China Yangtze #1 Tour On Earth!

15 Day - May 12, 2013

5 Star Luxury with optional Bali extension! - SOLD OUT!

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Glenn Rawson
Glenn Rawson
Special Guest Educator

Why China is the BEST Tour in the world!

Let us try and tell you, in a few words, why china is the best tour anywhere in the world. A cruise on the Yangtze is more beautiful than cruising the inside passage of Alaska. The 60,000 life size stone carvings of Dazu (carved by monks over thousands of years), is a site to behold. The Li River and its staggering beauty will be one of your best days on earth. You will marvel as you explore the 9 mile (still in tact) city wall of Xian, with its draw bridges and moats still in place. Climbing the Great Wall create memories for a lifetime. The China Cultural Village makes the Polynesian Cultural Center look puny. Add the experience of seeing the Terracotta Warriors, Summer Palace, Forbidden City, Hong Kong, Beijing and so much more – All in a country that is friendly and loving to Americans. Please believe us on this one, IT IS THE BEST TOUR IN THE WORLD!!!!

Quality Does Make A Difference!

No other company can match the quality of sites visited, the quality of hotels, the quality of food, the quality of ship and especially the quality of pricing! We really are the “The Best For Less!” Call and let us explain why we are able to deliver the best for a lot less!

Our special designed tour really is a 5 Star Luxury tour!! We are not staying in first class (3 star) or Deluxe (4 star) hotels. Our hotels are all 5 star Luxury Hotels. Our ship is the only ship on the Yangtze with all mini suites, each with a private balcony! You will never feel crowded. We have the best large quality buses that we never fill to the brim. We have the best English speaking guides! We send experienced American escorts with every group and most importantly, our special tour has been designed by us after years of experience in China so we can bring you the very best of everything! The following is a quote from one of our passengers who went with us a year after going to China with a different company – “Your worst hotel was better than the best hotel we had with ___, and your worst meal was better than the best meal we had with ___”. Don’t kid yourself, quality does matter!

Three Gorges of the Yangtze River

A few things that make us better than other tours

  • Air to China: Flying to China can be long and hard. With United, Delta, China Air and Japan Airlines your seats are so close together your knees are up under your chin. Next year ALL of our passengers will have the luxury of flying on Singapore Air (considered the best airline in the world). We will fly from the US to Hong Kong. Every seat has extra leg room, plus its own individual television with a huge number of movies you can play whenever you want. You can even stop and fast forward at any time. THE BEST PART: We fly for less on Singapore Air than you would pay to fly the lesser airlines!
  • We include both The Yangtze River and the Li River: Most tours visit either the Li River or the Yangtze. Most do not include both. With our special tour we are going to visit both! The Yangtze River with its 4000 foot cliffs, lush green landscapes and hundreds of waterfalls is more beautiful than cruising Alaska. You can soak in the beauty from your own private balcony. The Li River may be your best day in China because its beauty is unsurpassed. In 2006 we had the Li River as an option at $599 extra. With some additional negotiations and some small changes we are able to include the Li River without increasing the price!
  • Dazu: This is a must if you are going to China. A World Heritage site, Dazu has over 60,000 life size stone carvings that have been hand chiseled into rock walls by Monks over the last 1,000 years. More than half of our passengers feel the stone carvings of Dazu were more impressive than the Terracotta Warriors in Xian.
  • Shenzhen and China Folk Culture Village (created with the help of the Polynesian Culture Center in Hawaii): Shenzhen is a blossoming city that has been newly created in the last 20 years. Now with over 7 million people and beautiful skyscrapers, it has nearly exceeded Shanghai in growth and industry. Here China features the China Folk Culture Village. China is filled with many different nationalities and cultures. The creators of the Hawaiian Polynesian Culture Center helped design this amazing new center. The result has been spectacular. We will visit many ethnic villages such as Mongolian and Tibetan.
  • We travel through the Three Gorges Dam Ship Locks: The worlds largest man made dam has five ship locks to move the ship up and over the dam. Each lock raises our ship 60 feet in the air – 300 feet in all. The Panama Canal ship locks pale in comparison. Most of the cruise ships do not experience the ship locks.
  • Rural Farm Visit: See what life is really like in the countryside of China. We will visit a farm village to get up close and personal with every day living.
  • Because of our government contacts and friends we have in China, we have special privileges offered to our groups that are not given to others. Give us a call and let us tell you more about why we are “The Best For Less”. No other company can deliver the quality experience you deserve in China!!!
  • Xian Great City Wall: Most tours miss the city wall. This wall is possibly the most impressive city wall still standing in the world. The Xian ancient city wall is still in perfect condition as it was 600 years ago. It is four stories high and the top is wide enough to drive four semi trucks side by side for almost nine miles around the city. Even the moat and draw bridges are still intact.
  • You will see more and do more, while living in 5 star Luxury.  We are the best tour and value in China!

