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)

Click here to check rates and availability online, 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. Or, to speak to one of our live, experienced travel consultants, Call us now at 1-800-942-3301. Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.
Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
5/12/2009 - 5/30/2009	$5,809	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
5/19/2009 - 6/6/2009	$5,809	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
5/26/2009 - 6/13/2009	$5,759	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
6/2/2009 - 6/20/2009	$5,709	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
6/7/2009 - 6/25/2009	$5,709	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
9/1/2009 - 9/19/2009	$5,849	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
9/8/2009 - 9/26/2009	$5,849	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
9/13/2009 - 10/1/2009	$5,849	Call Us	Call Us	Call Us
Price Details US Land-only price includes intra-tour flights, and must be purchased with this vacation. Single Room Supplement: $1680 Triples 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:

Save $200 per couple on the air-inclusive price of 2009 Europe Vacations

*Book a 2009 Globus air-inclusive European vacation to receive the $100 per person discount. Booking must be made, under deposit and discount applied between October 8, 2008 and November 30, 2008 for travel commencing between January 1, 2009 and October 31, 2009. Offers not valid with any other offer and applies to new 2009 European bookings only. Offer reliant on space availability. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Additional restrictions may apply.

Standard Offers and Specials provided by Globus

Discount for young travelers

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!

Right now when you book a 2009 vacation between 5 and 7 people before December 31, 2008, each passenger will save $75

Do you have a large party of friends or family that wants to travel? Right now when you book a 2009 vacation between 5 and 7 people before December 31, 2008, each passenger will save $75.* For example, book 5 passengers and receive a $375 discount, 6 passengers equals a $450 discount and 7 passengers will receive a $525 discount. With an offer like this, the world’s greatest destinations are now closer than ever!

*Book a 2009 Globus vacation for five, six or seven travelers to receive the $75 off per person offer. Booking must be made, under deposit, and discount applied between Jun 4 and Dec 31, 2008 for travel through December 31, 2009. Individuals must be traveling together from the same origination point to receive the discount. Not valid with any other offer and applies to new 2009 bookings only. Offer reliant on space availability. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Additional restrictions may apply.