Yangtze Sojourn

Day 1 - Welcome to Beijing
Check in to the landmark Peninsula Hotel is Beijing’s most prestigious luxury address.

Day 2 - Full-day Small Group sightseeing in the capital
Tour the Forbidden City #WHS# and meet our specially-invited scholar, a renowned lecturer from the National Museum who will lead you through the rarely-visited Ceramics Gallery. Stand in Tiananmen Square and visit the lovely Summer Palace #WHS#. Tonight, sit down to a Peking Duck banquet. Meals B,L,D

Day 3 - Walk atop the Great Wall #WHS# & explore a hutong
Travel to the less-visited Mutianyu section for a more authentic and leisurely Great Wall experience. We’ve included the cable car, but the intrepid will have time to make the ascent on foot. After lunch at the historic Schoolhouse Restaurant, return to the city and explore by rickshaw through the Houhai hutong, one of Beijing’s rapidly-disappearing traditional districts. Meals B,L

Day 4 - Fly to Xian... and Touch Antiquity
Upon arrival in Xian, our Touch Antiquity experience at the Shaanxi Museum is a rare chance to handle ancient artifacts. This evening, enjoy dinner and a performance of classical music and dance from the Tang Dynasty. Overnight at the luxurious Shangri-La Hotel. Meals B,D

Day 5 - The Terra Cotta Warriors #WHS# and ancient City Walls
Full day sightseeing features Xian’s ancient city walls and China’s greatest archaeological discovery, the excavation site of a 2,000-year-old terra cotta army buried to guard the tomb of an emperor. Meals B,L

Day 6 - Board the all-balcony Yangzi Explorer
You’ll be escorted to the airport for your included flight to Chongqing, a vibrant metropolis set on the upper reaches of the Yangtze River deep in China’s heartland. Upon arrival, you’ll be met and escorted to your waiting ship, the 5-star MS Yangzi Explorer. You’ll have time to settle in to your spacious balcony stateroom before dinner is served in the elegant Dynasty Palace restaurant. Later this evening, a documentary film about the Three Gorges Dam will be shown in the Tang Theater. Meals B,D

Day 7 - Ashore in Fengdu
Your first full day on the mighty Yangtze unfolds with scenic cruising, enriching shipboard activities and sightseeing! Take in the panoramic views from your private balcony or join the ship’s staff for cultural demonstrations and activities. You might learn about traditional Chinese medicine or attend a demonstration on Chinese arts and crafts. Today’s shore excursion explores the famous “Ghost City” of Fengdu, celebrated for its ancient temples - many decorated with fantastic carvings depicting characters and creatures from Chinese mythology and legend. Depending upon river conditions and water levels, you may instead step ashore in Wanzhou to visit a “relocation village.” Meet local families whose ancestral lands were flooded by the Three Gorges Dam and learn about their new life here on higher ground! Meals B,L,D

Day 8 - Through the Three Gorges and up Shennong Stream
Early this morning, the Explorer will navigate through Qutang Gorge, the narrowest of the river’s Three Gorges, and then into Wu Gorge - renowned for massive cliffs that rise sharply from the river! Then step off ship for an unforgettable journey up Shennong Stream. You’ll explore this spectacular region in traditional sampans poled by Tujia boatmen. The scenery here is unrivalled, encompassing crystalline rushing waters, dense forests and towering rock formations. Keep your eyes peeled for indigenous species like the elusive Golden Hair Monkey. Back on the Explorer, your shipboard program continues anew with lectures and discussions in the Tang Theater and a sampling of teas from different regions of China. At this evening’s Emperor Farewell Dinner, you’ll find the ship’s crew colorfully garbed in traditional Chinese attire. Meals B,L,D

Day 9 - Visit the Three Gorges Dam and fly to Shanghai
This morning, your ship will navigate through the amazing locks of the immense Three Gorges Dam, the largest in the world! Then on a guided sightseeing tour to the Dam site, you’ll learn about this engineering marvel and the far reaching impact it’s had on the residents and geography of the region. After lunch onboard, you’ll disembark the Yangzi Explorer in Yichang for your included flight to Shanghai. Upon arrival in this sophisticated city, you’ll be met and escorted to the luxurious Peninsula Hotel. Meals B,L