Partial list of what your 5 star China Package Includes

  • We send staff from our office to be with you throughout your tour and cruise – “We don’t send you, we take you”!
  • Option to fly to Bali for free and include the highly recommended Bali Extension.
  • All land taxes and booking fees.
  • Major cities visited: Beijing, Xian, Wuhan, Yichang, Chongqing, Dazu, Guilin, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, along with many villages and the countryside.
  • 5 day 4 night Yangtze River cruise (includes all side tours from the ship).
  • 5 Star Cruise Ship on the Yangtze, all rooms are mini suites with private balconies.
  • Small groups - only 30-32 passengers on a 50 passenger bus.  You will not be crowded!
  • The Li River – rarely will you find a tour that includes both the beautiful Li and the Yangtze.
  • World Heritage Site: Dazu Stone Carvings – not included with other tours.
  • All transfers to & from airports, hotels & ship.
  • Many cultural or entertainment shows including the spectacular dinner show at Tang Dynasty Theater.
  • Everyday is a full day of sightseeing. We are not like others who have free days or free afternoons stuck in places where they try to sell you an afternoon or evening tour. Everything is included with us.
  • Except Hong Kong - full American breakfasts daily, quality dinners daily and lunches while on the ship.
  • “Whisper Perfect” headset receiver – you can hear every word even when you step away from the group to take that important picture.
  • Option to purchase Singapore Airlines to Hong Kong and home. This is the number one airline in the world.

Pricing Information

SOLD OUT

Day to Day Itinerary
 
Day 1 May 12: Fly to SFO
You will fly in the evening to San Francisco to catch our late night flight from California to Hong Kong.

Day 2 May 13: Fly to Hong Kong
Approximately 1:30 am depart from SFO to Hong Kong on Singapore Airlines.

Day 3 May 14: Hong Kong
This morning early you will arrive into Hong Kong. Upon arrival we will enjoy a tour of Hong Kong that includes a boat ride on old Sampans through the harbor of Hong Kong. Overnight Hong Kong.

Day 4 May 15: Hong Kong - Shenzhen - China Cultural Village – Li River
This morning we will travel into Mainland China to the city of Shenzhen and the China Cultural Village. The Chinese Government worked with the Polynesian Cultural Center in Hawaii to create their China Cultural Villages featuring their many ethnic groups found in China, like Mongolians, Tibetans, etc. After our visit to the Cultural Village we will fly to Guilin (Li River) where we will overnight.

Day 5 May 16: Guilin and Li River Cruise
This will be a highlight day as we sail on the Li River through some of the most beautiful and unique rock formations found anywhere in the world. The scenic drive to and from the Li River is filled with terraced rice paddies. Later in the afternoon you will visit the beautiful Reed Flute Cave before returning to your hotel. Guilin is possibly the most beautiful city in China.

Day 6 May 17: Guilin – Xian
This morning we will fly from Guilin and the Li River to Xian, home of the Terracotta Warriors.  Today will also include a city tour with a special visit to Xian’s ancient city wall. This may be the best preserved City Wall in the world. Dating back over 500 years, the ancient city wall stretches almost 9 miles around the city with its moat and draw bridges still intact. The top of the wall is wide enough to put 4 semi-trucks side by side.  Overnight Xian 

Day 7 May 18: Xian
We will spend the day visiting the Terracotta Warriors, one of the world’s great archeological treasures. We will also visit the Wild Goose Pagoda. Xian is the capitol of 11 dynasties and one of the largest medieval cities in the world.. This evening we will attend one of the best cultural shows you will see anywhere in the world – The Tang Dynasty Dinner and Cultural Show. This fantastic show is full of music, dance and colorful traditional costumes. Overnight Xian.
 
Day 8 May 17: Xian – Wuhan – 5 star cruise ship
This morning you will fly to Wuhan. We will then take a beautiful drive to the 3 Gorges Dam and our 5 star luxury ship on the Yangtze. We will spend 5 days 4 nights cruising the beautiful majestic Yangtze River.

Day 9 May 20: Cruising the Yangtze
Cruising the Yangtze can be more beautiful than cruising the inside passage of Alaska. With lush green mountains, manicured farms and fjord like 3,000 foot cliffs, you will be awe struck at its beauty. We will start our day by visiting the world's largest man made dam. We will then enter the 5 ship locks of the 3 Gorges Dam. The ship's locks of the Panama Canal pale in comparison. Each of the 5 ship locks will raise the ship 60 feet into the air. Spectacular, unique, mystic and magical are the adjectives describing the magnificent scenery along the Three Gorges, unfolding on a monumental scale, equal to the Grand Canyon. Today we will go through the Misty Gorge where you will see exquisite peaks, grotesquely shaped rocks and silvery waterfalls.

Day 10 May 21: Cruise the Yangtze River and the Three Lesser Gorges
We will start our day with our shore excursion into the Three Lesser Gorges. This is one of the most beautiful places on earth. We will then return and continue sailing through Wu Gorge and on to the grandest Gorge on the Yangtze, the Qutang Gorge.

