace, and the National History Museum; Mongolian folklore performance; farewell dinnerGobi Desert: Sightseeing with a Local Guide; visit Eagle Valley National Park, Cemetery of Dinosaurs, and a camel breeders campTerelj National Park: Sightseeing with a Local Guide; visit Turtle Rock and the Ariyabal Meditation Temple; archery lessonAll Intra-Tour FlightsNotes:
Ship Victoria AnnaVictoria Jenna Price Details US Land-only price includes intra-tour flights, and must be purchased with this vacation.Single Room Supplement: $1680Triples not available.Extra nights per person in Shanghai:Mon.-Thu. in single room $280; in twin room $150.Fri.-Sun. in single room $225; in twin room $125.Extra nights per person in Beijing:Mon.-Thu. in single room $270; in twin room $150.Fri.-Sun. in single room $220; in twin room $120.Suites are available on board the Victoria Anna and Victoria Jenna upon request. Please call for prices. CURRENT SPECIALS: Standard Offers and Specials provided by Globus Share the pleasure of a Globus vacation with your children and grandchildren and take advantage of a 10-percent discount on the land-only price. For eligibility, children must be under 18 years of age on the departure date and must be accompanied by an adult. On escorted vacations we don’t accept children under eight years old because we have found that they are too young to enjoy these vacations.
Pay less for your second vacation We charge you vacation price for your first vacation in 2008, but for every additional Globus vacation you take in the same year, you pay US$35 under list. Our vacations are designed and scheduled so you can combine them almost any way you want. It’s fun to play the add-a-vacation game yourself or talk to your travel agent.
Triple room reduction On most Globus vacations you receive a reduction when three people travel together and share the same accommodations. Triple room reductions, when available, are listed on the itinerary pages. A word of caution: Triple rooms usually are no larger than twin rooms and the third bed, if there is one, is often a rollaway put in a twin-bedded room.
Avoid the single room supplement We do not take reservations on a “share” basis because we have found that strangers rarely enjoy sharing a room for the duration of their vacation. Avoid the single room supplement by traveling with a friend. It’s less expensive and much more fun!
Globus River Cruise Special Offers
And now, a Globus river cruise is an even better value. Book a 2009 European river cruise before February 28, 2009, and you will save $400 per stateroom on the air-inclusive price or save $200 per stateroom on the land/cruise price.*
*Book a 2009 Globus River Cruise Europe air-inclusive vacation to receive the $200 off per person offer. Cruise-only bookings are eligible for the $100 off per person offer. Booking must be made, under deposit, and discount applied between December 16, 2008 and February 28, 2009 for travel through December 31, 2009. Offers not valid with one-another or any other offer except Journeys Club and applies to new 2009 bookings only. Offer reliant on space availability. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Additional restrictions may apply.
Book a group of 10 or more and one travels FREE! *Book a group of 10 or more members on any 2009 Globus, Cosmos, Monograms or Avalon group benefit eligible vacation to receive the one free (land only) offer. To qualify, group must be booked and under deposit between October 17 and February 28, 2009, for travel commencing by December 31, 2009. Applies to new 2009 bookings only. Offer excludes tour vacations with cruises of three or more nights. Not combinable with other group incentives. Additional restrictions may apply. |
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Note: All prices are per person, double occupancy, subject to availability. These pages are not endorsed or supported by the tour operator in any way. All information presented is based on promotional material provided by the tour operator. All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates are subject to change without notice and at any time by the tour operators. Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. The prices on this website are not guaranteed. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in pricing. Please call us toll free at 1-800-942-3301 to confirm availability and pricing.
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