Day 10 - Full day city sightseeing
Travel along the waterfront Bund, tour the highly-respected Shanghai Museum and ascend China’s tallest building for breathtaking views. Then join a city resident to explore through his neighborhood, visiting local residences and markets to learn about the rapidly evolving pace of life in this cosmopolitan city. Meals B,L

Day 11 - Discover Suzhou #WHS#
Journey to ancient Suzhou. Tour the lovely Garden of the Master of Nets, cruise on the Grand Canal and walk along Pingjiang Road. Return to Shanghai by High Speed Train! Meals B,L,D

Day 12 - Shanghai to Guilin
Fly to Guilin where you’ll be escorted to the new Shangri-La Hotel. Tonight’s dinner showcases the flavors of southern China. Afterward, join your Trip Leader for a stroll along the shores of City Lake, where resident families gather to enjoy music and play chess. Step into a local gallery and chat with the owner to learn more about the city’s thriving cultural and art scene. Meals B,D

Day 13 - River rafting on the Yulong
With skilled river guides onboard, traditional bamboo rafts will float you gently down the Yulong, a particularly scenic tributary of the Li River. Step ashore and explore on foot alongside emerald green rice paddies to visit with a local farmer and his family. Meals B,L,D

Day 14 - From Guilin to Hong Kong
Enjoy a leisurely morning to explore at your own pace. After lunch, visit the Tea Research Institute and then transfer to the airport for your flight to Hong Kong. Upon arrival, you’ll be met and escorted to the landmark Peninsula Hotel, perfectly located. Meals B,L

Day 15 - Get inside Hong Kong
Our exclusive, uniquely-designed full-day city tour takes you beyond the skyscrapers to experience facets of Hong Kong which few visitors ever glimpse. With your Trip Leader, a savvy city resident guiding the way, you’ll discover Hong Kong’s highlights and hidden corners, including lunch at Jimmy’s Kitchen – a city landmark in the bustling Central District. Meals B,L

Day 16 - Depart Hong Kong anytime you wish!
Your tour program finishes with us this morning. Or extend your stay with additional nights at the legendary Peninsula Hotel. Meals B

Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
6/23/2012 - 7/9/2012	$6,079
6/23/2012 - 7/9/2012	$7,529
6/23/2012 - 7/9/2012	$7,379
6/23/2012 - 7/9/2012	$6,179
6/23/2012 - 7/9/2012	$5,999
7/14/2012 - 7/30/2012	$7,379
7/14/2012 - 7/30/2012	$6,079
7/14/2012 - 7/30/2012	$7,529
7/14/2012 - 7/30/2012	$6,179
7/14/2012 - 7/30/2012	$5,999
9/1/2012 - 9/17/2012	$6,979
9/1/2012 - 9/17/2012	$8,179
9/1/2012 - 9/17/2012	$8,329
9/1/2012 - 9/17/2012	$6,799
9/1/2012 - 9/17/2012	$6,879
9/22/2012 - 10/8/2012	$8,179
9/22/2012 - 10/8/2012	$6,979
9/22/2012 - 10/8/2012	$6,879
9/22/2012 - 10/8/2012	$8,329
9/22/2012 - 10/8/2012	$6,799
10/6/2012 - 10/22/2012	$8,179
10/6/2012 - 10/22/2012	$6,879
10/6/2012 - 10/22/2012	$6,979
10/6/2012 - 10/22/2012	$8,329
10/6/2012 - 10/22/2012	$6,799
10/13/2012 - 10/29/2012	$6,979
10/13/2012 - 10/29/2012	$8,329
10/13/2012 - 10/29/2012	$8,179
10/13/2012 - 10/29/2012	$6,879
10/13/2012 - 10/29/2012	$6,799
10/27/2012 - 11/12/2012	$6,979
10/27/2012 - 11/12/2012	$8,329
10/27/2012 - 11/12/2012	$8,179
10/27/2012 - 11/12/2012	$6,879
10/27/2012 - 11/12/2012	$6,799
4/13/2013 - 4/29/2013	$8,279
4/13/2013 - 4/29/2013	$8,429
4/13/2013 - 4/29/2013	$6,899
4/13/2013 - 4/29/2013	$6,979
4/13/2013 - 4/29/2013	$7,079
Note: Departures appearing above in green are guaranteed to operate by the tour operator.
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.

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