Day 11 May 22: Cruise the Yangtze River
Today will be a highlight day as we visit the new city of Fendgu, the whole city including parks, homes and businesses have all been built in the last few years. Today you will meet the people, visiting their homes and seeing how they live.

Day 12 May 23: World Heritage Site: Dazu – Beijing
This morning we leave our 5 star luxury ship on the Yangtze in Chongqing and then drive back into the mountains to visit the special stone carvings of Dazu. Here monks have been carving life size stone carvings for over 1,000 years. There are over 60,000 carvings in the Dazu Grottos! Most of our passengers have liked this site as well or better than the Terracotta Warriors in Xian. A MUST SEE IN CHINA. This place is rarely on tours offered by others and again will be one of your favorite highlights of China. We will also stop at a farming community out in the country to see what rural farm life is really like. We will return to Chongqing to take our flight to Xian.  This evening we will fly to Beijing. 
 
Important Note:  Those doing the Tibet Extension will separate from the main group today.  They will fly this morning to Lhasa Tibet.  They will spend two nights and two days visiting such sites as the fantastic Potala Palace that was built in the 15th Century. The Potala Palace was the home of the Dalai Lama until 1959 when the 14th Dalai Lama fled to India. 

Day 13 May 24: Beijing
Today we will visit the Temple of Heaven and then head to the Summer Palace (the summer residence of China’s Emperors. This afternoon we will make our anticipated visit to the Forbidden City. A huge complex of palaces, pavilions, courtyards and gardens. The Forbidden City was off limits to common people for over 500 years).

Day 14 May 25: Beijing – Great Wall
This morning early we will travel 40 miles north of Beijing to the Great Wall. This extraordinary 4,000 mile long fortification was built to thwart the barbarian invasions. A walk along the enormous towered and turreted wall is spectacular. We will return to Beijing where you will have a free afternoon to shop at Silk Alley or relax before your flight back home.

Day 15 May 26: Beijing – home OR Optional Extension to Bali
This morning you will fly home OR take the recommended extension to the most beautiful island on earth – Bali!!!

Bali Optional Extension

6 Day 5 night extension:
“Travel and Leisure” each year rate the best islands in the world – for the 5th time in a row (to no one’s surprise that’s been there) Bali was rated the number one island in the world. This is your chance to experience the #1 Island at a cost so low, you cannot afford to stay home. You will love the warm and friendly people of Bali. Your 5 star luxury beach resorts have hundreds of acres of private grounds and private beaches. Similar luxury hotels on the beach in Hawaii would cost upwards of $800 to $1,000 per night. Think what a Ritz Carlton Beach resort would be like and you have the picture of what you will have in Bali. These resorts with their many beautiful swimming pools - that include waterslides and waterfalls - are fun for any age.

You will be staying in two hotels located on different sides of the island. One of them has on its grounds and part of the resort, the number 1 golf course in all of Asia. This Greg Norman Championship course plays 7 of its holes along the ocean or out over the ocean. It is equal to or better than the beautiful courses found along the California Coast Line. Best of all you can play 18 holes with cart and caddie for under $100 when staying at the hotel.

   

Your Optional extension includes:

  • 5 star luxury beach resorts
  • All tours of the Island & Hindu Temples
  • Balinese shows & unsurpassed shopping
  • The most beautiful rafting trip in the world
  • 2 hour Bali Massage

Fly The #1 Airline in the world – Singapore Air 
Your flight will be on the number one airline in the world Singapore air. 

Day by Day Itinerary:

Day 1: May 26: Fly – Bali 
This morning we will fly from Beijing to Singapore on Singapore Air. We will change planes in Singapore and continue on to Bali, the most beautiful Island on Earth. You will then check into your luxury 5 star hotel located on the Beach - The Pan Pacific Nirwana Golf & Spa Resort. 

Day 2: May 27: Bali – Full Day Tour
Full day tour of Bali. You will enjoy beautiful layered rice paddies, enjoy one of the most beautiful rafting in the world as you float by moss covered cliffs and deep jungles in the middle of Bali. You will also have a private show put on by the Barong Dance Group. We will do additional shopping and visit the Monkey forest before returning to your beach resort hotel. The Pan Pacific Nirwana Golf & Spa Resort. 

Day 3: May 28: Bali
Free Day to enjoy your fantastic beach resort. The Pan Pacific Nirwana Golf & Spa Resort.

Day 4: May 29: Bali
This morning we will take a ½ day tour of Tanah Lot and spend time shopping in the local flea market. We will then transfer to the beautiful Bali Intercontinental Beach Resort. This afternoon you will enjoy one of the great pleasures found on Bali – A two hour Bali massage followed by your own flowered bath. 

Day 5: May 30: Bali
Full day to enjoy your beach resort. The Bali Intercontinental Resort and Spa Day. 

Day 6: May 31: Bali
This morning you will travel to the airport and your flight back to the US and home.